The Occult and It's Effects

Today, many people dabble in the mystical, occult arts. Is there anything wrong with being involved in these practices? Yes, the Bible takes a clear position on this subject, strongly denouncing these practices. God created us and therefore owns us. He has a right to set the rules for our lives. Gods Word indicates that these practices are part of Satan's strategy of evil tricks and deception designed to lead us astray. Satan and his demons are real beings set on our destruction. Christians are warned to "put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Astrology (predictions by the planets or moon; horoscopes; sometimes referred to as "observing times" in the Old Testament) Although the Bible does go into great detail about astrology, it certainly makes its position clear. We should never trust in astrological beliefs or predictions. Astrology is a pagan, anti-God practice that leads to disaster. Our lives are not determined by the stars or movement of planets. The Bible warns against the false predictions of astrology (Jeremiah 10:2; 27:9-10; Daniel 2:1-4; 4:7; 5:7-9) and repeatedly condemns the associated practice of worshipping the sun, moon and stars (or "deities or demons associated with them") (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:2-5; 2 Kings 21:3, 5; Zephaniah 1:5; Job 31:26-28; Jeremiah 8:1-2).

In Isaiah, God sarcastically rebukes Israel for practising astrology, .For you have trusted in your wickedness... Therefore evil shall come upon you... trouble shall fall upon you... Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame..." -Isaiah 47:10-14a

Magic, Spells, Enchantments, Charming, Sorcery, Wizardry, Witchcraft, Wicca- Research has shown that occult magic is often fraudulent and deceitful illusion - counterfeit miracles. Many books have been written on this subject. In some instances, occult magic or divination are a manifestation of demonic powers or the result of demon possession (Acts 16:16). Of course, the power of Satan and his demons is extremely limited compared to God's power.

Those who follow the path of the magic arts are on the wrong path - a road that leads away from God, not toward Him. In one way or another, the end will be disaster. The evil Queen Jezebel practised witchcraft (2 Kings 9:22) bringing catastrophe on herself and all Israel. Over and over, God denounces those who "conjure spells" and those who practice witchcraft and sorcery. The Bible says that anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; 2 Kings 21:6; Micah 5:12; Isaiah 47:12; Ezekiel 13:18, 20; Acts 8:11-24; Leviticus 20:27; Exodus 7:11; Revelation 9:21; 22:15).

God warns of the ultimate punishment. Revelation 21:8 says of "...those who practice magic arts ...their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur... the second death" Those who practice witchcraft (sorcery) will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). These practices are anti-God and are in rebellion against Him.

Many of citizens of ancient Ephesus practised the magic arts. Those who became Christians realised the foolish error of their former lives and burned their expensive books of magic as the trash they were (Acts 19:19).

The Bible tells how the apostle Paul once dealt with one of these deceivers, a sorcerer and false prophet who led people astray. "Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, 'O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.' And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand" (Acts 13:9-11).

Divination, Fortune-telling, Mediums, Spiritism, Necromancy, Familiar Spirits, Wizardry, Seances, Channelling, Clairvoyance, Spirit-guides

The Bible strongly warns people not to consult mediums and spiritists for the truth, but to inquire of God (Isaiah 8:19). Clearly, if those who practised these arts have any power (beyond being great deceivers), it is not a gift from God (as some falsely claim). The Bible condemns and forbids these practices several times (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Isaiah 44:25; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24). Divination and Spiritism were despised practices of the pagans (Ezekiel 21:21; Isaiah 19:3; 1 Samuel 28). Scripture says that one of the reasons King Saul died was "because he consulted a medium for guidance" rather than God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

The Bible provides examples showing the folly and failures of those who claimed the ability to predict the future based on their own powers or those of spirits Daniel 2:27. God calls the word of diviners "nonsense," "lies" and "deception" for foolish people (Ezekiel 13:8; Jeremiah 14:14; Isaiah 44:25). God said, "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!" (Ezekiel 13:3). If an Israelite lived the deceitful practice of being a medium, it was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:27). The presence of a medium or spiritist among God's people of Israel was considered a defilement (Leviticus 19:31). All these practices take people further from their Creator, the true and living God.

Following omens or signs- We are not to look to omens or "signs" to direct our lives. The Bible reprimands people for doing this. It is an "abomination" and foolishness (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Look to God and His instructions for life as provided in the Bible. To do otherwise is to foolishly deceive yourself, or allow Satan and others to deceive you.

Palmistry- "HAST SAMUDRIKA" popularly known as "PALMISTRY" i.e. study of hand is very small part of Samudrika Shastra, Science which was well developed in ancient India . Samudrika Shastra is the study of the whole body and various signs in it. Palmistry is a well-established science, which pulls everyone to it even as a layman. However, like every 'Science', one has to have patience and learn its deep intricacies to get its correct and true meaning.

Paganism - Contrary to popular belief, it must be stressed that Pagans do not worship Satan. Indeed, Pagans will normally throw their arms up in horror if a Christian accuses them of Devil worship. Pagans tend to be folk who have a leaning towards nature and seek to harness the power of nature through various magical rites. Some, who may have had nominal Christian upbringings, rather than a life changing experience with Christ, may have become disillusioned with 'established religion' and as a result, have seen Paganism, or Witchcraft, as an attractive alternative. Some of the Pagan groups in existence today include Druids and Wiccans. Some groups tend to worship a female deity whereas others will worship a male deity of some description. Wiccans will normally class themselves as practising 'white' witchcraft, and say that they do well. However, it must be stressed that white witchcraft can certainly lead a person down the slippery slope towards its black counterpart. The Bible does not draw a line between white or black witchcraft, but simply warns against practising "witchcraft".

Biblical Response to Paganism

Deuteronomy. 18:9-14; 9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Micah 5:12; And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:

Gal. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Spiritualism (Spiritism) - The main practice, and attraction, for many people to the practice of Spiritualism, is the professed ability to contact the dead. Many Spiritualists are normally acting out of genuine motives, and feel that they are doing good by helping those who are grieving by putting them in touch with their departed loved ones. Again, as with Pagans, Spiritualists do not worship the Devil. In fact, many Christians are surprised when they encounter spiritualists who profess to be Christians themselves. This branch of Spiritualism labels itself "Christian" by meeting in a "Spiritualist Church", singing hymns at their meetings, and having such things as crosses and Bible's on display in the building. However, although some Spiritualist churches are covered in a veneer of Christian trappings, this does not make Spiritualism compatible with the Christian faith. On the contrary, the Bible explicitly forbids attempted contact with the dead (Deuteronomy 18: 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. The Bible state's that the dead do not have contact with the living Luke 16:19-31, and that the messages which are meant to come from the dead are actually from deceiving spirit's who are familiar with the departed. Indeed, Isaiah 29:4 calls such a spirit a "familiar spirit" (KJV).

Biblical Response to Spiritism

Luke 16:19-31---19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Isaiah 29:4--- 4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

Concerning occult practices, the Israelites were told:

"When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [an ancient occult practice], or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination [detestable] to the LORD..."

-Deuteronomy 18:9-12a

Tarot Cards and Psychics     Is it just for "entertainment"?

For those of you who are night owls, have you watched TV and actually counted the number of commercials pertaining to Tarot Card reading? In a one hour period last night there were seven advertisements all from different "tarot readers". If you look to the bottom of the screen it says, "Intended for entertainment only". Entertainment? The questions these people ask on these commercials tells are great deal about where our country stands today morally. It is indeed a sad day in society when one calls a psychic to find out whom their child's father is, to find out if a spouse is cheating, or to see if that "someone special" is going to come their way.

Christians are as susceptible to these temptation's as the non-believer, some begin by tampering with fortune telling and psychic's "just to see if they are true", that my friend is the lie Satan tells to have us commune with darkness.

For us to have a better understanding let's look at the origination of tarot cards.

The origin of the Tarot cards -- which are cards with attractive pictures, continues to remain vague despite considerable research. According to conservative estimates, they are at least 500 years old. Some scholars, however, place them in the 1st century after Christ. Others aver that they originated from the religious rituals and symbols of the ancient Egyptians. The earliest documented set of Tarot cards is rooted in the second half of the fifteenth century and was painted in Italy. The Renaissance had already adopted the Greek Gods and the Greek philosophy, which is why it is Greek mythology, moral, spiritual and mystical elements, which form the backbone of Tarot cards. The images and imagery portrayed on the card's reveals hidden things, which would not be discoverable through purely 'rational' means. The graphics on such cards contain pictures of pentagrams, caskets, and many other articles of the occult.

However fortune telling dates back to Biblical times and is addressed in the Word of God. Okay with that information given. Let's take a look at what scripture tells us about fortune telling:

 Consulting a psychic, in person or by phone, for 'fun' or out of curiosity, according to the principles God gives us, should be avoided. You may discover that, in the long run, the information seems helpful only temporarily, and you will start using the psychic to make up for your own inability to cope and make decisions. You may also start relying on the psychic as a counsellor to listen to your problems. (Daniel 2:27), (Daniel 2: 20, 22). (I Corinthians 1:24b), (John 6:48,51). Jesus has wisdom that encompasses the universe, which he sustains (Hebrews 1:3). What psychic ability compares to this?

Disclaimer:..The views and opinions represented throughout this site are not necessarily my own. They are facts gathered, from various sources as part of my research into other faiths. No offence is meant to the followers of any religion, faith or spirituality.