God and Occults
Preface
I am writing about the occults, not because I feel I have to, but because through Gods grace, I was delivered and freed from three generations of occult.
My personal involvement started four-six years ago as a boy of ten. I can tell you now about the pain and suffering it had brought upon me.
As I look back now what started out as fun and laughs had a bearing on my life, which nearly destroyed me. It was a life of nightmares and darkness. Over this period I had times of illness, mental and nervous breakdowns and a bigamist marriage of which I was the innocent party. I was living has the clown, to cover up all the hurts. It has only been in the last five years that I have found peace and happiness.
I would like to thank my Friends that through the Grace of God brought me back from the brink of despair. I would give a warning to anyone who thinks that the Occults cannot destroy you, to think again.
It is only through Gods love and Grace that I am here to warn others of the dangers and truth of what Satan is trying to do. I know that through The Holy Spirit, it brings new life. Our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can bring you to The Father. No matter what you have done or been involved in, God still loves you and wants you for his own.
WHAT IS THE OCCULT?
The word ‘Occult’ comes from the Latin term ‘Occultus’ which means ‘Hidden Secret, Sinister, Dark, or Mysterious’. Which is the opposite to the Christian Life.
There seem to be four ways in which people go in search of the occults.
- SUPERSTITION
- FORTUNE-TELLING
- MAGIC
- SPIRITISM
We will look at all the four ways to see where they lead
( I ) Superstition
One of the oldest religious preoccupations, It is a form of personal magic used to come to terms with the unknown. Even Christians have been known to, ‘Touch Wood’ or have lucky horseshoes at their wedding. Some superstitions have or have had some basis in fact, like the third person to light a cigarette from the same match, can be traced to the First World War trenches, because it would give time for the enemy to load and aim at his victim. But most superstitions cannot be so definitely traced.
Many superstition remedies and activities are used to keep us safe like. Walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, there are lots of remedies to ward off evil of gain good luck. The original reason behind some of the practices may long forgotten, but the practice it self is maintained because it makes us feel secure, all this is to put our trust into the unknown and the unsafe.
Luck charms, Millions of people would not dream of going out of the house without a charm of some description. There are a vast number of item such as Key-Rings, Bracelets, Brooches, and Amulets, which is an object on which a charm has been written or over which a charm or spell has been cast; it is used as a shield against evil spirits. The term ‘charm’ comes from the Latin for ‘song’.
No matter how innocent and harmless the charms and amulets may appear, they are the thin ends of the occult wedge. As such they can endanger our spiritual health.
Halloween.
Another popular superstition, most children can tell you about it, They know it has something to do with witches, because many school get the children to make models and drawing, costumes of witches. Not even are the churches immune from this practice, they say that such activities are harmless and do not oppose the Christian faith, But I fail to see how popularising evil can be described as harmless. Halloween does in fact encourage an interest and fascination in the occults and this can lead to more serious involvement and damage to the individuals concerned.
The true importance of superstition lies with the fact that it can lead to a deeper involvement in the occult. So there is not such a thing as harmless nonsense, superstition is a symptomatic of people who know they are insecure but who will not put their trust in their GOD and SAVIOUR.
FORTUNE-TELLING
The practice takes many forms; it underlines the basic need of all mankind for purpose and path of life. The quest for knowledge of what is to come is really an attempt for us to take control of our own future without TRUSTING IN GOD to take care of us.
The main forms are:
- HOROSCOPES
- ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS
- CARDS AND CRYSTALS
We will look at each one in turn.
HOROSCOPES and ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS
This is the most common form of fortune telling. According to surveys twice as many people read their horoscopes each week as anything from the bible. Many will tell you they only read them ‘for fun’. They may not realise that those who prepare the horoscopes are usually committed astrologists who take their craft very seriously. A lot of people take astrology very seriously indeed. It is well known that some people will not do anything until they have had their horoscopes done. The basis of astrology is the alleged influence of the planets upon people’s lives, past, present, and future.
A lot of astrologers are member of the Astrological and Psychic Society. Not very long a go a television astrologer on his nation-wide zodiac telephone line told a caller, ‘If you’ve always wanted to study psychology, the occults or the paranormal then NOW’s the time to begin. This person is a committed occultist, and occult practices open doors to spiritual forces, which can wreck lives. Many newspapers advertise the service of professional astrologists who for a fee will prepare complete character analyses of you.
There are two kinds of astrologera. The Mathematical and the Mantic. The mathematical base their predictions on mathematical evidence and statistics, focusing on personal traits and individual character. The mantic employ a ‘Divinatory’ approach. This at its most basic involves subjectively reaching into the clients emotional state coupled with suggestions which build on this knowledge. At the more sophisticated end of the scale is the operation of a definite spirit power, which is very obviously NOT THE Holy Spirit.
CARDS and CRYSTALS
All involve a deliberate surrendering to “OUTSIDE FORCES”, be they psychic or spiritual. Crystal gazing for example is not the ability to see events in a crystal ball itself, This may be the impression given by practitioner at the seaside or garden fetes, But seriously minded gazer use the ball only as a means to focus on or to tap into their Power of clairvoyance, These practices include interpretation and guidance and excert a great influence over the clients. It robs them of the ability under God to determine their future and to make choices for themselves. To submit to the appeal of fortune telling is to take a very dangerous step into the realm of the occult forces. It fosters a dependence upon the unknown and leaves the person wide open to the manipulation by forces, which are anything but HOLY. You can suffer from depression and neuroses with involvement with fortune-telling.
Fortune-telling is wide ranges; e.g. palms, tarot, tealeaves reading. Superstition arid fortune-telling, are far from harmless, but these are often taken so lightly, when it is a most serious matter, which could and does affect your life
MAGIC
At the heart of all magical endeavours is to desire to bring the spirit world under one’s own control, Magic normally falls into two categories of black or white.
Black magic seeks to control enemies while white magician seeks to control events for the benefit of others, White magicians claim that their power is from God. and they use Christian symbols such as the cross, the fish, and the name of the Trinity is often used. White magic seeks power in order to control, and contradicts the Christian gospel. Which teaches that we are give power in order to serve other?
One form of black magic is Satanism, This is the worship of the devil as lord of the universe which is in open opposition to JESUS CHRIST and his church. Besides worshipping Satan, Satanists are encouraged to exercise mind control over other, and have a belief in the power of the curse. These powers are real, Satanism is well organised and attracts many follower, Most follower are not your dropouts but such as bankers and teachers etc. The Satanist’s commitment must not be underestimated, leaving aside the groups, which use this term as a cover for sexual and psychic pastimes. The rest are extremely serious about their worship of Satan.
There are a number of reasons why people become involved in this sometimes it from Drug dependence, free or perverted sex, or they seek to control and manipulation of other.
A parallel development is witchcraft. This FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM has its roots in ancient pagan practices. Despite its trapping it is just another way to gain power over others, and have power to your self.
SPIRITISM
It tries to and seeks communication with the dead.
This is the most DECEITFUL door of all. Because a lot of people that go into this door, believe that it is from GOD and that because we have a National Spiritualist Church. That may appear to be acceptable to Christian, but it is AGAINST GOD'S WILL, as we will see later.
For those involved in spiritism the link between them and the spirit is the medium, who is a psychic or sensitive person whose body is used as a vehicle for communicating with the spirits.
The spiritists claim that departed spirits who reached a higher spiritual plane can communicate teaching and knowledge to all, as well as heal the sick through the hand of the medium; such spirits are designated as guides. Other aspects of spiritism are healing and psychic surgery. The mediums may claim to have a spirit guide with healing powers. Spirit healers, unlike sensitises do not go into a trance in order to do their work.
Whatever we may think of these practices there is no shortage of clients or claimants to healing. I would like to point out that people claiming to have experienced physical healing in this way can often-developed spiritual and emotional anxieties.
Broader spirit interests include clairvoyance & psychometry.
Spiritism has grown and developed from peoples needs to find reassurance about their place in the universe, or the letting go of a loved one to the unknown and so they find comfort in maintaining link with them after death.
THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE OCCULTS
Many people are apprehensive about the future, whether in this life or the next. Some feel insecure and need to know what’s around the next bend. I would said this is one of the main reasons why so many read their horoscopes even though they will tell you it just for fun, They need to be told all is well, prediction offer reassurance telling them how it is a good time to make that decision or go away, or what good fortune is just round the next bend. Sometimes it warn that it is not the right time to.
Take a certain course of action; it boils down to guidance on whether or not some activities are safe or not at that moment.
This underlines that many people live in fear and insecurity so the superstition and occult practices will attract them because it appear to meet their needs regarding the future. Then we have the people who desire power over other, the holder of the occult powers serves no one but himself and his own desire for domination. Other are attracted by the unusual, again such demonstrations of power is like a drug which can grow on them until it becomes a need and as a consequence they can become easily manipulated.
Many others have looked for real spiritual experience within the church, But became disillusioned by its liberalism and unbelief, so the search elsewhere and they where attracted by deception to the occults with its demonstrations of spiritual power.
People have found that the occults works for them so others just follow Whatever the reason why people are attracted to the occults many discover it power is real.
THE POWER OF THE OCCULT.
You may ask if the power of the occults is real. Let me tell you now have no doubt, it is very real and effective, So where does this power come from is it from GOD, or is it some trick, or due to psychic or spirits of the departed, Or is there another source?
Sometimes things happen which we know are just chance or other could be fraud, but where does the real power come from. We know that GOD sent His HOLY SPIRIT into the world, so some would have us believe it from GOD. We can disclaim this theory if we look at what GOD said in is word, The Bible condemns any occult practices so this confirms for me that the OCCULTS POWERS ARE NOT FROM GOD, As we will see later when we look at GOD’S word.
So where does this power come from? The only conclusion I can make is that it is from SATAN. As we know that he has the POWER OF DECEPTION and we are told in the bible that SATAN himself will perform SIGNS and WONDERS. This is the DECEPTION we all must watch out for.
SATAN, as we know has the POWER OF DECEPTION and will always try to keep you away from the truth.
Occult power is evil and is a part of Satan's plan of deception and to keep us all in spiritual bondage.
What can this evil power do to us? I can tell you it can form many problems in a lifetime like health, Inordinate fear of Death, Nightmares, Anger or unmanageable fears, Sexual, Addictions, Mental and Emotional problems, and keeping you away from the TRUTH. IT IS THE POWER OF DECEPTION.
The signs above are no more than possible indicators of demonic influence always check all other possible causes first.
GOD’S WORD ON THE OCULTS
We will now look at God’s WORD about the Occults.
As we look at Deuteronomy 18: 10-12. “Let no one be found among you. Who practices Divination or Sorcery? Interprets Omens, Engages in Witchcraft, or casts Spells, or who is a Medium or Spiritist or who consults the dead, anyone who does these things Is DETESTABLE to the LORD.”
In LEVITICUS 19:31. We are told not to go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead, and again in chapter 20:6 we are told that those who resort to consulting the dead are SEPARATED from GOD. We are warned again (Deuteronomy 18:9-12) that we are separated from GOD if we are involved in the OCCULT. In (Isaiah 8:19-22) GOD tell us to listen to him and not the Occults as it can bring DESTRESS. The power of the occults cannot save us (Isaiah 4.7: 11-15) and the LORD enumerates a long list of the occult practices. In Revelation 21:8, Those who practice magic arts are CONDEMNED to DEATH.
We are also told (1 John 4:1-6) do not believe all who claim to have the spirit, but test them to find if the spirit they have comes from God. For many FALSE PROPHETS have gone out everywhere and God tells us has his spirit is more powerful than the other spirit. So any spirit that does not acknowledge JESUS, is the spirit of the ANTICHRIST.
So from GOD’S own WORD “He DETESTS any form of the OCCULTS so we must also warn others of the DECEPTION which is in the world today.
From what we have read I would say that anything which seeks to DETRACT us from GOD’S LOVE and His purposes for all of us, is without DOUBT to be REJECTED.
FOR THE ONLY POWER THAT CAN SAVE US IS THAT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
CONCLUSION
The Occults are evil and against GOD, As we have seen what the Bible said on the subject of the occult, the only conclusion as Christians we can draw is that the Occults are DEMONIC in origin, and there is no getting away from the fact that the Bible, The WORD OF GOD condemns Occult practices and this once and for all confirms that occult powers are NOT FROM GOD.
So where does this power come from? They are DEMONIC. The Bible tells us of their activity. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, But against the ruler, against the authorities, against the POWER OF THIS DARK WORLD, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12)
Satan and his evil spirits are real; we are told that they are fallen angels. That Satan himself will perform signs and wonders. We are also told in (1 Tim 4:1) “ The Spirit clearly tell us some will abandon the faith and follow DECEIVING SPIRITS and thing taught by DEMONS, All the way through the BIBLE we are warned against FALSE PROPHETS who will show GREAT SIGNS and WONDERS.
That it is possible that they shall DECEIVE GOD'S PEOPLE. (Matthew 24:24) There is NO DOUBT that all of Satan tactics is DECEPTION. He is a CRAFTY and CLEVER DISGUISER. Satan's deception stared in the Garden of Eden and it continues to this day and will do so until OUR LORD JESUS RETURN'S.
With the “NEW AGE CULT” which is a combination of SPIRITUALITY and SUPERSTITIONS, FAB, and FARCE, about which the only thing certain is that IT IS NOT NEW. The New Age Cult and the Bible have one common denominator.
The BIBLE warns us that at the end of ages FALSE PROPHETS, CHRISTS, and TEACHERS will come and try to DECEIVE GOD’S PEOPLE. (Matthew 24). We are told and give understanding about the “SPIRIT OF THE AGE” in which we live and how to oppose it. (2 Timothy 3:1-15)
It tell us and warns us that times will be full of danger, that people will become SELF-CENTRED, GREEDY, PROUD, CONTEMPTUOUS, They will have NO CONTROL OF THEMSELVES. They will maintain a facade of “RELIGION” which as no validity. They WILL LOVE THEMSELVES MORE THAN GOD.
We are told to keep away from people like this and open our mind to the SALVATION that comes thorough Believing in CHRIST JESUS. The HOLY BIBLE, which is the WORD of GOD, is to be use for TEACHING the FAITH and CORRECTING ERROR, for setting direction of our live and training in good living. HIS WORD is the COMPLETE EQUIPMENT for us all and fit us FULLY FOR HIS WAY GOD loves us all and he sent HIS SON JESUS to died for us all, so we can have ETERNAL LIFE and walk with GOD.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR LIFE YOU CAN FIND PEACE WITH GOD AND HE WILL TURN NO ONE AWAY. IF WE FOLLOW THE JESUS AND DIED TO BE BORN AGAIN
To receive CHRIST you need to do four things: ADMIT you’re a sinner, REPENT to turn away from your sin. BELIEVE that CHRIST died for you on the CROSS. RECEIVE JESUS into you heart. If you follow these simple steps then GOD’S GRACE will be given to you and you will be born again and baptised by the HOLY SPIRIT. We must desire this fullness because GOD commands it of us “BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” (Ephesians 5:18)
JESUS defeated Satan at the CROSS that we belong to him have been DELIVERED from Satan power, yet our encounter with Satan is not over, he does not give up So we must over come Satan by the HOLY SPIRIT. (James 4: 7-8) and put on the full ARMOUR of GOD. (Ephesians 6:11)
One last word many churches have much to learn concerning the reality of evil spiritual forces and the spiritual warfare, which will get a lot worse.
© Anthony Sarjant 2004-2007
E-mail - tonys@angelwithcrookedfeet.org