The Occult: What Does God Say?
October 25, 2010 by WebPastor
Filed under Christian Articles
As you wake in the morning you open your eyes only to realize that yet another day has dawned. You fall out of bed in anticipation of which body part will ache the most today. With somewhat liquid movement back in the joints you stop at the bathroom on your way to the coffee pot. As you push the button you remember that the all important newspaper is laying at your front door, just waiting for you to open it to see what current catastrophe is taking place. After reviewing the gloom and doom of the world you turn to the horoscope to finally set the mood for the day. What can you expect to happen? What lies in the stars for you? You don’t really believe in such hoopla, but it is entertaining, and once in a while it is uncanny at just how accurate it seems to be. But still, it’s not real. It’s just harmless entertainment. Or is it?
Google currently has 34,900,000 pages indexed for the word horoscope. You can find them in magazines and newspapers across the world. They are at every checkout stand rolled up like mini scrolls and, of course, in your fortune cookie. Try to find a bible scripture in as many places and you will begin to see the forces of evil working in our society. We have been so inundated with occult type practices that we rarely recognize them as such anymore. Have you taken a yoga class at your local gym? Did you know it’s roots are in Eastern mysticism? But again, the argument is that it is just harmless. Well that is exactly what the enemy wants you to think.
According to Barna research 4 out of every 5 teenagers has read their horoscope “just for fun.” While most of these teens do not believe they are always accurate, they do believe they are always or usually true. Marcia Montenegro, former professional licensed astrologer who practiced astrology for over 8 years says that astrological philosophy is based on the occult worldview that asserts “as above, so below.” According to this view, everything in the universe is one and is connected; therefore, the patterns of the planets reflect our lives on earth. The belief that the patterns and movements of the planets, sun and moon reflect our lives is contradictory to the view of a living, omniscient God who created the heavenly bodies to reflect and proclaim His glory, not ours. Since astrology is an occult practice of divination severely condemned in God’s word, even horoscope columns are rooted in the occult. She goes on to say that being an occult art, astrology is connected to the paranormal powers of the occult. While a practicing astrologer she often referred to charts designed for doing “readings” for clients. She explains how she felt a flow of energy between herself and the chart which allowed her to maneuver around the chart giving her client information relevant to them and their particular situation. The longer she practiced the stronger these abilities became and she now professes that she believes these were demonic in nature. She warns people to avoid reading horoscopes even once. If by coincidence a horoscope forecast is right one day, one could become even more curious and captivated, and actually might get interested enough in astrology to consult an astrologer which can lead further and further into the occult opening the door to the deep, dark abyss; the very gates of Hell.
Most astrologers are involved in other forms of occultism and New Age practices such as tarot cards, numerology, belief in reincarnation, having spirit guides, Eastern meditation practices, and so forth (including crystals and incantations). By saying that astrology is not a big deal because you don’t really believe in such things is very dangerous. By partaking in any way you are giving the practice some sort of validity and this is when you become vulnerable.
Another example of how we have become immune to the occult in society is in those who believe that Ouija boards are only a game. If that were the case, why is it that even Parker Brothers, the makers of “the game” have no explanation for how it works. The movie “The Exorcist” is based on events in 1949 of a young boy (not a girl as the movie depicts) who tampered with an Ouija board and allegedly became possessed requiring a Catholic exorcism. Attempting to communicate with the spirit world or the dead is not a game. We are strongly warned to avoid such things in Leviticus 20:6-8 which tells us, “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community. So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy.” and Leviticus 19:26, “Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.” I believe these scriptures leave no doubt as to God’s instruction regarding such things. If you wish to know God’s plans for your future, turn to him.
“When men tell you to consult mediums spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” Isaiah 8:19
We are further warned against partaking in such practices in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 which states, “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.” Our Lord does not want us to focus on what might happen tomorrow. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him.
Perhaps you have heard the doomsday prophecy that the world will end on December 21, 2012. This belief is based on the end of the Mayan calendar which ends on that date. Many have subscribed to this belief, but trying to predict the future hinges on occult activity as well. Again we are reminded by the bible that this is information we are not to know. We read in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” So if even the angels don’t know, what makes us think anyone on earth now or ever before has the power or foresight to know? And what would it matter if we did. Are we so arrogant to think that we could change the world with such information? Would you change the way you live if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? Therefore let us focus on today and what we have right now. We truly have no idea when the world will end and the Lord tells us in Jeremiah 10:2, “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.”
The only spirit we should ever consult is that of the Holy Spirit, and that I recommend you do so frequently.
May almighty God bless you always,
Lynn
Lynn Kennedy
Associate Publisher, Director of Women’s Ministry
http://www.ChristianTimesOnline.com
