In our modern world, the fascination with the occult has grown, tempting many with the promise of power, knowledge, and spiritual experiences. Yet, this allure is a dangerous deception, leading individuals away from the truth of God’s Word.
Divination: The Innocent Beginning
Divination, the desire to discover one’s future, often starts innocently. People engage in activities like reading palms, cards, fortune-telling, and horoscopes for fun. However, these practices are a window into the occult, leading people to place blind faith in lies rather than in God’s sovereignty.
“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” (Deuteronomy 18:10 NASB)
Horoscopes, for instance, trace back to ancient Babylon, where people believed the stars dictated their fortunes. This belief is a delusion from the devil, designed to lead people away from God’s truth.
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 NASB)
Spiritism: A Sin Against God
As curiosity deepens, divination often leads to spiritism, the practice of contacting spirits. This includes activities like the Spiritualist Church, Ouija boards, glass moving, and séances. Spiritism teaches that the dead can communicate with the living, a notion that directly contradicts the Bible.
“Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31 NASB)
When King Saul sought guidance from a medium, he was reminded of his disobedience to God:
“The Lord has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. As you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day.” (1 Samuel 28:17-18 NASB)
Spiritism is a lie from Satan, deceiving people into believing they can find happiness beyond the grave without Jesus Christ. The Bible warns:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NASB)
Satanism: Rebellion Against God
The deepest level of occult involvement is satanism, the worship and service of Satan. This represents the ultimate rebellion against God. Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, but Jesus rebuked him:
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:10 NASB)
The Bible sternly condemns such practices:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3 NASB)
Satanism leads to perversion and godlessness. Even intellectual, respectable, and prosperous people can fall into these traps, thinking they manipulate powers for their own ends. However, the Bible assures us that those who engage in such practices will face condemnation unless they repent.
The Call to Repentance
If you have engaged in these practices, God’s anger is against you. But there is hope. God’s Word offers a way out:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18 NASB)
However, through Jesus Christ, there is redemption and salvation:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24 NASB)
Final Exhortations
To protect ourselves from the deceptions of the occult and satanism, we must:
- Avoid all forms of the occult: This includes not dabbling in mind-altering music, drugs, or modern charismatic practices that stray from Biblical teachings. Persistent sin is as dangerous as a direct contract with Satan.
- Reject false religions: Heathen worship is essentially the worship of demons. The Bible warns:
“They sacrificed to demons who were not God, To gods whom they have not known.” (Deuteronomy 32:17 NASB)
- Fight evil with God’s Word: Use the Word of God as both a defensive and offensive weapon against all forms of evil:
“Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13 NASB)
Put on the full armor of God:
“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14 NASB)
- Pray constantly and be alert: Persevere in prayer for all the saints, ensuring you are spiritually protected and guided.
In conclusion, the deceptive allure of the occult and satanism is a direct path away from God. By adhering to His Word, repenting from these practices, and putting on the full armor of God, we can stand firm against these spiritual deceptions and remain faithful to Him.
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