WITCHCRAFT AND THE OCCULT: THE DANGER OF DECEIVING SPIRITS

When people start to delve into spiritual things they very rarely realise that there is a danger from deceiving spirits. The world we live in is saturated by the occult from TV, films, books, media, psychic fairs and events, spiritism, fortune tellers, horoscopes etc. This leaves many who are uninformed in a very vulnerable position. From the casual participant in what appears to be harmless fun to the genuine seeker for truth, the danger cannot be exaggerated enough. People are literally entering into a minefield by dabbling in the occult and once entangled, it is extremely difficult to withdraw from the clutches of evil spirits which appear benign in the beginning.

Jesus Christ’s Own Words about His Divine Identity: 

We should not make the assumption that all spiritual entities are good. The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of spirits at work in the world, good and evil (unclean). The evil spirits are fallen angels who have fallen from grace and now serve Satan. When Lucifer fell he took a third of the angels with him (Revelation 12/4) and these are the beings encountered when people engage in occult practices. Evil spirits can imitate deceased loved ones and can give messages that people want to hear, they can give a sense of power and control, they can perform healings and miracles and manifest in all sorts of ways to give people what they want – initially at least. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders..... (2 Thessalonians 2/9)

When God says do not in the Bible it is because we are dearly loved by Him. God wants to protect us from all evil things - His will is that we should to turn to Him. For instance only harm comes from lying, stealing, covetousness murder, things which the Bible tells us not to do (Exodus 20). The Bible says that people become defiled when they turn to mediums and spiritists etc. Jesus Christ called the demons unclean spirits and much of his ministry involved setting people free from their possession.

Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19/31)

If any turn to mediums and wizards, prostituting themselves to them, I will set my face against them, and will cut them off from the people. (Leviticus 20/6)

Although these nations that you are about to dispossess do give heed to soothsayers and diviners, as for you, the Lord your God does not permit you to do so. (Deuteronomy 18/14)

Moreover Josiah put away the mediums,wizards, teraphim,idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem…..(2 Kings 23/24)

No one shall be found among you…….who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer,or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. (Deuteronomy 18/10-11)

You are wearied with your many consultations; let those who study the heavens {astrologers} stand up and save you, those who gaze at the stars, and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. (Isaiah 47/13)

Satan’s activity is not restricted to the overtly occult. He and his cohorts rule over many areas in the world such as false religions, false churches, false preachers, political institutions and business at the highest level. It is often not clear cut where and how Satan is operating because of his devious tactics.

God’s personal name as it is translated in English is I AM (Exodus 3/14). Jesus Christ uses the same expression in his seven I AM statements about Himself:

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger. (John 6/35)

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.(John 8/12; 9/5)

I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10/9)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. (John 10/11)

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies. (John 11/25)

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14/6)

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. (John 15/1)

Truly, Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am. (John 8/58)

All who came before me are thieves and robbers. (John 10/8)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10/10)

According to the Bible Jesus Christ is the Messiah and salvation is through faith in Him alone. Christ means Anointed One - all others claiming alternative doctrines are dismissed as false teachers, false prophets and false messiahs. All other religions are totally condemned without reservation in the Bible. If this is true then Universalism (the teaching that all ways lead to God) is a lie of Satan. Concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam: ".....the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." (Genesis 2/16) - Satan’s emphasised contradiction to Eve was: "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3/4). Who would you rather believe? Those participating in occult practices are "eating" forbidden knowledge, but what will the result of this be? Those who practice sorcery will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5/20). If they will not inherit the kingdom of God then there is only one other alternative, that is condemnation and hell (2 Peter 2)

Hell is prepared for Satan and his angels {demons} but that is also the destination of unbelievers unless they repent and turn to Jesus Christ (Matthew 25/41). The Bible speaks in terms of being lost and found (Luke 15/6-32), those who are perishing and those who are saved. (2 Corinthians 2/15)

God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2/4)

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5/7-8)

My warning is this – do not be deceived by anything or anyone claiming to be a god, a good spirit, a deceased loved one, an angel or anything else. Put your trust in Jesus Christ alone and test everything by the Bible. If you have been involved in the occult then ask God to forgive you and set you free. The consequences for the choices we make are eternal.

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html