What steps can we take to ensure we seek God, not forbidden practices? Setting the Scene “Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had banished the mediums and spiritists from the land.” (1 Samuel 28:3) Saul once took a clear stand against occult practices, yet only a few verses later he seeks out a medium. From this passage we can draw practical steps to keep our own hearts anchored in God rather than drifting toward forbidden paths. Stay Rooted in God’s Word • Make daily Bible intake non-negotiable. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Memorize key warnings: Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 8:19. Knowing what God forbids fortifies the conscience. Guard Your Response to Loss and Fear • Saul panicked when Samuel died and the Philistines advanced. Fear often tempts us to shortcuts. Philippians 4:6-7 calls us instead to prayer that guards the heart. • When guidance seems silent, wait rather than grasp. Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous, and wait patiently for the Lord.” Maintain Consistent, Repentant Prayer • Unconfessed sin dulls discernment. Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” • Keep short accounts with God; confess quickly to restore fellowship. Walk in Wise Community • Saul isolated himself; David sought prophets and priests. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges mutual encouragement. • Invite accountability partners who will confront you if you flirt with questionable practices. Evaluate Influences Ruthlessly • Media, books, and entertainment can normalize occult themes. Philippians 4:8 offers the filter: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure. • Remove any item or habit that stirs curiosity about forbidden spiritual realms. Cultivate the Fear of the Lord • Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A healthy reverence displaces fascination with dark alternatives. • Regularly recount God’s mighty acts—Psalm 145:4—so His power eclipses counterfeit powers. Practice Active Obedience • Saul’s initial purge of mediums was good, but he failed to persevere. James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Obedience in small choices—how you seek guidance, how you consult technology, whom you listen to—builds resistance to tempting shortcuts. Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance Continually • John 14:26 promises the Spirit will teach and remind us of Jesus’ words. • Ask daily: “Spirit of truth, guide my steps.” Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” By anchoring ourselves in Scripture, prayer, community, and Spirit-led obedience, we keep our eyes fixed on the living God, steering clear of every forbidden practice. |
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