What modern practices might parallel the actions described in 2 Chronicles 33:6? Setting the Scene 2 Chronicles 33 : 6 “He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.” Key Actions in Manasseh’s Day • Child sacrifice • Sorcery and divination • Witchcraft • Consulting mediums and spiritists Modern Parallels You Might Notice • Child sacrifice → elective abortion, fetal experimentation, exploitation of children in trafficking or pornographic industries • Sorcery & divination → astrology apps, tarot readings, Ouija boards, crystal healing, fortune-telling hotlines, channeling “spirit guides” • Witchcraft → Wicca, spellcasting blogs, social-media “witch-tok,” pop-culture rituals claiming to manipulate energy or cast spells • Consulting mediums & spiritists → televised or online “psychic” shows, séances, ghost-hunting entertainment, mediums offering to contact the dead for a fee • “Harmless” entertainment with occult themes → movies, games, or music that glamorize demonic symbols, blood rituals, or spellcraft Why These Practices Offend God • They replace trust in the Lord with dependence on dark powers (Deuteronomy 18 : 10-12). • They open people to deception and bondage (Acts 16 : 16-18; 1 Timothy 4 : 1). • They cheapen human life, ignoring that every child is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139 : 13-16). • They provoke God’s wrath, just as in Manasseh’s day (2 Kings 21 : 6). • They are listed among the “acts of the flesh” that block inheriting God’s kingdom (Galatians 5 : 19-21; Revelation 21 : 8). Living Faithfully Today • Honor life at every stage—support adoption, crisis-pregnancy centers, and ministries rescuing trafficked children. • Reject occult entertainment; fill minds with what is “true, honorable, right” (Philippians 4 : 8). • Seek guidance from Scripture and prayer, not horoscopes or psychics (Psalm 119 : 105; James 1 : 5). • Equip children and teens to recognize and refuse occult influences (Ephesians 6 : 10-18). • Proclaim freedom in Christ to those entangled in these practices (John 8 : 36). |
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