What New Testament teachings align with Leviticus 20:27's stance on spiritual practices? The Old Testament Foundation: Leviticus 20:27 “‘A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist must surely be put to death. They are to be stoned; their blood is on their own heads.’” • God labels all occult contact as deserving judgment. • The core issue is allegiance: seeking guidance from spirits usurps God’s rightful place as the only source of truth. Jesus’ Teaching: Exclusive Devotion to the Father • Matthew 4:10 – “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Satan’s temptation shows that every competing spiritual voice must be rejected. • John 8:44 – Jesus exposes the devil as “a liar and the father of lies,” setting a clear line between God’s truth and demonic deception. • Matthew 12:43-45 – His warning about “unclean spirits” highlights the danger of welcoming any influence apart from the Holy Spirit. Real-Life Illustrations in Acts • Acts 8:9-24 – Simon the sorcerer’s magic is renounced; Peter tells him, “Your heart is not right before God.” • Acts 13:6-11 – Elymas the sorcerer is struck blind; Paul calls his occult work “perverting the straight ways of the Lord.” • Acts 19:18-20 – New believers in Ephesus publicly burn their costly occult scrolls: “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” – The narrative models complete separation from occult artifacts and practices. Paul’s Letters: Calling Occultism a Work of the Flesh • Galatians 5:19-21 – “Idolatry and sorcery” appear in the same list as adultery and murder; “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” • 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 – Pagan sacrifices are offered “to demons, not to God… You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” • Ephesians 5:11 – “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” • 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – Light and darkness cannot mix; believers are commanded, “Come out from among them and be separate.” Other Apostolic Warnings • 1 Timothy 4:1 – “Some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.” • James 3:15 – Wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” stands in contrast to wisdom from above. • Revelation 21:8; 22:15 – “Sorcerers” are listed among those excluded from the New Jerusalem and consigned to the lake of fire. The Positive Alternative: Walking in the Spirit • Romans 8:14 – “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Guidance is God-given, not spirit-medium-mediated. • John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit “will guide you into all truth.” • Galatians 5:22-25 – Life controlled by the Spirit bears fruit, not occult fascination. Summary List: New Testament Alignment with Leviticus 20:27 • Occult practices are consistently branded as sinful (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8). • Encounters with spiritists are met with strong rebuke and separation (Acts 8; 13; 19). • Believers are commanded to reject every demonic influence, replacing it with dependence on the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:14). • Ultimate judgment awaits unrepentant practitioners, echoing the seriousness of Leviticus 20:27 (Revelation 22:15). Leviticus 20:27’s zero-tolerance stance finds full New Testament agreement: God’s people must turn from every occult voice and live under the sole, life-giving authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit. |
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