Why is it important to avoid occult practices in our modern lives? Foundational Warning from Leviticus 20:6 “‘If anyone turns to mediums or familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.’ ” What Are Occult Practices? • Seeking guidance from mediums, psychics, tarot, astrology, spiritism • Attempting to manipulate unseen forces through spells, charms, or rituals • Consulting the dead or channeling “spirit guides” • Any activity that pursues supernatural power apart from the Living God Why God Takes Occult Involvement Seriously • It is spiritual adultery—“to prostitute himself” underscores covenant betrayal. • Occult power sources are demonic, not neutral (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). • It rebels against God’s exclusive right to direct and protect His people (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). • It opens the door to deception and bondage (Isaiah 8:19). Timeless Relevance for Today • Digital horoscopes, paranormal podcasts, and “harmless” game apps repackage the same forbidden practices. • Curiosity can slide into dependency, just as ancient Israel drifted from curiosity to covenant violation. • God’s moral nature and warnings have not changed; neither has the enemy’s strategy. Consequences Described in Scripture • Separation from God’s presence (“I will set My face against that person”) • Loss of community blessing (“cut him off from his people”) • Exposure to judgment—occult works are listed among “the acts of the flesh” that bar inheritance of God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21). • Spiritual darkness and fear rather than the light and peace of Christ. Finding Our Guidance in God Alone • Scripture is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • The Holy Spirit leads into all truth (John 16:13). • God invites us to ask Him for wisdom directly (James 1:5). Practical Steps to Stay Clear • Renounce past involvement; confess and turn from it (1 John 1:9). • Remove occult objects—books, crystals, charms—as the believers in Ephesus did (Acts 19:19). • Guard entertainment choices; evaluate movies, music, and games for occult themes. • Seek accountability in a Bible-centered community. • Fill the heart and mind daily with God’s Word and worship. Encouraging Promises for Those Who Walk in the Light • “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) • “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) • “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1) Choosing God’s guidance over occult shortcuts safeguards our relationship with Him, anchors us in truth, and frees us to enjoy His peace and protection in every season of life. |
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