We previously noted that although many think occult practices are normal and harmless, God's opinion is otherwise. Today, we continue to examine God's stance on this issue.
Our God has said that He is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). He doesn't want to share us with anything else. So much so, the first of the Ten Commandments states, You shall have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3). To Him, anything that takes priority over His word and His ways in our lives is a problem. A problem that turns the heart away from Him.
Occult practices often begin as a quick and easy means to an end. The intent might not be to abandon the Lord. However, pride and misinformation propel people into thinking this is possible. They ignore that the aim of such practices is to drive people from the Lord to other gods, all of whom are simply another face for satan. It can take one try and before they know it, they have fully delved into what is known as New Age Spirituality (palm readers, necromancers, tarot card readers and the like). A practice which relies on a spirit that is not God's Holy Spirit for knowledge and power.
We might not want to hear it, but one consequence is that the occult leads to or entrenches curses in a person's life and lineage (Deuteronomy 28). This is because God has determined that He will reject those who reject Him by turning elsewhere for help (Deuteronomy 32:19). Thus, the occult - which in no way serves or honors God - causes one to serve something other than the Sovereign Lord.
In His mercy, God granted everyone the right to choose between Him and satan. However, His verdict for all who make satan their choice is repeatedly stated in the Bible and it isn't good. One such statement is in 1 Corinthians 6:9 - Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men. The continued practice of the occult - idolatry by another name - along with other sins acts as a barrier to reaching heaven. Given this consequence, why choose the losing side?
And for those who believe they can use Biblical scripture as they dabble in the occult, may scales fall from eyes, IJMN, Amen. Just because the word of God is pronounced into a situation does not make it godly. After all, the devil quoted scripture to Jesus so as to manipulate Him into sin at the conclusion of His fast in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6). That encounter ended with Jesus saying, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" (Matthew 4:10).
And that is what God is calling you to do today. He wants these words of Jesus to rattle you into clarity. Serve Him only! You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Don't play with the dark, for the word instructs that light has no business with the dark (2 Corinthians 6:14). The occult/magic arts are designed to blind you to the disastrous consequences that lie in wait.
This is why God warned in Deuteronomy 11:16 - Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. And He promised He will deprive those who turn to other gods from His blessings (Deuteronomy 11:17). If, however, those who strayed return and repent, He will forgive and shield them from the worst of those consequences.
I pray you will turn back to the Lord by acknowledging where you have sought and currently seek things outside of the Lord’s will. Repent, for God's hands are wide open to free you from satan's snares and thereby redeem you in His grace. This is exactly why Jesus died on the cross - to make you brand new in the Lord.
On Friday, we'll review certain popular practices that stem from the occult. May the Lord continue to show us how to receive His best by becoming who He created us to be in Him. IJMN, Amen.
See you at fellowship at Noon EST today.
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Lord I pray over the work of engineers and construction workers everywhere. In the name of Jesus I rebuke the works of any corrupt worker who would build a faulty structure that could collapse. Foil the devices of the crafty and make their hands achieve no success. In Jesus' mighty name I pray, amen.