Author	Thread: Christians and the occult
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 8 Nov, 2013 02:40 PM As far back as I can remember I was taught in church and home that anything demonic or of the occult was dangerous and not to be dabbled with at all. I recently broke up with someone who had wizards hanging all over his walls. I kind of really didn't notice them till I asked God to reveil to me if this man is wrong for me. Then he pointed all this out and I talked to this guy who claims its art. he told me that all along but this time I shared bible verses about wizards and what they mean. he denied anything wrong with it. He also said he believes in Jesus but is not born again. I knew that it was time for me to end the relationship. God showed me the truth. Why is it that so many say they love God but dabble in the occult? You can't have both. God will not approve nor will he answer your prayers or protect you in this life or the next one. Unless you denounce any attachment with the occult. Post Reply
View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 8 Nov, 2013 03:00 PM Why is it that so many say they love God but dabble in____? (sin of any kind) This is the broader question. Do we condemn others of one sin while we have "pet sins" of our own? Matt 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Post Reply
View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 8 Nov, 2013 04:48 PM Why is it that so many say they love God but dabble in____? *** Because they are depraved "Sinners" and have either not heard the Gospel...the Good News or have and decided they dont want the Free Gift of Gods Grace...xo Post Reply
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 9 Nov, 2013 11:16 AM Jesus will not abode with anyone who has demons or occult practices going on. We are warned to stay away from them. Its not so much the people as is the practice of loving demons, sorcorers, wizards, witches, etc. A Christian can not have a relationship with a person like that. They can witness to them and love them from afar. they can cast out demons but only if the person wants it. The occult is everywhere. Satan is the ruler of this earth till Jesus comes back. He is doing everything he can to deceive believers and non believers. To think otherwise is foolishness. There is a spiritual war going on and we can be dragged into it if we let a strong hold take over. I love all people no matter what their sins are. But I won't date or live with someone who is involved with any occult practices. period. read the bible and see what God says about it. Post Reply
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 9 Nov, 2013 11:18 AM THE OCCULT�What does the Bible say about it? See this page in: Indonesian, Russian Today, many people dabble in the mystical, occultic arts. Is there anything wrong with being involved in these practices? Yes, the Bible takes a clear position on this subject, strongly denouncing these practices. God created us and therefore owns us. He has a right to set the rules for our lives. God�s Word indicates that these practices are part of Satan�s strategy of evil tricks and deception, designed to lead us astray. Satan and his demons are real beings set on our destruction. Christians are warned to� �put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places� (Ephesians 6:11-12). See: What is the occult? Concerning occult practices, the Israelites were told: �When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [an ancient occult practice], or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination [detestable] to the LORD�� �Deuteronomy 18:9-12a Astrology (predictions by the planets or moon; horoscopes; sometimes referred to as �observing times� in the Old Testament) Although the Bible does not go into great detail about astrology, it certainly makes its position clear. We should never trust in astrological beliefs or predictions. Astrology is an ancient, heathen practice that leads to disaster. Our lives are not determined by the stars or movement of planets. The Bible warns against the false predictions of astrology (Jeremiah 10:2; 27:9-10; Daniel 2:1-4; 4:7; 5:7-9) and repeatedly condemns the associated practice of worshipping the sun, moon and stars (or �deities or demons associated with them�) (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:2-5; 2 Kings 21:3, 5; Zephaniah 1:5; Job 31:26-28; Jeremiah 8:1-2). In Isaiah, God sarcastically rebukes the Babylonians for practicing astrology, �For you have trusted in your wickedness� Therefore evil shall come upon you� trouble shall fall upon you� Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame� -Isaiah 47:10-14a Magic, spells, enchantments, charming, sorcery, wizardry, witchcraft Research has shown that occult magic is often fraudulent and deceitful illusion�counterfeit miracles. Many books have been written on this subject. In some instances, occult magic or divination are a manifestation of demonic powers or the result of demon possession (Acts 16:16). Of course, the power of Satan and his demons is extremely limited compared to God�s power. Those who follow the path of the magic arts are on the wrong path - a road that leads away from God, not toward Him. In one way or another, the end will be disaster. The evil Queen Jezebel practiced witchcraft (2 Kings 9:22) bringing catastrophe on herself and all Israel. Over and over, God denounces those who �conjure spells� (NKJV) and those who practice witchcraft and sorcery. The Bible says that anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; 2 Kings 21:6; Micah 5:12; Isaiah 47:12; Ezekiel 13:18, 20; Acts 8:11-24; Leviticus 20:27; Exodus 7:11; Revelation 9:21; 22:15). God warns of the ultimate punishment. Revelation 21:8 says of ��those who practice magic arts �their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur� the second death� (NIV). Those who practice witchcraft (sorcery) will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). These practices are anti-God and are in rebellion against Him. Many of citizens of ancient Ephesus practiced the magic arts. Those who became Christians realized the foolish error of their former lives and burned their expensive books of magic as the trash they were (Acts 19:19). The Bible tells how the apostle Paul once dealt with one of these deceivers, a sorcerer and false prophet who led people astray. �Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, �O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.� And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand� (Acts 13:9-11). Divination, fortune-telling, mediums, spiritism, necromancy, familiar spirits, wizardry, seances, channeling, clairvoyance, spirit-guides The Bible strongly warns people not to consult mediums and spiritists for the truth, but to inquire of God (Isaiah 8:19). Clearly, if those who practiced these arts have any power (beyond being great deceivers), it is not a gift from God (as some falsely claim). The Bible condemns and forbids these practices several times (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 27:9; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24). Divination and spiritism were despised practices of the heathens (Ezekiel 21:21; Isaiah 19:3; 1 Samuel 28). Scripture says that one of the reasons King Saul died was �because he consulted a medium for guidance� rather than God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). The Bible provides examples showing the folly and failures of those who claimed the ability to predict the future based on their own powers or those of spirits (Daniel 2:27, etc.). God calls the word of diviners �nonsense,� �lies� and �deception� for foolish people (Ezekiel 13:8; Jeremiah 14:14; Isaiah 44:25). God said, �Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!� (Ezekiel 13:3). If an Israelite lived the deceitful practice of being a medium, it was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:27). The presence of a medium or spiritist among God�s people of Israel was considered a defilement (Leviticus 19:31). All these practices take people further from their Creator, the true and living God. Following omens or signs We are not to look to omens or �signs� to direct our lives. The Bible reprimands people for doing this. It is an �abomination� and foolishness (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Look to God and His instructions for life as provided in the Bible. To do otherwise is to foolishly deceive yourself, or allow Satan and others to deceive you. Post Reply
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 9 Nov, 2013 11:24 AM btw Iwalkalone I ask Jesus to point out my own sins, faults, selfish ways. I repent and asked to not only be forgiven but ask for help to overcome that sin. I don't just do what ever I want and say Jesus forgives so its cool. Jesus loves us in our sin but wants us to repent of our sins and follow him. Will we sin? Yes but if we truly have been born again we will be convicted by the Holy Spirit. That is the big difference between those who mouth the words but don't have Jesus living in their hearts. Post Reply
View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 9 Nov, 2013 02:12 PM My comment was not for you specifically. I just widened your question so that it could be seen in a broader context. When I was active in various churches, I always noticed that they would focus in on certain sins as though they were somehow much worse than others. Yet, they were guilty of violating so many commands themselves. One church I attended was obsessed with "outing" Free Masonry, another was KJV only, etc. Many Christians are obsessed with homosexuality while they permit all kinds of other sexual sins. These things should not be so. Post Reply
View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 9 Nov, 2013 04:53 PM Jesus will not abode with anyone who has demons or occult practices going on. We are warned to stay away from them. *** Yup Totally Agree....thanks for the post and scriptures...God Bless..xo Post Reply
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 10 Nov, 2013 11:34 AM I walk alone as much as I understand your dilemma in the churches today, I must share that I too thought the same way. What hit me right square in my heart is we are all sinners saved by grace. If we commit one sin we have committed them all. many do not want to hear that because of haughty religious pride. We must all humble ourselves before God no matter what we have done or not done. Dabbling in the occult is so dangerous and every Christian should be warned of this. Churches don't preach about it because they would lose most of the congregation. Keep everyone happy and full of flowery talk so they don't get mad and leave. Woe to those who do not warn and care for their flocks. Post Reply
View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 10 Nov, 2013 02:04 PM Not all churches are like that, there are still some that teach against sin. Remember the bible says rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft so there are a LOT of dangerous sins out there. Having said that we have a savior who is greater than all the sins we can commit and greater that all the devils that HE created! :-) Personally i believe we should strive for perfection because you never go beyond a goal you set and Jesus Himself said to be perfect but He also said the following; Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Notice those that kept and those that did not are both IN the kingdom. Is there a standard??? Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God bless, gary who is understanding that a relationship requires more than simply believing but salvation does not. Post Reply
dieing2bwjesus View Profile History	Christians and the occult Posted : 10 Nov, 2013 04:18 PM atheophilus granted not all churches are the same. I have was born and raised in church. Been to many since I grew up. All denominations and non denominations. Big and small, bible thumpers and holy rollers, traditional and charismatic. the who 9 yards. I rarely if ever heard the preachers preach on the occult. Not sure if they are afraid too or they don't think its important. My sister goes to church 3 times a week for years and didn't even know what the occult was. I had to explain it to her. She still does not quite understand all of it. I didn't even know a lot of about. I had to study myself. What I found was allot more disturbing that I had thought. needless to say my house got a good spiritual cleaning. Not saying theres demons under every bush or coffee table. Just saying preachers need to make people away of how the occult effects lives in a very bad way. If people do it knowingly I would say its a sin. But if they are unaware of it then someone has to let them know. Most likely a preacher. Wouldn't you agree? Post Reply