Why So Many Gods? – The Occult
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, occult is defined as: “Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.” People who get involved in the occult are not looking for salvation or redemption. They are usually looking to control or influence the supernatural. Most occultic groups are secret, and they have secret ceremonies. Why must their practices be secret? According to John , “…light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Further, Ephesians 5:11 warns us: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Our present society is permeated with new age, and occultic practice, ideology and symbols. We often don’t even notice how much occultic acts have affected our way of life, and our thinking. With the help of media such as television, movies, radio and magazines, it is easy for those who practice the dark arts to affect our thinking without us even realizing it if we are not discerning. Listed below are some popular occultic groups and practices. There are many more of course, because there are many secret societies, churches and groups.
Occult Practices & Warnings:
Astrology * (zodiac, horoscopes, etc.)- Astrology is an ancient practice. It was the original science of the ancient peoples. In many Old Testament narratives that mention a non-Jewish king, you will notice that the king had some or all of the following to advise him: wisemen, astrologers, soothsayers, magicians, diviners, enchanters, sorcerers, and “Chaldeans” or ‘observers of time.” These men had often spent their entire life studying the stars. The Chaldean priests were the first to observe and chart the movement of the stars. The Babylonians perfected it (this is why you will see the mention of all of the above kinds of advisors in the book of Daniel). Astrology was at that time the number one religious belief of the day.
Astrologers believe you can predict things by watching the stars. Astrologers believe the stars have the answers to life. They also believe that man and the universe are magically connected--that is why the date of a child’s birth has bearing on his future personality (born a Libra, Virgo, etc.). Palm reading, crystal balls, horoscopes, tarot cards, and reading tea leaves are all a part of astrology or more specifically, forms of divination. Astrologists can be agnostic, pantheistic (all things are god), polytheistic (many gods) and anything else that is not belief in the one true God.
Deuteronomy 18: 10-12 is very specific about all who do these things:
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire [filicide-killing your own children; abortion], or that useth divination [foretelling the future: fortune tellers, tarot cards], or an observer of times [astrologer (horoscope & zodiac observers)], or an enchanter [sorcerer or magician], or a witch [black magic, white magic, Wicca]. Or a charmer [one who casts spells], or a consulter with familiar spirits [spirit guides], or a wizard, or a necromancer [a medium- one who speaking to the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: …” ***
NOTE: Astronomy is NOT the same as astrology. Astronomy is the science of studying the stars and planets—astronomers do not believe that the stars and planets can be used to predict anything.
Necromancy- In a séance, a ‘medium’ calls forth spirits from the dead who either communicate with or through the medium. This is an abomination to the Lord, and Christians should have nothing to do with such activities. In 1 Samuel chapter 28, there is a story about how King Saul consulted a medium to call up the spirit of Samuel. God punished him by having the spirit tell Saul that he and his sons would die in battle the next day (also see: 1 Chronicles 10:13). Isaiah says, “And when they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
There is reason to believe that in Saul's case, the Lord actually allowed Samuel the prophet to appear to Saul to pronounce a curse on him. He did after all, as a theocratic leader, know better than to consult a witch. As the Witch of Endor reminds him, it was his own edict that called for the death of anyone in Israel who practiced the dark arts. However, in any and all other cases when necromancy is practiced, one is calling upon demons. So, the question raised in the Isaiah passage above is this: if you believe in God, why are you consulting the dead?You can go to the Lord in prayer, you can consult Him for your questions about the future and the present. (See Eccl. 9:5-6 below)
Ouija Boards- Not just a harmless game, this is just another form of necromancy, in that people are attempting to communicate with the spirits of dead people. In addition to the previous verse that tells us that we are to consult God, not the dead, the Bible also states:
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5-6
Hypnosis- A state of relaxation and concentration. Hypnotists attempt to put your mind in a state of such relaxation that it is more open to questions and suggestions. The man who first developed hypnosis was named Franz Anton Mesmer. It is used by a number of councilors, some performers, even by police. It begins with ‘preconditioning’ the person by getting them to relax completely. Next, the hypnotist gets the person(s) to focus inwardly as much as possible by suggesting certain scenarios and images to concentrate on. This eventually leads to the person being highly suggestible. However, it is not possible to get the person to do extreme things they would not otherwise do (such as clucking like a chicken). It can, however, be used to suggest certain ideas or behaviors that the person may not otherwise have thought to do/act. Often chanting or certain kinds of repetitive rhythmic music can be used to induce a trance or hypnotic state. It really works, but is not something the Lord wants Christians being involved in.
Ephesians says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” and
1 Corinthians says, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? “But we have the mind of Christ.”
If we submit to mind-control, how can we be on guard against the Devil’s schemes? And if we have the mind of Christ, we have no business putting it under the control of anyone but Christ!
Shamanism- Shamans have been used in many different cultures and religions. Native Americans used shamans (or medicine men) and so do Wiccans and many far eastern religions. Shamans have particular specialties involving magic, like controlling fire or healing people. They get people into a trance and get their souls to leave their bodies (astral travel--outer body experience) in an attempt to reach a state of ecstasy. They also call this reaching another plane of consciousness. They believe in guardian spirits (or spirit guides- a spirit that gives you guidance and answers when out of normal consciousness). Power animals are spirits that take the form of an animal that instructs. Power animals are a popular source of ‘power’ for most of the Power Ranger incarnations, including Power Rangers: Wild Force, Power Rangers: Dino Thunder and the more recent, Power Rangers: Jungle Fury. The popular Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar- The Last Airbender is replete with shamanistic belief, incl. outer body experiences, bending (controlling) fire, water, earth & air and healing.
"Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:31
"I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." Leviticus 20:6
Satanism**- The US Church of Satan
The scary part is that Satanists don’t realize that since he is a liar, he only desires to destroy them, not give them power or glory. I Peter 5:8 warns that Satan has only one desire-- to destroy: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” John 10:10 further warns us that Satan, the thief, is not our friend and desires everything we have: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Vodun- Voodoo is a mix of African beliefs and Haitian superstitions. It has been very popular in New Orleans
Wicca Witchcraft- An earth-based religion, Wiccans celebrate the lunar phases and seasons. The attraction of this religion is the ability to cast spells and control nature. Wiccans believe they can communicate with nature and they try to be in balance with nature. As such, nature is the focus of their worship. Their code of conduct states that as long as you don’t harm yourself or anyone else, you can do whatever you want. Wicca originates from ancient Celtic and Druid religions. [Wiccan is a pagan religion, but not all pagans are Wiccans. Wiccan is actually neopagan, whereas the original pagan forms of religion are based on ancient pre-Christian practices.]
These witches are polytheistic, worshiping various gods and goddesses. Their incantations often include calling upon the earth, wind, fire and water. Halloween is one of their high holy days. Wiccans distinguish themselves from other forms of witchcraft by not casting spells that harm anyone, which is why it is often called white magic rather than the darker black magic.
The Bible warns us of heresies in which people would worship the creation rather than the creator. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans and in Micah 5:12 God warned his people of the punishment for casting spells and incantations: “I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.” and Galatians 5:19-21 & Deut. 18:10 warn against witchcraft.
** Isaiah 14:12-14 & Ezekiel 28:12-19 give insight into how Satan fell from grace as an angel.
*** This passage goes on to say that these practices were the cause of God driving out the nations from the Promised Land and giving it to Israel. Unfortunately, this is why Israel & later Judah lose the Promised Land- twice! They are finally both restored to their land in 1948. This shows how seriously God took these practices-- and how seriously He judges a nation who follow such practices.
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