Of all the sins man may commit, none is as rigorously condemned in the Bible as involvement in anything of an occult nature.
What Is "The Occult?”
The word occult is derived from the Latin word occultus which means "hidden." So it refers to the pursuit of hidden things, hidden knowledge, hidden power, hidden supernatural.
There are TWO sources of supernatural power: God, and Satan.
Satan will always have a counterfeit for everything of God.
God has made available to us an immense amount of knowledge, incorporated in the books of the Bible. In this, his Word, he has revealed what he wants us to know about himself, his purposes, what he wants of us, and myriad other topics which he has bountifully revealed to mankind. In his Word, we are commanded NOT to delve in supernatural things beyond what HE has made available to us.
What Is "The Occult?”
The word occult is derived from the Latin word occultus which means "hidden." So it refers to the pursuit of hidden things, hidden knowledge, hidden power, hidden supernatural.
There are TWO sources of supernatural power: God, and Satan.
Satan will always have a counterfeit for everything of God.
God has made available to us an immense amount of knowledge, incorporated in the books of the Bible. In this, his Word, he has revealed what he wants us to know about himself, his purposes, what he wants of us, and myriad other topics which he has bountifully revealed to mankind. In his Word, we are commanded NOT to delve in supernatural things beyond what HE has made available to us.
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Deuteronomy 29:29
Principle: Whatever God has and whatever God does, Satan will counterfeit it.
For every gift or calling that God gives his people, Satan produces a counterfeit. Are there prophets? Then there will also be false prophets. In pursuing occult experiences, one is not only going beyond the bounds of what is allowed to us, but in being involved in occult things one is actually taking part in the kingdom of Satan, and committing, in God's eyes, harlotry, or "spiritual adultery."
Example:Before bringing the children of Israel into the promised land, the Lord counseled them NOT to adopt the ways of the countries around them, because those countries did not believe in the God of Israel, but worshiped other gods. The Lord told Israel that they may NOT give their daughters in marriages with those of these other countries, nor take the daughters of the foreigners for their sons, lest these foreigners corrupt the faith of the children of Israel. But they disobeyed God and this brought the wrath of God against them. The Lord said that what they had done is harlotry in his eyes.
For every gift or calling that God gives his people, Satan produces a counterfeit. Are there prophets? Then there will also be false prophets. In pursuing occult experiences, one is not only going beyond the bounds of what is allowed to us, but in being involved in occult things one is actually taking part in the kingdom of Satan, and committing, in God's eyes, harlotry, or "spiritual adultery."
Example:Before bringing the children of Israel into the promised land, the Lord counseled them NOT to adopt the ways of the countries around them, because those countries did not believe in the God of Israel, but worshiped other gods. The Lord told Israel that they may NOT give their daughters in marriages with those of these other countries, nor take the daughters of the foreigners for their sons, lest these foreigners corrupt the faith of the children of Israel. But they disobeyed God and this brought the wrath of God against them. The Lord said that what they had done is harlotry in his eyes.
"Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so."
Judges 2:17
"And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them."
1 Chronicles 5:25
"Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people."
Psalms 106:39-40
"They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, and your brides commit adultery."
Hosea 4:13
One can’t help but notice when reading through the Bible, that this particular offense is the one that angers God the most, and that’s because it’s spiritual adultery.
"For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me..."
Exodus 20:5
God wants his people to look to him alone for their needs, to look to him alone for anything of a supernatural nature, and to shun all occult activities because they are of Satanic origin.
King Saul
King Saul was the first king of Israel. For a long time, he had the prophet Samuel advising him, but after awhile Samuel died. Later, when confronted with the Philistines in battle armor, Saul was afraid. He no longer had God’s prophet to ask God whether he should go fight the enemy; God himself had withdrawn from Saul because of another previous sin, so Saul decided to go to a medium who would “bring up Samuel” to tell Saul what to do. And for this abomination, Saul died the next day.
King Saul
King Saul was the first king of Israel. For a long time, he had the prophet Samuel advising him, but after awhile Samuel died. Later, when confronted with the Philistines in battle armor, Saul was afraid. He no longer had God’s prophet to ask God whether he should go fight the enemy; God himself had withdrawn from Saul because of another previous sin, so Saul decided to go to a medium who would “bring up Samuel” to tell Saul what to do. And for this abomination, Saul died the next day.
“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.”
1 Chronicles 10:13
What Are Occult Activities?
"There shall not be found among you anyone who:
makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire,
or one who practices witchcraft,
or a soothsayer, (one who supposedly predicts the future)
or one who interprets omens,
or a sorcerer,
or one who conjures spells,
or a medium,
or a spiritist, (a channeler, or one who gets guidance from a “higher” spirit)
or one who calls up the dead.
For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord…”
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
So occult activity is anything having to do with fortune telling, magic, witchcraft, contacting the dead, etc. Ouija boards, tarot cards, tea leaf reading, palm reading, “psychic” predictions, astrology and horoscopes, and so forth. In short, every attempt to gain supernatural knowledge or power outside of the Bible is occultism, and the Lord calls it spiritual adultery, and the individuals who do those things are “an abomination” to God.
It’s important to add here that experience has shown another way Satan disguises himself in an attractive way, and that is through the philosophies and practices rooted in eastern religions. Yoga (–there is NO such thing as “Christian yoga,”) transcendental meditation, reikki, and all such practices are rooted in Satanic false religions and practicing these things will bring a curse or judgment one way or another. These things masquerade as things that can bring peace and health, but invariably the very opposite will come upon the one involved in these things and might even come upon the children of that person.
It’s important to add here that experience has shown another way Satan disguises himself in an attractive way, and that is through the philosophies and practices rooted in eastern religions. Yoga (–there is NO such thing as “Christian yoga,”) transcendental meditation, reikki, and all such practices are rooted in Satanic false religions and practicing these things will bring a curse or judgment one way or another. These things masquerade as things that can bring peace and health, but invariably the very opposite will come upon the one involved in these things and might even come upon the children of that person.
“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
2nd Corinthians 11:14-15
Results Of Dabbling In The Occult
“Without exception, those who have become involved in any kind of occultism will eventually suffer Satanic oppression in some manner.”
Hobart Freeman, in “Angels of Light?”
Often the result is death.
King Saul died for this particular sin. (1 Chronicles 10:13)
Principle:
Involvement in any form of occultism opens a door in one’s life to Satanic oppression. One does NOT have to be doing this knowingly. Any form of occultism, even in ignorance, will open those doors and oppression is inevitable.
Based on research among men of God in the “deliverance” ministry, i.e. those who cast out evil spirits, the notable results of any dabbling in the occult are:
1. Mental illness
2. Deep depression
3. Premature death, especially among the children of those who have dabbled in the occult
4. Suicide
5. Repeated heavy-duty trauma such as houses burning down, car accidents. These things can happen to anyone and not be related to the occult, but when you see repeated instances of this kind of thing in a family, occult involvement should be strongly suspected.
Judgment Usually Spans Generations
“Without exception, those who have become involved in any kind of occultism will eventually suffer Satanic oppression in some manner.”
Hobart Freeman, in “Angels of Light?”
Often the result is death.
King Saul died for this particular sin. (1 Chronicles 10:13)
Principle:
Involvement in any form of occultism opens a door in one’s life to Satanic oppression. One does NOT have to be doing this knowingly. Any form of occultism, even in ignorance, will open those doors and oppression is inevitable.
Based on research among men of God in the “deliverance” ministry, i.e. those who cast out evil spirits, the notable results of any dabbling in the occult are:
1. Mental illness
2. Deep depression
3. Premature death, especially among the children of those who have dabbled in the occult
4. Suicide
5. Repeated heavy-duty trauma such as houses burning down, car accidents. These things can happen to anyone and not be related to the occult, but when you see repeated instances of this kind of thing in a family, occult involvement should be strongly suspected.
Judgment Usually Spans Generations
"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me…”
Exodus 20:3-5
“…but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation…”
Numbers 14:18
“…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me…”
Deuteronomy 5:9
Because Satanic oppression will span several generations, it is common to see these things even at an early age in a child of an occult practitioner. The child may be “psychic,” or “sensitive” to things of an occult nature. What can be sadder than the sight of a child being affected by these things?
What Does One Do
... when realizing there is Satanic oppression on himself or his children?
Dealing with this kind of thing is no easy task. Many people go to their graves still in bondage or affliction. But for the person who takes this seriously and truly wants to be set free, here is what that person is to do:
1. Confess faith in Jesus Christ and surrender yourself and your entire life unto his lordship. He must be not only your Savior, but also your Lord. He ALONE can bring deliverance. Pledge total obedience to him as he leads you to paths of righteousness which will be pre-requisite to deliverance.
2. Confess out loud and renounce Satan. Renounce all occult sins as they come to your mind. Whatever sin, whatever memory he brings to your mind, do not make excuses, just confess it as sin.
3. Once you have totally surrendered your life to Christ, become observant of what he brings to you to do. Oftentimes he will make you very sensitive to anything of an occult nature in your possession and will have you part with it. NEVER sell or give to others what you are being led to part with. Throw it out or burn it.
4. Renounce Satan and command him to depart. Pray for deliverance from all Satanic oppression.
5. Be an astute observer of “the wiles of the Devil.” That is, learn Satan’s “M.O.” Learn the tricky ways through which he will try to ensnare you again. His primary M. O. is deceit. He will make sin attractive and seek to convince you that it isn’t so bad. Be WATCHFUL of deceit. Jesus said several times to be watchful lest you be deceived.
6. If you have very deep affliction or bondage, fast.
What Does One Do
... when realizing there is Satanic oppression on himself or his children?
Dealing with this kind of thing is no easy task. Many people go to their graves still in bondage or affliction. But for the person who takes this seriously and truly wants to be set free, here is what that person is to do:
1. Confess faith in Jesus Christ and surrender yourself and your entire life unto his lordship. He must be not only your Savior, but also your Lord. He ALONE can bring deliverance. Pledge total obedience to him as he leads you to paths of righteousness which will be pre-requisite to deliverance.
2. Confess out loud and renounce Satan. Renounce all occult sins as they come to your mind. Whatever sin, whatever memory he brings to your mind, do not make excuses, just confess it as sin.
3. Once you have totally surrendered your life to Christ, become observant of what he brings to you to do. Oftentimes he will make you very sensitive to anything of an occult nature in your possession and will have you part with it. NEVER sell or give to others what you are being led to part with. Throw it out or burn it.
4. Renounce Satan and command him to depart. Pray for deliverance from all Satanic oppression.
5. Be an astute observer of “the wiles of the Devil.” That is, learn Satan’s “M.O.” Learn the tricky ways through which he will try to ensnare you again. His primary M. O. is deceit. He will make sin attractive and seek to convince you that it isn’t so bad. Be WATCHFUL of deceit. Jesus said several times to be watchful lest you be deceived.
6. If you have very deep affliction or bondage, fast.
"And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why could we not cast him out?' So He said to them, 'This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.'''
Mark 9:28-29
Don’t be tricked into a “fast” of any kind other than complete abstinence of ALL food for a designated period of time. No liquids other than water. DO drink water though, because while the body can go without food for considerable periods of time, it can’t go without water.
How long should a fast be? Pray for specific direction. A fast is usually 24 hours, or up to three days.
7. Just as your body needs protein, your spirit needs the Word of God regularly. Read DAILY in the Bible, and ask for help to understand and receive it.
How long should a fast be? Pray for specific direction. A fast is usually 24 hours, or up to three days.
7. Just as your body needs protein, your spirit needs the Word of God regularly. Read DAILY in the Bible, and ask for help to understand and receive it.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'''
John 8:31-32Meditate on and feast on Scriptures promising deliverance such as:
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”
Luke 4:18
8. Get involved in Christian fellowship. Attend a church or prayer fellowship in which you will receive nurture and counsel. Do NOT try to go it alone.
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