THE OCCULT
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Demystifying the Deeds of Darkness
If someone were to ask, “What exactly is wrong with the occult?” how would you answer? The occult has permeated our society to such an extent that we tend to dismiss it as just another fad. You may disregard some new occult craze, but do you understand its real evil? Make no mistake, involvement in the occult launches you into a realm clearly forbidden by God!
“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. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 20:6-7
Just how old is the occult? And what is its appeal? An appetite for supernatural knowledge and power is the same hunger that brought spiritual death to the inhabitants of Eden. As Satan “channeled” his words through a snake, his subtle seduction of Eve exposed the innate attraction we all have for the unknown.
Since that fateful day when Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit, occultism has flourished. Just as the ancient world was fascinated with numerology, astrology, and witchcraft, our contemporary world is enticed by a smorgasbord of horoscopes, fortune-tellers, spirit guides, séances, and witch clubs. Tragically, deluded followers seeking the secrets of supernatural power and knowledge are still being seduced today.
“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may
somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:3
5 Openings into the Occult
1. Superstition...
is unfounded beliefs—based not on the Bible but on tradition—regarding items or practices assumed to have supernatural power.
- Bad luck—assigning supernatural power to and avoiding: black cats, breaking a mirror, walking under ladders, number 13, evil eye
- Good luck—assigning supernatural power to and trusting in: rabbits’ feet, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, knocking on wood, crystals, amulets, talismans, religious items
2. Divination...
is an attempt to “divine” or foretell the future through: astrology, cartomancy, numerology, palmistry, psychic games (Ouija Board, Magic Eight Ball), rod and pendulum, scrying, sortilege, tasseography, water witching/ dowsing.
3. Spiritism...
is an attempt to communicate with the unseen world through: channeling, familiar spirits, Halloween, materialization, necromancy, psychometry, reincarnation, seances, sexual spirits, shamanism, spirit writing, spirit guides/spirit imaginary friend.
4. Magic...
and sorcery are attempts to control the natural world by invoking supernatural power from the spirit world through various practices, such as witchcraft, Modern Magic, and Satanism.
5. Supernatural phenomena...
is the appearance or manifestation of something beyond the natural realm. Methods used in an attempt to give a scientific basis for occult phenomena may include: apports, clairaudience, clairvoyance, extrasensory perception (ESP), Kirlian effect, levitation, mental telepathy, parapsychology, precognition, psychic surgery, psychometry, telekinesis.
“Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.”
(Jeremiah 29:8)
3 Levels of Involvement
1. Innocent—
Curiously seeking and experimenting, usually teenagers (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22)
- Listening to music with occult lyrics
- Looking to horoscopes and astrological signs for guidance
- Playing psychic games: Ouija Boards, Dungeons and Dragons, automatic writing
- Visiting fortune-tellers
- Wearing jewelry with magical powers: amulets, fetishes
- Reading occult literature
2. Indoctrinated—
- Making the decision to adopt an occult worldview (Jeremiah 10:2) Relying on astrologers, mediums, or spiritualists for information
- Joining organized occult groups, such as a coven
- Making major life decisions based on occult practices
3. Immersed—
Consciously becoming more deeply involved in black magic and the forces of evil (Deuteronomy 18:10–13)
- Actively joining occult organizations, such as Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) or the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn or other organizations of like-mindedness
- Practicing black magic
- Participating in spiritualism and seeking a personal spirit guide
- Participating in ritualistic sacrifices
“If your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them... you will certainly be destroyed.”
(Deuteronomy 30:17–18)
Signs of Occult Involvement
- Occult material
- Black clothing, Gothic attire
- Sexual perversion
- Exclusivity, extreme secrecy
- Stimulants, drugs
- Satanic fascination
- Evil, violence, and suicide
- Disdain for biblical truth and authority
Signs of Occult Immersion
- Persistent headaches
- Obscene, profane language
- Sleeplessness or extreme sleepiness
- Suicidal threats or attempts
- Extreme fears
- Satanic indulgence
- Sudden personality changes
- Extraordinary abilities
- Deeds of violence and desecration
“When he [Jesus] arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.”
(Matthew 8:28)
The Relationship between the Occult and Evil
- Occult phenomena are real, but the source is not God.
- Occult power is evil.
- Occult involvement is progressive.
- Occult participation brings a person under Satan’s control.
- Occult practices run counter to biblical commands.
- Occult involvement breeds rebellion against God.
- Occult practices and involvement in them are detestable to God.
“The Pharisees said, ‘It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.’”
(Matthew 9:34)
Repelling the Deeds of Darkness
- Renounce any involvement with the occult. (Acts 19:18)
- Remove all objects related to the occult. (Acts 19:19)
- Recognize your enemy as Satan. (1 Peter 5:8)
- Rely on your authority over evil. (1 John 4:4)
- Refuse fascination with the occult. (Deuteronomy 18:10-14)
- Reside in close fellowship with believers. (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Realize the truth of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Read Scripture for wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 2:1–6)
- Reap the benefit of earnest prayer. (James 5:16)
- Remain clothed in the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10–18)
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”
(2 Corinthians 4:2)
Key Verse to Learn
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
(Isaiah 5:20)
Key Passage to Read
1 John 4:1–6, 9–10
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