Introduction

What is the Occult? It’s a method of control, it’s an attempt to make oneself a notable person, it’s a supposed connection to the dead, it’s an effort to control events or talk with those who’ve passed. It’s about robbing God of His glory! The Occult practitioners apply their efforts through seances, drugs, magic, witchcraft, sorcery, mediums, and spiritists. Their efforts are futile, for magic, mediums, sorcery, witchery, and the like are false applications. No one can hold a conversation with the dead; no one can call forth a demon; witchery and such have to do with drugs and potions, which can be dangerous.

Unfortunately, our society is filled with these things. The media, school yards, and so-called friends endeavor to control our minds. Truth!

The Bible Says…

Leviticus 19:31 has this, “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” Follow that verse with this one, Galatians 5:20: “idolatry, sorcery {my emphasis }, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions…” But then, there’s this from Jesus in Revelation 21:8 – “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers {my emphasis, again}, and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Those who practice the occult have their place in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. That’s the second death. The first is a physical death. The second is banishment into hell. Firmly stated, “A person practicing the occult is a fool.”

To choose the occult is to deny God His rightful place as king of all. It dishonors Him by human efforts to control people and events. That’s strictly reserved for God. God’s will be done on earth is precisely that: His will, on earth, be done, Matthew 6:10. Remember the last part of Leviticus 19:31? It states, “I am the LORD your God.” Emphatic statement by the One True God.

Do Not Turn To Mediums Or Spiritists

We are under the New Testament covenant. However, note the strong command from Jehovah God in Leviticus 9:31: “Do not.”  That means don’t; He is under God’s condemnation if one does. That’s not a place for any right-thinking individual.

The next word is critical: “turn.” Don’t turn. Why? Why would anyone turn to a lying person for a problem’s resolution? I suspect it’s out of grief. We want to connect with our loved ones for information, and life direction, say goodbye, disclose some hidden secret, or know they may connect with the past loved ones as they need/want to.

I can imagine the need weighs heavy on a person’s heart. However, God has all things in place. Rather than turning to false people, we should turn to God for our needs. He is our heavenly Father if one is spiritually separated from the world.

• • He promises to fulfill all our physical needs, Matthew 6:33.
  • He promises care and solace for grief, Psalm 34:18, 73:26.
  • He promises love in our lives, Psalm 127:3, Song of Solomon 1:13.
  • He promises to handle our anxieties, Philippians 4:6-8.
  • He promises to lift us, 1 Peter 5:6.
  • He is in control of everything, John 14:27, Psalm 125:2.

All we need to do is live, trusting Him for everything, good or bad, come whatever may. It’s the only way to true happiness and peace based on His mighty love and power.

Mediums and Spiritists

A medium can allegedly connect, communicate, and share information with those seeking answers. A spiritist claims he can speak with or for the dead. There is a similarity between those two terms. Nevertheless, neither a medium nor a spiritist can visit the deceased. They may put on a great show and seem to give you information from someone who is passed, but they trick folks into giving leads that allow them to “communicate” with the dead. There are no genuine mediums or spiritists.

Don’t Be Defiled

To be defiled means to be impure, filthy, unholy, or irreligious. Nadab and Abihu thought they could use any old fire for worship. There was a fire they were to use. God specified it. Yet, they took it upon themselves to use “profane” fire. Profane means to make a holy thing an everyday thing. One can see they dishonored God in this.

Turning to mediums and spiritists makes one defiled or unholy. One might imagine God’s wrath coming down from heaven because of one’s unholiness. That’s precisely what happened to Nadab and Abihu. See Leviticus 10 for this Bible story.

I Am The LORD Your God

When God speaks, people must listen. There’s a tremendous penalty for not doing so. It costs one’s eternal life. Jesus said that if you don’t heed my commands, there would be a great fall, which means disaster, Matthew 7:24-27. The result is continual burning in a lake of fire and brimstone, Revelation 21:8.

But also, consider the disrespect given to God by not obeying His commands. If my mom told me to do something, if my dad said, “Do this,” and I refused, I could expect their condemnation. Now, multiply that significance by infinity. I can expect untold spiritual condemnation if I refuse to do as God says.

Above all things about being a human, a man must honor God by doing as He commands. The alternative is too great to bear.

• • The word “I” means the Great I Am, Exodus 3:14.
  • The word “Am” means the eternal existing One, Exodus 3:14.
  • The words “The LORD” means Jehovah God, Exodus 3:14.
  • The word “Your” means He owns you, and you must respect Him, Exodus 3.
  • The word “God” means the One who owns and controls everything, Exodus 3:14.

Conclusion

God must be respected. Even though God has given us free will, He controls all outcomes. He plans to bring all people to Him in repentance and knowledge, 1 Peter 3:9. There is a harsh penalty for those disrespecting Him. It’s eternal, where one lives in a lake of fire. How hideous is that? Nonetheless, that’s the penalty for disobedience.

The smart move is to hear and obey. There’s no other way.

Garland Van Dyke

garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com?subject=Dead in Offenses and Sins

www.matthewsstreetchurchofchrist.com

https://biblepoints.org/bible-points