Source: https://www.journal33.org/godworld/html/occult1.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 06:23:52+00:00

Document:
Why is the occult such a horrible evil?
Some of the Different Types of Occult Activity that Exist.
SECTION 1 - It's Incompatibility with God and His Ways.
SECTION 2 - God's Surpassing Power Contrasted to the Occultists Weak "Results" (Examples).
SECTION 3 - The Specific Case of False Prophets.
SECTION 4 - The Sinfulness of Participation in the Occult; the Attitude We Should Have Toward It.
SECTION 5 - BIBLE EXAMPLES of Those Who Participated in the Occult & Those Who Opposed It.
SECTION 6 - Other Sins Found in the Context of Occult Practices.
Bible Verses Used in This Study.
God made us, and we belong to him. More than that, he made us unique among all his creatures, in that he has given us the ability to reflect his very character. We bear his image in our very being (Genesis 1:26-27).
Because of these things, we owe him our allegiance, our loyalty and our faithfulness. He alone deserves our worship, our trust and our devotion. Nothing is to have a greater place in our lives; for to give him second place is to give him less than what he rightfully deserves. It is to insult, to offend and to reject him. In fact, it is a denial of everything he is.
The occult and its practices are viewed by some as being somewhere between foolish superstition and innocent child play. Others take it with varying degrees of seriousness. God, however, takes extreme offense at it; for not only it is a denial of all that he is, but it exalts a substitute or counterfeit above him, and gives to it the trust, devotion and place in life that God alone deserves. In addition, the greater a person's participation in the occult, the greater its effect on him, distorting his perspective and influencing his conduct, to the point that everything about him becomes the opposite of the purpose for which God created him.
God made us with a glorious calling: to reflect the very nature of the Creator, in all that we do. He made us for living in a way that is morally upright - the way that Jesus would live, if he were in our circumstances. The occult, like any other sinful practice, tears this glorious calling right out of our grasp. It lowers us, sometimes to the point that we cannot even function like a decent animal.
The occult is, by its very nature, a rejection of all that God is. Because of that, we cannot go after both God and the occult. Many have tried, but we must choose one or the other. To try to follow both is, by definition, a rejection of God. We cannot serve two masters.
FORMS OF DIVINATION (also known as fortune-telling, soothsaying, or augury). A diviner predicts future events, finds lost articles or people, locates underground water, or reveals hidden knowledge. Perhaps the most common example of divination in America today is astrology. Other common types are: palmistry, waterwitching, ouija boards, numerology, biorhythms, pyramidology, the reading of crystal balls, auras, tarot cards, or tea leaves, use of pendulums, interpretation of dreams, and many others. Forms of divination are strictly forbidden in the Scriptures (see Deuteronomy 18:10-14,20). The sinfulness of divination lies in the fact that it demonstrates a lack of trust in the One who holds the future (see Hosea 4:12). Isaiah 47:13-14 predicts an end of the astrologers, while Proverbs 3:5-6 gives the proper response for the believer (trust in the Lord).
Christ is a mystical one. However, the mystical experiences in Christianity are always tied to the objective word of God. We are always to try the spirits. (See I John 4:1.) A valid mystical experience is always parallel to the propositional revelation of scripture. A red flag of caution should always be raised when one purports to have received new or additional revelation that is contradictory to scripture.
MAGICAL MANIPULATION (not to be confused with the art of illusion). By employing hidden or outside forces in the spiritual realm, occultists say they can manipulate people or nature to conform to their will or the will of the gods. Various rites and ceremonies are often used. Sometimes they are public, but mostly they are accomplished in private. Often they involve very complicated formulas and specific materials. Then the rites are carried out according to astrological calculations.
One who practices magic is known by many terms, some of the most common being sorcerer, witch, wizard, or witch doctor. Several notorious practitioners of magic are mentioned in Scripture: the magicians of Egypt (Exodus 8); King Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-9); Jezebel (2 Kings 9:22); Simon (Acts 8:9-24); and Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:4-12). Involvement in magical practices was forbidden and punishable by death under the Mosaic Law (see Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10-11; Isaiah 47:9-15), and also in the New Testament (see Galatians 5:20; Revelations 18:23-24). The city of Nineveh was destroyed for such abominable practices (Nahum 3:4). When the Messiah comes again, the occult practitioners and their works will be destroyed (Malachi 3:5; Micah 5:12; Revelations 21:8; 22:15). Occult involvement involves giving recognition and allegiance to a power or force other than God. For that reason Scripture defines it as evil and condemns it thoroughly.
A. Its nature: pretentious, foolish, not from God.
Deceptive, lying, false (applied to dreams, visions, divinations, prophecies, etc.). Examples - Jeremiah 14:14-15; 27:9-10; 29:8-9; Ezekiel 22:28; Zechariah 10:2.
Influenced by what the people want to hear - Jeremiah 29:8.
An example of how foolish the occult can be: Why consult the dead in behalf of the living? - Isaiah 8:19.
Filled with foolish and superstitious practices - Ezekiel 21:21; whispering and muttering - Isaiah 8:19.
Not sent by God. Example - Jeremiah 29:9.
It enslaves people and earns God's judgment. Example: the destruction of Nineveh - Nahum 3:4 (vs. 1-7).
Widespread practice of the occult may result in judgment of an entire nation. Occult practices were among the reasons why God had to destroy certain nations and drive others out of their lands - Deuteronomy 18:12; 2 Kings 17:17-20 (context begins at v. 13); 21:2 (see also v. 8); 2 Chronicles 33:2 (see also v. 8).
A. God can do what they can't.
God's servants were 10 times better than the occult practitioners - Daniel 1:19-20.
The occult practitioners could not interpret the dream, but Daniel could - Daniel 4:6-9.
The occult practitioners could not interpret the writing on the wall, but Daniel could - Daniel 5:5-17 (+).
B. God can take control when a person resorts to occult practices, and can use what they are doing to accomplish his purposes.
C. God can nullify what they try to do.
God brings their plans to nothing, while at the same time accomplishing what his own servants have spoken (on his behalf) - Isaiah 19:3; 44:24-26.
D. They can't change what God purposes to do (even when it involves his intention to judge them for their occult sins).
An example of a nation that God would punish in spite of their attempts to prevent it through occult practices - Ezekiel 21:28-29.
Their rods also turned into snakes, but Aaron's rod/snake ate their rods/snakes - Exodus 7:10-13.
They could also turn the water into blood - Exodus 7:20-22.
They could also get frogs to come up onto the land - Exodus 8:6-7.
They couldn't even try to create the boils, because they themselves were covered with them - Exodus 9:10-12.
F. God may sometimes allow them to have accurate results, but only for a purpose.
The occult is filled with falsehood and lies (see Section 1, about it's incompatibility with God and his ways). But we must realize that those who practice it do not always give wrong results. God may allow their predictions to prove right (etc.) in order to prove whether or not our loyalty to God is genuine - Deuteronomy 13:1-5.
G. New Testament examples of the occult and God's power over it.
The false prophet Bar-Jesus: He opposed the proclamation of the good news (about Jesus), but was strongly rebuked and made temporarily blind - Acts 13:6-12.
Paul rebuked an evil spirit that controlled a slave girl, and it left her - Acts 16:16-18.
God used Paul to drive out demons at Ephesus; in contrast, some Jewish exorcists tried to drive out a demon (imitating Paul), and the demon overpowered and attacked them - Acts 19:11-16.
A. NOTE: Only a limited number of verses are included in this section of the outline. The Bible says much more about false prophets.
B. God opposes them, because he did not send them (even though they may claim that he did).
God did not send them - Jeremiah 14:14-15; 23:30-32; Ezekiel 13:6.
God is against them - Jeremiah 23:30-32; Ezekiel 13:8-9.
C. What they say is often influenced by their hearers.
Often based on pleasant things that the people like to hear, such as promises of peace and blessings. Example - Jeremiah 14:13-14.
D. What they say is false, pretentious and deceptive - especially when they claim that their words come from God.
An expression of their own imagination; they follow their own spirit and have actually received nothing from God - Ezekiel 13:2-3, 7.
They claim that God has spoken, when he hasn't - Jeremiah 23:31; Ezekiel 13:6; 22:28.
Though they speak lies and falsehood, they may even deceive themselves into thinking that their words will be fulfilled! - Ezekiel 13:6.
They often "justify" (excuse) sinful conduct - Ezekiel 22:28.
A typical illustration of the conflict between false prophets and God's prophets can be seen in the conflict between Micaiah (a prophet from God) and King Ahab's false prophets - 2 Kings 22:1-40.
E. What they say has a destructive effect on the people (and even on themselves).
They do not benefit the people, but lead them astray - Jeremiah 23:32; Micah 3:5-12 (the end result: God would send darkness and the nation would be destroyed).
They discourage the righteous, but encourage the wicked to remain wicked - Ezekiel 13:22.
They (and their listeners) will be judged and destroyed - Jeremiah 14:15-16; Ezekiel 13:9; 22:23-31 (they and all the others who do evil - v. 31); Micah 3:5-12 (God would remain silent - vs. 6-7).
Sometimes the very things they say cause the judgments that will fall on them. Example - Jeremiah 27:10.
F. The contrast between God's Word and the false prophets' word - Jeremiah 23:28-29.
G. Those who claim to be prophets must be tested, in order to determine whether they are genuine or false.
Any miraculous signs they give (or predict) must occur and they must direct the people's attention toward the God of the Bible - Deuteronomy 13:1-3.
It's not enough that their predictions prove true. God may allow their predictions to take place, in order to test (or prove) the genuineness of our loyalty to him - Deuteronomy 13:3-4.
Those who claim to be prophets, and are not, are preaching rebellion against the true God, and are worthy of death - Deuteronomy 13:5.
A. God forbids involvement in occult practices and he promises severe consequences for those who do.
Those who do it deserve to be put to death - Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 13:5.
An example in which God said he would come in judgment against them - Malachi 3:5.
An example in which God would come in judgment against them, and would deliver his people from the snare of their influence - Ezekiel 13:20-23.
An example of God being against a nation that enslaved others by means of the occult - Nahum 3:1-7.
Those who participate in the occult will have their place in the fiery lake of burning sulfur - Revelation 21:6-8; they will not be allowed inside God's eternal city - Revelation 22:14-15.
B. God forbids people to seek counsel or advice from those who are involved in the occult (and he also promises severe consequences for those who do - consequences which such people bring upon themselves).
Don't do it, or you will be defiled - Leviticus 19:31.
If you do it, God will be against you - Leviticus 20:6.
Don't listen to them - Deuteronomy 18:14.
Don't listen to them or you will perish - Jeremiah 27:9-10.
Look to God, instead - Isaiah 8:19.
C. Anyone who claims to have a revelation must be tested (and, if necessary, rejected).
Everything the person says must be in accordance with the Word of God; otherwise he does not have the "light" of truth in him - Isaiah 8:19 (+).
D. Can we tolerate compromise with the occult?
God says that it is impossible for a person who practices such sins to enter the kingdom of God - Galatians 5:19-21.
Ultimately, God will destroy the occultists, along with everyone else who does evil and disobeys him. Examples - Micah 5:10-15; Malachi 3:5. Also a future example - Revelation 21:6-8; 22:14-15.
A. NOTE 1: This includes people directly involved in those practices, as well as those who sought counsel or advice from such people. Examples of those who opposed it are marked out by the word "AGAINST."
B. NOTE 2: Joseph pretended to have occult powers, when he (as ruler over Egypt) was questioning his brothers (who didn't know who he was) - Genesis 44:5, 15.
C. Balak and Balaam: Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel. God overruled Balaam's attempts to do so; later Baalam was killed in one of God's judgments - Numbers 22:7; 24:1 (+ the context of chapters 22-24); Joshua 13:22.
God judged Saul for this - 1 Chronicles 33:6.
F. Jezebel: Because of her sins, she would be killed and her body eaten by dogs - 2 Kings 9:22.
He sinned worse than the nations God had previously destroyed - 2 Kings 21:1-9; 2 Chronicles 33:1-9.
The people followed his example - 2 Kings 21:9; 2 Chronicles 33:8.
God allowed him to be taken captive to Babylon. This humbled Manasseh, and he turned from his evil ways - 2 Chronicles 33:10-13.
They would experience disaster - Isaiah 47:7-15.
A day would come, in which God would destroy the occult practices of Israel - Micah 5:10-15.
God would come against them in judgment - Malachi 3:5.
God would "consume" them in his anger, because they used the occult to "justify" (excuse) their sinful practices - Ezekiel 22:23-31 (especially verses 28, 31).
They would be punished, because they resorted to the darkness of the occult, thus leaving the people like sheep without a shepherd - Zechariah 10:2-3.
L. Babylon - they would experience a type of judgment that their occult practices would be unable to prevent - Isaiah 47:7-15 (especially vs. 11-15).
M. Nineveh - they would be destroyed because of their occult practices, and because of the way they enslaved others with it - Nahum 3:1-7 (especially v. 4).
Their "prophecies" are often influenced by what the people are willing to pay them - Micah 3:5, 11.
Money can influence their entire perspective - even on how they obtain their abilities. Example - Simon the sorcerer: He wanted to buy the ability to give people the Holy Spirit. He was rebuked for this sin - Acts 8:18-24.
E. Idolatry; the worship of various "gods" - 2 Kings 9:22; 17:15-16 (people who follow worthless idols become worthless people); 21:3-4; 23:24; 2 Chronicles 33:3-4; Isaiah 2:8; 19:3; Jeremiah 14:14; Micah 5:10-15; Zechariah 10:2-3.
Self-made "wisdom" - Isaiah 44:25.
Lounging (or dwelling) in security - though their lives were filled with wickedness - Isaiah 47:8-9 (+).
G. Detestable things; detestable practices - Deut. 18:9, 12; 2 Kings 21:2; 23:24; 2 Chron. 33:2.
H. Evil deeds and wickedness (in general) - 2 Kings 17:17; 21:2, 6; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 47:10; Acts 19:18-20.
I. Leaders being encouraged (by the occultists) to sin; their sins even being excused (or reinforced) by supposed "revelations," given by the occultists- Ezekiel 22:23-29 (especially v. 28).
K. Strong associations and alliances with pagans (and their practices) - Isaiah 2:6 (clasping hands with them - NIV, or striking bargains with them - NAS).
L. Going after the pagan ways of the surrounding nations - 2 Kings 17:15; 21:2.
M. Absence of the "fear of God" - Malachi 3:5.
N. Stubbornness, rejecting God (his word and his ways) - 2 Kings 17:13-15.
O. Lists of many kinds of sins - Malachi 3:5; Galatians 5:19-21 (all are acts of the sinful nature); Revelation 9:20-21; 21:6-8; 22:14-15.
Most of the Bible Verses Used in This Study.

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