The Danger of the Occult
by Pastor Kevin Sadler
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"Joe Gutierrez tells five stories from his 42 years as a steelworker in the book, The Heat: Steelworkers' Lives and Legends.
In one story, called 'Snow Danced in August,' he describes a scene of
silvery dust flakes that frequently floated to the floor in an area of
the mill where steel strips rolled over pads in a tall cooling tower.
For years, workers and visitors alike flocked to the sight, which was
especially picturesque at night.
"Then
they discovered the dust was asbestos. 'Everybody breathed it,' wrote
Gutierrez. He now suffers from the slow, choking grip of asbestosis, as
do many plant workers.
"'Who
am I? I'm everybody. Can't walk too far now. I get tired real fast and
it hurts when I breathe, sometimes. And to think we used to fight over
that job.'
"How
many things in our culture resemble the silver flakes in that steel
mill? Enchanting but deadly." ["Deceptive Appeal," Preaching Today,
October 2001, excerpted from "Steelworkers Break the Mold," Chicago
Tribune, June 2001, https://www.preachingtoday.
The
practice of the occult is one of the things in our culture that
resemble the silver flakes in that steel mill. For many, there is a
constant temptation to dabble in it. Reading horoscopes is thought to be
a harmless, innocent activity. A survey once estimated that more than
50 million Americans read their horoscopes every day to see what they
should do or what they should expect that day. Horoscopes are readily
available. They can be found online easily. A daily horoscope is found
in nearly every newspaper across the country.
The
occult comes in many different forms: fortune-telling, tarot cards,
palmistry, numerology, astrology, seances, rune stones, the I ching,
ouija boards, and tea leaves. You can easily find places of business
dedicated to these things. Shows featuring mediums are on television
now. Witchcraft, satanism, and spiritism are practiced openly.
The English term occult
comes from the Latin verb occultus, which refers to hidden or concealed
things. As we use the word today, it refers to dealings with the spirit
realm. The Scripture forbids any participation in the occult. Paul, our
apostle, warns the Body of Christ about practicing idolatry,
worshipping the creation and false gods, and having "fellowship with
devils" (1 Cor. 10:19,20). The stern warnings to Israel in the Mosaic
Law teach us what God thinks about astrology and the occult, and that
is enough for us to know that we need to avoid these things.
"Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves...Lest ye corrupt yourselves...And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them…" (Deut. 4:15,16,19)."There shall not be found among you any one…that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord…" (Deut. 18:10-12).
What
many consider an innocent activity is an abomination in the eyes of
God. Consulting mediums, tarot cards, horoscopes, palmists, etc.,
belittles God. Doing so is to say, "I believe that God is either unable
or unwilling to tell me all that is good for me to know." In essence, it
demonstrates the belief that God lacks the love or goodness to guide
me, so I will take matters into my own hands.
For
our own good, the people of God should shun the evil snare of all
practices of the occult. All that we need to know about the future or
the supernatural realm comes through the Word of God. By faith, we take
our stand on the sufficiency of the revelation of God's Word. And we
trust the One who is with us each step of our journey through life,
guiding, caring, and helping us all the way.
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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