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God's Truth About "Occult": Chapter Two | |||
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Go to ... Main Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Truth FAQ 
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(2.1) Witchcraft
(2.2) Idol worship (2.3) Freemasonry (2.4) Black Magic | ||
WitchcraftWitchcraft can be defined as the performance of magic forbidden by God for non-biblical ends. The word witchcraft is related to the old English word Wiccian, "practice of magical arts."When a person became a witch, he or she entered into a pact with Satan to worship him. They deny the Creator of heaven and earth. They deny their baptism with Christ. They deny the worship formerly paid to God. They adhere to the devil and believe only in him. They are re-baptized in the devil's name. They promise to sacrifice children to the devil, a step which led to the stories of witches murdering children. Also, they request of the devil for their names to be written in the Book of Death. They tattoo themselves with the devil's mark in various parts of their body. The mark might vary in shape - magic circle or number 666, serpent, evil eye, spider, bat, a rabbit foot, a toad etc. Witches were supposed to have had a variety of different powers which kept the people in fear of them. Witchcraft practitioners place spells by some spoken word(s) or form of words believed to have magic power, binding by spell or charm. In witchcraft there is white magic which is supposedly curative and black magic, also voodoo (African name it joojoo) which are destructive. However, the most feared power thought to be held by witches was that of bewitchment, the ability to cause sickness and death. Practically speaking, a gray area of magic exists between black and white magic. Most black magic advocates believe that through the use of charms, spells, fetish bags containing potions and animal bones, spiritual powers can be manipulated for one's own advantage. Thus, people selfishly practice all types of magic to obtain a means to their own ends, seldom distinguishing between black and white versions. Some black magicians poke pins into voodoo dolls to inflict pain or misfortune upon those who have angered them. Still others cast black magic curses on career opponents to frighten or intimidate them into resigning their positions. Black magicians inflict disease, physical danger, and unfortunate circumstances on victims. Many people are tempted to use black magic to get even with enemies or get ahead in life. Charms and spells can eliminate an enemy or protect against someone else's black magic. Fetishes supposedly make one person love another or cause him to follow someone else's wishes. They can also be used to persuade someone toward benevolence or to change a bad fate into a good destiny. With the help of hexes, black magicians hope to advance in the world of professional rivalry. Witchcraft practitioners are also involved in water witching, levitation (the lifting of one's body in the air with no support), dowsing to use a divining rod (a forked stick alleged to dip downward when held over an underground supply of water), table tipping, psychometry (devination through objects), healing by witch doctors (a person who practices primitive medicine involving the use of magic, as among the tribes in Africa); this kind of temporary healing never cures a sick person but only transfers the sickness from one specific area of the body to another part of the body. This is totally different from the permanent healing which comes from God. Is witchcraft an act of the Devil manipulating people's minds? Witches claim that witchcraft has nothing to do with the Devil but it is a form of goddess or demon worship; a form of nature or idol worship. Satan's followers believe their holy book is written on the earth. They study lay lines, mountain tops, rivers, trees, giving meaning to the way they lay, stand, or flow. Idol worshipIdol and demon worship is the worship of a man made god. It can involve practices and rituals such as burning their sons or daughters in fire at the altar as burnt offerings for demons.Idol worship from the Bible's perspective: The second commandment talks about `Idols' and `Images', "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form {of anything} in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." (Exodus 20: 4) You shall not bow down to them; for I, the LORD your God, {am} a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and forth {generation} of those who hate me" (Exodus 20: 5). When you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars - all the heavenly array - do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshipping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven."(Deuteronomy 4: 19) "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." (Exodus 23:13) The worship of nature or any other god is considered blasphemous. According to the Scriptures, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the third and fourth generations of those who disobey God. It is carefully pointed out in. Exodus 20:5 When the law was given, it specifically prohibited the construction and worship of graven images because they constitute the worship of demons. For those who disregard this warning and make contact with the occult spirits, there will be a terrible and certain repercussion in the form of sickness, misery, insanity, and sometimes an early death. There are many ways in which the occult spirits are given ground. Through various contacts they can cause marital upheaval and problems of all kinds (please see chapter five for more details). Unless the curse is broken it will continue to plague the family and its descendants to the third and fourth generations. It predisposes people to be psychically oriented and sensitive; and through psychic heredity, to pick up more curses and spirits, thus extending the hereditary blight to many generations. Witchcraft is an act of the devil which not only manipulates the minds of people, but it can wreak havoc physically, emotionally and spiritually too. Those who engage in witchcraft, literally open themselves up to the attacks and manipulations of our enemy, Satan. This then demonstrates the awesome power which can be wielded by those who practice the occult sciences. Witch doctors, magicians and sorcerers all receive satanic power, not for edification, but for destruction. The practice of spiritual prostitution both deprives and corrupts us. We must be very careful that we ourselves and those under our spiritual authority avoid engaging in any of the occult practices. If a person dabbles with psychic phenomena [spiritism, seances, levitation, necromancy, astral projection, table lifting, handwriting analysis, automatic type writing, visionary dreams, telepathy, materialization, clairvoyance, ghosts, healing magnetism, mental suggestion, speaking in a trance, amateur hypnosis, self-hypnosis, fortune-telling of any kind, tarot cards, palm reading, biorhythm, rod and pendulum (dowsing), horoscopes and astrology, Ouija Boards, witchcraft whether white, black, or gray, voodoo or joojoo, blood pacts, sorcery, love potions, fetishes, magic charming and talismans, eastern religions, Zoroastrian, Bahai faith, Freemasonry, Mysticism, transcendental meditation, Zen, Buddhism, karate, I-Ching, yoga, reincarnation, ESP, telepathy, hypnosis, scientology, the writings of mystics, and psychics such as Jean Dixon, Edgar Cayce and incubi , succubi (sexual spirits) and others....] which are so widely accepted today, they can expect to be invaded by these spirits. They have opened up the door. As our defenses are dropped by our meddling curiosity, occult spirits can and will enter in and establish themselves. These are the spirits which travel to the third and fourth generations through the parents (inheritance) because consorting with them breaks the first commandment by contacting another god. A curse from God results. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12) and (Exodus 20:3-5) In the beginning, the experimenter with psychic phenomena can control when and to what degree they can become involved with the occult spirits. However, as they continue on, lured deeper into the mysteries of the spirit world by clever adversaries, their God-given defenses are forced down again and again. Increasingly, the demons have free access and control. Before long they will exercise their capricious whims upon the unwitting victim and make a slave-victim, driving their victim ever deeper into the mire of sin and slavery. They will force their victim down every path which will open up ever increasing spiritual depravity. They may be able systemically to destroy self-respect, family life, and afflict with many hurtful and destructive desires and hungers. In time, spirits of infirmity and sickness will also be brought under attack to further weaken the victim. Demons are not satisfied with mere compliance to their wishes, they work to reduce their victim to a helpless state, filled with mental and physical anguish almost beyond a person's ability to endure. FreemasonryFreemasonry is one of the cultic groups that in these end times have been springing up. It spouts scriptures and sometimes has a veneer of truth, however it can be spotted. They have a defective view of Christ, His deity and His work. They specialize in extra Biblical revelations and have trans-local totalitarian leaders in authority. Commonly they rule the group by "revelations" and "prophecies." Usually there is some form of a pyramiding control of the followers. Freemasons have 33 degrees among their ranks.Most develop semi-secret sessions for teaching the initiated followers. Exclusivism is taught and there is much violation of the rules of sound Bible interpretation by use of vague passages and semantic juggling to "prove" what the cult teaches. Fear is the power which holds the group together. Insecurity and maneuvering for power, position and advantage is constant. The misery of being swallowed into such a group is incredible. Cultic leaders range from openly operating con men to sincere zealots driven by demonic power to achieve their ends. Moral decay and laxness always sets in sooner or later, usually at the top echelons of leadership. Many times the followers are lashed into an ascetic and self sacrificing life style, while leaders secretly indulge their own whims and desires. The disillusionment and disenchantment which eventually comes destroys many. People who have honestly given their all to a cause, only to discover they have been sold out, have great difficulty readjusting and being able to believe in anybody or anything. Pagan societies sponsored public worship directed toward idols, while the priests, rulers and philosophers always maintained a different, secret worship centered around a sun god. This latter was designated as the "Mysteries." These "Mysteries" were revived by the "Masonic fathers" at the beginning of the eighteenth century. In other words what formerly constituted the mysteries of Osiris, Baal, Bacchus or Dionysius is today the mysteries of Freemasonry. Dr. Mackey, Masonic authority, states they are the "same in substance, being derived from one source and celebrated in honor of the same deities." A converted witch relates that the initiation into Masonry (with two minor changes at the end) is identical to that of witchcraft! By embracing such rituals and vows, rooted in ancient witchcraft and demonic worship, men and women are placing themselves under occult power. The secret signs, passwords, hand grips, etc. which are so highly prized, in reality brings lives under secret bonds and churches are paralyzed where these secret loyalties exist and the Holy Spirit cannot flow freely. Jesus said He had done all things openly and had done nothing in secret, a startling contrast to secret orders which enforce secrecy on their members. We are commanded to renounce the hidden things of darkness Roman 13:12. Baal was the same as Phoenician Moloch, the Greek Tyrian Hercules (Freemasonry call him Tyrian Architect). He was worshipped on the high places and this is the reason for the "upper chamber" lodge meetings to "worship celestial bodies." According to accredited Masonic historians, the lodge claims to be a revival of the ancient philosophy of Egypt, Phonecia and other Pagan nations. These all practiced a secret worship in honor of a sun god (Lucifer). Freemasonry is a wicked system of sworn deception, fraud and cunning craftiness from beginning to end. Promoters are always careful, at first, to keep the real meaning of the pretended mysteries in the background, at least until the initiate has taken the Master Masons obligation. By that time he should be so bound that he will not revolt against the bondage he has unsuspectingly moved into. The Lodge teaches that its three support pillars are Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, and these are borrowed directly from Hindu Mysteries in the initiation of Brahma. The Worshipful Master represents rising sun (east); Senior Warden, setting sun, (west); Junior Warden, the sun at Meredian (south). In every symbol, ceremony and emblem of Freemasonry we are confronted with nothing but the sun god (Lucifer), that ancient Baal worship in every religion from the Druids to Hinduism. Masons changed names in the Egyptian mysteries from Osiris to Hiram Abiff but retained a similar legend for the initiations. They burned their manuscripts in 1720, interspersed the names of Hiram and Solomon to secure acceptance by Jew and gentile and appropriated the Bible and Apostle John to give it a "Christian" veneer. "Freemasonry both in whole and in part, is literally and truly the secret worship of Baal, or the sun god." In Deuteronomy 4: 19 God clearly states: When you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars - all the heavenly array - do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshipping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." God in Deuteronomy 17:2-3 states: If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns that the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of His covenant, and contrary to my command has worshipped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars of the sky. Black MagicIn Ezekiel 13: 17-23 Black Magic is discussed: "Now , son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy (Psychic people) out of their imagination. Prophesy against them and say, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scarps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live'." And in verse 20, "`Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the LORD'."The pillows (amulets) and kerchiefs mentioned were objects used in connection with magical practices. An amulet is an object of superstition. It can be defined as "a material object on which a charm is written or over which a charm was said, worn on person to protect the wearer against dangers, disease, to serve as a shield against demons, ghosts, evil magic, and to bring good luck and good fortune." In the ancient world, along with many present day primitive tribes, the carrying of an amulet is a common everyday occurrence. These objects also called fetishes, talismans and charms supposedly to ward off evil spirits or bring luck to the wearer. Note the mention of hunting the souls of My people. Most people mistakenly assume that witchcraft cannot affect a Christian. They foolishly believe that being born again automatically protects against any kind of curse, spell or hex, etc., sent by people practicing witchcraft. Ezekiel 13 indicates that we are a favorite target of witchcraft practices which is the hunting (catching or snaring) of our souls (mind, will, emotions). Through witchcraft God's people can be brought into bondage, thus becoming captives. Notice key words in this passage which show the effects of this type of magic or witchcraft. To slay! (Ezekiel 13:19). Not only to hunt and snare, but to slay the souls that should not die. There was no reason why these people should die, but through witchcraft they could be slain prematurely. God states flatly that people should not live when they go to a witch to seek help to lengthen their life or be restored in health through magical arts. In verse 22 of Ezekiel 13 the charge is, "with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad" Depression comes to the heart of the righteous through magical practices. Other translations state that the heart of the righteous are discouraged or disheartened. The righteous are the targets and this shows the effects of witchcraft on God's people. God says in Ezekiel 13:19 that witchcraft will "Turn away My people from me." How many ministers and other Christians have backslidden because of heavy demonic influence induced by witchcraft? Such terrible things can happen to God's people through witchcraft. They can be saddened (depression); they can be ensnared (captivity); they can be slained (premature death); they can be turned away (backsliding). Remember the things which can happen to God's people (to the righteous) if they are unaware of the perils of witchcraft. They can be brought into a state of oppression or depression; unexplainable sadness, anguish, and heart affliction when there is no reason for feeling downcast or disheartened. Everything can be going well for the Believer. He can be healthy, prosperous and yet be covered with a strange pall of oppression, a dark cloud which settles in from nowhere. It can come from witchcraft!!! Believers can become ensnared losing the power to make the right kind of decisions. Those who have experience in dealing with witchcraft have seen many killed by occult power. This power can also turn one away from the truth and cause backsliding. Christians should put on the full armor of God for protection against witchcraft as Paul advised us in Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full "armor of God" so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. With the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. Which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." In Ezekiel 13:23 God states: "Your kerchiefs also will I tear; and deliver my people out of your hand." God wants His people freed from any spell, curse or hex which has been sent them through practitioners of the occult arts. Other passages about witchcraft and divination are in Micah 5:12 God's attitude towards witchcraft is clearly reflected here. It is prohibited, considered abominable and damnable in His eyes. "And I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells." In Nahum 3:4 states, "All because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft." These are references to Nineveh, the capital of Babylon, and the entire book of Nahum is pronouncing judgment on the sin of Nineveh, which is witchcraft. This city was the hotbed of occult arts. They specialized in witchcraft and had developed it to a high degree. They were selling nations through their whoredom and families through their witchcraft. In Isaiah 44:24, 25 it states, "This is what the LORD says your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heaven, who spread out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense." Both the Old and the New Testaments make repeated references to the practice of witchcraft and sorcery, and whenever these practices are referred to, they are always condemned by God. The Bible condemns all forms of witchcraft. | |||
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