GOING AGAINST GOD, "JUST FOR FUN"
GOING AGAINST GOD, "JUST FOR FUN"
By Marsha West
June 2, 2006
NewsWithViews.com
Today we’re hearing a lot about Spiritism or Spiritualism, not to be confused with spiritual or spirituality, as in “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual,” or “I’m into spirituality.” The term Spiritism has replaced what was once called animism and other religious practices involving the invocation of spiritual beings. Some religions meld Spiritualism with Christianity. For example, a blend of Christian and African folk beliefs that originated in Brazil is now practiced in the U.S. Spiritualism is much the same as Spiritism only it has adopted Christian rites and prayers. People visiting Spiritualistic services can be misled into thinking they’re Christian churches. The problem is, Christianity cannot be melded with any other religion or practice.
One of the major tenets of Spiritism is reincarnation. The classic form of reincarnation originated in India in the 9th century BC. In our modern world reincarnation has become a hot topic. There are a variety of beliefs on reincarnation the most popular being that upon death the spirit leaves the body and seeks another body to enter. Belief in reincarnation gives hope for continuing one’s existence in further lives to work off one’s karma.
Ask Christians flowing out the doors of a Sunday worship service if they believe in reincarnation and many will give you a cavalier “Yes,” like its no big deal. But it is a big deal. The big deal is that reincarnation rejects the Christian belief of the soul’s final judgment by a holy God, with the possible result of being condemned to hell for eternity. Nowhere in the Bible does God give us the option of working off our karma. The Bible clearly explains what happens upon death: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Christians must view sorcery as evil. When the Apostle Paul came face to face with Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, he called him a “child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right.” Paul accused Elymas of perverting the right ways of the Lord. (Acts 13: 10) Through the Holy Spirit, Paul caused Elymas to go blind. Not only did he put out the sorcerers eyes, he put him out of a job. When it came to confronting evil, Paul never backed down, never hesitated, wavered or vacillated. He had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer when going after evildoers.
God forbids participation in occultism for our own protection. Its roots are steeped in pagan idolatry and drug use. Sorcery is all about the quest for ‘hidden wisdom’ or ‘deeper truth.’ This sort of supernatural knowledge is only meant for certain people, of course. We call those who possess supernatural power (power is what its all about) shamans, witchdoctors, clairvoyants, trance channelers, spiritists, and the list goes on. So, how does a spiritist go about getting in contact with the spirit world? They claim they receive radiation, frequencies or vibrations from the dead. “Communication from the spirit world manifests itself in psychical phenomena (e.g., telepathy, clairvoyance, trance speaking, and apparitions) and in physical phenomena (e.g., levitation, automatic writing, and poltergeist and ectoplasmic activities).”[1]
In the Bible God instigates the communication, not man. Generally He uses angels as His envoys to humans. Not a lot is known about angels, either the elect or the fallen. What we do know from biblical accounts is that on occasion God sent His holy elect angels to Earth to deliver messages. He also sent angles to minister to people, protect them, and execute His judgment. Their only aim is to glorify God’s holy Name and to accomplish His will.
There are also fallen angels. Lucifer/Satan is the most notorious of the lot. The Bible refers to the fallen angels as demons, spirits of darkness and evil spirits. They rebelled against God and fell from grace. As a consequence they were hurled out of heaven, lock stock and barrel. Theologian John Mac Arthur tells us what happened next: “At that point, Satan gained the rulership of the world, and the term world took on a third meaning: the evil system opposed to God that now dominates this planet. The system that Satan began will continue to develop up to the time period known as the Great Tribulation.”[2]
Christianity and Spiritism have nothing in common whatsoever. Can you trust God and Satan at the same time? The Apostle Paul put it this way: “What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Beliel?” (2 Corinthians 6:13-15) The answer is obvious: Nothing.
Christianity is defined by relationship, not religion. Christians are those who have a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Spiritists have a relationship, not with Jesus Christ, but with disembodied spirits. Instead of choosing to serve the Son of God, they choose instead to serve the Prince of Darkness -- aka the devil.
More than likely the spirits who speak through the mouths of the willing are demons or evil spirits. People who get themselves into a trance state with the purpose of channeling spirits are inviting spirit possession. Granted, some channelers are nothing more than good actors, writing a script as they go along. They are charlatans who are in it for money or fame or both. But many channelers are dupes that allow their bodies to be used by spirit entities to spew anti-Christian propaganda.
The Bible tells us to, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). We are also told to flee (run like a maniac) from the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion waiting to devour.” Picture a lion hiding in the bush waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting wildebeest. The devil’s the hungry lion, only he’s waiting to pounce on God’s people! Unfortunately Christians don’t obey God’s command to flee from the devil, which is why Christianity is in the sorry state it’s in today.
Far too many Christians are unaware that the Lord quite literally detests all forms of sorcery. There are no exceptions. Even astrology is banned for believers. Doesn’t matter if it’s done “just for fun.” One cannot be a Baptist on Sunday and a spiritist the rest of the week.
Which brings me to two blogs I recently stumbled on. Both bloggers say they’re Christians. They also share their Zodiac signs with visitors to their site. One studies Christian apologetics; the other is a youth pastor. Gullible young people visit this pastor’s site and learn that he’s a Gemini. Fortunately he doesn’t include discernment as one of his “spiritual gifts.” It’s pretty obvious that neither one of these men have taken the time to read Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 18:9-12, Exodus 22:18 and other such passages. Apparently they do take the time to read their astrological forecast.
I cannot stress this one point enough: God’s people mustn’t be involved in sorcery. When confronted with an evil practice, Christians should lace up their trusty running shoes and high tail it out of there, pronto! Flee from horoscopes (astrology), numerology, séances, tarot cards, tealeaves, palm reading, crystal balls, talking boards, omens or signs; do not get involved in wizardry, witchcraft, the study of Kabbalah, nature religion (Wicca), the practice of yoga (its purpose is purely spiritual) — basically, stay away from pagan customs and practices. Eastern mysticism is off limits (Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age beliefs). The powers that operate in the realm of the occult are very real. Those powers are far greater and stronger and more dangerous than most people realize.
If you’re involved in any of these things, or have been involved in the past, repent. And never do it again, even if it’s “just for fun.”
Lastly, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:1-12).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marsha West is the Founder and Editor of the E-Mail Brigade News Report, an online news report for conservative people of faith. Marsha is a freelance writer specializing in Christian worldview. She is a regular contributor to NewsWithViews.com, Alainsnewsletter.com, CapitolHillCoffeeHouse.com, plus her commentaries appear in MichNews.com and bibleteacher.org.
Marsha is also designer and webmaster of a Christian apologetics website, On Solid Rock Resources. She is currently writing a series of children's books for homeschoolers. Marsha and her husband reside in historic Jacksonville Oregon.
By Marsha West
June 2, 2006
NewsWithViews.com
Today we’re hearing a lot about Spiritism or Spiritualism, not to be confused with spiritual or spirituality, as in “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual,” or “I’m into spirituality.” The term Spiritism has replaced what was once called animism and other religious practices involving the invocation of spiritual beings. Some religions meld Spiritualism with Christianity. For example, a blend of Christian and African folk beliefs that originated in Brazil is now practiced in the U.S. Spiritualism is much the same as Spiritism only it has adopted Christian rites and prayers. People visiting Spiritualistic services can be misled into thinking they’re Christian churches. The problem is, Christianity cannot be melded with any other religion or practice.
One of the major tenets of Spiritism is reincarnation. The classic form of reincarnation originated in India in the 9th century BC. In our modern world reincarnation has become a hot topic. There are a variety of beliefs on reincarnation the most popular being that upon death the spirit leaves the body and seeks another body to enter. Belief in reincarnation gives hope for continuing one’s existence in further lives to work off one’s karma.
Ask Christians flowing out the doors of a Sunday worship service if they believe in reincarnation and many will give you a cavalier “Yes,” like its no big deal. But it is a big deal. The big deal is that reincarnation rejects the Christian belief of the soul’s final judgment by a holy God, with the possible result of being condemned to hell for eternity. Nowhere in the Bible does God give us the option of working off our karma. The Bible clearly explains what happens upon death: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Christians must view sorcery as evil. When the Apostle Paul came face to face with Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, he called him a “child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right.” Paul accused Elymas of perverting the right ways of the Lord. (Acts 13: 10) Through the Holy Spirit, Paul caused Elymas to go blind. Not only did he put out the sorcerers eyes, he put him out of a job. When it came to confronting evil, Paul never backed down, never hesitated, wavered or vacillated. He had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer when going after evildoers.
God forbids participation in occultism for our own protection. Its roots are steeped in pagan idolatry and drug use. Sorcery is all about the quest for ‘hidden wisdom’ or ‘deeper truth.’ This sort of supernatural knowledge is only meant for certain people, of course. We call those who possess supernatural power (power is what its all about) shamans, witchdoctors, clairvoyants, trance channelers, spiritists, and the list goes on. So, how does a spiritist go about getting in contact with the spirit world? They claim they receive radiation, frequencies or vibrations from the dead. “Communication from the spirit world manifests itself in psychical phenomena (e.g., telepathy, clairvoyance, trance speaking, and apparitions) and in physical phenomena (e.g., levitation, automatic writing, and poltergeist and ectoplasmic activities).”[1]
In the Bible God instigates the communication, not man. Generally He uses angels as His envoys to humans. Not a lot is known about angels, either the elect or the fallen. What we do know from biblical accounts is that on occasion God sent His holy elect angels to Earth to deliver messages. He also sent angles to minister to people, protect them, and execute His judgment. Their only aim is to glorify God’s holy Name and to accomplish His will.
There are also fallen angels. Lucifer/Satan is the most notorious of the lot. The Bible refers to the fallen angels as demons, spirits of darkness and evil spirits. They rebelled against God and fell from grace. As a consequence they were hurled out of heaven, lock stock and barrel. Theologian John Mac Arthur tells us what happened next: “At that point, Satan gained the rulership of the world, and the term world took on a third meaning: the evil system opposed to God that now dominates this planet. The system that Satan began will continue to develop up to the time period known as the Great Tribulation.”[2]
Christianity and Spiritism have nothing in common whatsoever. Can you trust God and Satan at the same time? The Apostle Paul put it this way: “What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Beliel?” (2 Corinthians 6:13-15) The answer is obvious: Nothing.
Christianity is defined by relationship, not religion. Christians are those who have a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Spiritists have a relationship, not with Jesus Christ, but with disembodied spirits. Instead of choosing to serve the Son of God, they choose instead to serve the Prince of Darkness -- aka the devil.
More than likely the spirits who speak through the mouths of the willing are demons or evil spirits. People who get themselves into a trance state with the purpose of channeling spirits are inviting spirit possession. Granted, some channelers are nothing more than good actors, writing a script as they go along. They are charlatans who are in it for money or fame or both. But many channelers are dupes that allow their bodies to be used by spirit entities to spew anti-Christian propaganda.
The Bible tells us to, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). We are also told to flee (run like a maniac) from the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion waiting to devour.” Picture a lion hiding in the bush waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting wildebeest. The devil’s the hungry lion, only he’s waiting to pounce on God’s people! Unfortunately Christians don’t obey God’s command to flee from the devil, which is why Christianity is in the sorry state it’s in today.
Far too many Christians are unaware that the Lord quite literally detests all forms of sorcery. There are no exceptions. Even astrology is banned for believers. Doesn’t matter if it’s done “just for fun.” One cannot be a Baptist on Sunday and a spiritist the rest of the week.
Which brings me to two blogs I recently stumbled on. Both bloggers say they’re Christians. They also share their Zodiac signs with visitors to their site. One studies Christian apologetics; the other is a youth pastor. Gullible young people visit this pastor’s site and learn that he’s a Gemini. Fortunately he doesn’t include discernment as one of his “spiritual gifts.” It’s pretty obvious that neither one of these men have taken the time to read Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 18:9-12, Exodus 22:18 and other such passages. Apparently they do take the time to read their astrological forecast.
I cannot stress this one point enough: God’s people mustn’t be involved in sorcery. When confronted with an evil practice, Christians should lace up their trusty running shoes and high tail it out of there, pronto! Flee from horoscopes (astrology), numerology, séances, tarot cards, tealeaves, palm reading, crystal balls, talking boards, omens or signs; do not get involved in wizardry, witchcraft, the study of Kabbalah, nature religion (Wicca), the practice of yoga (its purpose is purely spiritual) — basically, stay away from pagan customs and practices. Eastern mysticism is off limits (Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age beliefs). The powers that operate in the realm of the occult are very real. Those powers are far greater and stronger and more dangerous than most people realize.
If you’re involved in any of these things, or have been involved in the past, repent. And never do it again, even if it’s “just for fun.”
Lastly, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:1-12).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marsha West is the Founder and Editor of the E-Mail Brigade News Report, an online news report for conservative people of faith. Marsha is a freelance writer specializing in Christian worldview. She is a regular contributor to NewsWithViews.com, Alainsnewsletter.com, CapitolHillCoffeeHouse.com, plus her commentaries appear in MichNews.com and bibleteacher.org.
Marsha is also designer and webmaster of a Christian apologetics website, On Solid Rock Resources. She is currently writing a series of children's books for homeschoolers. Marsha and her husband reside in historic Jacksonville Oregon.
posted by shummer60 at Tuesday, June 06, 2006
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