This question is in regard to Christian participation.
I always say, don’t go where the angels don’t go, but let’s take a look at some definitions and warnings that comes with consulting divination sources for life’s answers. Sometimes, a person doesn’t know what they don’t know and can fall into things, so let’s get some answers!
Paul predicted: "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. " (I Timothy 4: 1)
Do you work with Mediums, Palmist, or live
by the daily Horoscopes found online or in print?
Back in the day I remember my
grandmother would read the daily horoscope and put some stock into it.
It was the all the rage in the 60’s
& 70’s! Whenever you met a new person, they would ask you what your Zodiac
Sign was. I think all of us old enough to remember participated in this fad.
I know I did. I found out what my sign
was, read about it so that I knew all my personal qualities and feelings. A lot
of the times, I would read my horoscope to see if it came anywhere close to
describing me. Of course, sometimes they were right, sometimes they were wrong.
Sometimes it was a mixed bag.
People would pick their friends and
associates based upon their “sign”. People would pick their marriage partners based
upon their “sign”. After all, there are some folks that just shouldn’t be
matched up according to their Zodiac signs.
Hmm.
Let’s look at some definitions for
divination that prophesy and predict a person’s future.
What is a
horoscope?
A horoscope is an astrological chart or diagram representing
the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects, and sensitive
angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. It is
claimed by proponents of astrology that a horoscope can be used as a method of
divination regarding events relating to the point in time it represents.
Professional astrologers usually write horoscopes. These people have studied
astrology in-depth to develop a deep knowledge of the Zodiac, the stars,
astrological events, and the lunar calendar. To become a professional, you
don't need to follow one set path.
What are palm readers?
Palmistry is the practice of fortune-telling through the
study of the palm. Also known as palm reading, chiromancy, chirology, the
practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those
who practice palmistry are generally called palmists, hand readers, hand
analysts, or chirologists. Palmists say it helps them learn about the character
of a person and tell their future.
What’s a tarot card reading?
Tarot card reading is a form of
cartomancy whereby practitioners use tarot cards to purportedly gain insight
into the past, present, or future. They formulate a question, then draw cards
to interpret them for this end. Tarot is also used widely as a device for seeking
personal guidance and spiritual growth. Practitioners often believe tarot cards
can help the individual explore one's spiritual path.
What’s a mind reader?
Synonyms for a mind reader are mentalist, spiritualist,
channelers, spiritists, sensitives, clairvoyants, telepaths, and mediums.
Humans cannot literally read another human’s mind. Mind
readers pick up on cues, such as body language, words, and emotions. It’s a
skill of mindfulness in reading another person.
What’s a psychic?
A psychic is a person who claims to
use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from
the normal senses, particularly
involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that
are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or teleportation.
Although many people believe in psychic abilities, the scientific
consensus is that there is no proof of the existence of such powers and
describes the practice as pseudoscience. The word "psychic" is
also used as an adjective to describe such abilities.
What’s a Ouija board?
The Ouija,
also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the
letters of the Latin alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes",
"no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along
with various symbols and graphics. It uses a planchette as a movable indicator
to spell out messages during a séance. Participants place their fingers on the
planchette, and it is moved about the board to spell out words.
Spiritualists in the United States believed
that the dead were able to contact the living and reportedly used a talking
board very similar to a modern Ouija board.
What is Crystal Gazing?
Crystal gazing may be a very simple or a very elaborate
performance, but in every case the crystal ball is to induce in the clairvoyant
a form of hypnosis, so that he may see visions in the crystal.
Are Christians to use crystals for
their powers?
The way
crystals are being used is tied back to the New Age Movement. The New Age Movement
has its roots in Eastern mysticism, and they use spirituality hoping to open a
person's "third eye", which provides an understanding of the world
that transcends the rational mind. None of these beliefs line up with beliefs
in the Bible.
The use of
sacred stones for mystical purposes was common among the pagan peoples of the
Bible Lands. God uttered a stern warning to the false prophetesses of Israel in
Ezekiel 13:18, 20 & 21.
Furthermore,
when believing that crystals hold power it takes away from believing in God’s
power. Using crystals for protection or healing is an idolatrous practice. It
is idolatry because it depends on spiritual forces other than God for healing
and protection. Idolatry is repeatedly and strongly forbidden in the Bible
(Deuteronomy 4:15–20; Jeremiah 44:1–4; 1 Corinthians 10:14–20; 2 Corinthians
6:16–17).
All this is fun
and giggles, until it isn’t.
I have found that many of those who
proclaim Christianity integrate some of the above activities in their own
lives. I always say that you don’t’ know, what you don’t know. And this is one
of those dealios. They don’t know what can happen to them by practicing divination.
Some Christians have taken on a
“cafeteria style” religion; picking and choosing. A little bit of this and a
little bit of that not recognizing how dangerous this can be for their faith
walk.
A major
issue today is religious pluralism. We are tempted to follow along
with our culture and think that Jesus is just one of several valid ways to God.
Culture says that it is okay to seek
out mediums to help us with our spiritual health, wellbeing, needs and wants.
It’s okay to look down the road with a psychic and see what is coming up next.
For
Christians, the Bible is our final authority for faith and practice. Scripture
tells us that if we seek the Kingdom of God first, then all the things we need
will be added to us. God will work through all circumstances and events, for
our good, when we place him first in our lives.
The scriptures
make it plain and simple to understand that we are to seek God with our
questions and needs. No one else. We are to put our faith in Him that He knows
best for our lives.
1 Chronicles
16:11 “Look to the Lord and his strength: seek his face always.”
What does the Bible say about us
knowing our future? What does the Bible say about seeking Mediums and others of
the like for answers?
For
some reason, there’s a couple of things that people mainly want to know when seeking
a divinator and that is how and when they are going to die and their love life
and who are they going to marry. Actually, we are not to know any of this stuff
unless God reveals it to us.
The
Bible makes it clear that our lives are in God’s hands. He knows the time of
our death, and He has even appointed it. The Bible says, “Man’s days are
determined; you (God) have decreed the number of his months and have set limits
he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5).
The
Bible makes it clear and with a warning that we are not to use
divinators.
Leviticus 20:6 “As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the
harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut
him off from among his people.”
Isaiah 8:19 “When they say to you,
“Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not
a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf
of the living?”
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise!”
The Bible is full of verses on this subject with its warnings.
Why do people seek out spiritists for answers instead of God?
♦Sometimes it’s because they did seek God and he answered them, but with the answer they didn’t like.
♦Sometimes, people get tired of waiting for God’s answer and seek answers elsewhere to speed things up.
· ♦Sometimes, they are not rooted in the Bible and don’t see the
problem.
· ♦And others are like, why not, it won’t hurt anything to have
a little fun with it!
I always say, don’t go
where the angels don’t go!
There are some dangers to going there! Each time you do, you get sucked into the glamour of it, and make excuses for doing it.
· ♦It does not line up with the Word and you risk your
relationship with God.
· ♦You risk losing yourself.
· ♦You risk becoming depressed when things don’t come to
fruition as told.
· ♦It breaks a commandment. Exodus 20:2
· ♦Can lead to insecurity and fear.
· ♦You are deceived and taken advantage of,
including monetarily.
· ♦Leads to false/misleading info that can
affect decision making/actions.
· ♦Can cause harm to mental, physical, or spiritual wellbeing.
· ♦Causes one not to rely on one’s own intuition, reason, or
faith.
When a Christian is living
in a constant state of faith and not fear and worry, there is no need to know what
the future holds, no need to consult the dead, or read the horoscope to see what
your day is going to be like.
Christians have their hope and future already in place. And it’s really something to look forward to!
Oh, and my grandmother who read her horoscope every day; she allowed her grandchildren to convince her that this was not a good thing for an upstanding Christian woman to be doing. Proven to her with scripture. ☺
Keep your faith protected and well!
Debra Lee, Author & Keynote Speaker | Biz Coach | Life Coach | Blogger
“It Is What It Is” &
“Making Wise Choices”
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