Friday, May 31, 2013

HOROSCOPES 03 : TO READ OR NOT TO READ

By Marcia Montenegro, former professional licensed astrologer who practiced astrology for over 8 years; former President of the Metropolitan Astrological Society, former Chairperson of the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners; former teacher of astrology for over 5 years

[This article first appeared in "Christian Events Journal," August/September 1994, and has been slightly modified for this site.]

Have you ever glanced over at the horoscope column in a newspaper or magazine just for "fun" or out of curiosity? Do you even deliberately look for it each day? As you do so, maybe you say things like, "I don't take this seriously," "it's just like reading the funnies," "I know a lot of people who do this," or perhaps "I don't really believe in astrology so it's okay." Or maybe you are really looking for guidance.

The word "horoscope," which comes from the Greek and means, "watcher of the hour," was first coined in an ancient, declining Greece that began to tolerate astrology after long resisting it. Horoscopes, as innocuous as they may appear, are not just products of the imagination. The authors of these columns are usually astrologers; some are psychics. 

Astrologers have purposely studied what they believe to be the meanings of the planets, the zodiac signs, and other astrological data. Along with this information, they consider the present positions of planets (and the sun and moon), and how they interact with the sun signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc., in order to give horoscope advice. Since the moon changes signs every 2.5 days, its position is a key element in the forecasting.

Astrological philosophy is based on the occult worldview that asserts "as above, so below." According to this view, everything in the universe is one and is connected; therefore, the patterns of the planets reflect our lives on earth. As a former astrologer, I can tell you that although many astrologers scorn horoscope columns as "pop" astrology of little value, the astrological worldview is essential even to the writing of a horoscope. When you read such a column, you are in a subtle way either accepting that worldview or assigning some kind of value to it.

The belief that the patterns and movements of the planets, sun and moon reflect our lives is contradictory to the view of a living, omniscient God who created the heavenly bodies to reflect and proclaim His glory, not ours. Astrology also is often intertwined with the teaching that since we are all connected to the universe by a force or energy (which is sometimes considered to be divine or to be God), then everything in the universe is one and therefore, there is no true distinction between man and nature; this is called monism (all is one and one is all). 

Identifying God as one with the universe is pantheism (God is all, all is God) or is sometimes panentheism (God is contained within the universe), and is totally at odds with the belief in a Creator who created the world out of nothing and is distinct from His creation. God is present in the world and transcends it, but He is distinct from it.

Since astrology is an occult practice of divination severely condemned in God's word, even horoscope columns are rooted in the occult. They may be marketed in trendy magazines with the latest slang, but this packaging is deceptive. If you take reading horoscopes lightly or "in fun," you are denying that the occult is forbidden or possibly dangerous. As someone who was involved in this and related areas for a number of years, I can attest to the dangers inherent in these practices. In the Deuteronomy passage, God warns us against divination, sorcery, spiritism and interpreting omens; such systems are not from Him. To read horoscopes is to take God's word lightly and is trifling with the occult.

The very roots of astrology are in ancient paganism and worship of the planets as gods, making astrology a true form of "fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness " (Ephesians 5:11). Most astrologers are involved in other forms of occultism and New Age practices such as tarot cards, numerology, belief in reincarnation, having spirit guides, Eastern meditation practices, and so forth. Thus, reading horoscopes (as well as consulting an astrologer) is to be receptive to something coming from this kind of spiritual worldview.
Being an occult art, astrology is connected to the paranormal powers of the occult. 

This paranormal effect manifested for me when I would concentrate on a chart in preparation for a reading or during the session with the client: I would feel a distinct energy flowing between the chart and myself. I called it "tuning into the chart." I usually felt guided through the chart, and seemed to know where to go in the chart for information and which information was relevant for the client. I also experienced psychic "flashes" which came to my mind in words or pictures. I usually thought this guidance was coming from one of my spirit guides or that I was tapping into a psychic data bank. 

Surprisingly, direct clues from the client distracted rather than helped me; I preferred not to know anything about the client other than their birthdate, birthplace, and time of birth, information that was needed to compute the chart. I often recorded charts on tapes for absent clients whom I had never met, and this was sometimes easier than having the clients physically present. I learned from talking to other astrologers that they shared these experiences. 

The longer I practiced astrology, the stronger the guidance and psychic flashes. I realize now that this information and "guidance" comes from demonic sources much the same way a medium or psychic receives some of their data, and it was accurate enough to "hook" clients into coming back and recommending me to friends, as well as validating astrology for my own benefit.

If you are reading this as a Christian, please take God's word to heart and do not consult horoscopes, even in fun. It's easy to get in the habit of reading them. If by coincidence a horoscope forecast is right one day, you would become even more curious and captivated, and actually might get interested enough in astrology to consult an astrologer.

If you are reading this as a non-Christian, or even as someone who practices astrology, please realize that I am not attacking you or astrologers. This is about the practice of astrology and what God has to say about it; it is not about being "against" anyone. 

Please keep an open mind, and consider whether it is the Creator who should be consulted rather than a divinatory practice using the Creator's creation. God reveals Himself as Creator in nature and in the design of the universe, and in the fact everyone has a conscience, automatically knowing there is a right and wrong. But the fullest revelation of God came in His son, Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross the penalty for our sins, who bodily resurrected the third day, and who will come again to judge the living and the dead. We also have God's revelation in His word, the 66 books of the Bible.

Divination and looking to creation or psychic powers

"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." Deuteronomy 18.10

Then they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, and practiced divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him. 2 Kings 17.17
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?" Isaiah 8.19

You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. Isaiah 47.13-14a

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator. Romans 1.25

The heavens and God

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8.1

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19.1

Jesus

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." John 1.45

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1.1-2

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11.25-26

Original Source

HOROSCOPES 04 : Astrology and the Bible

Astrology, Horoscopes, Signs of the Zodiac, and the Bible

Should people take astrology and horoscopes seriously? What is the origin of astrology and the signs of the Zodiac? Can stars and planets be used to accurately predict the future and give character analysis and advice? Why do people read their horoscopes? Are they scientifically accurate? What do the Scriptures say

Christians should believe about astrology?

Introduction: 

Astrology is becoming increasingly popular.

In my youth, people almost never took the Occult, witchcraft, or astrology seriously. People considered them a joke or at most an oddity. Today all aspects of the occult are increasingly taken seriously. Evidence of this increasing popularity include:

In the 1950's only 100-200 newspapers carried horoscope columns. Today, thousands of full-time professional astrologers cast horoscopes, most newspapers carry horoscopes, and millions of people read them with varying degrees of seriousness.


In the 1970's the rock musical "Hair" popularized the hit song announcing "the dawning of the Age of Aquarius," one of the signs of the Zodiac.


The popular New Age Movement promotes and justifies astrology along with many other aspects of the Occult.


TV ads promote astrology, psychics, and the Occult generally. Movies and TV programs discuss it, promote it, and present it as a serious phenomenon.


Many recent book fads, such as the Harry Potter books, deeply involve many aspects of the Occult. A search of occult books on Amazon.com yields a list of nearly 800 titles in the children's section alone! The point is not that all of these are harmful - many actually oppose the Occult. But the sheer number shows the popularity of the subject.


The fact is that many people, especially young people, are fascinated by all aspects of the Occult. You and your friends, your children and their friends, will all have contact with Occult influences, including astrology.

You need to know what the Bible says.

The purpose of this study is to examine what the Bible says about astrology.
Many Christians are not aware of what is involved. But you will meet people who dabble in it and others who take it seriously. As popular as it is, some in the church will be influenced. We need to know whether or not we should participate. We need to know how to approach those who are involved to show them what the Bible says.

In order to compare astrology to the Bible, we must first understand what it is. So we will begin by describing astrology, then we will see what the Bible says.

Note: Some of the information in this outline is based on "Astrology, Witchcraft, and Satanism," by John Clark.

I. What Is Astrology?

A. Some Definitions

"Astrology" is "the ancient art or science of divining the fate and future of human beings from indications given by the positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies" - Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 2, p. 575, 1956. It assumes that our lives are largely influenced (though not completely determined) by the position and movement of heavenly bodies.

"Horoscope" is a chart of the position of the heavenly bodies, used to predict their influence on people's lives.

"Zodiac" is a narrow strip or belt of the heavens in which the sun, moon, and principle planets appear as the earth revolves around the sun. This zone is divided into twelve sections, each of which contains a constellation (group of stars) for which that section has been named. Each of these 12 constellations is called a "sign of the Zodiac." Whatever section the sun could be found in at the time of year when a person is born, that section is said to be the sign under which that person was born.

"Occult" is defined as: "magic, astrology, and other alleged sciences claiming use or knowledge of secret, mysterious, or supernatural agencies" - Random House College Dictionary. Other occult practices include witchcraft and sorcery, Satanism, spiritualism, fortune-telling, and psychics.
By definition, astrology is part of the occult. It is associated with hosts of other practices that are specifically condemned in Scripture. This should leads us at least question astrology.

B. The History of Astrology
Astrology began in ancient Babylon.

Ancient people realized that the sun was essential to man's needs, so they concluded that other heavenly bodies must be too. They thought that the largest heavenly bodies must be the most important, so they named the sun, moon, and largest planets after their main gods and the stars after lesser deities.
The movements of heavenly bodies were thought to represent activities of the gods. By studying these movements, men hoped to determine the will of the gods and so predict the future. If the heavenly bodies moved a certain way and certain events followed, then the next time they moved that way, similar things should happen.

The principles of astrology were formalized by the Greeks.

Some 2000 years ago the Greeks studied the heavenly bodies mathematically and "scientifically" and defined the signs of the Zodiac. The names of Greek and Roman gods were then assigned to the planets.

So historically astrology is rooted in pagan idolatry. The basic concept of astrology - that the movements of heavenly bodies control our lives - is heathen idolatry from the foundation up.

C. Reasons for the Current Popularity of Astrology
Our society is increasingly accepting pagan concepts. Since astrology is essentially pagan, we should not be surprised to see it becoming more popular. Specifically, astrology interests modern Americans for these reasons:


Astrology attempts to predict the future.
People are always fascinated by the future. This is especially true when the future looks bleak (economic problems, war, family problems).

Astrology claims to analyze one's character.
People love to hear what others say about them, especially if they think no one pays attention to them. When people feel like a number in a crowd, anything that emphasizes individual character makes them feel important.

Astrology gives advice for guiding ones life.
People seek solutions to their problems: advice for business deals and financial investments, marriage and family problems, etc. This is why advice columns and self-help books are so popular. Especially when times are troubled, astrology purports to offer solutions and guidance.

Astrology offers an explanation for life.
People wonder why things happen the way they do, and what is the meaning of life. Astrology claims to explain the determining forces behind what's happening.

Astrology offers a unique experience and a sense of being special.
People are often bored with life. Their jobs and lives are routine. Anything different or unique fascinates them. They may think they are gaining inside information others don't have or are becoming part of those "in the know."


In short, people pursue astrology for many of the same reasons people seek cults and other aspects of the Occult.

D. The Scientific Basis for Astrology
Despite the fact astrology began in pagan superstition, efforts have been made to find a scientific basis for it. However:

1. There is no evidence that heavenly bodies can influence character.
You are a living, intelligent being. Your character is formed by living, intelligent beings: inheritance from your ancestors, influence of family and friends, and especially your own choices and decisions. The sun, moon, and planets are all lifeless and unintelligent. How can they form your character?

2. There is no proof that the position of these bodies at the time of your birth can influence your life now.
Heavenly bodies do have some physical influence. The sun gives energy, all the bodies give light, the moon's gravity causes tides, etc. But all these influence affect everyone in an area equally, regardless of what time of year you were born.

3. The calendar astrology uses to determine the sign of your birth does not agree with the present position of the constellations!

In the technical sense of the word the 12 "signs" [of the Zodiac] are geometrical divisions 30 degrees in extent counting from the position of the sun at the vernal equinox. In the time of Hipparchus [2000 years ago when the signs of the Zodiac were defined] the signs corresponded fairly closely with the constellations; that is to say, the first sign (called Aries) corresponded with the constellation Aries. Owing to precession [wobbling of the earth's axis] there is now a discrepancy amounting to the breadth of a whole sign, so that the sign Aries is occupied by the constellation Pisces" - Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, p. 959.

So, when astrology was formalized 2000 years ago, the constellations were at certain locations in the sky at certain times of the year. If you were born at a certain time of the year, astrology says you were born under a certain sign, because that's where that constellation was at that time of the year 2000 years ago.
But the earth wobbles slightly, like a top wobbling on its axis. So now, 2000 years later, the constellations are not where astrology says they should be at the time of your birth. In fact, they are out of step by a whole sign!

So because you were born at a certain time of the year, astrology says you are born under a certain sign, meaning a constellation was at a certain point when you were born. But in fact, the constellation of that sign was not at all where they say it was!

But remember that the position of the stars is supposed to be what determines your character and destiny. The constellation that you were really born under is the next one down the line. Hence, the practice of astrology contradicts the theory of astrology. If there ever was any validity in its predictions, there is none any more.

Why should Christians be guided by and trust their future to a self-contradictory system?

II. What Does the Bible Say about Astrology?

A. Astrology Is False Prophecy.
By definition, astrology attempts to predict the future. Are its predictions accurate?

Astrology is unreliable.
Daniel 4:7; (2:10,11; 5:7,8) - On three occasions astrologers and other occult experts were asked to predict the future. Each time they failed, but Daniel succeeded by God's power.

[Note: "Enchanters" in ASV = "astrologers" in KJV. "Chaldeans" in ASV is "astrologers" in NIV.]
God forbids His people to place serious confidence in astrology.

Deuteronomy 18:9-14,18-22 - Occult practices, including divination, are an abomination to God. V14 specifically forbids listening to diviners. "Divining" is attempting to predict the future by occult or mystical methods. But astrology is part of the occult and attempts to predict the future. So by definition, astrology constitutes occult divination, which God forbids (note again the Britannica definition above).

Vv 21,22 - If one claims to know the future, but his predictions do not come true, do not fear him! The Bible shows that astrologers cannot predict the future with certainty, and most astrologers will admit their predictions are often incorrect.

2 Kings 17:16-18 - God destroyed Israel for practicing idolatry, worshiping "the host of heaven" (stars and planets), using "divination" [ASV; cf. "witchcraft and soothsaying" in NKJV], and other occult practices.
Jeremiah 10:2 - God's people were expressly forbidden to be concerned about the "signs of heaven," that heathen people trusted in. This clearly includes astrology. God's people were not to learn their ways!
The Old Testament clearly says that the future cannot be predicted accurately by the stars. If it could not be done then, it cannot be done now. To place trust in such methods is to learn the ways of the heathen, which is just as wrong now as it was then.

[Ezek. 21:21; 12:24; 13:6-9,23; 21:29; 22:28; Isaiah 44:24,25; Acts 16:16-19; Jer. 27:9,10; 14:14; Mic. 3:6-11; Zech. 10:2]

B. Astrology Is a False Standard of Guidance.
Astrology attempts to advise people how to act, based on the position of the stars, etc. So people "trust their lucky stars" and "thank their lucky stars." They seek guidance from some Occult source other than God.
Isaiah 47:13,14 - Babylon originated astrology. God promised to destroy Babylon, then asked what the astrologers, stargazers, and monthly prognosticators would do to stop Him. All these were involved in astrology, but they were powerless against God.

Daniel 1:19,20 - Daniel and friends were ten times better in giving wisdom and guidance than all the Babylonian magicians and astrologers ["enchanters" - ASV].

Deuteronomy 18:15,18-20 - Having forbidden the occult (including astrology) (vv 9-14), God predicted a spokesman like Moses whom we should listen to. This refers to Jesus (Acts 3:22,23). One who speaks differently from His message should die.

The teachings of Jesus provide all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17). What do we need astrology for? Bible writers reveal true wisdom to guide your life. Astrologers may occasionally guess right, but the Bible is always right. Yet some people will read their horoscope everyday, but will go days without opening the Bible!

The sun, moon, and stars are lifeless, unintelligent objects. They can no more tell what your future holds or how to live you life than a rock or mud puddle can! If you want real wisdom, go to the all-wise, all-powerful

Creator who made the sun, moon, and stars!
[Prov. 3:5,6; Acts 17:28; Matt. 11:28; 6:25-34; Rom. 8:28]

C. Astrology Is a Form of Idolatry.
Astrology originally involved direct worship of heavenly bodies.

Deuteronomy 4:15-19 - God warns His people not to worship idols, including the sun, moon, and stars - called the "host of heaven."

2 Kings 21:1-3 - The evil king Manasseh practiced idolatry, worshiped the host of heaven, and otherwise participated in the Occult (v6).

2 Kings 23:5 - When Josiah became king, he removed idolatry, including worship of the sun, moon, the constellations, and host of heaven. "Constellations" (NKJV) = "the Zodiac" (NKJV footnote; cf. Gesenius) or the "12 signs" (ASV footnote).

Astrology from its very beginning was a form of idolatry forbidden by God.
[Deuteronomy 17:2-5; Amos 5:25,26; Acts 7:42,43; Deut. 13:1-5; Jer. 19:13; Zeph. 1:5]

Astrology today still substitutes heavenly bodies for God.
It is possible to practice idolatry without intentionally performing worship rituals. Coveting, for example, is idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Idolatry is anything that puts created things in the position that only God should occupy.

The Bible teaches that no one but God can predict our future lives.

James 4:14 - Man does not know what will happen tomorrow.

Proverbs 27:1 - You don't know what a day may bring forth.

Daniel 2:27,28 - Astrologers could not interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream (a prediction of the future), but God could do so.

Isaiah 41:21-23; 42:8,9 - God rests His claim to Deity on His ability to predict the future. He challenges idols to prove they are gods by telling the future.

If we believe the God of the Bible is the only true God, then we must conclude that stars cannot predict the future. To believe that stars can predict the future is to claim they have the power of gods! It puts the stars in place of God and gives the glory of God to others. Intentionally or not, that is a form of idolatry, which God forbids.

The Bible teaches that only God can give rules for moral and spiritual guidance of our lives.
Isaiah 8:19,20 - Do not seek occult teachers, but seek God. Where do you find His will? In the law and the testimony. When people teach us to seek spiritual guidance from sources other than God's word (as the occult does), there is no light in them.

Galatians 1:8,9 - Anyone who preaches a different gospel - a different spiritual source of guidance for our lives - is accursed. Why? Because they have assumed a position that only God can occupy.

"Astrology has evolved from the crude, ... superstitious worship of the planets to the present sophisticated, ... superstitious worship of the planets" - Raymond Harris.

Divine revelation is complete in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Anytime we exalt a creature to a position only

God can rightly occupy, we are guilty of idolatry.
[Isaiah 55:8,9; Rom. 1:25]

Conclusion

Galatians 4:8,9 - Gentiles had been idol worshipers, but were converted to the true God. Why then go back to the principles of heathenism? Idolatry is as clearly forbidden today as in the Old Testament. [2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 John 5:21; 1 Cor. 10:14ff; etc.]

Everything that astrology claims to accomplish is fulfilled for Christians through Jesus Christ and His word.

The true meaning of life is revealed only in God's word, not in Occult appeals to other forces.



The true understanding of your character and what kind of person you should seek to become can be found in God's word, not in the Occult.

The best way to prepare for the future is found in God's word. It may not tell everything people want to know about the future, but it tells everything we need to know. It is the only sure way to know what God plans for the future, especially life after death.

All true spiritual needs of the believer are met through God and His word. Why look elsewhere? To seek answers in astrology is to show a lack of faith in God and to turn instead to heathen idolatry.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Let us abstain from every form (appearance) of evil. [Col. 2:18,19; Acts 19:19]
Are you following God's true word or false spiritual guides? Have you become a true follower if Jesus? Are you serving Him faithfully?

Original Source

HOROSCOPES 05 : What the Bible Says About... Astrology


What the Bible Says About... Astrology

Try to name a newspaper or secular magazine today that doesn't contain some sort of horoscope. The world has diluted astrology so much that many Christians forget that it is actually has its roots in an occult practice of fortune telling. While some people look to the stars to get advice, the scripture may make some Christians think twice about relying on the practice.

Is Astrology Occult or Entertainment?

Astrology began as a form of fortune telling, which the Bible considers an occult, and at times, a useless practice. Astrology is based upon the use of stars and planets to “read into” a person’s past, present, and future. For many astrologists it is a belief that the position of certain celestial entities have an impact on our lives. For other astrologists there is a belief that there are gods in those celestial bodies that impact our lives. The Bible does warn against worshipping other Gods, though few Christians support the idea that the stars and planets are actually representations of other Gods.

However, the Bible does state that occult practices are wrong, and that we should not seek out fortune tellers, mediums, and practitioners of occult practices. While most of the predictions we see in the paper are fairly benign guesses, there is still concern among some Christian groups about astrology. The main concern is when Christians look to astrology for advice over God. If Christians look to astrology first then they are taking their eyes and trust away from God. Yet most Christians only glance at a horoscope to laugh at the generalized predictions, feeling no need to delve further into occult practices or divining the future.

Exodus 20:3 – “Do not worship any other gods besides me.” (NLT)

2 Kings 21:6 – “Manasseh even sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practices sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger.” (NLT)

Deuteronomy 4:19 – “And 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 worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. (NIV)

Do Stars Offer Advice?

The Bible states that the stars, along with the sun and moon, were created to give light to the Earth. God is the one who gives Christians advice. However, the stars can be quite useful, as in the case of the wise men needing to find the baby Jesus, in providing location. In this case, God used the star to light the way.

The Bible is actually quite critical of astrologers, asserting that they cannot save people as God can. In Isaiah, the Bible points to this issue when God proclaims that Doom will come to Babylon and there is nothing the astrologists can do to save the people from it. However, in today’s era of generalized horoscopes, most Christians do not use astrology as a way to predict major events.

Genesis 1:16-17 – “God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. He also made the stars. God sent these lights in the heavens to light the earth.” (NLT)

Isaiah 47:13 – “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.” (NIV)

Original Source

HOROSCOPES 06 : 18 biblical references








Deuteronomy 18:10-14 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners.  But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.

Leviticus 19:31 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

Daniel 2:27 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked,

Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV :  ASTROLOGY  {Black Arts}

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 17:2-5 ESV :  ASTROLOGY  {Black Arts}

“If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, in transgressing his covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden, and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones.

Leviticus 19:26 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.

Micah 5:12 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

And I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes;

Isaiah 47:13-14 ESV :  ASTROLOGY  {Black Arts}

You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before!

Isaiah 8:19 ESV :

And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium  seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

Galatians 5:20-21 ESV : OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Kings 21:6 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.

Leviticus 20:6 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

“If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

Jeremiah 27:9-10 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.

2 Kings 23:5 ESV :  ASTROLOGY  {Black Arts}

And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens.

Daniel 1:20 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.

Job 9:9 ESV :  ASTROLOGY  {Black Arts}

Who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;

Isaiah 2:6 ESV :  OCCULTIC PRACTICES {Black Arts}

For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.

Keys:

  1. Occultic Practices
  2. Black Arts
  3. Astrology


Original Source

Thursday, May 09, 2013

The Holy Spirit #05

In The Holy Spirit #04 we saw that every saved person has the Holy Spirit, for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Romans 8:9).

Not only does every child of God have the Holy Spirit but each believer has experienced the "baptism." This baptism, or placing into the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, accompanies salvation. I Corinthians 12:13 states: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body . . . . The baptism, administered to ALL the saved immediately, endows each believer with at least one of the gifts found in Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and I Corinthians 12.

The gifts are not for a select few who "strive" or "work" in order to appease God for spiritual favors.

Never!

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3). Instead, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (I Corinthians 12:7), and . . . all these [gifts] worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (I Corinthians 12:11). Believers are not commanded to seek any gift but instead the Giver - the blessed Holy Spirit.

Then, because He divides to every man as He wills, one gladly accepts His choice of gifts for his life. If one feels his gift is unimportant, remember that we are all members or parts of Christ's body and . . . those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary (I Corinthians 12:22). Fingernails and toenails may seem to be inferior parts of one's body, but what problems one encounters without them. So every member has his place of importance in Christ's body.

Rejoice in the gift God has given you and do not seek another's gift. You might be out of place if the Holy Spirit wants you to be a finger instead of an eye. Likewise, you may be out of order when you seek the gift of faith and the Holy Spirit wants "helps" for your lifelong gift. 

Whatever the gift, every believer has at least one.

You see, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh ALL IN ALL (I Corinthians 12:4-6). Praise God, it is He who works ALL THE GIFTS and IN ALL. All that God requires is that every believer use his gift to the best of his ability. To do so will bring great reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Disobedience in administering the gift will bring loss of rewards (II John 8).

Let's move now to the teaching concerning the filling of the Spirit.

The "baptism" and the "filling" are two distinct things.

The baptism is a once-for-all experience which places the believer into the Body of Christ. Since the Holy Spirit is God and all-knowing, He makes no mistakes as He places the saved into Christ's body. If He did make mistakes, and members of the Body of Christ were eventually removed, there would be a mutilated, amputated, disfigured atrocity in eternity. Instead, every true believer is "baptized" and "sealed" into that Body by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

Though there is only one "baptism," there are many "fillings." Ephesians 5:18 states: . . . be filled with the Spirit.

The literal Greek declares: Be being filled which implies a continuous process.


Every believer needs it, as much as his fuel-guzzling automobile needs gas, in order to run efficiently for Christ. The baptism produces the gifts but the filling enables one to minister the gifts spiritually. Though all have gifts, not all are spiritual. Thousands today who claim "the gift" are carnal because they are not being filled daily by the Spirit.


Let me prove this from I Corinthians 13:1-3: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, l am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Five gifts are mentioned in these three verses: tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and helps. They can all be ministered in a state of carnality.

One is not spiritual because of tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, or helps.

Why?

Because it takes the fruit of the Spirit to minister the gifts spiritually.

Read carefully: Love is Number One on God's listing in Galatians 5:22 as the fruit of the Spirit. This is the same love of I Corinthians 13 that suffereth long, and is kind; that envies not; that vaunts not itself and is not puffed up; that does not behave itself unseemly, that seeks not her own, that is not easily provoked, that thinks no evil, that rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (verses 4-7).

Do you have this fruit? 

You may speak in tongues and be mean, or you may have the "gift of faith" and be cantankerous. You may be a "helper" in the vineyard and do nothing but cultivate poison grapes for other Spirit-filled believers.

God says even though one prophesies, preaches with power, or has the gift of knowledge and faith and has not love, the "gifted" one is nothing in God's eyes. And even though one "helps" by giving his all for the poor or being burned to death and has not love, he will end up with nothing at that day when God's rewards are distributed for service.

You see, it is the fruit of the Spirit that counts. 

The gifts can be ministered without the fruit.

In fact, the gifts can be duplicated by Satan. 

The present situation is sometimes similar to Moses' day when the devil's magicians counterfeited the miracles of God's servant. Do not take my word for it but look at the statement of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? They manifested the gifts of prophecy, discernment of spirits, miracles, plus helps or works.

But Christ never knew them (verse 23). Since "never" means never, they manifested the gifts without being saved. They did not possess the "fruit" of the Spirit but were workers of iniquity. Let's seek the fruit of the Spirit to minister the gifts. This will produce godliness and holiness.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Every believer needs a daily infilling of the Spirit in order to live a spiritual life.

No believer has ever reached the place where he does not need to walk by means of the Spirit, for when we walk in the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

The nine words describing this fruit are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22).

These represent superhuman qualities which the flesh could never produce. 

Only God, the Holy Spirit, is able to make mortal beings act this way. No human can duplicate, nor devil counterfeit, the fruit of the Spirit.

It is the only way to be like Jesus, for someone has well said: "Galatians 5:22 is the shortest biography of Christ ever written." Only the "fulness of the Spirit" can make one like Jesus. The term fruit is singular, meaning that all nine graces form the fruit. The Holy Spirit does not produce a few of these but usually all nine when one is Spirit-filled. They are:

This is not the romanticized or sexual love of the street or of society's rebels. It is the divine love that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). It makes one love the lowly, the unlovely, and the unclean. It makes one love members of another race or denomination. It does not look down upon those whose gifts differ.

In Corinth this love was missing and the gifts became a source of competition among the "spiritually elite." That is why Paul said in I Corinthians 13:1: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The presence of gifts is not the evidence of the Spirit's filling. You may have gifts, but prophet, miracle worker, helper - do you have the fruit?

This is where Satan can fool and deceive us.

He can imitate the gifts mentioned in I Corinthians 12, 13 and 14, but he cannot imitate or produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Do not misunderstand - I am not against gifts, but gifts prove nothing. The real evidence is found in the fruit one bears as he ministers the gifts.

Oh, that we might be filled with all the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19). This Holy Spirit produced love makes us love others. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God . . . (I John 4:7).

Do you have the real evidence of the Spirit's filling?

It is described in I Corinthians 13:4-7: Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not [or is not jealous]; love vaunts not itself [boasting about its gifts]; love seeks not its own; is not easily provoked; thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things and endures all things. The world is waiting to see this evidence.

Get filled and show it to them. Don't split churches arguing about superior gifts, but manifest the love that proves one has the Spirit's fruit.

Next in line , Joy is not the superficial happiness that springs from sports or television, for happiness depends upon happenings. Instead, it is the joy of the Lord which is one's strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It is a contentment in times of suffering, sorrow, and even death. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8).

also fills the minds and hearts of those who are Spirit dominated. This is not peace with God that accompanies salvation (Romans 5:1) but the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace produces a sublime calm of heart and mind in spite of every disturbance, heartbreaking circumstance, or adverse condition and glorifies God before an unsaved world.

within a believer is a quality that only the Holy Spirit can produce. It is the opposite of impatience. It cannot be produced by members of Adam's race but must be wrought within a Christian by God. The Lord God, [is] merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6). This is why the ungodly receive countless opportunities to be saved, for: The Lord . . . is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). This same attitude may be the believer's portion, for God strengthens us with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11). We are to walk with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2, 3). Yes .... be patient toward all men (I Thessalonians 5:14).

How are you doing?

Do you have the real evidence of the Spirit's fullness?

Again, this is a fruit from God, for . . . the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated . . . (James 3:17). Paul could also say: . . . we were gentle among you . . . (I Thessalonians 2:7). Bickering, fighting, fussing church members forget that the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men (II Timothy 2:24).

Do you have the fruit?

Remember, it cannot be attained by human effort or by imitation, but only as a direct filling by the Spirit.

is produced at salvation and made to bloom in one's life as the Spirit fills a believer. Jesus said: . . . none is good . . . (Luke 18:19). Paul said: . . . there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Romans 3:12). Men talk about doing good, and it is only egotism seeking praise. However, the Spirit within produces real goodness toward others.

in this listing, is actually faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23, speaking about God, states: . . . great is thy faithfulness. This same faithfulness in a Christian may become a daily reality. One does not have to be up and down spiritually. God's faithfulness, wrought in a Christian by the Spirit, can make him faithful daily.

is the hardest fruit to possess, for as soon as we think we have it, we've lost it. However, let it be remembered that meekness does not consist in pretending to be less than one really is, but rather when one does not pretend to be more than he really is. Again, the flesh cannot generate meekness because it is only puffed-up flesh. It takes the filling of the Spirit to put on meekness (Colossians 3:12).

Finally, Temperance is self-control. The term speaks for itself and, praise God, the Holy Spirit produces it in those who have the fullness of the Spirit.

We have seen that God demands a high and holy standard of life, but He has also provided the means to produce it .. . . Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Let's begin seeking the fruit instead of gifts.

Gifts are for all, but the fruit - though for all - may only be realized by those who grieve not the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), quench not the Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19), and then walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

In simple terms, one must turn from all known sin to a daily reliance on the Holy Spirit if he is to evidence the fullness and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Why not begin today?

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE