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CBN TEACHING SHEET

The Occult


CBN.com -- Included in things of the occult are precognition (or fortune-telling), ESP, telepathy, clairvoyance, automatic writing, ouija boards and other games that claim a magical or demonically spiritual orientation, astrology, horoscopes, tea leaf reading, palmistry, techniques of mind expansion, drugs, hypnotism, mind control, transcendental meditation, yoga, sorcery or witchcraft, physical phenomena, telekinesis, levitation, astral projection, spiritism, seances and satanism, animal and human sacrifices, animism, etc.

In natural and spiritual history, a society degenerates according to a pattern. It goes from a diminishing God-centered spiritual life, to legalism, to materialism, to liberalism, to seeking life's answers outside the Bible, and then to spiritism, couched in the occult. Occultism often involves drugs, idolatry and sexual perversion.

Even as we are besieged with the many forms and avenues of satanic influence, we have the absolute authority, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to bind the powers of darkness and dispel them. They must do our bidding as we speak "in the name of Jesus." (Matthew 16:19, 18:18; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:18-19; Ephesians 1:17-23)

What Scripture Says

"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 18:10-13)

"So I will come near to you for judgement. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 3:5)

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galations 5:19-21)

"Do not allow a sorceress to live." (Exodus 22:18) This was the Old Testament means of eliminating a practice and manifestation of the enemy, Satan.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18,19)

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

How to be Free

If you have been involved in occultism in any form - even if you have only read about it - renounce any specific occult activity and occultism in general. Repent of your belief in and practice of the occult. It is sin and an abomination to God. Ask forgiveness of God. He will deliver you, save you and lead you into truth. (Romans 10:13, 1 John 1:8,9; John 1:12; Romans 6:23; John 16:13)

You need the baptism with the Holy Spirit to have an overcoming victorious life. The Holy Spirit warns you concerning what is of sin and what is of God. (John 16:7-11) By faith repent and put your faith in Christ for salvation. (Romans 10:9,10,13) By faith, also ask the Lord to baptize you (fill you) with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:13) It is the Holy Spirit who gives the ability to stay free from the deception and spiritual bondage of occultism.

Replace occult books, magazines, etc. with the Bible and Christian reading matter. Seek Christian fellowship and practice Christian living. A complete break with occultism is necessary.

If you have attempted to pray to God, change your life, or cease occult or associated activities, but have discovered an inability to do so, you may need further help. God has equipped Christians to minister to you. You do not have to remain in spiritual bondage. Contact your local pastor to help you locate a Christian counselor whose ministry includes deliverance from spiritual bondage.

As You Pray

As you ask forgiveness and God's help, thank and praise Him for His assurance of deliverance from the occult. As you commit your life to God, ask Him to lead you to those Christians who are capable of helping you in your need.

References/Homework

"Saturate" yourself with Scriptures. Begin with the gospel according to John. Then read the rest of the New Testament. Acquire a Bible study guide. Get into a Holy Spirit-led fellowship. Learn about Jesus and get serious with God. You will recognize the counterfeit when you know the real God.

Defeated Enemies, by Corrie ten Boom

Demons in the Word Today, by Merrill Unger

The Devil's Alphabet, by Kurt Koch

His Infernal Majesty, by Dave Breese.

Occult abominations (Deuteronomy 18:9-22)

Example of God's power over occultism (Acts 13:6-12)

Occultism exposed (Jeremiah 27:9,10)

The document code of this teaching sheet is TS54.

Scripture references are taken form the New American Standard translation of the Bible.



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