quote:Originally posted by jjuliesmiles:
autumn, I thought Jeanie was out of the business? Is she still doing it?
Let me be your mother hen , you dont need that crap.
Secret arts and uncanny powers presumably used to accomplish things beyond what is natural-associated with spiritistic, occult powers.
After the Jews returned from exile, some turned to diviners, fortune-tellers, and false gods, perhaps for help during a drought. In reality they invoked wicked spirit forces to assist them, despite Jehovah's having clearly condemned all such practices. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Micah 3:6, 11; 5:12; Haggai 1:10, 11; Zechariah 10:1, 2) Those Jews were getting involved with spirit creatures who are in opposition to the true God!
Today some think that the wicked spirits mentioned in the Scriptures are merely symbolic of the concept of evil. However, the Bible reveals that the demons are real and are behind astrology, witchcraft, and some types of magic. (Acts 16:16-18; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) The dangers of spiritism are equally real. People in many cultures look to shamans, or medicine men who claim mysterious powers, and to sorcerers. Others seek direction from the horoscope or employ tarot cards, divining rods, Ouija boards, or special crystals. Even attempts to communicate with spirits of the dead are quite common. Reportedly, certain statesmen have turned to astrology and spiritistic mediums for help in decision making. All of that is clearly contrary to Micah's advice that we walk with the true God, following his guidance.
Deut. 18:10-12: "There should not be found in you anyone who . . . employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. For everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah." (Divination seeks to disclose hidden knowledge or to foretell events, not as a result of research, but by the interpretation of omens or by the help of supernatural powers. Jehovah prohibited such practices among his servants. Why? All these practices are an invitation to communication with or possession by unclean spirits, or demons. Engaging in such things would be gross unfaithfulness toward Jehovah.)