As you read our research results, you should see that only foolish people would believe in any of these things. They all are of the evil and from satan. We pray and hope that you will turn away from such filth and go with God and not satan. May God be with you as you learn from this need to know information. God Bless.
Tarot Card Reading and Horoscopes: Is God ok with these???
The answer to the question in the heading is “no”. The answer does not come from me, but from the scriptures, that are “God-breathed”. (II Timothy 3:16-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:). Even if you are engaging in tarot card reading and horoscopes for “fun”, you are still opening the doorway to serious demonic attack and influence and this is also very displeasing to God. God forbids these types of practices. These demonic activities have been going on for a very long time and even though you will not find the words “tarot cards” in the bible, you will definitely find the concept and practice of it there. People who are able to give you information in this manner are gaining it illegally and by demonic powers! If you know that you are saved and covered by the Blood of Jesus, you do not have to be afraid of such people. The devil wants people to fear these types of things, but the greater one lives on the inside of us, if we have given our hearts to Jesus! Let us explore what God has to say about these practices: Leviticus 20:27 says clearly, “a man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own head.” Equally emphatic is Deuteronomy 18:10-11: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices a 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.” Lest we think these texts are just examples of Old Testament stringency that we do not find in the New Testament, Paul condemns idolatry, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:, saying in Galatians 5:20-21 that no one who practices such things will inherit the Kingdom of God. Equally clear is Acts 19:19, in which Greeks, many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. But what about astrology? Reading your daily horoscope is miles apart from true astrology. Consulting the stars to learn something about your fate or about the future has been going on almost as long as recorded human history. The basic notion that undergirds it is that somehow important future events are revealed in the stars, or that the heavenly patterns which existed on a person’s birth date help determine their fortune, fate, character and personality traits. The ancients believed the stars revealed the divine will because they also believed the stars were themselves beings–the heavenly hosts, angels, and the like. They did not view stars as inanimate matter in the sky that somehow controls earthly relationships or events. Ancient astrologers were polytheists who believed that some of the beings they worshipped could be seen in the sky at night, and so could be studied, and the will of the gods could be discerned. So, just reading the above information tells me that a true born-again Christian should never consult a medium, witch, palm reader, tarot card reader, or the daily horoscope in order to gain information or wisdom. The bible says that when we want wisdom, we should ask of God. (James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ) The bible also states in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end, that God knows the plans that He has for us! When we contact another source, we are making that source our God. It is not just clean fun either. When you “dibble and dabble” in the occult, sorcery, witchcraft, and the like, you are opening yourself up to demonic attack and you also open your family up to it as well! Please, let us gain our own personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ and then we can pray and seek after Him, and He will give us revelation, knowledge, wisdom, and all that we need for life and Godliness. IF YOU TRULY DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL LORD and the one that SAVES YOU, Pray a prayer of forgiveness and ask Jesus to come into your heart and life. Talk to Him like you would to any person. He listens. Invite Him into your heart and life and confess Him openly as Lord. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that through Him you can have the gift of salvation, then you can have just that! You MUST MAKE THE CHOICE! Fortune Telling. Fortune telling is the art forecasting the future supposedly by supernatural means, is an ancient practice which is still popular today. Fortune telling is also known as divination. The one who practices this activity is known as a diviner. Fortune tellers include all those who claim to predict your future or advise your life through such means as ouija boards, mirror mantic such as crystal balls, mirrors, rock crystals, extra sensory perception (ESP), horoscopes, astrology or biorhythm, telepathy, palm-reading, clairvoyancy, kabala (Jewish mysticism), pendulums, tarot and other card readings, coffee grounds, tea leaves, beans, candles, and use of certain devices such as throwing special sticks or dice, etc. Interpreters. Interpreters practice looking into crystal balls, throwing cane, dice, using Ouija board, practicing palmistry, interpreting patterns of birds flying, or interpreting dreams, automatic writing and handwriting analysis. Spiritism also called Necromancy involves the magic of calling spirits (seances), in which spiritist try to communicate with the dead. Spiritism sometimes called spiritualism is the oldest form of religious counterfeit known to man. The Bible speaks of spiritistic practices going back as far as ancient Egypt. The book of Exodus records to the Egyptians' many occultic activities, including magic, sorcery and speaking to the dead (Exodus 7 and . Spiritism. We do not use spiritualism because we do not believe such practices are actually "spiritual" or approved by God. We prefer the term "spiritism" since we believe authentic mediums contact evil spirits only posing as the spirits of the dead. Seances, (a meeting at which mediums try to communicate with the dead) During Seances people who seek to communicate with loved ones are often startled to hear familiar voices supplying details about one's life which no one else present could know. In addition to impersonating the voice of the dead these may well be the voices of the unclean spirits who actually lived within the person during their lifetime. After wondering in dry places (Job 30:3-8) and being called forth to return by the seance, they are in a position to re-enter the family. The opening is provided by seeking information from the demonic realm for them to gain a new "house." This might also explain why, after a time, these spirits can no longer be summoned in seances; they have entered a new victim and are no longer homeless. Evil spirits cannot enter people as easy as some believe. If they could they would, so that in every situation where demons were present, there would be no protection, and all could be subject to them. There must be legal grounds or legal holds to open a person to attacks. A great many come in through family background, curses and inheritance. Even habitual sin enables a demon to enter aided by inherited family weakness and inclinations. Perhaps when habitual sin does allow the entrance of a demon it may be easier to dislodge, comparatively speaking, the same demon in a person who has an inherited opening in his family line. Can the Dead Communicate With the Living? According to the Bible, No! If there is any supernatural activity in the seance, it is most certainly not the spirit of the departed one speaking through the medium. It is not possible according to the Scriptures to contact the spirits of the dead. Jesus made this very clear with the account of the rich man and Lazarus. In Luke 16: 19-31 we read, There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Two things need to be noted about this passage: There is a great gulf fixed between the abode of the righteous dead and the unrighteous dead which no one can cross. The dead, in other words, are limited in their movement. The rich man was refused permission to warn his five brothers of their impending fate if they did not repent. The passage indicates, along with the rest of the Scripture, that the dead are not allowed to speak to the living on any matter. The response in this case was that the brothers needed to believe what God had said to escape their doom rather than a voice from the dead. Jesus declared that those who harden their hearts against the very words of God through Moses and the prophets would not listen to one returned from the dead. This is proven by those who reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ today. Jesus Christ did rise from the dead and yet people still reject His Word. THE DESTINY OF A KING WHO CALLED THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD We read in the Old Testament about Saul the first king of Israel, a God fearing man, who at one time killed all the witches and sorcerers. However, when he did wrong, God turned His face away from him. When Saul wanted to fight with the Philistines, he sought God's counsel, but He did not answer Saul. Instead of soul searching and repenting from his sins in the presence of God, Saul asked a woman (sorcerer) to call the spirit of Samuel (who was a great prophet of God, and was dead at the time). The woman called Samuel's spirit for the king to counsel. When Samuel's spirit was called, he said: Why have you called and distressed me? This false spirit was an evil one that had showed himself as Samuel's spirit. Mediums or sorcerers absolutely have no access to call the spirits of dead people, any manifestation belongs to evil spirits and their job is deceiving the people and bringing them under the curse of God to get control over them and their offspring. This wrong doing was the reason God turned His face from Saul, took away his kingship and gave it to David. Saul died in his sin. Palmistry. Palmistry or Chiromancy, is the art of divination from the shape and markings of the hands and fingers. A proper interpretation of these signs supposedly can be used to forecast the future. It is not to be confused with chirology, which is scientific study of the development of the shape and lines of the hands, or with graphology, which is handwriting analysis. Cartomancy. Cartomancy (Tarot Cards) forecasts the future by means of using cards. The elaborately illustrated cards used in this technique are called Tarot Cards. Supposedly these cards hold the secrets to the future. Those who turn to Tarot reading are often insecure about the future. Not content to trust in the providence of God, they anxiously seek forbidden knowledge about the future in hopes that such knowledge will enable them to escape some impending doom or fate. Since these readings invariably lead a person away from the God of the Bible, and attempt to invade an area of knowledge God has determined should remain secret, we must conclude that they are demonic. A Deck of Card: Most card addicts do not know that each of these fifty-two cards has secret meaning. There is a reason why good people have always looked upon cards with suspicion and uneasiness. They are tainted with dishonesty and indecency. Nicknames for a deck of cards include: "The Devil�s Bible" and "The Devils Picture Book."
There was a time when the church took a strong stand against the card game. In the fifteenth century European clergy attacked the games as being immoral and unclean. In 1423 a German preacher called them "The Invention of the Devil" and his hearers made a huge bonfire of cards in the Town Square. In another city, cartloads were destroyed. Until relatively recent times fundamental preachers and churches warned about the dangers cards. Although the deck of cards has lost neither their meaning nor their evil influence, there is a strange silence about them in most churches today. The first deck of cards was made in 1392 for the insane French King Charles. The inventor evidently hated God and the Bible and designed a message in the cards, which was the exact opposite of the truth of Scripture. This is why it is common to find decks of cards possessed by prostitutes, gamblers, thieves, murders, in taverns, brothels, prisons, insane asylums, gambling dens, etc., but not at a prayer meeting. The King represents Satan, Prince of darkness, usurper and foe of the Lord Jesus Christ. The ten cards are for the spirit of lawlessness, in opposition to the moral law in the Word of God. Closely associated with the ten cards is the club card. In 1300, clubs were the chief weapons used by murders, therefore this suit represents the Spirit of Murder and death by violence. The jack card represents the lustful libertine, from pimp to adulterer and whoremonger; a moral leper whose chief ambition is to gratify sensual fleshy lusts. The Queen represents Mary, Mother of Jesus, but in the card language she is called Mother of Harlots. This is a vicious slander attacking the Lord and His Word. The joker represents Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Joker means fool and therefore Jesus is held up to ridicule. Not only this, but the joker is said to be the offspring of licentious jack and the queen, Mother of Harlots. All of the other cards also have hidden obscene and blasphemous meanings. Nine-tenths of all gambling today is done with these cards. Unfortunately, most people learned to play with them at home. Witches, Psychics, and Satan worshippers use playing cards for divination and to cast spells and curses. It is a bit difficult to see why any born-again believer would want to be in contact with such a tool of Satan. It is unwise, even dangerous, to have abominable things in your home (Deuteronomy 7:26). This could bring a curse on you and your household. It is time that Christians clean house and destroy the hidden works of darkness (I John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1,2; II Corinthians 6:17, 18; I Timothy 6:12). Pyromancy. Pyromancy - Divination by use of fire configurations. Mirror Mantic uses crystal balls, mirrors, rock crystals or still water as "mirrors of the future." This is an ancient method of divination. The one gazing into the crystal, supposedly enters a state of clairvoyance where he can see events and things happening at the present or future, regardless of distance from the diviner. Actually crystal is used as a point of contact with the evil spirits.Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. Mirror mantic. Mirror mantic has no foundation in Christianity or science. Rather than being a "window of the future", it is most often just the product of good guessing and a rich imagination on the part of the diviner. Usually, a customer is seeking help from a medium or diviner. God condemns such practitioners and those who frequent them throughout Scripture. Psychics claim to speak for God but are actually frauds. (Ezekiel 13:6-9) Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Eze 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? Eze 13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD. Eze 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Psychometry. Psychometry can also be classed in the area of fortune telling. Psycometry has no place in a Christian's life. Psycometry consists of a person holding some material object of another in his hands and having the ability to make statements and identify characteristics of the owner of the article. He may foretell part of the future of the owner. Tea cup reading. Tea cup reading - This form of divination interprets the shapes and relative positions left by tea leaves at the bottom of a cup. Fortunes are told using the same principles as are found in the oriental 1 Ching readings. Geomancy. Geomancy - This system of divination employs a map with 12 divisions in which the symbols of geomancy are placed in conjunction with the planets. Arithmancy. Arithmancy - Divination by numbers, especially by attaching mystical significance to the numbers associated with a person, especially those numbers associated with the letters of the person's name. Aeromancy. Aeromancy - This form of divination observes atmospheric conditions or ripples on the surface of an open body of water. Capnomancy. Capnomancy - This form of divination uses the smoke of an altar or sacrificial incense as a means of foretelling the future. Rhapsodmancy. Rhapsodmancy - this form of divination is based upon the line in a sacred book that strikes the eye when the book is opened after the diviner prays, meditates or invokes the help of spirits. Augury. Augury - Divination by the flight of birds. The word is used for all kind of divination, also for any omen or sign on which divination is or can be based. Ouija Board. Ouija Board is an instrument for communication with the spirits of the dead. Made in various shapes and designs, some of them used in the sixth century before Christ. The common feature of all its varieties is that an object moves under the hand of the medium, to different corners, or through the pointer attached to it, spells out messages by successively pointing to letters of the alphabet, numbers, "yes" or "no" marked on a board which is a part of the instrument. The Ouija board is considered by some as nothing more than a party game. Others believe that using it can reveal hidden things in the subconscious. Still others believe that, while the communications are produced supernaturally, the supernatural source is demonic rather than from beyond the grave. According to my past experience in Deliverance Ministry I give you this warning; Ouija board is a dangerous game. Many cases of "Possession" after a period of Ouija board use, support my claim. The "possessed person" physically, emotionally and mentally would be under the attack of high ranking and dangerous demons. There is no way for that person to be freed from demonic attacks unless, one repents from one's Occult sin and accepts the Lord Jesus as his/her Savior. Repeating the self-deliverance prayer out loud in chapter seven is very helpful. Then getting help from one of the "Christian Deliverance Workers" who specializes in this ministry to pray for him/her. Medical profession reveals that, the families of those involved in fortune telling or occultism develop in a remarkable way, illnesses such as: Nervous disturbances, psychopathic and hysteric symptoms, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, epilepsy, symptoms of paralysis, confusion, shattered mind, hesitancy, cases of mediumistic psychoses, a general tendency toward emotional and mental illnesses. Actually I do not believe in mental illness, it is caused by demon activity. The demonically tormented person might hear some voices from evil spirits, in most cases they introduce themselves as one of the loved one's or family members that has already passed away. Evil spirits may appear to the person as ghosts or even ugly creatures causing a lot of fear and anxiety. Evil spirits usually touch, beat, choke, accuse and assault during the day or rape the victim during their sleep causing nightmares. Usually tormented person is embarrassed to share his/her problem with others because people may think of him/her as one "with a screw loose or living in cloud cookoo land." This is beyond the understanding and help of the medical profession or psychologists. They may say it is caused by chemical imbalance. Medicine has no solution for this type of illness except offering medication which leads one to drowsiness and being semi-conscious. A Possessed Person needs the occult curses to be broken and the trouble making demons cast out in the mighty name of Jesus, through the ministry of deliverance. Monstrosity and deaf mutes are dominantly due to the curse(s) which are passed down the generations. The Bible never says fortune tellers can predict the future. It is their attempt to peer into the future through occult means that is objectionable. However, whether they can do it or not, does not make that much difference. If the person having his fortune told, believes that they can, the same end is accomplished. The person, instead of looking to God for direction, now consults fortune tellers to receive guidance for his life. Satan has accomplished his purpose, which is getting people away from worshipping the true and living God. Since fortune tellers achieve this, it should never be practiced even for fun. It is a device of the devil that takes one farther away from the kingdom of God. As Christians we can remain confident and peaceful, knowing that God is in full control of our unseen future. Jesus Christ is the only answer for anyone who is anxious about his future. He said: (Matthew 6: 30-34) "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more, clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' Or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." The Bible teaches that anyone may come to Christ regardless of what he has done and receive forgiveness. The Scriptures says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Jesus further stated, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) There are those who are deceived by Satan and believe that they are too good to need God. They may feel no guilt or shame for any sin committed and they certainly do not feel that they need a Savior. This person is willing to go before God based upon his own merit, on the good works he has done in his life, feeling that God will certainly accept him. However, the Scripture says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.." (Romans 3:23), For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 6:23) Witchcraft Scriptures from (King James Version) 1Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Those Nasty Witches With all the warnings in Scriptures about witchcraft, you would think it was a major problem in life. But "witchcraft", as we generally think about it, is hardly appealing to most people, so why the emphasis? Is God "out of touch" with what we are really tempted with? Or are we deceived about what witchcraft really is? Do our ideas come from Hollywood or Scripture? Isaiah 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Has Satan repackaged witchcraft to fit our modern Christian tastes, but left the essence the same? Are we practicing witchcraft? Are we the witches Scripture is addressing? Is it not the witch instinct in us that must die? Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. What Is Witchcraft? 1Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Witchcraft: Wanting to be a spiritual "mover and shaker" without submitting to God. Witchcraft is rebellion coupled with a desire to "stay in the game", to be a spiritual player. How Witchcraft Works John 8:44-45 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. All supernatural power comes, ultimately, from either God or Satan. God gives power to those who believe the truth. To approach God, truth is the cost of entry. But it is the opposite with Satan, whose nature is deception. Satan gives power to those who believe a lie. Believing the lie is the cost of entry to access Satan's power. Witchcraft bolsters up the lie with: mystery, pseudo-science, ancient knowledge, new knowledge, etc.... The more absurd the lie, the better. The lie acts as a distracter. If we mix certain ingredients in a drink... If we eat a special herb... If we arrange candles in a certain configuration... If we stare into a crystal ball... If we turn over Tarot cards... If we "read" the stars... If we speak a certain phrase, or mantra... If we have secret knowledge... If we draw certain symbols... then spiritual forces will come into play. (James 3:15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Witchcraft starts with a heart of rebellion and works by focusing on a distracter, a lie, which is some technique purported to release power. It is important to have "faith", to trust in the technique and not God. Believing in lies is an "acceptable sacrifice" to Satan, the father of lies, who honors his children with real power. The irony is, that due to the inherent deceptive basis of witchcraft, the practitioners of it often think they are serving God, while accessing a power from below (earth)--not from above. For the purpose of this study, we are defining witchcraft as a desire to be a spiritual free agent without submission to God or regard for His word. 1Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Psalms 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Nehemiah 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. Does Witchcraft Work? Even though Satan is usually the furthest thing from the mind, the "father of lies" honors the self-delusion inherent in witchcraft by occasionally releasing power, even doing supernatural miracles for those who have rebelled against God and yet still want to be spiritually effective. By this means, real power can be exerted to achieve health, beauty, enchantment, supernatural sensitivity, "insight" through drugs and experiences, oracles and visions, and the like. In this sense, witchcraft works. Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Witchcraft is characterized by belief in "knowledge from below", and rejection of "knowledge from above". In it's more advanced and powerful stages, delusion and belief in what is clearly not of God is key. Satan's tacit "deal" is: if you sacrifice truth on his altar, he will give you power for what you want now. But lies are flimsy things to put your trust in... Exodus 8:18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Witchcraft In The Church Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. Act 8:9-11 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Jeremiah 5:23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. It is sobering to see how similar modern witchcraft (Wicca, or "white witchcraft") is to modern Christianity. Self-aware witches bless as well as curse, 'bind and loose', prophesy, pray, lay hands on, anoint with oil, etc. Some even consider themselves Christians with a superior understanding and power. A few even worship Jesus--along with a pantheon of other gods and goddesses--but totally reject the reality of Satan. This should not surprise us, it was the same in Jesus' day; nor should it poison our desire to practice real spiritual gifts. But given the similarity, how does one tell the difference? More importantly, are we dabbling with witchcraft? Isaiah 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 2Timothy 3:6-8 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. Jesus, Miracles, and Technique In one situation, Jesus spits in the dirt and rubs it in someone's eye (John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, ). In another, He touches the person (Luke 5:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. ), or from a distance speaks a condition of obedience (Luke 17:12-14 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. ). Sometimes He speaks calmly (John 4:50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. ), sometimes He yells (John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. ). Jesus was not relying on technique; He was relying on, and submissive to, His Father (John 8:28-29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. ). The specifics of how the miracles were performed varied. It is almost as if God was trying to make the point: trust in Me, not the procedure. Are we relying on God or technique? If God, then the technique may change. In one case the spirit may lead us to help someone believe with some physical act, like anointing with oil. In another, the Spirit may lead us to do something which may make it harder to believe, like rubbing dirt in someone's eye. Clearly, the technique is not the important thing, it is more like a Spirit-inspired sermon that accompanies the miracle. Jesus' miracles were done out of love in obedience to the Father. He did not do "miracles on demand" (see the temptation of Jesus in (Mark 4:1-12 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. .) The temptation to "do a miracle" without God's leading is apparently for advanced, not carnal souls.) or boast of great power. He even told many He healed to "keep it secret" to thwart the adulterous spirit of fascination with "signs and wonders" of which He warned. But heal He did, and told us to do likewise. To be sure, some common techniques do emerge from Scripture: like the laying on of hands or anointing with oil. But these are meant to be symbolic of where the power really comes from, not to be believed in superstitiously as a power unto themselves. These techniques, even if "authorized" by Scriptural precept and example, will never work--by God's power anyway--if done by rebellious "free agent" human and not Divine will. They are not needed for God to move, except as an act of obedience when the Spirit leads. For the Holy Spirit never leads us into superstition, indifference to God's will, or self-glory. Isaiah 2:6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
When we start relying on technique and not God, then we are flirting with witchcraft. Miracles may be done, supernatural power may come into play. But if the soul doing these works is not yielded to God's will, then it is an act of rebellion. The witch in all of us wants God "on a leash". God must perform a trick for us when we jerk His chain. Like Satan, we twist Scripture: "But doesn't God say...?" (Matthew 4:5-6 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. , Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ) The destiny of those who continue to practice witchcraft as "free agents" from God is certain, even if their miracles are "good works". 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? Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Are We Getting Away With This? Isaiah 57:1-5 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? Isaiah 57:7-8 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. Isaiah 57:10-12 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. Micah 5:12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: Balaam's Error Balaam was a prophet for hire, a "prophet for profit". We would never do such a thing, at least not for so large a bribe. Instead, we sell out for much less: To look good, to come off as "really spiritual", to have people believe in us. But it is still the spirit of Balaam which sells out to gain, even if the wage we get for our rebellion is cheap and ephemeral. 2Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Deuteronomy 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. 2Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Jeremiah 27:9-10 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. Isaiah 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Lying Divinations Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Ezekiel 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? Ezekiel 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Isaiah 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. It Is The Witch In Us... That Must Die! Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. A.W. Tozer: "Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers..."
Consider and discuss these provocative suggestions of how witchcraft may have been repackaged to appeal to the rebellious hearts of Christians:
Spells Name it Claim it Eze 13:6, Lam 3:37
Readings False Prophecies Jer 23:25-38, Isa 28:7-22
Incantations, Mantras Repetitive Prayers Mat 6:7, Ecc 5:7
Potions Health Food? 1 Tim 4:1-5, Mat 15:8-17
Tarot Cards Scripture Flipping 2 Tim 2:15, Mic 3:6
Horoscopes Temperaments Jam 3:13-15, Isa 47:14-15
Oracles, Spirit Guides False Teachers 2 Tim 4:2-4, Acts 13:10-11
Do we trust in God, or in our favorite "distracter"? Will we follow Satan's seductive siren song to spiritual power and become His possession, or will we follow the Holy Spirit into truth?
Some simple questions to ask in discerning witchcraft: Is it based on the truth, or a distracter or outright lie? Is it "power of suggestion" or God's power? Are we blind not to see how similar it is to traditional witchcraft? Is it born out of waiting upon the Lord in faith, or out of impatience? Who is in control? Who gets the glory? In whom, or in what, are we trusting?
2Kings 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Repentance Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. While some revel in witchcraft under a "Christian" banner, others see through this and are so disgusted that they are suspicious of real gifts of the Spirit. We need to be careful not to be spiritual prostitutes... or to become spiritually frigid. Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Acts 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
Question: "What does the Bible say about luck?"
Answer: The American Heritage Dictionary defines “luck” as follows:
1. The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events. 2. Good fortune or prosperity; success....to gain success or something desirable by chance: “I lucked out in finding that rare book.” The main question is, do things happen by chance? If they do, then one can speak of someone being lucky or unlucky. But if they do not happen by chance, then it is inappropriate to use those terms. Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 states, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Ecc 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. . ” Much of what Ecclesiastes shares is from the perspective of a person who looks at life on earth without God, or life “under the sun.” From such a perspective—leaving God out of the picture—there seems to be good luck and bad luck. A runner in a race may be the swiftest, but because someone in front of him stumbles, he trips over him and falls and does not win the race. How unlucky for him? Or a warrior king may have the strongest army but some “chance” arrow shot up into the air at random by a no-name enemy soldier just happens to pierce his armor in its most vulnerable location (2 Chronicles 18:33) resulting in that king’s death and the loss of the battle. How unlucky for King Ahab? Was it a matter of luck? Reading the whole of 2 Chronicles 18, we find that God had His hand in the matter from the beginning. The soldier who shot the arrow was totally unaware of its trajectory, but God in His sovereignty knew all along it would mean the death of wicked King Ahab. 2Chronicals 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. A similar “chance” occurrence takes place in the book of Ruth. Ruth, a widow who was caring for her widowed mother-in-law, seeks a field to glean grain to provide for them. “ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. ” (Ruth 2:3). Elimelech had been the husband of her mother-in-law, Naomi, so Boaz was a relative of hers and was generous to Ruth. As Ruth returns home with a great deal more grain than Naomi expected, “her mother-in-law asked her, ‘And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
Rth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.’" (Ruth 2:19-20). So Naomi did not see it as a “chance” occurrence but as the providence of God, as do others later on (Ruth 4:14).
Ruth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. Proverbs 16:33 states a general principle: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. .” This refers to the use of casting lots (similar to the tossing of a coin or the rolling of dice) to settle certain judicial cases. The case involving Achan in Joshua 7 is an example in which the principle of Proverbs 16:33 is used to find the guilty party. Proverbs 18:18 states something similar: “The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. ” Again, the idea is that God’s providence plays the determining role in the results of the casting of lots so that judicial conflicts can be resolved no matter how great the contention. Proverbs 16:33 would indicate that something as random as the rolling of dice or the tossing of a coin is not outside of God’s sovereign control. And, therefore, its results are not merely of chance. 2Ch 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 2Ch 18:19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. God’s sovereignty involves two aspects. God’s active will or sovereignty would involve something He causes to happen such as the leading of wicked King Ahab into battle (2 Chronicles 18:18-19). Ahab’s death was not merely the result of a randomly shot arrow, but as 2 Chronicles 18 reveals, God actively directed the events that led Ahab into battle and used that randomly shot arrow to accomplish His intended will for Ahab that day. Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Job 1:2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: Job 1:15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. God’s passive will involves Him allowing, rather than causing, something to happen. Chapter1 of the book of Job illustrates this in what God allowed Satan to do in the life of Job. It is also involved in the evil that God allowed Joseph’s brothers to do to Joseph in order to accomplish a greater good, a good not apparent to Joseph until years later (Genesis 50:20); But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Because we do not have the curtains drawn back to see what is taking place in heaven, we cannot always determine whether God’s active or passive will is involved in the events of our lives, but we do know that all things that take place are under the umbrella of His will, whether active or passive, and, therefore, nothing is a matter of mere chance. When a person rolls the dice to play a board game, God may sometimes cause the dice to land a certain way, but more often than not in such inconsequential matters, He may allow the dice to land as His laws of nature would determine without any active involvement. But even when He is not actively involved, how the dice land is still under His sovereignty. Mathew1 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Proverbs 21-1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Ephesians 1-11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: So it is for any event of life; no matter how small (Matthew 10:29-31) or how large (Daniel 4:35; Proverbs 21:1), God is sovereign over all (Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:9-10), and thus nothing is merely the matter of chance. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Job 1:2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: Job 1:15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 42 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. Job 42:9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. Job 42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. Job 42:14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. Job 42:15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. Job 42:16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. Job 42:17 So Job died, being old and full of days. John 9:1-7 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Joh 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, Joh 9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God is in control of all of His creation and is somehow able to take the random acts of natural law, the free will of both good and evil men, and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will (Genesis 50:20; Job chapters 1 and 42; John 9:1-7). And Christians, specifically, are given the promise that God works all things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
We hope and pray that this has encouraged you to get right with God and has brought you new found faith and belief in Jesus Christ, God Almighty and brings you to wanting to get saved and to get water Baptized so you can receive the free gift of eternal Life in Heaven. May God be with you, through your remaining day’s that He has blessed you with. “WHOM DO YOU SERVE?”
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