Every human being has an innate urge to communicate with something better, wiser, or more powerful than themselves—a “higher power.” [Satan, God’s enemy], is skilled at using this kind of yearning to trick seekers in a variety of ways. These dishonest practices are referred to as occultism (occult is a Latin word that means “covered” or “hidden”). Divination and sorcery—the two most important or well-known types of occultism—are terms found in the Bible.
Divination
The slave girl with “a spirit of divination” described in Acts 16:16–22 is a prime illustration of this. In this instance, everything she said was “correct,” but Satan exploited it for his dishonest purposes as he is a liar (John 8:44). Her source of knowledge was a malevolent spirit. She lost this ability when it was cast out. God prohibits occult activities like divination and talking to dead people’s spirits in Deuteronomy 18:9–14. “The LORD, your God, will raise up for you a prophet from among yourselves, from among your brethren; listen to Him” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Thus, this is what the Bible says. God bans involvement in occultism; take into consideration King Saul’s involvement in occultism and the consequences (1 Samuel 28).
Divination, which these days comes in a variety of modern forms, is something we must avoid if we want to avoid [coming under the sway of bad spirits]. Furthermore, we shouldn’t seek guidance from psychic mediums or employ supernatural abilities that show up in “future prediction” (with or without tools like horoscopes, flipping a glass, herbs, etc.).
Magic or sorcery
Magic includes a wide range of techniques for influencing the senses of the body. Among the tools that are employed are herbs, amulets, magical ceremonies, etc. One of the widely used English Bibles, the NIV, defines sorcery as “magical practices.” Deuteronomy 18:9–14 enumerates certain occult activities. “Because anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord,” verse 12 adds.The harshest word in Hebrew for what the Lord disapproves of is “abomination.” Similar to this, God forewarns in Leviticus 20:6 (NIV): “I will cut them off from their people, and I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves.”
These days, occultism can take many various shapes. A few examples include magnetism, acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness, and oriental meditation. countless “doors” that are both extremely “normal” in our culture and lead to the paranormal. However, there is only one Door that opens to God’s otherworldly realm. Jesus states, “I am the Door; if anyone goes in by me, he will be saved,” in John 10:9. Furthermore, “I am the Truth, the Way, and the Life.” Only through me may anybody approach the Father (John 14:6).
God wants you to turn from your ignorance and seek forgiveness, cleansing, and release from Christ if you have become entangled in the occult. “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins” (1 John 1:9). God demonstrates His love for us by providing guidance and instruction in the proper path (Psalm 32:8). Never stop using the sword of the Spirit, which is His Word, as a weapon to keep yourself out of the enemy’s domain.
