Titus 2 Men And Women

The Witch of Endor
By Teddi Neevel

King Saul had disobeyed God as recorded in (1Kings 16) and Samuel had admonished him that God wanted obedience and not sacrifices. Yet, Samuel continued to do this his own way. I’m sure he was always ready with an excuse…an explanation…a reason to justify why he as king should make all the decisions. Perhaps, King Saul just never thought anyone would question his right to decide. King Saul may have claimed his “right” to do his own thing. Many Christians today are following the example of King Saul in making their own choices, to have fun and do what they perceive to be OK. If we look further into the life of King Saul we will discover what his disobedience to God cost him. Samuel told Saul

(1 Samuel 28:5-25) tells us that King Saul and his army were at war with the Philistines and King Saul was afraid. Saul sought an answer and help from God but God didn’t answer. Then King Saul once again made the choice to do things his way. He asked a servant to find him a familiar spirit…a psychic or witch. Had Saul not heard Samuel in 1 Kings 16 or did he like many of us think that just once won’t hurt? He may have excused his conduct by saying he had to do something. Saul disguised himself and went at night to see the woman with the familiar spirit. While he was wandering into the realm of the occult he lied and vowed in the name of the Lord that the woman would be safe. At that point King Saul asked the woman to call up the spirit of Samuel. Samuel’s spirit was disturbed and came to tell King Saul that God had rejected him. Not only had God rejected King Saul, but Samuel tells Saul why he has been rejected and the results of the rejection.

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 28:18-19)

What a cost King Saul faced for his disobedience…his kingdom…his sons…his life.

In our society today there has been and continues to be an explosion of interest and fascination in witchcraft and mysticism. With the publication of many books beginning at very early reading levels, movies and television the impression that it is all harmless fantasy is growing by leaps and bounds. As a Christian grandmother I am concerned. I am concerned that what parents are accepting as entertainment for their children is believed by many adults to be “truth” in their rites of worship. I’m concerned that Christian parents are not aware that God in the Bible warned against becoming ensnared with the practices of paganism in any form.

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
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. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
(Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

That is an amazing list of specific forms of paganism that God warned the children of Israel about…ritual sacrifice, astrology, charms, curses, channeling, spells, numerology, seances, etc. are covered in the list.

I recently heard an individual being interviewed who mentioned that she is a psychic and a “very spiritual person”. I could not help but say, “What spirit?” “Whose spirit are you listening to?”

You see, my Bible says that Satan and his demons recognize and believe in Jesus. Yet, recognizing who Jesus is doesn’t mean they are Christians. Since Genesis chapter 3 Satan has been asking humanity, “Hath God said?” repeatedly misquoting and encouraging us to question God’s authority in our lives. Making sin seem enchanting and fun is a specialty of Satan’s.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(James 2:19)

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
(Luke 4:33-35)

Many people become ensnared with paganism out of curiosity and the thought that perhaps they can have advanced knowledge or special powers. Wearing signs and crystals in the belief that they will be healthier, stronger, protected from spells or clearer of thought.
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
(Leviticus 19:31)

How easily we fall into the traps of the devil? In the last year I have spoken to Christian parents who allowed their children to attend “solstice celebrations” that were announced as science trips to the woods. It was only after the trip when the children were talking about chanting and dancing around a circle that the parents questioned the field trip.

Another parent was upset that the award her child had worked so hard to earn turned out to be a trip to the theater to see a Harry Potter film. Sadly, that parent didn’t want her daughter to feel left out so she allowed her to go with the other winners to see a film she didn’t approve of.

Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
(Leviticus 19:26)

I’m very hesitant to present this lesson on the witch of Endor in a public forum because I know there will be many people who will want to argue with me about the issue. Yet, God included her in the writings of the Bible. We are told to “try the spirits”…to test them to see if the spirit is of God. I believe that the witch is mentioned to make us aware that while Satan and his demons are able to communicate messages and fortune telling of one type or another this are not sources of information that a Christian should ever pursue.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
(1 John 4:1-3)


“Information from The Wiccan/Pagan Times (Internet News Site)

Overview:
A follower of Wicca is called a Wiccan. Wicca and other neopagen religions are currently experiencing a rapid growth in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This is seen particularly among some teenagers, who are rejecting what they feel is the autocracy (Absolute unlimited power of God), paternalism (God is male), sexism (Men and women have different and not necessarily equal roles), homophobia (The importance of the traditional man/woman family unit), and insensitivity to the environment that forms part of some more traditional religions. Many North Americans of European descent, who are keen to discover their ancestral heritage, are also attracted to this religion.”

As I read through this information I noticed that like many “Christian” faiths Wiccans have a diversity of practices and one Wiccan can not speak for all.

“Terminology:
1. Wiccans often refer to themselves as neopagans. The term "neopagan" includes all faith groups that are based on attempts to reconstruct ancient, extinct religions. However, not all neopagans are Wiccans.
2. Others include Druidism, and Asatru.
3. Wiccans often refer to themselves as pagans. Unfortunately, this term has many different meanings, some of which carry a negative connotation.
4. Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be synonyms.
5. Others differentiate between Wicca, which they view to be a religion, and Witchcraft, which they perceive to be the practice of magic. Under this definition, Witchcraft is not a religion and thus can be performed by members of any religion.
6. Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some do not and concentrate on the spirituality of the Wiccan religion.”

Attempts to justify one form of Wicca or witchcraft as being nice so it isn’t wrong falls into the original question that Satan asked Eve, “Hath God said?”

“Teenage students often confuse the imaginary type witchcraft of the Harry Potter books with Wicca and want to learn spells that they can use to change their environment.

Why conservative Christians may reject a Christian/Wiccan religious blend:
Most Conservative Christians reject the concept that a Wiccan can be a Christian. Some of the problem areas are:
A. Many define a Christian quite narrowly. They include only those who have repented of their sins, have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and have accepted certain core traditional Christian teachings. (i.e. the Trinity, Incarnation, resurrection of Jesus, virgin birth, heaven, hell, sin, salvation, original sin, the existence of Satan as a living entity, etc.) Many of these are incompatible with Wiccan theology.
B. Many conservative Christian denominations teach that women should not be in a position of power over a man, either in church, at work, or at home. Such a belief is totally at variance with Wiccan beliefs who generally believe in sexual equality.
C. Religious conservatives generally teach that homosexuality is unnatural, abnormal, chosen, changeable, and intrinsically sinful. Most Wiccans disagree with these beliefs, accepting the findings of human sexuality researchers that a homosexual orientation is normal and natural for a minority of adults. Further, an orientation not chosen and cannot be changed.
D. Many conservative Christians believe that various forms of divination are an integral part of Wicca. Since the Bible contains passages condemning many of the divination techniques that were in use in ancient times, they assume that there is no room for Wiccan belief within Christianity. While it is true that some Wiccans engage in divination, not all do.
E. Wiccans would have to abandon many traditional biblical teachings in order to consider themselves to be Christian.

It is clear that a Wiccan cannot consider themself to be Christian without first rejecting much of the content of the Bible and many historical Christian beliefs. This would exclude them from the conservative Christian fold in the same way that liberal Christians are considered to be non-Christian by many religious conservatives.”

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