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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)
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