Deuteronomy 18:9-14 -
"When you arrive in the land the LORD
your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs
of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice
your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let
your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret
omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or
psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is an object of
horror and disgust to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these
things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. You must be blameless before
the LORD your God. The people you are about to displace consult
with sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such
things.
Moses sure laid it out in plain language
for them. The land God was giving them
used some pretty detestable ways to try and be successful. They sacrificed their children to Gods in
hopes that they would be blessed. They
had mediums and sorcerers read their futures.
They practiced witchcraft. Moses said that these things were detestable
to God…and that was why God was allowing them to be driven out of the land he
wanted the Israelites to possess.
Except for the child sacrifice part…most of
these practices can still be found in many places …people are tricked into
believing that some of these things are actually okay…a form of ‘white’ magic
meant to help people. But God is clear
here…these things are detestable to him…because their power comes from Satan…and
if we are using Satan’s power…we are not relying on God’s. Even one harmless
google to a horoscope site….can be the beginning of Satan’s influence…and time
not spent praying to God instead.
God does not speak to us through tea leaves….or
ouija boards..…or crystal balls…or taro cards.
He does not tell us our future or give us advice through internet horoscope
sites…those fortune cookies are printed up in mass...there is simply no ‘easy’
way to understand what God has in store for your life. He wants us to read his Bible…pray…and take
our counsel from those that have studied the word before us. He wants us to develop
a close relationship with him…and learn to listen to his voice.
Father…I thank you for the reminder this
morning that you and you alone can help me understand what you placed me here
to do. Only you know the plans you have for me…..and
they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me…your plans to give me hope and
a future will only be found in careful prayer…Bible study…and counsel from
Godly people. Help me this day to recognize the tricks of Satan that try to
tell me I can find your will an easier way. Reveal to me any of these practices
that Moses warned me of…so I can quickly dismiss them and Satan’s influence
over my relationship with you. Amen.
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