Do witchcraft and the occult reveal “ancient wisdom” to life’s big questions? Does the spirit realm exist? Should men communicate with it? Are astrology, Tarot cards, Ouija boards and crystals harmless fun—or is there something more to them? Part II of this two-part series examines these and other important questions!
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Subscribe NowIn Part I, we examined the widespread growth of witchcraft, spiritism and the occult. Mass media—books, magazines, television, movies—merchandizes paganism. Occultism thrives on college campuses nationwide. And mainstream Christianity is learning to tolerate and even embrace it.
In San Francisco, California, no fewer than 105 psychics, 20 spiritual consultants, and 17 astrologers are listed in the local phonebook. Recently, the city has had to create a bill that, if made into law, would ban certain scam-artist techniques commonly used by fortuneteller and other diviners to part the gullible from their money.
In Australia, witchcraft is the fastest-growing religion, with nearly 9,000 believers, up from less than 2,000 in 1996. Pagans have more than doubled there, to 10,632. And druids, animists and pantheists have also increased. Yet, from 1996 to 2000, membership among Australian church denominations only grew by 1.4%.
While some churches condemn fortunetelling, witchcraft and paganism, others see little, or nothing, wrong with them. For example, the Church of England has given one of its priests permission to attend a witches’ coven in order to research a thesis on Wicca. Believing it was “something that God has called [him] to do,” the priest said that Christianity must “interact with people who are interested in witchcraft, druidry and shamanism…and hear what they have to say about our faith.”
At a recent press conference, the Vatican gave its approval to the Harry Potter series. Justifying its new position, a spokesman reasoned, “I don’t think there’s anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic, and angels in their imaginary world.”
Part II will examine three reasons why so many are turning to the occult—and why it will continue to grow worse.
Humanity’s fascination with the stars is nothing new. Man has always had a thirst to know more, to understand the world around him. This thirst has led men to explore continents and oceans. It has sent people to walk on the moon numerous times. It has sent remote control vehicles to explore the surface of Mars. It inspired men to create the Hubble telescope and peer into the vastness of space to unlock its mysteries.
Men will do anything to quench their thirst for knowledge—even turn to the supernatural, such as divination, the occult art of looking into the future.
Astrology is an ancient tool of divination used to gather information, usually about either the future or a person’s personality, through examining the “heavenly bodies”—stars, planets, the moon, comets, etc.
The earliest records of astrology date back to the 19th century B.C. The Babylonian Empire attempted to link earthly events, such as famine and war, with other events observed in the heavenly bodies above. Astrology was an integral part of the polytheistic Babylonian religion. The people back then believed that earth was the center of the universe and that all the stars and planets revolved around it.
Babylonian priests were regularly called upon to use their “connections” with their gods to predict the future. Two principle means of doing this were (1) inspecting the liver of a sacrificed animal, and (2) reading omens in the sky.
The latter eventually developed into astrology, similar to what is practiced today. Between 612 and 539 B.C., Babylonian priests divided the sky into twelve sections of thirty degrees each, constituting the twelve signs of the zodiac. Once mathematical astronomy developed (under the Persians, 539-331 B.C.), it became possible to calculate some motion of the moon and various planets. This made way for the development of horoscopes, similar to what exists today.
Other tools of divination include Ouija boards and Tarot cards.
Though often used by both children and adults as a game, Ouija boards are used to contact the spirit realm. Human participants invite spirits to control their hands in order to answer questions involving the afterlife, past human lives of these spirits, or future events.
Favored among Wiccans, Tarot cards are used to predict future events and cast spells, and meditation.
Whatever tool of divination used, people want to know the future. They want to know the past. They want to understand the world in which they live. Which is why throughout history, men have turned (in one degree or another) to witchcraft and the occult.
The term occult comes from the Latin word occulere, which means “to hide.” This word applies to anything based upon mysterious, secret, or hidden forces. Yearning for knowledge, power and personal fulfillment, men often turn to the mysterious “hidden powers” of the occult.
In Part I, we examined how people are being turned off and let down by mainstream Christianity. They are growing tired of religionists and theologians who preach smooth, comforting words, but secretly live lives in contrast to God’s Word. In desperation, many former believers often turn to “ancient wisdom” supposedly revealed through paganism and witchcraft.
All people want to know who they are, why they exist, what is their future. When professing Christianity cannot answer these questions, tools of divination—astrology, Tarot cards, Ouija boards and others—are seen as an alternative.
A wise man often said that if we want to understand why the world exists as it does today, we must look at the beginning of civilization: The Garden of Eden. When God created the first man and woman, He placed them in a garden paradise (Gen. 2:8, 15).
God told Adam and Eve, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die” (vs. 16-17).
The two trees represented the knowledge of two opposite ways of life. The Tree of Life symbolized the way of give, love, peace, and outgoing concern for others. Eating of its fruit means to trust in God (Prov. 3:5). The tree of the knowledge of good and evil symbolized the way of take, hate, strife, and selfishness. Eating of its fruits means to trust in self.
God allowed Eve to be deceived into eating the fruit of the forbidden tree: “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die: for God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:1-6).
Adam and Eve wanted knowledge, but they wanted to acquire it their way. So they rejected God and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. In doing so, man decided to rely upon himself to judge right from wrong, good from evil. This is why mankind’s history has been rampant with all kinds of evils, suffering and turmoil. Cut off from God’s revealed knowledge, people cannot agree. And walking in complete agreement is the path that produces peace.
Some people think certain wars are justified. Others think all war is wrong and inexcusable. Still others think that all war is acceptable, just as long as they are the ones pulling the strings.
In the same way, men have devised various means to gain knowledge. This includes witchcraft and the occult.
History is replete with power-hungry dictators—such as Hitler, Stalin, Nero. Since the First World War, the manufacture and accumulation of weapons of mass destruction have grown. And though the image of “one world order” frightens many, some long for it—especially if it means personal power on a global scale.
The lust for power is a common theme in mankind’s story. Casting spells, divining the future and communicating with spirits are tools many have picked up to satisfy this lust. Fed up with mainstream churches, many believe that witchcraft will empower them to bring personal control to their lives. They even turn to the powers of the occult in order to control the lives of others.
History records that men have often used religion (pagan and so-called “Christian”) to force their will upon others. In fact, much of man’s recorded wars involved, to some degree, religious beliefs—especially by organizations calling themselves Christian!
Concerning His Second Coming and the end of the age (Matt. 24:3), Jesus Christ warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (vs. 4-5). Many religious leaders will arise and claim that their authority comes from Christ—and they will fool many!
How can this be? In II Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul reveals the answer: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (vs. 13). They look like righteous leaders. They seem like faithful workers. But they transform themselves into appearing to be chosen representatives of God.
Such deceivers do this because they lust for power. And they grab and maintain power through cunning deceit.
God’s Word says that we should not be surprised: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (vs. 14-15).
Lust for power is nothing new to religion. The Bible shows that practitioners of witchcraft often resorted to human sacrifices to instill fear—and power—over the lives of others.
Recall the Garden of Eden. The serpent told mother Eve that the forbidden fruit would give knowledge—secret, hidden knowledge—that would empower her to become “as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:1-6). Eve was seduced into lusting for power. Adam followed suit.
Ironically, God does want to give power to man. But people must first learn to qualify for it. This requires building holy, righteous character. Without godly character, men have always used power to destroy. Our history of war and strife proves this.
The apostle James wrote about the true origin of all war and strife: “From where come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts” (Jms. 4:1-3).
Feeling that church denominations leave them powerless and directionless, some turn to crystals. Believing they can be used to transmit spiritual energy into light, crystals are used in an attempt to cleanse the “blocked aura” (a supposed invisible electro-magnetic field) around a person’s body. People also rely on crystals to heal diseases, trauma, and emotional problems; to create feelings of joy, peace and love; for insight into past life lessons; to be positive, responsible, brave; for advance “spiritual” practices; and to generally enhance one’s career and relationships.
Though they will deny it, those who rely upon crystals are putting their trust in the wrong rock. The Bible shows which Rock all people should turn to for help: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:1-4).
Witchcraft, spiritism and the occult are powerless to reveal such amazing knowledge!
Knowledge is exploding. More people possess more power—government, financial, corporate—than ever before. Yet, few are ever truly satisfied.
Man is physical, limited to five senses and a temporary lifespan. Like animals, man was created “a living soul”—mortal (Gen. 2:7; 3:19). Yet, unlike animals, man is endowed with creative mind power. He does not just build a building. He plans, assembles and builds houses, barns, office buildings, military complexes, arenas, stadiums, and airports of every shape, size and color thinkable. He sculpts, paints, illustrates, writes, photographs, sings—does anything he can to express himself.
Yet, man wants—needs—something more.
Traditional Christianity cannot meet the desire. Neither can materialism. Money and career will only satisfy for a short time. The constant pursuit of physical pleasure quickly becomes meaningless. People will turn to almost anything that will bring purpose and meaning to their lives.
To some, casting spells, gathering in the dark around open fires with other pagans, and divining the future are an attempt to gain control and purpose in their lives.
Like King David of Israel, people throughout millennia have looked up into the night sky and wondered, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him?” (Psa. 8:3-4).
Humanity began in the Garden of Eden. Man was created physical, of the ground. But he has spiritual needs. Since he has rejected the only true source that can fill those needs, man tries to feed spiritual desires with the physical—“the works of the flesh.” It cannot be done.
Paul wrote, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest [obvious], which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft…” (Gal. 5:19-20). Witchcraft is a “work of the flesh”—part of carnal nature. Men cannot feed a spiritual need (such as the desire for purpose) with anything carnal.
Notice: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other” (vs. 17).
Spiritual cravings are fed and satisfied by “the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (vs. 22-23).
This world’s brand of “Christianity” has failed to teach this. It has failed to give purpose and meaning to life. Also, nature abhors a void. If a person’s needs are not met, he will find another way to meet them; often with disastrous results.
Upon seeing the innocent suffer, people are quick to ask, “Where is God? Why has He allowed this to happen?” What most do not understand—and religionists, theologians, priests and “Christian” leaders fail to recognize—is that God is not running the affairs of this world. All societies, governments, empires and kingdoms of this world are being run by “the god of this world”—Satan the devil.
It is unpopular to admit that the devil exists. Most people scoff at the idea. The very thought seems ridiculous to them—and yet their disbelief falls right into Satan’s scheme. The Bible plainly teaches that Satan is “the god of this world [age]” and “has blinded the minds of them which believe not” (II Cor. 4:4). He deceives people into believing he is a fairy tale because he does not want humanity to be alerted to his world-ruling presence. God describes Satan as “the great dragon…that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9).
During a tremendous battle of wills, Satan took Christ to a high mountain and, in a vision, instantly showed Him all the kingdoms and powers of the world (Luke 4:5). Then Satan said to Him, “I will give You all their power and grandeur, for it has been made over to me and I can give it to anyone I choose” (vs. 6-7, Moffatt translation).
How did Christ respond? Did He dispute or deny the devil’s claim of possessing world-ruling authority? Did He say, “What are you talking about, Satan? You can’t give Me what doesn’t belong to you! God rules this world, not you”?
Early in his monarchy, Saul, Israel’s first king, rebelled against God, refusing to obey His commands (I Sam. 15). The prophet Samuel told Saul, “…for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel” (vs. 26).
In chapter 28, the Philistines gathered into a massive army, positioning themselves to conquer Israel: “And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled” (vs. 5).
Saul was gripped by stark fear because he knew that his sins had cut him off from God’s guidance and protection (Isa. 59:1-3). He had rebelled against God’s will—and “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (I Sam. 15:23).
Verse 6 of I Samuel 28 states that “Saul enquired of the LORD, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”
With Samuel dead (vs. 3), and God remaining silent, Saul was desperate. He sent his servants to seek out a witch—“a woman that has a familiar spirit” (vs. 7). Yet, ironically, Saul spent the beginning of his rule putting away “those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land” (vs. 3).
Saul’s servants found a woman from Endor who was secretly practicing witchcraft.
Verse 8: “And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray you, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto you.” Saul was in disguise for two reasons: (1) He did not want his subjects to know that he was seeking out a witch. And (2) so the witch would not be frightened off, thinking that Saul was trying to entrap her (see verse 9).
Amazingly, Saul made an oath to the witch in God’s name, promising not to punish her for practicing witchcraft! Yet, this was clearly against God’s will (vs. 10).
Now read verses 11-13: “Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what saw you? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods [elohim—also means “judge”] ascending out of the earth.” In other words, she claimed to have seen the prophet Samuel, who had also been a judge, come up from the grave.
But notice that Saul did not see “Samuel”—only the witch could: “And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself” (vs. 14).
Both Saul and the witch assumed that it was Samuel—but it was not! The Bible teaches that “the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing” (Ecc. 9:5).
No. Christ simply said, “Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Matt. 4:10).
Clearly, the Bible shows that the devil has the authority to grant world-ruling power—Christ did not dispute or deny this! In fact, several times Jesus described Satan as “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
As such, the devil has humanity so thoroughly deceived, people who think they are seeking the light of truth are in reality finding darkness, misery, and even death. Throughout history, Satan has deceitfully disguised his dark ways, confusing and misleading gullible minds into believing them to be the righteous ways of God: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (II Cor. 11:14-15).
Yes, the devil does use human instruments as tools of his deception. Recall verse 13: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”
Satan does rule the governments of this world—but he is not alone. The devil has plenty of help from others.
The Bible reveals that there is a spirit realm. These spirits are:
(1) Obedient angels, who faithfully serve God. Part of their purpose is to help God’s people achieve their awesome human potential: “But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb 1:13-14).
(2) Fallen angels, called demons. They serve their own selfish lusts, under the world-ruling authority of Satan, “the prince of the devils [demons]” (Mark 3:22). Demons are fallen angels who sinned as they followed Lucifer (now Satan) into rebellion against their Creator (II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Isa. 14:12-14; Rev. 12:3-4, 9).
They are the “unfruitful works of darkness” that Paul warns about in Ephesians 5: “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (vs. 11).
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul wrote that Christians “wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Because a matter weighed heavily upon his mind, the prophet Daniel fasted so that he could draw closer to God, and perhaps receive an answer (Dan. 10:3-4). The fast stretched into “three full weeks” before an answer from heaven could arrive.
Finally, an angel appeared to Daniel (vs. 10-11) and said, “Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia” (vs. 12-13).
Were Michael and the other angel “withstood” by mortal men 21 days? Of course not! The above verses are about a battle of wills between angels (servants of God) and demons (servants of Satan). Satan controls the kingdoms of this world. Christ said that Satan’s kingdom is not divided (Mark 3:23-26). Although it is based on competition, strife, hatred, selfishness—the “get” way of life, symbolized by the tree of the (self) knowledge of good and evil—it is organized and structured.
God’s servants always seek to teach, serve and build.
The devil’s agents (demons) always seek to confuse, blind and destroy. Among their tools are witchcraft, spiritism, paganism and the occult. They want us to believe that we can harness “earth energy” through crystals, or that we can predict the future, or speak with the dead (see “Witch of Endor” inset). Demons love to use mediums, making it seem like these “guides” are communicating with the “afterlife.”
Why? Because it helps to perpetuate the myth of the immortal soul. Recall Satan’s lie to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “You shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4). The serpent who told that lie is the same serpent, or dragon, who “deceives the whole world” today (Rev. 12:9).
Men place great value on the writings of other men. They often quote the musings of dead human beings, yet ignore—and even make light of—the one true source of knowledge, the Holy Bible.
God’s written Word is truth (John 17:17)—revealed knowledge of who and what man is, why he exists, what his purpose is. The Bible reveals who God is, why society is the way that it is, and what future events will soon come to pass.
God inspired Paul to write, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17).
True knowledge comes from God: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7).
The empty, vain writings and traditions of men cannot compare to the truth of God’s Word.
Yet, men often highly value famous writings of literary “giants”—men who were often possessed by demons! Ancient Greek writers, such as Homer, commonly sought to speak for their “gods’ (demons masquerading as god-like beings) by being directly under their control.
Ancient Delphi grew to international prominence for the famous oracle of the Greek god Apollo, who foretold the future through his priestess. Responding to questions from rulers, military generals, legislators and other dignitaries while in a trance, the priestess’ inarticulate cries were interpreted and recorded by an official interpreter, in verse, then later in prose.
Plato is recorded to have written, “All questions should be left to the decision of the oracle, as is the usual practice in Greece.” The influence of spiritism and the occult is centuries old.
Millennia ago, God delivered ancient Israel from slavery in Egypt. Just before they were about to inherit the Promised Land, God warned the Israelites: “When you are come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses 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 your God does drive them out from before you” (Deut. 18:9-12).
Leviticus 19:31: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
Notice what they were to do if they found such people among them: “A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them” (Lev. 20:27).
Also notice: “Take you therefore good heed unto yourselves…lest you lift up your eyes unto heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided unto all nations under the whole heaven” (Deut. 4:15, 19). Astrology was not to be tolerated in the Promised Land.
God commanded the Israelites to totally destroy all nations found in Canaan because the people dwelling there practiced witchcraft and the occult. Their perverted and twisted pagan religions even involved human sacrifice—including infants!
Yet, the biblical record shows that Israel failed miserably. The people tolerated—even encouraged—witchcraft and the occult throughout ancient Israel. The same is happening today among the modern-day descendants of Israel. Just as ancient Israel and Judah were severely punished for these and other national sins, the modern-day peoples and nations of Israel will also be severely corrected.
Christ warned that just before His Return to set up His kingdom, “…many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:11). He also inspired the apostle John to warn of a great, end-time false prophet. Possessed by an “unclean spirit,” this false prophet will perform miracles, deceiving the masses into receiving the “mark of the beast” and worshipping the beast’s “image” (Rev. 16:13; 19:20). This future deceiver will draw his powers from “spiritual wickedness in high places”—the same source of witchcraft and the occult. But those powers will appear to be Christian.
But in the end, the great false prophet will meet his end (20:10) at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
From then on, God’s government will be set up at Jerusalem, and will spread across the earth (Isa. 9:6-7). True knowledge will flow freely to quench the thirst of all who desire it. Power will be in the hands of those who have qualified to properly use it—Christ and His righteous kings, judges and priests (Rev. 5:10).
All who obey God will have access to the Tree of Life, and enter into the kingdom (22:14).
But the Bible says that there will be those who refuse to obey. They will not enter God’s kingdom: “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie” (vs. 15).
Also, Satan and his demons, the authors of witchcraft and the occult, will be imprisoned in darkness, no longer the “god of this world.”
As you can see, witchcraft and the occult are not alternatives worth considering. They are paths leading to danger, and even death.
Those who choose to submit to God and resist Satan (Jms. 4:7) can receive the knowledge, power and purpose all men long for: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love [which is man’s true purpose for life], and of a sound mind [deep knowledge, understanding and wisdom]” (II Tim. 1:7).
Witchcraft, spiritism and the occult can do none of these.
Psychics, fortunetellers, channelers and others who practice the black art of divination do so by tapping into the demon world. But how can one tell if a person is practicing divination—especially when that person’s “prediction” comes to pass?
In Deuteronomy 13, God gives the criteria to judge with: “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; you shall not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proves you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (vs. 1-3).
Uttering accurate predictions is not proof that God is working with a person. The real proof is whether that person teaches people to serve and worship God through keeping His commandments. Yet, God does allow spiritual charlatans to make accurate (or nearly accurate) predictions as a test for His people. He wants to know whether or not they will put His Way first. Demons have existed far longer than man. Their acute understanding of human nature, coupled with their limited knowledge of future events, allows them to make predictions. This is the source of false prophets’ predictions.
In Matthew 24, Christ warned that in the end time, many would come in His name—claim to speak by His authority—“and shall deceive many” (vs. 5). He also warned, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (vs. 11). People are deceived by false prophets, enchanters and psychics when they see their predictions come to pass. Such people then jump to the conclusion that “if he was right about this, certainly he must be right about that.” This is just one of the many ways Satan has kept the world deceived and spiritually blind.
Therefore, we must be careful to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).
But how do we “try the spirits”? Isaiah 8:19-20 reveals the answer: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
