Posted on 09/03/2016 6:57:43 AM PDT by truthfinder9
Recently a Facebook friend shared an example of Christian white magic in the real world. You’ll never guess what magic book it was.
His family owned a “book of magic,” a fantasy novel. That wasn’t the dangerous magic. Instead, someone he knew became alarmed at the book. She effectively cast a spell against his family. She removed herself from their contaminated space and created a magic circle.
This phrasing is only mild hyperbole. But unfortunately, this is what many Christians do. We believe in magic, and even practice types of spells, all in an attempt to avoid bad magic.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 is usually cited to prove fantasy magic is evil. Instead, God directly warns God’s people to avoid the actual practice of divination and sorcery, in an attempt to protect ourselves from harm—that is, dark spiritual influence—or to divine the future...
Moses, speaking for God, goes on to say, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him [and not to the evil occult practices] you shall listen …”] The point of this passage is not to point to “good” magic to defeat the evil magic. God points away from all personal occult practices. He is pointing to the coming Final Prophet who speaks for God—Jesus!
But Christians may forget about the Final Prophet and get distracted by pretend “dark magic” such as found in books and stories. So what kinds of actual spells do we often cast?
1. ‘Health and wealth’ prosperity spells
Of the many magic spells Christians try to cast, this one is probably the worst. It’s also the most developed magic system among professing Christians. Here’s a basic overview of it...
(Excerpt) Read more at speculativefaith.com ...
I’ve known of a few American Indian preachers in New Mexico and Oklahoma who also are versed in Indian magic, and are often called upon to exorcise spells and break hexes from Indian sorcers and skinwalkers.
It probably does no particular harm, except that when it doesn’t work one might question one’s faith. I also think that prayer comes from a reference in Chronicles, which is not exactly a main event part of the Old Testament. Even in Orthodox Jewish tradition Chronicles is treated as “divinely inspired” writing, as opposed to “The Word of God” in much of the rest of the OT. And just because something “worked” for Jabez in this story doesn’t mean it works for Joe Schmoe in Tulsa.
It probably does no particular harm, except that when it doesn’t work one might question one’s faith. I also think that prayer comes from a reference in Chronicles, which is not exactly a main event part of the Old Testament. Even in Orthodox Jewish tradition Chronicles is treated as “divinely inspired” writing, as opposed to “The Word of God” in much of the rest of the OT. And just because something “worked” for Jabez in this story doesn’t mean it works for Joe Schmoe in Tulsa.
I disagree with this author on a few points. God’s Word absolutely describes His rewards to those who walk in His paths, follow His commandments. Both in Old and New Testaments there are thousands of such promises. Just not the ones for new house, new BMW and gorgeous-model wife.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” - one example, twisted WAY wrong - forgetting the first part and just wanting the second. James warns against this.
Like another poster said - God also Absolutely provided the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort and instruct us.
This guy is a little too smart by half on some of his points.
“It’s too bad no one ever thought to collect the things Jesus said and the writings of his apostles into a book.”
I wonder where someone would find such a Book? :)
the main points with the movie War Room are the biblical power of intercessory prayer - “The prayers of a righteous man availeth much” and the spiritual authority we have in Christ - “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Last Sunday’s sermon was precisely about this subject, with emphasis on the wealth prosperity con. The people leading these efforts should be ashamed, but most likely won’t — at least on earth.
Beware! Another 95% truthful commentary with a little Luciferian diversion thrown in, to wit: “Some Christians, often without intention, drift into assumptions that the Holy Spirit “whispers” to us or guides our choices in some hidden way, if only we would take the time and practice to listen to him.”
If you actually read the Bible, several times, you will find that the only times people, e.g. King David, got into trouble was when they didn’t ask YHWH if what they were planning to do was the correct thing to do. Joshua followed YHWH’s instructions on the destruction of Jericho to the letter, but then decided he could handle Ai on his own (Joshua 7). Not a smart move.
The disciples cast lots to pick Judas’ successor (Acts 1:20:26). Everybody gets messages from the Holy Spirit, whether in dreams, trances, or out of the blue.
The source of the “drift into assumptions that the Holy Spirit “whispers” to us”, can be found in 1 Kings 19:
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand †on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and †a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that †he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.
16 “Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
17 “It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
18 “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Nelson, Thomas. Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 353). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Walking with Elohim is a wonderful thing, so don’t let some Sadducee try to take your joy away!
yes, the conflation of the sacred and the profane
yes, the conflation of the sacred and the profane
I’m guilty of that one!! I heard you’re supposed to bury St. Joseph upside down in front of your house. But facing the house, or facing the street? Depends on who you ask. So, being a “motivated seller,” I buried two, one facing forward, one back. This must have confused old St. Joe.
My house was on the market for over 2 years! LOL.
Excellent Article, Thank you for posting!
One thing that the author seemed to leave out is the origin of the “Bubble Magic”.
It is from Hosea, when God plants a hedge around Gomer to protect her from committing adultery.
The “hedge” is also mentioned in The “Song of the Vineyard” in Isaiah 5.
Well-meaning Christians have extended this “Hedge” into this kind of “Bubble” that they invoke around people, nations, and things, to protect them.
Yet, Jesus says in Luke 15, that if one sheep strays, the shepherd will go out after it, and rejoice when it is found.
The Good Shepherd does not expect all of his sheep to stay within the “hedge”. He leaves the “Hedge” and seeks after His own.
I am neither a scholar nor a Theologian, but I know a superstition when I see one! The sad thing is when the superstition is presented with an out-of-context Bible Verse, and therefore sounds holy.
Yes. I agree with you there.
However, I have actually seen Christians interrupt conversation, and claim they are getting a “Transmission” from The Holy Spirit. Then they hold a one-sided conversation right in front of you, nod their head in agreement, and then turn around and tell YOU what the “Holy Spirit’ said.
And THAT is not Scriptural.
We donate to this Bible printing ministry which seems to be on the up-and-up, although a small outfit. They do get the Word out, all over the world.
http://www.mountpisgahprinting.com/
Apparently, He’s a lot closer to them than He is to me. :>)
LOL...
I have actually see people adopt a trance-like stance when receiving a “Transmission”, and (God Forgive Me!) all I could think of was “Third Rock From the Sun”, when French Stewart was getting a message from “The Big Giant Head”.
Am I going to hell for that thought? :-)
And don’t forget that most futile of magic spells, where pulling a lever in a voting booth can advance the plans of the Messiah.
I wouldn’t call them magic spells, but I would call them a lack of real faith and understanding of our Creator.
Too many people think God is the candy man and they can call on Him to do things for them.
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