Paganistic Superstitions!

“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trust in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver and there is no breath in it.” (Habakkuk 2:18, 19 NIV)

Mention of idols and their worthlessness has been made before regarding the foolishness of men who trust in man-made objects as part of their religious beliefs. Paganism has always entreated people to believe in images and other objects made by the hands of men and in our time–made by machines for mass productions. The mass production is to make sure those promoting the value of the object make money, but the “thing” itself has no value and can do nothing on its own.

When we pray to “things” rather than to our Holy God, who is unseen by the visible eye, but lives in the hearts of every Believer, we negate faith in our Holy God–giving precedence to the “things” we can either hold in our hands, or gaze upon with our eyes. The statutes carved out of stone have no life in them; the beads and baubles strung upon review mirrors have no life in them; the images of Jesus and Mary have no life in them–they are artist’s perceptions of what Jesus and Mary “could have looked like” but no one knows for sure since there was no replication equipment available during the times in which they lived.

This is not an indictment against religious organizations who promote the use of things as part of their worship service--it is an acknowledgment that the things have no power–or value–and therefore should not take the place of having a relationship with God--who created the substance of all the things made. The real problem with the use of things is that people demonstrate a lack of faith in God without their use. God has come to the assistance of those who seek Him out of sincerity and He has used those “living, breathing beings” as messengers to speak to people, but He has never used anything that did not have life within it to do anything.

Now, some may argue that He used a desert full of dry bones to demonstrate His power and He did–not while they were dead and had no life, but He gave the dry bones life and He never told anyone to worship them, anymore than He told anyone to worship a thing. If we remember The Word–we would know that an entire family was destroyed because they had “hidden the detestable thing” in their tent–an idol used by the enemy to worship and God has said, we should worship “no graven image” or object. That is very clear. But because some insist on giving things power, their paganistic beliefs have led to all sorts of superstitions regarding things–broken mirrors, walking on cracks on a sidewalk, spilled salt, chicken bones, and ladders. I’m sure there are others, but these are things that come to mind. Notice–none of these things have ever had life in them or breathed on their own.

The very next verse of scripture in Habakkuk tells that the Lord is in His Holy Temple–one that we could not see for it resides in heaven, but through Jesus and the work on the cross–we are the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells–living and breathing in us.

We should not be afraid of “things” representing good or evil since they have no life, cannot breathe on their own, and they have no power to do anything. So–all the devil worshipers can worship their things and images, but those who profess belief in God should not be concerned about the images having any power because they have none. The real power of God lies within every heart of every person whose faith is in Him, not things!

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The Dead Have No Light to Shed!

“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instructions and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this Word, they have no light of dawn.” (Isaiah 8:19,20 NIV)

Consulting psychics through “whatever medium” they advertise is a waste of time and money. Why do people believe other people more than they believe God? Human nature has a tendency to only believe what they can see, touch, or smell–use of their five senses, but we have another avenue to journey through the guidance and direction of Holy Spirit who knows all things. And that is the problem for some–they think people know more than God and when they act on what they think, they ignore what is right before them–God’s Word.

Now, there may be some people who have been gifted with discernment and unfortunately, they choose to use God’s gift-given to promote Him, to promote them. We know that God’s gifts are without repentance–He won’t take them back once given, but we will suffer the consequences of our actions when we misuse or misrepresent Him and the gifts He has given.

When people “supposedly” consult those who are dead for any reason, we can tell they didn’t understand God’s Word because we are told, “the dead know nothing.”

At the same time, those who claim to be “seers” or capable of predicting the future are simply trying to bring glory and honor to themselves because if they could predict the future, they would be in a better position in life so they wouldn’t have to “fleece” people with their lies.

I’ve never understood anyone calling 800 numbers to speak to a psychic when they could open their Bible and consult God’s Word. I’ve never understood how anyone could have faith in “tea leaves” and any patterns they form when they settle in the bottom of a cup. I’ve never understood how the lines in a person’s hands or face could represent anything other than what they are–skin cell formations. And I certainly have never understood how “Tarot” cards could do anything, but perpetuate more nonsense in superstitious environments.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we must let go of all the darkness and dark things that keep us living in the light. The dead have no light to shed upon anyone or in any situation. The dead cannot speak, hear, see, or smell. They cannot advise us–who are yet living–about anything pertaining to life–lived in the light.

The truth of the matter is that some people would rather hold onto their superstitious traditions that to allow Holy Spirit to guide them. These are the people who do not know or understand how God the Father, came down to earth in the person of God the Son, and after being resurrected, sent His spirit back as God Holy Spirit so we would never be without wise counsel, comfort, and guidance in all things. It’s sad when unbelievers don’t understand this, but even sadder when Believers engage in superstitious nonsense–thinking the dead have any power. God’s not dead–He’s yet alive and He lives in the heart of every Born Again Believer who trusts Him.

So when I see people promoting “psychic” engagement to Believers–I know they are simply preying on human nature’s fallible need to have hope in something other than themselves. But God will have the last word in everyone’s life–judging their deeds based upon what their mouths confess. We cannot profess to Believe God and believe we can consult the dead or “psychics” about anything pertaining to holiness and righteous living. If we do, then we are truly living in darkness and not in the light of day.