Forbidden Practices

WHAT IS A FORBIDDEN PRACTICE?

A forbidden practice is something that is an abomination to the Lord. This means Gods hates these things and does not want His children to have any thing to do with them. God tells us very clearly nine things that He hates. "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. here 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 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. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).

God wants us to stay away from these things, not because He wants to control us, or deprive us of anything, but because He loves us, and knows these things are very dangerous. He wants us to stay away from these things regardless of what form they are in. For example, these occult practices may be the theme of a game, or a movie, or a book. If any of these themes are in something, do yourself a big favor, avoid it.

Looking closer at the: NINE FORBIDDEN PRACTICES

These things are forbidden because they are used to take the place of God's guidance:

1). THAT MAKETH HIS SON OR HIS DAUGHTER TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE - human sacrifice, or in modern terms, an abortion. (Lev. 18:21, 2 Kings 16:3, 17:17, 21:6, 23:10. 2 Chron. 33:6, Jer. 32:35). No one is ever to kill another human being. A baby not born yet is just as alive as you and me because God also created and formed this life.

2). DIVINATION - the practice or art of discovering hidden knowledge and foretelling future events by occult supernatural means. Fortune-teller or psychic. (2 Kings 17:17, Jer. 27:8-9, Acts 16:16-24). Never go to a psychic or fortune-teller for any reason. God is the creator of the universe and He alone only knows your future.

Beware of: Psychics, foretune tellers, Ouiji board, crystal ball, tarot cards, tea leaf reading, etc.

3). OBSERVER OF TIMES - same as astrology or stargazing. It is another form of divination. It is a person who looks to the stars for guidance. (Isa. 47:12-15, Jer. 10:2, Dan.1:20, 5:7,11,15). We should beware of horoscopes or anything that takes the place of God's direction. God is our guidance, not His creation. Horoscopes may appear to be harmless, but they become addictive. Reading horoscopes are another form of accepting and honoring occult practices that God has clearly condemned. They are written by people who believe in astrology and are disobeying God.

Beware of: Astrology, horoscopes, numerology, palm readers, etc.

4). ENCHANTER - A magician; or sorcerer. One who casts spells; or bewitches. (2 Kings 17:17, Jer. 27:9). Avoid anything that has to do with magic. Remember, it doesn't matter if it appears good, magic is something God has forbidden.

Beware of: Yoga, meditation, guided imagery, mantras, hypnotism, altered state of consciousness, holistic health; etc.

5).WITCH - a person who practices magic. One who deals with demonic spirits. They practice black or white magic (Exo. 22:18, 2 Chron. 33:6, 1 Sam. 15:23, Gal. 5:19-21). There is no such thing as good (white) magic. Both come from Satan.

Beware of: magic, Wicca, goddess worship, casting spells, seances, herbalist; etc.

6). CHARMER -- to put a spell upon someone; to change things by the use of magic; the chanting of a magical verse or formula. (Isa. 19:3) An object or piece of jewelry used for magical purposes.

Beware of: occult symbols, crystals, dream catchers, talisman, amulets, New Age positive thinking and confession; etc.

7). CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS- to ask, demand, desire of an evil or demon spirit. (2 Kings 21:6, 2 Chron. 33:6, Isa. 19:3).

Beware of: Channeling, mediums, automatic writing, Ouija boards, space brothers (a false Jesus), ascended masters, spiritism, seances, invisible spirit friends; etc

The Bible says to test all spirits: (see 1 John 4:1-3)

8). WIZARD - a person who know many things about the occult and is in touch with the spirit world (evil spirits or demons). A male witch, a sorcerer, or magician; one who uses magic to have control over another person; also someone who uses magic to change nature (2 Kings 17:17, 21:6, 2 Chron. 33:6, Isa. 19:3).

Beware of: Visualization, astral travel, mantras, clairvoyance, shaman, Kabala, handbooks on witches and spell casting; etc.

9). NECROMANCER - Contact is believed to be made with those who have died for the purpose of magical or fortune-telling purposes. (1 Sam. 1-25, Isa. 8:19, 1 Chron. 10:13-14). Contact in reality is not made with dead people but are demonic spirits who pretend they are the dead relative or friend etc.

Beware of: Channeling, spiritism, mediums, ouija board, seances, voodoo; etc.