Introduction

The face of the occult that is presented to the public is a countenance full of light: "'The Light Within"; "The Cosmic Mind; "Nirvana"; "Heaven", and so on. Upon close examination, however, this false front only serves to illuminate the dark side of the occult: satanism, animal sacrifice, demonic possession, bondage, terror and fear. Occult practitioners today declare that we are embarking on a new adventurer a New Age of peace and light. We have entered the Age of Aquarius, they say, and will experience an overflowing of love. Out of the old Piscine Era of the dead theology of Judeo- Christianity, we march boldly into a new era of universal brotherhood and global peace.

What is the occult? What does the Bible have to say about it? How can a person recognize false teachers? How can one keep from being deceived? This is a study guide that will help answer these questions from the Holy Bible, God's only infallible revelation to man.

A. What is the occult? Occult means "hidden" and is used to describe groups that claim hidden knowledge, mysterious, esoteric, relating to supernatural (not Christian) agencies and/or magic (bait on satan's hook - see picture).

B. Modern occult practices include: Witchcraft, psychic phenomena, superstition, luck, trance channeling (seances, mediums), ouija boards, ESP, ghosts, vampires, monsters, false cults, spiritism, astrology, fortune telling, mind-expanding drugs, satanic cults, transcendental meditation, palmistry, I Ching, crystal healing, est, mind control, scientology, etc. (not a complete listing).

C. Based on A and B, name some popular TV shows, movies, magazines, or music groups that involve the occult:

 

I. The Occult Forbidden:

(Note: all scriptures are quoted from the King James Bible. Suggestion: print this out so that you can write down the answers BEFORE you look at the answer key!)

A. List some occult practices forbidden by God in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and Leviticus 19:26, 28, 31:

(Necromancy is calling forth and consulting the spirits of the dead; also called spiritism; consulting a medium, trans-channeling, or conducting seances. Enchantments mean magic, omens, witchcraft, sorcery or wizardry. Observing times is predicting events by horoscopes (astrology), signs or lucky days.)

B. What are the dangers of practicing occultism?

1. Leviticus 19:31: We will be______________________(made spiritually unclean).

2. Jeremiah 27: 9- 10: We will prophesy ______, we will be driven from the _______, we will _______.

3. Zechariah 10:2: The idols have spoken _________ (emptiness, falsity, and futility), the diviners have seen a ________, the dreamers have told ________ ________, their comfort is ________.

C. What is the end result of those who practice the occult?
  1. Deuteronomy 18:12:
  2. Leviticus 20:6:
  3. Galatians 5:19-21:

II. The Occult is Deceptive:

A. Can Satan perform miracles? _____ (see Exodus 7:10-12, 21-22; 8:6-7, 17-19; Revelation 13:13-15)

B. 2 Corinthians 4:4: The "______ of this world has ________ the minds of them which ___________ ____ in Christ."

C. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15: God says that false teachers and prophets may SEEM to be ___________ of Christ and ministers of ___________________. Satan can transform himself into an _________ ___ _____. Who gives false teachers their power? _________

D. What did Jesus say that Satan is trying to do to the "elect of God"? (Matthew 24:24) ____them.

E. Why did the Lord slay Saul? (1 Samuel 28:7-10; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14) ________________________________

 

F. Why did Ahaziah, King of Samaria, die? (II Kings 1:1-4)

G. How valuable is astrology (a horoscope) as a guide to daily life and conduct? (Isaiah 47:9-15)

 III. The Occult Defeated:

A. Preparing for Battle:

  1. Ephesians 6:12: It is not a physical battle. We wrestle against principalities, against ______, against the __________of ________ of this world, against ____________ _____________ in high places.
  2. II Corinthians 10:3-5: Our weapons are not physical (carnal), but are ___________ through God to the pulling down of _______________, casting down __________ and every high thing that ________ itself against the ____________ of God, and bringing every thought to the ____________ of Christ.
  3. We first must examine our own hearts, and prepare our minds for action (I Peter 1:3).

a. Why is this so important? (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:34)

  1. What are some of the things in our hearts that would defeat us? God already knows the secrets of our hearts (Psalms 44:21), and will reveal them to us by the Spirit (I Corinthians 14:25) and through the Word (Hebrews 4:12). Take your time with this section and allow the Lord to speak to you concerning:

Psalm 139:23-24:

Jeremiah 17:9:

Matthew 13:15:

Matthew 15:19:

Matthew 18:35:

Mark 11:23:

Acts 8:21-23:

John 5:42:

James 4:8:

Romans 1:21:

Ask God to purify your heart by faith of any unclean thing you find there (Acts 15:29; I John 1:9).
  1. We must confess and renounce specifically any occult practice we've had a part in, saying, "Lord, I have sinned against you by __________________________________________________________(Ephesians 4:27; 5:6, 71 11).
  2. Renounce Satan and his works in your life, commanding him to depart in the Name of Jesus and to trouble you no more. Close access of your mind and soul to Satan as a deliberate act of your will. (See Matthew 12:43-45 to see what may happen if you don't take this step.)
  1. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill every area of your spirit, soul, and body. (Ephesians 6:18)
  2. Burn or destroy any occult books or false teachings you may own, astrology, horoscopes, oriental or pagan religious objects, idols, buddhas, tikki masks, magic charms, etc. (Acts 19:18-20; II Kings 23:4-25).

 B. Put on Your Spiritual Armor (Ephesians 6:10-17):

The Girdle - or Belt - of ________: a clear understanding of God's Word; one of the most important pieces of equipment because everything else is fastened to it.

The Breastplate of _______________ to protect the heart; first of all, we put on Jesus, who is our Righteousness; also indicates our active obedience to the Word of God.

Boots of the preparation of the ____________ of ___________: a faithful ministry heralding the World of God; also, peace of mind from depending on the promises of God, to give us a sure footing against anxiety, worry and tension.

The Shield of _________: a covering for the whole body. (In Roman times, it was approx. 2' X 4'). Our complete safety under the blood of Calvary. There no power of the enemy can penetrate.

The Helmet of __________________: the hope of salvation is the only helmet that is able to protect the mind in these days of turning from the truth.

C. Use Your Spiritual Weapons:

Revelation 12:11: the ______________ of Jesus.

Revelation 12:11: The ______________ of our _____________________.

Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 12:4: The _______ of God, or the ____________ of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 21:22; Matthew 17:24; and Mark 9:29: __________ and/or __________.

John 16:23; Mark 18:19, and Luke 10:17: The ___________ of ____________.

Now, go back to each of the above weapons and explain how you think each one of them should be used in spiritual warfare. Using a concordance or on-line search, try to find other scriptures to support your opinions.

D. Be familiar with Your Battlefields:

Battlefield # 1: The World:

Word Study: The World

In the Greek, the word world is cosmos. In the evil sense, it is the world order or system, beautifully arranged and organized to function without God, opposed to all that is true in Jesus Christ. It is composed of things not evil in themselves, but satan weaves them into a world order so he can take man's heart away from a true relationship with God, and center him on things which are temporal

Who has dominion or rule over this world? ________ (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Luke 4:6; Acts 26:17-18)

I John 5:15-17 tells us to ___________ not the world. The devil seeks to alienate our affections from God by the things of this world, which provoke the __________ of the _________, the ________ of the _______, and the __________ of _________. Can you love the world system and the Father at the same time? _________ (see also James 2:2-4)

What is the victory that overcomes the world? our ___________ (I John 5:4)

Romans 12:2 tells us not to be _____________ to this world, or not to let the world squeeze us into its mold, but to be ___________________ by the renewing of our minds through the Word of God.

What forces in the world should we be aware of that will spoil us or take us captive? (Colossians 2:8-9)

Battlefield # 2: The Flesh:

Word Study: The Flesh

In the Greek the word translated as flesh is sarx. This is our basic nature or the principle, which operates within us from the time we are born physically. It is in rebellion against God, it is self-centered, and wants its' own way. Though it cannot be eradicated, its' power to operate in the life of the Christian has been neutralized by our being united with Christ in His death. The flesh has no right to reign in the Christian's life, and its' power is broken. (Romans 6:1-14)

a. List the characteristics of the flesh found in Romans 8:5-9:

b. List the works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-21 and Mark 7:20-23:

c. List the principles of fighting the flesh found in Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13; and II Corinthians 10:4-5:

E. Know Your Enemy:

  1. List : his three titles:

    2. John 14:30:

    Ephesians 2:1-2:

    II Corinthians 4:3-4:
 
  • List the principles for fighting the devil found in:

    • James 1:7 and I Peter 5:8-9:

    Ephesians 4:27:

    I Thessalonians 5:22:

  • In I John 4:1 we are told to "try the spirits" to see if they are from God. Read the passage I John 4:1-5:5 and list as many ways as you can that we can discern false spirits:
    •

F. Your Battle Plan according to the Bible:

  1. Be strong in the _____________ and the power of ______ ________. (Ephesians 6:11)
  2. Put on the __________ ______________ of God and use your spiritual weapons. (Ephesians 6:11; Revelation 12:11; Ephesians 6:18; John 16:23)

    3.  

  3. Walk in the ______________. (Galatians 5:16)

    4.  

  4. Have ____________ in God. (Mark 11:20-24)

    5.  

  5. Claim the _______________!!!!! I (I John 4:4; 5:4)

    6.  

  6. Under each point in the above Strategy, write how YOU are going to put these scriptures into practice.
  7. How to do spiritual warfare on behalf of another:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "In the Name of Jesus: I come against the strongholds that satan has erected in the mind of _________________________ (name the person) and I cast down those strongholds and every high thing in ________________________'s mind that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. And I release _______________________'s mind to the obedience of Christ. I loose (him or her) to be reconciled to God. Father: I pray that you will send people across _________________________'s path that will minister to (him or her) and lead (him or her) to Jesus. Amen."

Pray a hedge of thorns around them: what will this cause to happen? (Job 1:10, Hosea 2:6-7)

 

IV. Questions and topics for further discussion:

What real harm is there in reading horoscopes "just for kicks", or in seeking healing, comfort or wisdom from occult sources?

Comment on this statement: "To be caught up in predicting the future is to avoid the opportunity of using the present time wisely".

How can we distinguish between the divine and the demonic in (1) miracles, and (2) doctrine?

Using the following criteria, evaluate a modern day "prophet" such as Jean Dixon:
  1. All of her prophecies must come true. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)
  2. Her prophecies must be given in the Name of the Lord: "Thus sayeth the Lord" not "I say". All of the Biblical prophets spoke in the Name of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5)
  1. Does she obtain information supernaturally, but not through the Spirit of God? (II Peter 1:21; Deuteronomy 29:29)
  2. Do his/her prophecies must line up with the Biblical purposes for prophecy?
    1. Do the prophecies bring you into obedience to God's Word (Deuteronomy 29:29)?
    2. Do the prophecies give testimony about Jesus (Revelation 19:10)?
  3. Does she use occult artifacts in receiving prophecies? (crystal balls or skulls, tarot cards, pentagrams, amulets, black candles, inverted Christian symbols such as upside-down or broken crosses, swastikas, magical writing or runes, etc.; Deuteronomy 18:19-12).
  4. If any or all of these tests are not met, then he/she is not a true prophet of God.. What were the Old Testament believers instructed to do with false prophets? (Deuteronomy 18:20; 13:5 - but I am NOT suggesting this solution!!!!!!!)

    5.  

    What are some of the teachings that the Bible labels as false?

1. Colossians 2:16-23:

      2. I Timothy 4:1-8:

    3. II Timothy 2:23-26:

    4. Titus 1:13-14:

    5. James 1:13:

    6. James 3:14-16:

    7. II Peter 2:1-3, 9-20:

    8. Revelation 13:4-6, 8, 12-18; Matthew 24:4-5, 24; Mark 13:5, i4, 21-22; Luke 17:23:

    9. Revelation 2:14, 20:

    10. Revelation 2:24:

    11. Revelation 4:17:

    12. Matthew 24:26-27; 25:13; Mark 13:32-35:

    13. Matthew 26:41-46:

    14. Revelation 18:23:

    15. Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 3:22-30; Mark 7:1-13:

    V. Life Application questions:

    Should a Christian try to "keep up with the Joneses"? Why or why not?

    There is a religion known as Hedonism that is described in Luke 12:19: "Take life easy: eat, drink; and be merry." Study advertisements you see in the media and try to find examples of this religion. Ex.: "You only go around once in life, and you got to grab for all the gusto you can." How do you think these advertisements subtly influence you in the wrong direction?

    Think about your favorite TV show or movie. Does it influence you to live a godly life or does it promote an ungodly lifestyle?

    Congratulations! You have finished the study about the Bible and the Occult! Now, a word of warning! Satan will try to come and steal what you have learned by bringing obstacles, oppression and fear in your path. Go back and put on your armor and review your battle plan! And rejoice in your victory in Jesus!

    It is my hope and prayer that this Bible Study brings guidance, direction and victory in your life. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at karleenp@earthlink.net or oldtimer@churchusa.com or write Karleen Page, PO Box 308, Christiansburg, VA 24073.

    All materials ©1998 Karleen E. Wickham Page, All Rights Reserved
    One copy may be printed for personal use only.

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