In Luke 21:8 Jesus says, "Take heed that you be not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, I AM, and, the time is at hand. DO NOT GO AFTER THEM". Many do not know of God's repeated warnings not to follow dangerous religious groups with their wrong interpretation and teachings from the Bible. Matt. 24:11 says "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many". Verses 23-25 say "If anyone says to you, behold, here is the Christ, or there he is, DO NOT BELIEVE HIM, for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders so as to mislead if possible, even the elect. BEHOLD, I HAVE TOLD YOU IN ADVANCE" (emphasis mine). We should then heed the warnings and be able to identify a cult in order to save both ourselves and to show others how they may gain and hold onto Eternal Life. To Christians I would counsel that you resolve to make your church a more loving community towards its members and to all who visit. If you don’t make them feel welcome and show them the love of God, you are contibuting to their succumbing to the false ‘gospels’ of the cults. You should personally involve yourself with those in your fellowship. Try to encourage your church to help the poor, the sick, the lonely, the underprivileged and the unemployed. These people are particularly at risk and in their need are potential cult victims. Even your children are at risk; help them to know how to recognize a cult and to understand how they operate. You will thereby guard them and others from the menace - and the bondage - of the cults. A Word about the Occult At this point it is perhaps wise to spend a little time to ensure that one does not confuse the ‘cults’ we are dealing with and the ‘occult’. The word ‘occult’ is defined in most dictionaries as "involving anything that is:- (b) esoteric (meaning only for the initiated, secret, private, confidential) (c) recondite (obscure to most, or little known) (d) mysterious (e) beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or human understanding (f) involving the supernatural - phenomena or influences (g) mystical and veiled (h) magical". Many would see the occult as nothing more than a delusion and fraud, indulged in by simple-minded tricksters seeking nothing more than material gain. This attitude, no doubt, has resulted from the stage presentations of magicians and conjurors who employ simple sleight-of-hand. The phenomena resulting from practicing in the occult is too well-documented and researched to be dismissed as illusory or imaginary. What may initially appear as harmless fun, has become devastating and horrific for many who dabble in the occult. In the 1950 - 1960's an Australian, using the stage-name ‘Franquin’, became known throughout the world for his amazing ability to hypnotize people who would perform all sorts of bizarre feats. He gave up his stage work when he realized how damaging and detrimental to the health of his ‘subjects’ his powers were proving to be! Occult phenomena and secret religions are the definitely the "in-thing" in the world today. New Age stores with their own practicing astrologers, palm and tarot card readers are becoming commonplace in most city and suburban shopping centres. Here in Australia there is an ever-increasing tide of occult ‘filth’ being foisted upon us, particularly via the film, media and periodical magazine industries. Even so-called respectable corporate organizations are promoting the occult with their use of occult and astrology symbols. The occult holds a tremendous fascination for the uninformed. However, those who have Jesus Christ as Lord, and who understand and adhere to the Christian standards of living, have little problem with the occult because they live in harmony with their Maker's Instructions. Those who are outside of Christ are so often devoid of true peace and happiness, they are easily seduced and deceived by the offers of the occult to meet and fill these needs. Because the occult appears to offer a way in which one can change one's circumstances or situation by manipulating or changing the environment, the unwary are easily deceived. Another reason people become ensnared is because there is always an element of mystery involved with any branch of the occult. An ‘element of mystery’ can often have its own appeal, and this can tend to lure the unwary into the occult. Mysterious phenomena can appear to validate what is being promoted. Without Christ one may feel he has no identity or sense of belonging. This is where the occult seems to again fill the need; by providing the seeking individual with a means of identification in a world of ever increasing anonymity (after all, in our modern societies we are all just ‘numbers’ on a computer!). Do not be fooled by those who would have you believe that there is a difference between ‘black magic’ and ‘white magic’, or ‘black witches’ and ‘white witches’. Some will tell you that ‘black witches’ practice magic for their own purposes, in order to gain for themselves, whereas a ‘white witch’ practices magic only to help others. This may be so, but manipulation of the individual is still the goal. The only difference between the two is profit! Once a person is ensnared and deceived by the occult, that person is soon involved in religious-type activities or rituals. These are invariably based on certain beliefs, which includes an ‘official organized priesthood’ or leadership. In some groups, the unashamed acknowledged source of their help is none other than ‘Lucifer’ (whom the Christian knows is simply another name for Satan the Devil) with their roots buried deep in paganism. The occult, therefore, is without doubt, used by Satan to confuse and to replace that which God offers mankind freely. Remember, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching ... for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Remember the warning also given in 1 Tim. 4:1 - "The Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons". The occult is dangerous and can kill you, if not in this life, then most assuredly cause you to miss out on the next! ~Copyright Mandate Ministries 1997~  |
