« Home | My Baptism » | Loud » | My World » | Sorrow » | Getting out of the Comfort Zone » | If only God was a Pilot, there would be more belie... » | You know me? » | Is it the looks or the heart that matters? » | Jesus vs Parents » | Witnesses »

Fortune Telling

A friend has recently asked for my views on fortune telling in life as a Christian. These are my thoughts after reading the following passage from Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 (New International Version)

Detestable Practices

9
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [a] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

There are a number of things to get out of this passage:

(1) It is not a rule
What to get out of this is not to interpret it as a "rule" of Christian living. Christians are not about living with rules locking down your life. In fact, as Christians, we are freed from our sinful life so we may be free to live a life that God intended us to live, that is, to follow Christ rather than follow evil.

(2) These things exist
God speaks and acknowledges that these things exist. So there may be wonderful statistics or stunning testimonies where it has worked, because even God, the ultimate creator endorse that such things exist. But ...

(3) God finds it detestable
Rather than to read this as a "rule", remember to read this as what God likes and dislikes (ie what He intends our lives to be, rather than evil). He sees things outlined in the passage above to be detestable, including fortune telling (interpret omens). He finds it is filthy in our lives. It is activities that God does not endorse at all.

(4) Where is the source from
If God does not endorse it, it means it does not come from God. Naturally, that means it comes from Satan, to lure us away from a Holy and Godly life, so we can fall back into sin. The fact that people experience the real power of fortune-telling does not mean it is Holy and Godly. There are many things that are happening around us that is real: people do anything for money, people lust, people have affairs, people cheat. These, amongst other things, are all real.

The question you have to ask is, is that what God really want in our lives?

God wants us to be Holy. He has paid a high price by getting his beloved son to die for us in our place for our sins so we could live the way God intends us people to live. We should avoid what is sinful.

(5) Trust and Faith
One may say that fortune telling just means they'll be able to plan a smoother life, and avoid the bumps in life. I'm not hurting anyone, that's not too bad, it is not like fortune telling is doing something illegal.

The question that needs to be asked is this: Who do you trust in your life when you have decided to become a Christian? Do you trust God, who you have declared your faith, and submitted your life so you belong to Jesus? or trusting earthly (evil) sources to dictate how your life should be?

As Christians, we live by faith. We have to trust God is the one and only who, through our Lord Jesus Christ, will lead us. He is our Father in Heaven. We are told in the gospels fathers do not feed stones to their children. He will have everything good in store for us. For sure. All we need is steadfast faith in God.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has always planned for us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

That is what Christian living is all about. It's not about having a carefree life. It is about trusting God in leading your life, and letting him steer your life to bring what is good for you.

Are you saying that everything the is not endorsed by God comes from Satan?

Is it possible that you are giving Satan too much credit?

I think, anything that is not endorsed by God, or is pleasing to God, or is according to God’s Will……is not of God.

Anything not of God, may also be from outside/external or self interests, other or worldly influences, temptations or our unreasonable ambitions in life.

I believe, taking ownership and personal responsibility is one of the ways and spiritually mature approaches. With the Holy Spirit indwelling within us, hopefully we have enough self control at these times, and the encouragement to seek God for assistance and guidance.

I recall my BSF leader said in class a few weeks ago, At all times, when Satan knocks, let God open the door. Reason being, is not to put ourselves in sinful situations, people or environments that will, or purposely test or tempt us, or that will likely to cause us, or even others to stumble.

Stumbling occurs when we sin or the people we are with, ultimately sees or witnesses, and thus unknowingly may deem it to be acceptable behaviour, or because they see you doing it, may lessen the impact or level of unacceptable ness and will inadvertently follow. All this, without ourselves being aware of our behaviour. Self awareness and professional judgement is important, because at all times, Christians are leaders, meaning to lead people to Christ, not lead people to sin.

If our behaviours do not correlate our teachings, then mixed messages and confusion may be sent on others. And therefore the onus will be on another Christian brother or sister to correct the biblical principle and behaviour at a later date; and undo the stumbling message. I recognize, it’s a lot of pressure to be perfect, and through fellowship, we are transforming to be better and making improvements in the image and likeness of Christ, until we see God and Jesus in Heaven, for everyone the hour and day unknown…….

Post a Comment