Should I read my horoscope?

Monday, while on a trip to a tourist town full of little shops, Bev and I wandered into one that was very different. As soon as we stepped through the door, I 'felt' the spiritual atmosphere change. An oppressive darkness, a chill even, settled over me. We stepped into a shop selling various occult items, books of incantations, and alternative religious artifacts. This wasn't just a store peddling Halloween stuff, which is what it looked like from the street. It was a serious outpost of spiritual darkness and occult practices. My spirit reacted to the darkness there with strong revulsion. When we walked back onto the street, I remarked to Bev, "Thank God for Jesus Christ and His power over the darkness!"

Many people would smile at that opening paragraph, thinking that I am just a superstitious man who needs to outgrow his fears. "Come on, Jerry," you might even be thinking, "this is the 21st century. It's time to get over the idea that witches and pagans have real power. It's all just fun." I beg to differ. Dabbling in occult practices from astrology, to consulting mediums, to outright witchcraft is a forbidden practice for those who are followers of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the Lord told His people, "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." (Leviticus 20:6, NIV) In the New Testament, Paul warned that "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1, NIV)

There is nothing to be gained from dabbling in alternative spirituality! As Believers, we are given the Holy Spirit who promised to guide us, to be with us, to empower us, and to keep us secure in the love of God. Occult practices may appear to offer many of the same benefits, but those who dabble in them find themselves enslaved. It's not all just fantasy, fun, and games. The Bible treats the issue of evil as real, presents Satan and his dark forces as real and powerful, and directs us to 'walk in the Light.' That being true, we also know this: we need not fear Satan or powers of darkness. Those who live 'in Christ' and who walk intimately with the Spirit have 'overcome the world' and all the powers of darkness.

Don't dabble! Instead, walk with God, exclusively devoted to Him. Let the Spirit own your love. Trust Him with the future. And I hope He will develop your spiritual sensitivity so that when Evil is present, you will know it for what it is, and turn to the safe embrace of Jesus Christ who loves you completely.

Here's a word from the Word. Let it guide you today.
"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:12-14, NIV)