1 Cor. 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Tag: Abominable

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 6 – Sorcery/Witchcraft

Good morning, Reader! It’s a cold sunny day and I love how the sun’s warmth through a window disguises the actual temperature outside. It IS deceiving and one may go outside without a jacket only to turn right around to put one on! This may be a simple analogy of deception but it gets the point across. It appears to be nice but it’s actually not! As we look at today’s sin, we see that it is one that will send a person to Hell and the Lake of Fire. This sin is full of deception. It’s disguised as “good” but it will deceive even Christians!

The definition of sorcerers in the Old Testament is what one would think it means:

H3784
כָּשַׁף
kâshaph
kaw-shaf’
A primitive root; properly to whisper a spell, that is, to inchant or practise magic: – sorcerer, (use) witch (-craft).

The word “sorcerers” appears only twice in the New Testament: Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15. The Greek word used for sorcerers here is not necessarily dealing with only witchcraft and sorcery. It is the Greek word “pharmakeus.” It actually means something a little different:

G5332
φαρμακεύς
pharmakeus
far-mak-yoos’
From φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug, that is, spell giving potion); a druggist (“pharmacist”) or poisoner, that is, (by extension) a magician: – sorcerer.

Pharmakeus is where the English word “pharmacy” comes from. I find it interesting that it is used only twice in the New Testament and both times it is found in the Book of Revelation; this Book reveals the end times! We have seen drugs destroy lives of users and those closest to them. Witchcraft uses drugs in its casting of spells, etc. These things are not from the Lord, Reader. We can also see scientists who delve into areas that are demonic – such as doing a surgery on a person to change their gender! It takes drugs to make the transition and definitely falls into this category! God condemns this, witchcraft and sorcery and always has. Have you heard of the “principle of first mentions” in the Bible?

The law (or principle or rule) of first mention is a guideline that some people use for studying Scripture. The law of first mention says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage. The reasoning is that the Bible’s first mention of a concept is the simplest and clearest presentation; doctrines are then more fully developed on that foundation. So, to fully understand an important and complex theological concept, Bible students are advised to start with its “first mention.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/law-of-first-mention.html

The first time witchcraft is mentioned in the Bible is in 1 Samuel 15:23. Saul’s repeated disobedience to God’s commands progressively worsened throughout his reign. When he disobeyed God, his reaction was to put the blame on others. The prophet and priest, Samuel, told Saul:

1 Sam 15:22-23  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (23)  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The sin of witchcraft is rebellion against God, plain and simple. Just what does witchcraft involve? There are many categories to witchcraft: off the bat, I can think of tarot cards and fortune telling, communicating with the dead, casting spells, etc. But there are also nuances of these that have crept into society of which we must be leery, especially as born-again believers. Those popular today involve teachings from New Age, Paganism, Native American and Middle Eastern Indian cultures. Adopting their teachings to Christianity is no worse than adopting false doctrine into our churches. Catholicism says it’s OK to worship Mary and kiss her feet. However, Matthew 4:9-10 and Revelation 22:8 say that we are to worship the Lord God only, and that includes bowing to Him.

One of the up and coming things that “Christians” are partaking in is something called smudging. It is done to “purify” a house to remove bad energy or evil spirits from it. One takes a smudge stick (made up of a bundle of herbs like sage, cedar, etc.) and lights it with a candle. Then the person moves around the entire house waiving it in the air ritually cleansing the house to remove negative “energy.” The person moves clockwise and then exits the door and extinguishes to stick. This is paganism and Christians should have no part of it. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that the Lord keeps us from evil so why do we need smudging? He keeps us from all harm and watches over the believer’s comings and goings FOREVER. (Psalm 121:7-8)

The devil is a liar and the father of lies! (John 8:44) He will deceive the world into thinking that God does not have power here on earth but that he (the devil) does! You may not think of it in those terms but heeding to this type of “spiritualism” is not of God. You are doubting God’s ability to take care of you. The devil has no power over believers and we should not be delving into areas that are pagan in nature. We cannot be a light to the world if we are doing the same things they are doing! Now I’m not saying that it is wrong for us to pray over every area of our homes. We should be dedicating our homes to the Lord and asking His blessings upon it. We should be praying for His protection over anything evil that is innocently brought into the home and asking His guidance to open our eyes to remove it. But, Friend, we are not to expose our homes and families to pagan rituals! Be careful and ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance into anything that will “open” you, your home or family to evil influences. A believer cannot be possessed by the devil because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. But the devil can and will deceive you. That is his main priority! It started in the Garden of Eden and continues today! (Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, Mark 13:6) Don’t be one of them. He will deceive even more in the end times and will deceive even the born-again believers. (Matt 24:24)

Do your research, Reader! My sister delved into transcendental meditation and recited the mantras taught to her. She experienced demonic visions which scared her to death! She immediately stopped! She was not born-again and opened herself up to much evil influences in doing so. Be careful not to adopt Eastern religious doctrines like yoga. Yoga is a spiritual practice that is connected to the worship of Hindu gods. However, in the West, it has been used in exercise and to help manage stress. Christians cannot “tweak” yoga in order to make it more spiritual.

Yoga revolves around “self first” and Christianity is all about God and self last. There are churches that have “holy yoga” and they have “Christianized” it but they are mimicking a false religion! Why would they want to do this!! When we are born-again, we receive and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. We have direct communication with God! So why do we need to practice some form of pagan ritual in order to get closer to God? You are already close to God because you are a child of God and a member of His family once you are saved! (Eph. 1:5, Eph. 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 1:21-22, Rom. 8:9, 2 Tim. 2:19) God is the One who renews us day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). We don’t need any form of ritual to do that for us! But you can only claim this if you are born again!

God made it perfectly clear that Israel should not bring in practices from nations they conquered. He said this because He wanted to protect them from this very thing!

Deut 18:9-14  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.  (10)  There 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,  (11)  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  (12)  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.  (13)  Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.  (14)  For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Smudging has nothing to do with burning a candle or diffusing to make your home smell nice. Smudging goes deeper than that. The purpose of smudging is to remove negative energy/forces. This is totally based on pagan rituals. A Christian should do research before trying something new. We have so much knowledge at our fingertips but our Bibles should be our first stop in our research. Then if you don’t find what you’re looking for, do a quick search on the internet. Wikipedia gives a great description of smudging here. I have a friend with whom I’ve been sharing the Lord whose sister does smudging. The stories she tells me are creepy and this has forced me to study this matter out so I can be a light to my friend. Don’t be deceived Christian!

There are so many more types of sorcery that Christians should stay away from but this post would go on and on! But the best counsel I can give believers is to do your research before you try something new or that is popular within your circle of friends. Just because they do it doesn’t mean it’s right. To you who are reading this post and have not receive Christ as your Saviour, please know that this sin is directly related to Satan and he will do everything he can to cause you to think it’s of God. It is NOT!

With God, 99% obedience is 100% disobedience! Gary Hamrick

I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 4 – Murderers

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader. I hope you find this series insightful! I’m not trying to judge anyone but to shed some light on what God’s Word has to say. It is Jesus who will do the judging. (2 Cor. 5:10) It is not my place to judge you; however, I can look at a person’s life and see whether their actions are of God or of the god of this world.

I can almost “hear” what some of you are thinking about today’s sin that will keep one out of Heaven. Of COURSE murderers won’t be in Heaven. But is murder necessarily only applicable to the taking of life as written on police reports?

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the definition is a bit more in depth:

  1. The act of unlawfully killing a human being with premeditated malice, by a person of sound mind. To constitute murder in law, the person killing another must be of sound mind or in possession of his reason, and the act must be done with malice prepense, aforethought or premeditated; but malice may be implied, as well as express.
  2. An outcry, when life is in danger.

You may say that you have never murdered anyone but Jesus took it one step further. Being a Christian is more than just the putting away of actual sin from one’s life. It involves the intents of the heart! For example, When Jesus said:

Mat 5:21-22  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  (22)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

1 Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Take notice of the intent of the heart in the above verses. Although the last verse is about adultery, it brings the point home. There is a lot of hate today – liberal Christians against conservative Christians, the political left against the political right, etc. Hatred is evidenced in the streets of America as the media encourages this hatred! You see and hear the devil’s influence loud and clear!

What Jesus is saying here is that if you entertain the thought of sin in your mind, you have already committed the sin in your heart. Jesus was all about the condition of the heart. You may not speak a single sinful word in your entire life, but if you entertained sin in your heart, you are guilty of that sin nonetheless; in fact, you are guilty of committing ALL the sins according to James 2:10! If you do not speak out to those who actually do those sins, you are guilty as well. You cannot be silent, Friend. Silence is interpreted as being in agreement with that sin. Silence, when it involves sin, makes you just as guilty.

Eze 33:8  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Do you really want that person’s blood on your hands? Let’s look at the murderous act of abortion. According to National Institute of Health, a baby’s heart begins to beat and pump blood at the end of four weeks of gestation in the mother’s womb. Let’s forget about whether or not abortion is legal or whether or not you agree that abortion is murder. Let’s look at the scientific facts about the formation of that fetus. The Bible says:

Lev 17:11a  For the life of the flesh is in the blood:

The Bible says that once that fetus’ heart begins to pump blood, the fetus is alive because life is in the blood. Forget what man says. Man’s heart is evil but God will have the last word when it comes to this topic. You can say that abortion is not evil but God says otherwise. It is not those pro-abortion people who will stand up for you at the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. You will be accountable for your words and your actions (or lack of them), not the pro-abortion people.

Jer 17:9-10  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  (10)  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Just because something is lawful does not mean that it is right! Ignorance on your part doesn’t have any weight when judgment day comes. You may say that you wouldn’t personally have an abortion; but if you voted to legalize abortion because you feel it’s a woman’s body and she should be able to choose an abortion, you have become guilty of that very murder. What you’ve done in secret will be made public and what you’ve done in the dark will be brought to light when you come before God at judgment.

Luk 12:2-3  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  (3)  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

It doesn’t matter in the least what the government or Supreme Court say is legal. It doesn’t matter what your friends say. What matters is what the Supreme Lord God Almighty says on a matter. He didn’t leave us ignorant, Friend. He has left us the Bible so we can learn what His will is for us. There is no excuse in the world that will keep a person out of Hell when that person has had access to the Bible his entire life! No spouse, no parent, no Priest, no Rabbi, or no Pastor will be responsible for you going to Hell. Yes, they may have swayed your beliefs, but in the end, the responsibility will fall solely on you. It’s no one’s fault but your own if you don’t read the Bible.

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Just because you agree with a certain philosophy doesn’t mean it’s correct. God has put a desire in man’s heart to know Him. What you do with that is up to you! The Apostle Paul laid it out clearly when he wrote the Book of Romans.

Rom 1:18-22  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  (21)  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God writes His law on the heart of man; this is called a conscience. Friend, the world may agree on abortion being the “right of women,” but what is important is what God says in His Word. Murder is forgivable – Jesus shed His own blood – He gave His own life for you so you could be forgiven of that sin. But one sin is unforgivable and that is rejecting the gift He died to give to you. (Matthew 12:31) Rejecting the Bible, God’s Word, is blaspheming the Holy Spirit, who wrote the contents of the Bible as He moved through those men who penned it.

(2 Peter 1:21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(Joh 14:17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(Joh 17:17)  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

(Mar 3:28-29)  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: (29)  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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