Occult
<<mystical or magical powers>>
This includes any counterfeit religious or spiritual experience that doesn’t come from God. Often it involves a strong desire to obtain mysterious or secret knowledge about the unknown. False religions are closely linked to the occult, promising peace, power, knowledge and access to a ‘higher power’ but lead into darkness because the source is Satan and involvement exposes the person and their descendants to demonic influences and deception (Num 14:18).
Jesus is the only true way to connect to the supernatural (Jn 14:6). While God has revealed many things to the church for us to live by we are not to resort to other sources to try to gain enlightenment in hidden matters (Deut 29:29). When a person tries to function in the spiritual realm independently of God, they open themselves up to evil spiritual forces – demonic activity, oppression and possession.
Do not seek to obtain spiritual knowledge except through Jesus Christ, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, in the Bible, and through prayer. He reveals insights and guidance to those who are walking with Him and desire to do His will (Ps 25:14; Dan 2:28,29; Am 3:7; Mt 11:25, 16:17; 1 Cor 2:11).
Seek the right source of knowledge and power
The main branches of the occult are divination (which provides knowledge about people and events, often relating to the future), and sorcery (which uses various means to make an impact on the physical senses, usually with evil intent). The various practices include: consulting mediums, divination, psychic predictions, extrasensory perception (ESP), horoscopes (astrology), casting spells, Spiritism, fortune telling, wizards, witches and witchcraft, calling up the spirits of dead people, superstitions, séances, magic, crystal healing, hypnosis, Ouija boards, tarot cards, Wicca, lucky charms, free masonry, sorcery, New Age activities, martial arts and illicit drugs. These and similar practices, some of which are mentioned in Scripture, are to be avoided (Gen 41:8; Ex 22:18; Deut 18:10,11; Isa 47:13).
Satan’s deceptive, evil system turns people away from the one true God to false gods, bringing them into bondage to himself as they seek answers that the material realm doesn’t provide – having a desire for power over others, a fascination with the supernatural and wanting to know the future.
If you have been involved (even slightly) in any of the above practices rid yourself of its influence over you: confess it as sin to God, repent of participation in the occult practice, ask for divine forgiveness, cleansing and release, renounce the devil and his works, besides claiming the Bible promises (Lk 10:17; Jas 4:7,8; 1 Jn 3:8, 4:4). Deliverance from the bondage may be necessary. Besides submitting to the Lordship of Christ, destroy all objects and connections with the occult (Lev 19:31, 20:6; Deut 18:9-14; Act 19:19,20). Break off any relationships with those who continue in the occult.
See also: any of the above practices, cults, deception, deliverance, hypnosis, New Age, Spiritualism, repentance, renounce, witches/witchcraft.