In this day and age many Christians don't bother to test the spirits and fall prey to all sorts of false teaching.  If believers took the time to weigh and examine what's being taught, false prophets couldn't deceive them.  "The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly" (Proverbs 15:14 - NIV).

Discernment is so lacking in the Church that a large number of Christians are dabbling in mystical practices. In a word, paganism.  They may be dabbling just for the fun of it but that excuse won't wash with God.  In Deuteronomy 18:9-12 He says, "When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no-one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 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."

Could He be any clearer than this?  He despises sorcery!
 
Millions of Christians ignore God's warning.  Instead of taking Him at His word, they demand to know what's so wrong with holistic health remedies, astrology, holding séances, contacting spirit guides or angels, and altered consciousness.  "People who do these things are an abomination to God."  So, if you don't mind being an abomination to God, feel free to sit in on a séance.

Christians must come to understand that God made them and He owns them. The parameters He's set for His people to live by are for their ultimate good. God makes no bones about sorcery.  It's a health hazard! 

Here's why it's unhealthy.  The occultic arts are part of Satan's strategy of evil tricks and deception, designed to lead humans astray. The Bible teaches that Satan and his demons (fallen angels) are real beings that exist in the spirit realm.  These beings are out to destroy the human race.  Which is why Paul warned believers to "Put on the full Armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Eph. 6:10, 11). 

The unprotected Christian falls prey to deception, which is why we must have a thorough understanding of the New Age movement.  Today it is commonly called New Age Spirituality (NAS).  Whatever you call it, it's the modern day equivalent of sorcery.  NAS is deeply ingrained in our culture.  It has also made inroads into the Church.

Defining NAS is difficult because it is both eclectic and diverse.  There's no hierarchy, no membership, no specific doctrine and no dogma.  New Age followers believe that they are "one with the universe and a part of God."  Because mankind is ignorant of their divine nature, personal enlightenment during mystical experiences will bring them out of their ignorance into a total awareness of their divinity.  Higher consciousness can be achieved through the help of so-called angels, spirit guides, psychics, and through meditation, yoga, drugs, and other Eastern religious practices.

One of the most distinctive beliefs of the New Age movement is monism--the belief that all of reality is essentially one. Hence, everything that exists is part of a single organic whole. Since all is essentially one, no difference exists between good and evil.

Continued on next page...

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