By Gavin Boyle
America is at an influx point in its spiritual health as the majority of Americans believe in a spiritual world, but turn to the occult to fill this curiosity rather than Christ.
“Some Christians have acted as guard dogs who growl threateningly at people who get off the right path. But with God’s help, we can act more as guides – helpfully pointing them back to truth in Jesus,” explained Faith for the Curious author Mark Matlock.
This approach is extremely important to take as 82% of American adults have expressed a belief in the spiritual world, per Barna. Unfortunately, Satan has twisted this belief into the occult, rather than the understanding that there are forces of good and evil which surround us every day without our knowledge.
Related: Ex-Psychic Warns Against Being ‘Led Astray’ By Occult Elements
More than 50% of the spiritually curious have used a horoscope, and one in five have played with a Ouija board. The truth is that engaging with practices like these can reveal the power of the spiritual world but only demonic forces engage in this way, leading people astray from the Lord. In recent years, many people who were formerly part of the occult and have since become Christians have shared just how powerful these demonic forces can be when allowed to enter someone’s life.
“Many people are going [to psychics and other tools] because they think it’s entertainment, but I want to argue something,” said former psychic JenNizza. “As a former psychic, how sure are we that they don’t believe a little bit? How do we know that, when they go for a reading, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I wonder what they’re going to say or what’s gonna come out for me in the cards or the astrology chart?’”
“Whether you believe or not and you’re just doing it [or it is] for entertainment, you’re opening a demonic door, which is so heartbreaking,” she continued. “That’s the truth of it. If you’re going to use a tool of divination, you’re going outside of God’s boundaries.”
Do you believe in the supernatural realm?
God has made it clear through his word the fate of those who practice witchcraft and wizardry.
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifice their 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,” God says in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
Thus, Christians can and should acknowledge that the spiritual world is real and is powerful, but we should not engage with it outside of the Lord’s will – which is that we lean on the Holy Spirit, ask him to fill our lives and work through us for good. Meanwhile, while many Americans have been led astray to trust in demonic spirits, America’s rising interest in the spiritual world is ultimately an opportunity for Christians to spread the Gospel as they discuss how the spiritual world plays into the Christian life.
Moreover, Halloween is the time of the year people think about the spiritual world the most, and Christians should not miss this opportunity to engage in conversations about this world in a God-honoring way.
Read Next: Is Occultism on the Rise in America?
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