Go! And… Renounce The Darkness: Following Christ In A World Of Spiritual Deception Series

Go! And… Renounce the Darkness: Following Christ in a World of Spiritual Deception

Key Texts: Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 20:1–5; Deuteronomy 17:2–7; Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 4:19; Jeremiah 10:2 (NLT)

Introduction: A Sobering Warning for Our Times

How many of you have noticed the rise in horoscopes, tarot cards, crystals, psychic readings, and even so-called “Christian astrology” in our culture? It’s everywhere: on TV, in apps, on TikTok, even in conversations at work. The world is fascinated by the spiritual—yet blinded to the truth of the Spirit of God.

This message is titled: “Go! And… Renounce the Darkness: Following Christ in a World of Spiritual Deception.”

We will explore God’s clear Word about idolatry, occult practices, and the spiritual dangers of turning from Him.

Why does this matter? Because Scripture tells us in Exodus 22:20 (NLT):

“Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.”

These are serious words—words that call us to examine what we worship, what we allow into our homes, and where our hearts truly bow.

1. God’s Jealous Love and the Call to Exclusive Worship

Exodus 22:20 (NLT): “Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.”

This verse comes from a section of Exodus where God was giving His covenant law to Israel. The word translated “destroyed” is the Hebrew word ?aram (?????)—meaning to utterly devote to destruction, to set apart for judgment. Why? Because worshipping other gods was a direct assault on the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.

Israel was surrounded by nations filled with idols, false gods, and demonic practices. To worship other gods was to reject the Lord as their King.

Today, we may not bow to Baal or Asherah poles, but we see idolatry in money, fame, self, and occult practices dressed in modern clothes. The principle remains: God demands exclusive worship.

Charles Stanley once said: “Obedience always brings blessing, and disobedience always brings conflict.”

Commentary: When we worship false gods—be they physical idols or the idols of the heart—we step outside of God’s protective order and invite chaos.

Imagine a marriage where one spouse keeps flirting with old lovers. How long would that covenant remain whole? God is the faithful Husband who calls His bride—the Church—to fidelity.

2. God’s Command Against Occult Practices

Leviticus 19:31 (NLT): “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.”

The Hebrew word for “mediums” here is ?ôb (????), meaning “necromancer” or “spiritist”—one who claims to contact the dead.

In Canaanite culture, divination and necromancy were common. God called His people to be holy and separate.

Leviticus 20:27 (NLT): “Men and women among you who act as mediums or who consult the spirits of the dead must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense.”

Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (NLT): “Do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft… Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

The occult is not a game. Horoscopes, Ouija boards, “manifestation rituals,” and so-called white magic all open doors to spiritual bondage.

John Piper wrote: “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light not to scare us, but to seduce us.”

Commentary: What seems harmless can enslave the soul.

A young man once told me he was “just experimenting with crystals” for peace. Months later, his nights were filled with torment and fear. Only after he surrendered those objects and trusted Christ did peace return.

3. The Gospel: Christ’s Victory Over Darkness

All the laws against idolatry and the occult show one thing: sin is deadly, and it separates us from a holy God. But there is good news!

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He lived the perfect life we could not live, died the death our sin deserved, and rose again triumphant.

Colossians 2:13–15 (NLT): “You were dead because of your sins… Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us… In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”

The Greek for “disarmed” here is apekdýomai (?pe?d??µa?)—to strip off, to completely remove power. On the cross, Jesus stripped the powers of darkness of their authority over those who trust in Him.

R.T. Kendall said: “When you know the blood of Jesus covers you, the devil has lost his case against you.”

Commentary: The Gospel is not just forgiveness; it is victory.

4. Our Response: Repent, Renounce, and Follow Jesus

Deuteronomy 17:2–7 (NLT) warns Israel to remove those who lead others into idolatry. In the New Covenant, we are not called to execute people, but to expose the works of darkness and turn from them (Ephesians 5:11).