The word of GOD prohibits HIS children and followers from engaging in any form of occultism and related activity. Magic, use of charms, witchcraft, soothsaying, fortune telling, spell casting, necromancy, séances etc are forbidden by The LORD. Nowadays, the world is drowning in the world of ‘sanitized’ witchcraft. This is pushed down our throats especially in the entertainment industry using beautiful colors, pretty stars and tunes, princesses, castles, enchantments, magic kingdoms, romantic stories and artificial beauty. Through the media and tv shows, the occult is promoted and the parents don’t know where to start in stopping the infiltration of the occult. Here is a good place to start, tell the child that GOD does not permit witchcraft and Harry Potter and crew are not from the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST. Be prepared for the repercussions. Further, be wary of shows like game of thrones sent to steal your soul subtly. I wonder how you will get it back except by the mercy of GOD.
But parents, on the other hand, why not start early with these things? Draw the lines early, don’t wait for the tree to be bent then you start trying to adjust it. It will be difficult. The bible says train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. There is nothing beautiful and attractive in the occult. This is an area run by the angels who were thrown out of heaven and their agents. Their end is sure and terrible. They will be judged and destroyed. Have nothing to do with the works of darkness but rather reprove them.
We come across a man called Balaam who used sorcery and who was a soothsayer. The man simply put was what we call a witchdoctor or a sorcerer and a rather high ranking one. He was hired by people to curse others. In this particular case, he was hired by a king, Balak, to curse Israel.
The thing about this occurrence recorded in the Bible is that when Balak went to Balaam and told him to curse Israel who he(Balak) dreaded, GOD HIMSELF also went to Balaam and told him not to go and not to curse the children of Israel because they are blessed. Joshua 22:12.
Eventually, Balaam after persuasion from Balak went. Balaam disregarded the visit from The MOST HIGH and accompanied people whom The LORD had clearly and specifically told him not to accompany. The LORD was not happy with this, Numbers 22;22, and this resulted in the case of the talking donkey. Despite the stubbornness of Balaam, GOD used him to bless the Israelites and to even prophecy the coming of the MESSIAH. Numbers 24:17. Perhaps this was his life-long assignment and that is why The LORD spared him. However, this Balaam continued in his rebellion and sin until he died later in Joshua 13;22, he died a soothsayer.
This Balaam should have been a great intercessor. He had the ear of GOD and The LORD was not far from him. But alas, he perverted the gift GOD had given him and instead of praying for people and blessing them, he was a hired gun, cursing people. Beloved, are you like that? Which gift from The LORD have you perverted? Repent or face the wrath of The LORD. If you do not stop, you will die in your rebellion and sin and join the masters of darkness in their fiery doom.
Beloved, what would you do if the LORD came and told you not to do a certain thing or to go to a certain place?
Beloved, why do we engage in this push and pull with The LORD, when we know in the end HE shall have HIS way?
The LORD is highly exalted and highly lifted up. HE would like us to work with HIM without contention as is witnessed in this narration. We claim that if the LORD were to personally visit us and give us direct instructions we would comply without hesitation, but it is evident that this may not be the case.
The instructions of God are clearly written down and explained in the Bible and in the real life events narrated therein. Why is it so difficult to abide by them and carry out these commandments?
What was Balaam’s problem? What is our problem?
i. We are our own gods. We are not fully submitted to The LORD. We say let YOUR will be done and then go ahead and do our own will.
ii. Balaam , just like you, had friends who were not friends of GOD and later in spite of the presence of GOD in his life, he followed his friends and their ways. The Bible warns that bad company corrupt good morals. Birds of a feather walk together. Beloved, it is highly likely that whatever your friends and acquaintances are doing, you will do. An example is this, the moment you go to specific sites, the internet is programmed to locate and bring out more of such sites and related contents to fill your search field. They know this and use this. Beloved, stop walking with wicked people and have nothing to do with their influences. Stop interaction with and support of wickedness. How can you support athletes who have tattoos ? How will you explain to your child that GOD does not permit tattoos when you call yourself a super fan of athletes and actors with things GOD does not permit? How will you tell people GOD does not permit use of the occult when you have occultic clothing and other paraphernalia in your possession? Stop fooling yourself and us. Pick a side.
iii. Balaam thought he could operate the two kingdoms at once. The kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of GOD. He thought he could be in the kingdom of light and darkness at the same time. Beloved, he couldn’t, and neither can you. Choose one. You cannot be a pastor and an occultist. The occult will win. So, be hot and or be cold.
iv. Balaam liked cursing people and he was known for cursing people. That is why his services were sought at any price. The bible warns us about cursing people. Psalm 109:17-20. Be careful with the words you utter. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Bless if you want to be blessed, curse if you want to be cursed. If you can’t bless, please keep your mouth shut.
v. Balaam knew the wishes of GOD but went against them anyway. Just like we do. We know GOD has said, don’t do this, but we just go ahead and do it anyway. HE has said do this and we do exactly the opposite. Beloved, The LORD is patient but one day your sins will catch up with you and it might be too late.
vi. Balaam was cruel. He beat the donkey without second thoughts. Beloved, we are to care for animals especially the ones under our care. People who are cruel to animals more often than not tend to be cruel to people too. Balaam could have used the reins to maneuvered the donkey back on the road. Even the angel of The LORD asked him why he had struck the donkey three times. Beloved, GOD cares for animals and provides for them. Be careful how you treat them.
vii. Balaam was angry and stubborn. Have you ever noticed that these two traits are related. Check it out. Are you hardhearted, stubborn, stiff- necked? Do you fly into rages? Ask the LORD to change you and give you a soft heart, a malleable heart otherwise you will lose everything and drown in the Red sea of relentless pursuit against GOD, ask pharaoh.
Beloved, Moses and Balaam had great contact with The MOST HIGH. Unlike Moses, Balaam died with the wrath of GOD on him. Moses used his closeness with GOD to intercede and to stand in the gap for the people of GOD towards the fulfillment of GOD’s plans but Balaam did the opposite. In the end they both reaped their rewards, one to glory , one to destruction.
In this day and era, some of us The LORD is near, very near despite the human flaws. Purpose to work with The LORD and not against HIM. Purpose to be part of HIS plan and not against HIM. Purpose to stop contending with The LORD. You can’t win. HE is The LORD and HE will have His way whether you work with HIM or not. Say, mean and do what Joshua said and meant “ As for me and my house, we will serve The LORD”. Beloved, it is worth it and worth your while.
Because we Beloved, the scripture informs us, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Do you want to know JESUS as your personal Lord and Savior? Your eternity is at stake! JESUS has opened the door of salvation to every person. But there is coming a day when the door will be closed. Today is the day of salvation. Choose to be in the family of GOD. JESUS died so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. Don't delay! And if you want to begin a relationship with GOD or resume a broken one, say this: O GOD, I come to YOU today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS died on the cross to save me and HE resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR . I invite JESUS into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank YOU JESUS for saving me and making me a child of GOD. Amen
