January 29, 2023

Below are some real life examples of what people have believed and possibly followed through on:

• A guy who broke down in front of Philippians embassy thought it must be a sign to be a missionary there.
• A gal knew if she went to Israel she’d be riding a 747, she woke up one night, looked at her clock, and it said 7:47 so of course it must be a sign from God to go to Israel, right? She thought so.
• Another guy decided to let the Bible open to a verse and whatever he read he would do. He read Matthew 27:5: “And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.“

How many people live like this? Many times, I have read or seen easily how people think God spoke to them or if something happens or doesn’t happen, they think it is God’s will. Unfortunately, I have done this in my life:

When I was younger, I went to a fair with a friend. I don’t remember much except that there was a lady there who told people’s fortunes. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this as something made me not feel good about it (the Holy Spirit?) but I believe I went in with a friend. I was told by my friend it was all in fun. Anytime I pass a house that says, “Psychic Reading“, I am reminded of that day.

“He even made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying and interpreted omens,
and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much that was evil in the sight of Yahweh provoking Him to anger.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭21:6‬1

Another time, I remember being at a different friend’s home and after dinner, her family pulled out a Ouija Board. I remember them starting to play and when it was my turn, I said I didn’t feel comfortable doing it. Now, whether or not we continued the game, I don’t remember, but I do believe God gave me a sense of this not being good for me. (the Holy Spirit?) Today you can find Barbie ones in pink!

“‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19:31‬

I also remember playing with a Magic 8 ball. That was a common thing it seemed. I think they had little ones in some cereal, too, at one time. We’d ask questions and get the answer over and over again. I didn’t think anything of it until something happened at one point with it, and I believed it wasn’t good to do anymore. (the Holy Spirit?)

In the Sunday paper there would always be an astrology section that you could look see what would supposedly happen to you or what you need to do. I remember looking it up a couple times, and again, It was not something I felt comfortable doing. (the Holy Spirit?)

“and lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which Yahweh your God has apportioned for all the peoples under the whole heaven.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭

I remember going to school with a guy in 6th grade, and he was obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons, that it became his life, even during school. Around the same time, I watched a movie of a boy (Tom Hanks) becoming so addicted to the Dungeons and Dragons game, it became real to him so much so that he killed (at least) one of his friends.

Going on a rabbit trail here….

I do believe that games and movies have desensitized our culture as a whole. When I look at the killings that have happened in schools, you can see the people’s backgrounds and how, overall, they were loners who sat behind a game screen a good portion of their days.

One time a few years back, I was looking into information for people being on the spectrum, I found a page that talked about how the one commonality with autism spectrum was that they were geared toward spending the majority of their time behind the screen because it was their “comfort zone”. I could not agree with saying this is okay as it is not healthy. Spending so much time behind screens keeps people not knowing how to socially relate to others as well as more and more struggling with depression and anxiety.

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
‭Colossians‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭

When I was growing up, I remember watching a show based on a true story that actually happened behind the hill I lived. A son was able to kill his father by pretending he was just a target. Of course this wasn’t specifically a video game but it was enough training of his mind to believe something that wasn’t. To this day, I have chills over it.

The other night, when I was flipping through channels for something to watch, I turned to this show called, “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer“. I stopped for a little bit as it seemed interesting to me though within a minute or two of watching it, words came up such as, crystals, tarot cards, etc. Even though it looked innocent, I felt I could not keep watching it as I knew I wouldn’t want my daughter watching it either. And then I changed the channel.

There are movies out there that have caused some to question whether it’s God honoring or not such as Star Wars, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc. Personally, I have watched the original Star Wars series and even a new one or two but realized they were getting more and more dark so wouldn’t watch anymore and now that Disney has taken over, I am just fine not to give any more money by buying anything associated with them. That’s for another blog another time.

I have watched The Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do like the characters representing different things in the spiritual realm. I started watching Lord of the Rings and didn’t like the violence so stopped watching it. I watched some of the Harry Potter series finding it was actually enjoyable and even so much less violent than The Lord of the Rings.

I find it interesting that some people won’t watch anything with magic but because a Christian wrote The Chronicles or Narnia or Lord of the Rings, it is somehow okay. I find using this as a rule of thumb is somewhat scary as so many things can be stamped “Christian” that are so anti-Christ. I would like to sit down with these people and ask how it is okay to watch a movie by a Christian author that has magic in it yet not okay to view those that are written by non-Christian authors. I am curious as to the whys.

I digress….

Remember when the big thing people said to each other instead of “I will pray for you” was “sending good vibes”. I think people who are Christians may say the latter so as not to sound like a “Jesus Freak”? I refused to say it because what in the world can I send to that person? Absolutely nothing! I do NOT have that kind of power to send to people. No one does unless it comes through Jesus Christ, and I am pretty sure we are to let each other know we are praying for them, even if they aren’t Christians, instead of sending a “vibe” that does absolutely nothing.

Today there is a big “movement” out there with people who have been “trained’ to channel “healing energy” INTO another person. To my knowledge there is only One that can heal and yes God can use doctors and medicines to help heal people but I do not believe it is God at work “sending energy” from one person to another. So then who is at work? If not God, I am afraid it is our enemy. Would this be considered satanic? We need to remember that anything from the enemy is not going to look awful but instead look very appealing and pleasing to the eye and will be very popular to the world. He mimics the Lord.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:13-15‬ ‭

In all things we participate in, it very important for us to ask ourselves, “Does this please the Lord?” To know God’s will for our lives, we MUST be in His Word daily and ask for the Spirit to guide us moment by moment, day by day. We will hear God’s voice every time we open the Word of God, we may hear Him in a message or sermon if it is coming from God’s Word, not taking away or adding to it. Sometimes God can use dreams. This has happened to me which overall prompts me to pray, and He may show me what I am to do or I keep on praying for the person(s) He lays on my heart.

There are many things that easily draw us away from God but instead pulls us closer to the enemy. Many have been blinded so don’t see it sometimes because they have traveled so far from God little by little. One day without reading the Word leads to another day. One week without church leads to another week. And eventually you aren’t even praying anymore.

“For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and multiplying in the full knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Who rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:9-14‬ ‭

We must be on guard and aware of the enemy hidden in things of this world that may look innocent, fun, and even an emotional experience. It is so important for us to look around our home to see if there is anything dishonoring and get rid of it….books, movies, games, etc. Protect yourself and protect your family.

“Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8

Blessings,
Jennifer