Perverted Christianity, How Do YOU Score? Introduction

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As more and more Christians succumb to embracing heretical or false teachings and teachers, it becomes apparent many do so for lack of knowledge. Ignorance is not bliss. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:11 "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." One cannot reconcile the Scriptures to enter into occult practices.

Ephesians 5:9-11 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

To reprove is to not only have no fellowship with, but to show why something is wrong. Reprove: "...find fault with; blame...reprove, rebuke=criticize or blame someone for a fault. Reprove suggests expressing disapproval or blame directly to the person at fault...with the purpose or hope of correcting the fault..." [Dictionary of Canadian English]

Our very witness depends on being uncorrupt in what we say we believe and what we do. Titus 2:1, 7-8 "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

1 Corinthians 3: 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The following is a compilation of selected occult practices which many claiming to belong to Jesus Christ have become involved in. The root of anything brings us into the Biblical concept of determining whether something is of God. This is not about legalism or being brought into bondage but rather attempting to point out that the god of this world has set snares to hinder and cause Christians to stumble. We're to avoid the lure of this world and the things of the flesh. Some things listed, such as massage, are merely mentioned to bring attention to the fact that occult thought "can" be behind it's use by non-Christians.

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

By taking part in, for example, yoga, there is allowance for people to think that it is ok. It matters not that a person might say "I don't embrace the religious aspect"---you cannot eliminate that the purpose for the exercises is idol/false god worship.

Many are involved in the various occult practices while trying to escape a pain or physical ailment that God has chosen to allow in their lives. To embrace those things is to be Biblically disobedient. By indulging in these practices, unknowingly, Christians reveal their unbelief in the power of the Lord, and/or His willingness to help them. Or, maybe they do not quite trust His ways, which may not be their desires.

Desperation causes desperate actions instead of standing still and quietly trusting. Hard? Absolutely. It may strain every nerve and muscle and cause spiritual pain. But, what else is there but God through Christ to help us in times of trouble? The sentence of death that should be in us is there for a reason.....to not trust in ourselves, but in the God of resurrection.

It would be more Biblically obedient to allow "a thorn in the flesh" than to be involved in what is clearly of the occult. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Our lives were promised to be filled with tests and trials so that we might come out as gold. How we handle those trials is the test of our faith and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. See: Persecution Free Christianity and Be Strong in the Lord.

Exercise: 1 Timothy 4:8,9,12 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation... 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

You cannot Christianize an occult root. Either the root is in Christ or the root is evil--another Biblical concept not to be tampered with or rationalized away.

Update: Regarding "Natural Health" versus all that God created for our use. God said in Genesis 1:29

We believe in God's 'natural' versus the occult "Natural." God gave fruit and herbs and animals, etc. for our use as food. As Christians we need to exercise common sense and utilize foods as healthy as possible, that is, without chemicals where possible and additives and so on. Much that is packaged today is merely what many grew and utilized in their own gardens, recognizing that what God made was good. The concept of dealing with disease is introduced in the Old Testament about cleanliness, dealing with/preventing infections, leprosy and so on. Obviously we're not foolish enough to leave someone with a broken limb without help. According to Scriptural truth, Luke was a physician. We are not against taking care of one's health. However, one must be aware that much that is called "Natural Health" is "alternative medicine." We would agree with the basics of Natural health.

According to one website, "Natural health is the term used to define health that is achieved through the organic, regenerative process of the body and those methods that are used to facilitate that regeneration. Natural health is used to differentiate from conventional medicine or allopathic medicine....Natural health is about personal empowerment, taking responsibility for one's own well being, rather than rushing to a doctor for every symptom and pain. Using natural remedies and the body's miraculous ability to self-heal...Natural health puts the emphasis on preventive health maintenance. The prevention of disease should be primary and knowledge and information about how to maintain the health and strength of the body is a primary goal of natural health. Knowledge of diet, exercise, nutritional supplements and stress reduction are essential to practicing natural health...associated with healthy eating: lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains; maintaining optimum health with appropriate use of herbs, vitamins and supplements; utilizing non-drug and non-invasive medical procedures except for critical care and, of course, regular exercise...Modalities such as chiropractic, massage and acupuncture are often associated with natural healing, as are naturopathy, yoga, Chinese medicine and many, many others. You can learn about all of them at Natural HealthLink..." [Alternative Medicine >www.alternativemedicinelink.com/natural_health/natural_health.htm]

One wrote:"... Using herbs, essential oils, homeopathy, magnets, and all sorts of things are not wrong. Picking apart their founders isn't going to help. If you begin that line of thinking then you'll just have to not breathe anymore either because our weather, our environment all around us is being manipulated by those whose roots are in the occult..."

We're to be aware of the snares and deceptions and not be a part of them. We are also aware that pharmaceutical companies and the health care system are an avenue that must be examined and understood, for their purpose in many cases lies in profit and the occult. We have written briefly about the history of pharmaceuticals, which began as 'magic', in the article "Talismans & Masters of the Name"

The Scriptures say, "...neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." It doesn't say it can bring forth some good fruit--it says - nothing- from it will be good--no matter how we might wish to perceive it. We're to compare the spiritual to the spiritual and find the root.

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen. All Scripture King James Version unless otherwise stated.

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