DAIL TEXT, Today's Monday, July 5, 2021, Should dead people be used in favor of living people? (Is. 8:19).

DAIL TEXT, Today's Monday, July 5, 2021

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021

Monday, July 5, 2021

Should dead people be used in favor of living people? (Is. 8:19).

God's Word is like a sharp sword that counteracts Satan's lies (Eph. 6:17). For example, he makes it clear that the dead cannot communicate with the living (Ps. 146: 4). It also reminds us that Jehovah is the only one who can accurately predict the future. --Is. 45:21; 46:10. If we read it regularly and meditate on it, we will be prepared to reject and hate the lies of evil spirits. So let's not do anything that has to do with the occult. True Christians do not go to spirit mediums or try to communicate with the dead in any way. We do not participate in funeral customs that are based on the belief that the dead are still alive somewhere. And we also do not try to know the future by astrology or divination. We do not want to have anything to do with any of these or similar practices. We know that they are very dangerous and can put us in direct contact with Satan and demons. w19.04 21-22 pars. 8, 9

a) What is the occult? b) How much has the occult spread?

To deceive people, one of the main means that Satan and demons use is the occult. Those who practice it claim that they know or control things that other people cannot know or control. For example, some claim that they are able to predict the future through divination or astrology. Others may pretend they are talking to the dead. And there are those who practice witchcraft or magic, and may cast spells to cast a spell on other people. *

The occult is very widespread in the world. In a study that was conducted in 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, about a third of those surveyed believed in magic, witchcraft or sorcery, and almost the same number believed that it is possible to communicate with spirits. In another study, which was conducted in 18 countries in Africa, more than half of the respondents believed in witchcraft. Of course, no matter where we live, we cannot let our guard down, as Satan tries to deceive “the whole inhabited earth” (Rev. 12: 9).

How does Jehovah view the occult?

Jehovah is "the God of truth" (Ps. 31: 5). Therefore, he hates spiritism and all other types of occultism. He told the Israelites: “No one should be found in you who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, no one who uses divination, a practitioner of magic, or anyone who seeks omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with Hex or anyone who consults a spirit medium or professional event forecaster, or anyone who asks the dead. For everyone who does these things is something detestable to Jehovah ”(Deut. 18: 10-12). Christians are not required to obey the Law that Jehovah gave the Israelites. But we know that he continues to view the occult with the same eyes (Mal. 3: 6).

a) How does Satan use the occult to harm people? b) According to Ecclesiastes 9: 5, what state are the dead in?

Jehovah tells us to reject the occult because he knows that Satan uses it to harm people. For example, he uses it to spread lies, such as that the dead are still alive in the afterlife (read Ecclesiastes 9: 5). He also uses it to scare people away from God. His goal is for people to trust evil spirits and not Jehovah.

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