29 September Leviticus 20

Always consult God

Leviticus 20:6-7 (NIV) “‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people. 7 “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God”.

This reflects the Ephesian church’s dramatic rejection of magic and occult materials. Their hearts were turned to God, so they automatically turned away from mediums and familiar spirits.

Acts 19:17-20 (AMP) “This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified and exalted. Many of those who had become believers were coming, confessing and disclosing their [former sinful] practices. And many of those who had practiced magical arts collected their books and [throwing book after book on the pile] began burning them in front of everyone. They calculated their value and found it to be [a]50,000 pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] was growing greatly and prevailing”.

God warns the Israelites in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (NIV) “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nation’s there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

Using magic or talking to spirits is a way of turning away from God. It means looking for help from other powers instead of trusting God. God doesn't want his people to do these things because he wants them to be holy and rely only on Him.

Saul, struggled to love, obey, and trust God. In fact, his disobedience led to God removing his kingdom. 1 Samuel 28:3 (AMP) “Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and the spiritists (soothsayers) from the land”. Saul’s final curse delivered in 1 Samuel 28:16-19 (AMP) Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has left you and has become your enemy? The Lord has done [to you] just as He said through me [when I was with you]; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbour, to David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will also put Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me [among the dead]. Indeed, the Lord will put the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

Saul dies: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV) “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse”. Be careful of fortune-tellers: Isaiah 8:19-20 (ERV) The people will say, “Go to the fortune-tellers and wizards who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do.” But I say, “Shouldn’t people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?” You should follow the teachings and the agreement. I swear, if you follow those other things, there is no future for you”.

The Holy Spirit can come into your heart, help heal, renew you, and set you free. This starts by believing in Jesus Christ, trusting in God's word, and rejecting any use of magic or other practices to know God. However, repentance must be sincere and based on God's kindness and mercy. Proverbs 16:3 (ERV) “Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful”.

In conclusion, the Bible consistently teaches that seeking guidance or power through mediums, magic, or occult practices leads us away from God. From the warnings in Leviticus and Deuteronomy to the examples of Saul’s downfall, turning to these practices is unfaithful. Instead, we are called to trust in God alone, consecrate ourselves to Him, and rely on His guidance. The powerful transformation in the Ephesian church shows that when we truly turn to God, we naturally reject these evil practices and experience renewal through the Holy Spirit. By trusting in God, following His Word, and repenting sincerely, we can find freedom and live a life dedicated to Him. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, when we turn to the Lord for help in all we do, He will lead us to success.