What is the difference between the occult and the true prophetic word and other
gifts of the Holy Spirit? I would like to give you some scriptures so you will
see what the word of God has to say. In Daniel 1:9 The true prophetic brings
you into favor and good (except for extremely religious people - they will
persecute you, even as they did in Jesus' day.) Daniel says if they do not
speak according to God's word, there is no light in them. All true prophetic
word must always be in agreement with what the Bible has to say.
Here are Webster's definition of the various occult practices.
Divination
- counterfeit of prophecy. Obtaining secret knowledge.
Gen. 44:5 Is not this the cup from which my Lord drinks and with which he indeed
practices divination? That was the practice of Pharaoh, the ungodly Egyptian
King.
Num 22:7 He departed with the diviners fee.
Divination was a way of making money. Although we want to bless the true prophet
with a love offering just as you would an Evangelist or guest minister, the
giving of a prophetic is free. The Bible states, "Freely you have received,
freely give."
Acts 16:16 is the story of a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination
who brought her masters much gain. Again, the principle purpose was to make
money. The principle purpose of prophecy is to "exhort, edify and build up
people, especially the body of Christ". Notice the slave girl was possessed
with a spirit, not the Holy Spirit.
Magicians/ Magic -Workers of wonders beyond human powers.
Witchcraft - The use of magical powers, sorcery.
Witch- One who uses magical powers and engages in sorcery.
Ex 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Deut 18:10-12,14-15 There shall not be found among you ... that uses divination
(the art of foretelling the future through crystal balls, tarot cards, etc.),
or an observer of times (horoscopes), or an enchanter (one who casts spells),
or a witch, or a charmer (an act or formula believed to have magical powers),
or a consulter with familiar spirits (seeking information, advice or conferring
with evil spirits), or a wizard (male witch) or a necromancer (consulting the
spirits of the dead. These are not really spirits of the dead, they are demonic
spirits). For all that do these things are an abomination (detestable) unto the
Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out
from before you. For these nations, which you shall possess, harkened unto
observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for you, the Lord your God has
not suffered you so to do. The Lord your God will raise up unto you a Prophet
from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me; unto him you shall
hearken.
11 2Chron 33:1,2,6,11-13 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and
he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the
Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out
before the children of Israel. Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire
in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft
and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the
sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. Therefore the Lord brought upon
them the captains of the army of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound
him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now he was in
affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before
the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard
his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then
Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
Gal 5:16,19-23 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust
of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousness, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissentions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you
beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such
things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control. Against such there is no law.
The word of God cannot be clearer on these issues. Also included is the Ouiji
Board - which is very demonic.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is where we should go for our direction. I believe one of the
main reasons the world is turning to these occult practices is because the Holy
Spirit is not recognized in the church and given his rightful place in the
services of Christian gatherings. Many Pastors themselves do not have a true
understanding and revelation of who the Holy Spirit is and therefore cannot
lead their congregation to know Him. It is not an indictment against the
Pastors for many of them are doing a wonderful work based on the knowledge they
do have. But how can you teach, encourage and bring forth the power of the Holy
Spirit when your denomination does not emphasize the Holy Spirit and gifts?
The Father is the heart of God.
Jesus is the body of God.
The Holy Spirit is the voice of God.
When the early church was birthed, after waiting 10 days in the upper room, the
first thing that happened is that the Holy Spirit fell. We need the power of
the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, and in the church. In Acts 2, when the Holy
Spirit fell there was a drunkenness that came upon those converts and they
began to speak in tongues and magnify the Lord.
Peter was immediately empowered with such boldness, he preached and 3,000 souls
were saved with that one sermon! That's the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot
neglect Him and expect miracles to happen. We must welcome Him, move in the
gifts and in the fruits; then we will turn multitudes to the Lord just as the
early church did.
In Gen 1:1, in the beginning of creation, it was the spirit of God that hovered
and created. All throughout scripture the Holy Spirit is mentioned. The last
chapter of Revelations speaks of the Spirit and the bride joining together to
ask Jesus to come back.
The Holy Spirit has many attributes.
He is our comforter.
The Holy Spirit is our peace.
The Holy Spirit leads and guides us.
The Holy Spirit opens up the truth of the word to us.
He always points us to Jesus.
There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit and directions on how to flow properly
in the gifts in I Cor 12 and 14.
There are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit in Gal 5:22-25.
The gift we will focus on is the gift of prophecy, the word of wisdom and the
word of knowledge. These are called the vocal gifts. It is through these three
gifts that the Lord speaks to people, through the Holy Spirit.
Prophets are both male and female. They are mentioned both in the old and new
testaments. Almost all the books of both the old and new testaments were
written by prophets.
God never did away with prophecy. Prophets have operated since Adam and will
continue to speak until the Lord returns. At that time prophecy will be done
away because we will have the King Jesus himself to speak to us.
Num 11:25 The spirit of the Lord came upon men and they prophesied.
Miriam, the sister of Moses was a prophetess (female prophet).
Deborah, the Ruler and Judge of Israel was a prophetess.
Anna in the New Testament was a prophetess, as were the Evangelist Phillip's
daughters.
Prophets was ordained by God. Jer 1:5 I ordained you a prophet.
Prophets cannot just decide that they are a prophet. This is a special calling
that only the Lord himself can give.
However, I Cor 12 says you can all prophesy one by one that all may be edified
and built up. We all can move in a prophetic anointing, but the office
of a prophet is a call of God. They will be more precise, give direction, have
an authority in the spirit that is recognizable.
Jesus himself had to receive the power of the Holy Spirit as a man here on earth
before he began his miracles. He is our example.
How do you receive power to heal the sick, prophesy and move in the gifts of
the Holy Spirit?
It starts just like in the book of Acts. You must be born again, baptized in
water and receive the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of speaking in
tongues. Then you begin your marvelous journey of excitement with the Holy
Spirit as your guide.
The Holy Spirit helps you pray more effectively. The Bible says when you don't
know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays the perfect prayer. When we pray in
tongues, we build ourselves up in the most holy faith.
As you spend time praying, seeking the Lord, perhaps fasting some, and
surrounding yourself with people who are excited about the things of God, you
will find yourself beginning to tune in to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes a
scripture will be illuminated to you and you just know that scripture is the
answer to the problem you are facing. Sometimes the answer may come through a
dream or vision. At other times the Lord will impression your spirit with
thoughts and ideas and your answer will come. He has many ways and avenues to
speak to us.
The purpose of the prophetic is to edify, build up and encourage people.
Generally it will be to the body of Christ, but sometimes the Holy Spirit will
impress you with a thought or word to someone you do not know. If you will be
willing to risk and step out they will be touched and you will be blessed.
Most prophetic words will be encouragement, but as you mature and grow, the Lord
will give you more specific things to share.
Getting acquainted with the Holy Spirit, cultivating His presence in your life
and learning to flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the answer to the
occult. People will begin to come to the body of Christ with their questions,
problems, and desires. And we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will have
the answers for them.
