Divination And The Doctrine Of Christ
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe desire to know the future and influence its events, has shown itself in all nations and ages. But when this idea is thoroughly researched, it becomes clear that a knowledge of the future does not lie within the scope of man’s natural powers (Deuteronomy 18:17-22; cf. Jeremiah 14:14-15). Divination has always been an attempt to gain the help of beings possessing knowledge and power transcending those of man. (cf. Daniel 2:1-13). In all its forms, divination is but an aspect of polytheism (many gods) and is condemned by God (cf. Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-14). In 1 Samuel 15:23, note the word “witchcraft” [divination] being associated with “rebellion.”
The ancient practice of divination, enjoys a tremendous revival in our day, and “gullible” women (and men) (2 Timothy 3:6), spend hours reading its ambiguous literature.
As Isaiah foretold the destruction of wicked Babylon, he chided God’s people for trusting in sorceries, saying:
“Stand now with your enchantments And the multitude of your sorceries, In which you have labored from your youth — Perhaps you will be able to profit, Perhaps you will prevail. You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators Stand up and save you From these things that shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be warmed by, Nor a fire to sit before!” (Isaiah 47:12-14).
As a footnote to the word “astrologers” found in Isaiah 47:13 ASV, the American Standard Version of 1901 records, “dividers of the heavens.” This is a direct reference to the arrangement of the zodiac, with its “houses.”
The current fascination with astrology does not mean that its devotees are seriously and consciously seeking the message of other gods — in the sense that ancient men believed in “gods” — for our society is far too atheistic for that. The paganism of our day is not the philosophical seeking after other gods that it was in the first century (Acts 17:23) — although deluded members of various “orders” pay lip service to so-called sources of “enlightenment” which their borrowed symbolism is supposed to reveal.
But in all of this “seeking,” we see evidence of a generation which has no real chart or compass (cf. Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 10:23). For some Christians, true objective faith in Jehovah God, as revealed in Jesus Christ and set forth by the Holy Spirit in inspired Writ (2 Timothy 3:15-16), is no longer regarded as valid or sufficient. They grope for a firm foundation, but end up grasping at straws (cf. Luke 6:46-49). The sad aspect in all of this, is that the folks who are supposed to “know God,” are taking part in the same vain search.
In Colossians 2:8-10 Paul issues a warning to Christians adhering to any man-made philosophy, traditions of men, and rudiments [elements] of the world (including astrology and divination). Any doctrine that is not Christ-centered is false doctrine, and will ultimately captivate men, leading them astray.
As faithful followers of Christ, let us heed Paul’s warning, the implication being that we not heed any man-made doctrines, for we “are complete [fully furnished] in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10 cf. Colossians 4:12; 2 Peter 1:3).
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