Wiccans In The House

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea noted that it is foolish and dangerous to claim to be a Christian while engaging in religious practices that run counter to the word of God.

Jeremiah 32:33-35 reveals the controversy of God against the people who have ignored His commands: "They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction. But they put their detestable things in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin."

What is it that we believe? What does our behavior say about our faith? What does it mean when a Christian consults a spiritist or a necromancer? What does it mean when a Christian engages in pagan rituals? God Himself has answered that question: it means that the person has turned his back to God. In other words, the person is telling God, "Kiss my behind. I don't need to behold Your glory. And I don't need to 'wait on the LORD': I can get what I want, immediately, from some other source."

Pastor Althea warned us that, although there may be historical and cultural pressure to engage in certain "religious" activities, we must be extremely diligent to reject every act that has its roots in the occult. Both the Old and New Testament scriptures warn against idolatry: not just the presence of a carved statue, but the presence of heart-thoughts and actions that show we have not given God the first, best, and only place in our lives.

Below are some passages for our reflection today. I pray that as we read, we will be even more encouraged and empowered to obey the word of God.

Leviticus 20:1-8
First Corinthians 10:1-14

Lord God, we long to worship You extravagantly and exclusively. Deliver us from the evil one who seeks to turn our devotion away from You.