September 7, 2022
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” Matthew 24:24-25
Sorcery and witchcraft are rapidly coming onto center-stage in our fallen world. It is merely a revival of ancient pagan practices, though now they have been given “nicer” names: Spiritualism or Spiritism. A great number of people who currently do not give heed to these practices will say that their trickery and deception is a “slight-of-hand” that can be explained by human cunning, attributing the manifestations to fraud on the part of the mediums and spiritists. But, while this assessment is partially correct—that manufactured trickeries are palmed off as genuine supernatural manifestations—there are also actual occurrences of evil supernatural activity, as we saw in 1 Samuel 28. Those who reject spiritualism on the grounds of human trickery are likely—eventually—to feel that they must acknowledge and accept the claims of supernatural occurrences that they cannot explain. And here is precisely where they will fall into the devil’s trap: these occurrences will always be misrepresentations of God for the purpose of deception.
Even without making distinctions between human trickery and demonic manifestations, the one who trusts wholeheartedly in the Lord and lives in obedience to His word will know if a message is not from God. In Saul’s case, the demon feigning Samuel presented a message of doom and gloom based entirely on Saul’s past sins with no mention of repentance. Satan is behind all sin and he is also out to obscure any heavenly message of redemption and hope through faith in Christ. Saul’s mind was thus poisoned with utter discouragement and, having fully accepted the demonic message, was rendered powerless to inspire any sort of courage in his troops. Having separated himself from the only Source of strength, he was incapable of leading the minds of Israel to lift their gaze toward God as their true Helper. Thus, the gloomy prediction became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The first king of Israel tragically ended his own life; exactly what the enemy of souls wanted.
If we are to be enabled to stand on the day of the Lord, it is essential to “put on” the protections He is offering.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18