Is Superstition Compatible With Bible Teaching? - The Source Of Superstition

The Source Of Superstition

Mankind in general has been plagued by fears-fears of death , of the unknown, and of what is called the Hereafter, to mention just a few. Satan, the rebel opposer of God, is determined to enslave people, and he has been feeding such fears with malicious lies. (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9) Satan is not alone in his efforts to lure people away from God. In the Bible, Satan is called "the ruler of the demons." (Matthew 12:24-27) Who are the demons? In Noah's time a number of angels joined Satan in his rebellion against God and made themselves demons. Since then, they have been trying to influence people's minds. Superstition has been one of their devices. -Genesis 6:1, 2; Luke 8:2, 30; Jude 6.

One of Satan's lies has provided a base for superstition. It is the belief that an invisible entity survives the death of a person's body and can come back to affect the living. But the Bible says: "As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all." It further states that "there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom" after one dies. -Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.

"Something Detestable To Jehovah"

Many individuals have chose to believe Satan's lies. Yet, years ago, God gave his people the Israelites clear direction on the matter. "There should not be found in you anyone," his Word says, "who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or any one who inquires of the dead. For everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah." -Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Sadly, the Israelites did not always heed this warning. For example, in the days of the prophet Isaiah, some believed that a good crop depended on appeasing "the god of Good Luck" -a superstitious belief that resulted in dire consequences. They lost Jehovah's favor and blessing. -Isaiah 65:11, 12.

Jehovah's attitude toward superstition did not change with the coming of Christianity. The apostle Paul urged superstitious people in the city of Lystra "to turn from these vain things ["vanities," or "superstitions," The Emphatic Diaglott] to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them." -Acts 14:15.

Next time: Is Superstition Compatible With Bible Teaching? - Breaking Free From Superstition

Awake! 2008