What Does the Bible Teach About Spiritism? -Conclusion of UNSAVORY ORIGINS

Maria thought she had a gift from God that enabled her to help people.  "But something disturbed me,"  she admits. "When I read the cards, I read them for others. I was not able to read them for myself, even though I wanted to know my own future."

Perplexed by many unanswered questions, Maria prayed to God and was later contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses, with whom she began to study the Bible.  Maria learned from the Bible that her ability to foretell the future did not come from God. She learned, too, that those who want God's friendship must get rid of any objects  connected with spiritism.  (1 Corinthians 10:21) The result?  Maria threw away her occult paraphernalia and books. She now shares with others the accurate truths she has learned from the Bible. 

When Michael was a teenager, he was an avid reader of fantasy novels about supernatural characters.  "I enjoyed identifying with heroes my age who explored imaginary worlds," he says.  Little by little, Michael grew accustomed to reading books about magic and Satanic rituals.  "Curiosity made me want to read books and watch movies that dealt with these subjects," he admits.  

However Michael's study of the Bible impressed on him the need to examine carefully what he was reading.  "I drew up a list of everything that had a link with spiritism and got rid of it all," he says.  "I learned an important lesson. At 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Bible says:  'Do all things for God's glory.'   Now I ask myself, 'Is my reading o this material involving me with something contrary with God's glory?  If so, I avoid it."

The Bible is appropriately described as a lamp. It is a unique source of enlightenment that exposes spiritism for what it really is.  (Psalm 119:105) But the Bible does more. It holds out a marvelous promise of a world free of the power of wicked spirits.  The effect on humankind will be immense.   For example, Psalm 37:10, 11 states:  "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; you will look at where they were, and they will not be there.  But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."

What Is Spiritism?

Interest in spiritism is reflected in such activities as astrology, witchcraft, and the occult.  In many parts of the world, people try to communicate with wicked spirits with the help of a psychic or a witch doctor. Many use divination to try to find out about the future.  The look at the stars, search for omens, use a crystal ball, read the palm of a person's hand, or have their own palm read. Books, magazines, and movies present spiritism as harmless or intriguing.  Some communication experts suggest that TV programs and movies portray the paranormal as strongly influenced what people believe.  

We invite you to learn more by reading chapter 1o of the book What Does the Bible really teach?  It is published by Jehovah's Witnesses and is available for free download on jw.org. 

Note: Just wanted to let you know that all of my blogs are taken from jw.org, which are taken from Jehovah's Words from the Bible.  This is my calling to do these blogs, and I am very proud to represent Jehovah God.  I am trying to help people, by getting God's Word out  so that they can have the same wonderful benefit that all his other servants have with his friendship and worshiping him always.  He is much more dependable than any human being on this earth, in this system of things.  I love people and would not ever wish them any harm in anyway, but to trust them, well I would rather take my chances with a wild animal. At least you know what to expect of them. With humans, they act like your friend one minute and the next, may stab you in the back with words or actions of some kind, not necessarily literally.   I am not saying this to be cruel,  but like others, I have experienced the cruelty of others.   Now, since I have God in my life, I still don't trust people, but I make an effort to be kind and to help others when I am able, because that is what I was taught by by my mother and what Jehovah would expect. As my mother use to say; You catch more bees with honey than you do with vinegar. Kindness will get you a long way, where being cruel will get you nothing but enemies.   Turn the other cheek, if you will. 

Next time: HELP FOR THE FAMILY/YOUNG PEOPLE - When a Parent Dies 

From the jw.org publications