Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Psychology and Witchcraft


Isa 30:1-3 “Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord. Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit. That they may add sin to sin. Who walk to go down to Egypt; and have not asked my advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and trust in the shadow of Egypt!”

These verses speak of God’s people seeking counsel from a system and a people that are not of the Lord. This same thing happens today when parents go to secular psychologists and counselors to seek treatment/advice for their “troubled” child(ren).

This same chapter in Isaiah goes on to say, in verses 9-10, “Now go write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll….that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord. Who say to seers, “do not see” and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophecy us right things’ speak to us smooth things; prophecy deceits.”

This sounds very familiar to modern day psychology, feel good, self focused, self esteem lies—which the Christian should have NOTHING to do with. Colossians 2:8 speaks thus, “beware lest anyone {psychologist} cheat you or take you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of man, according to the principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” This verse speaks for itself!

God is very clear that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (*Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 9:6) and His Word is Truth (**Psalm 119:160, 1 Thess. 2:13).

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you with my eye.”*

“The ENTIRETY of Your word is Truth.”**

I highly recommend that parents read “How to Counsel God’s Way” by Bob Hoekstra. This is what he says, which is in accordance to God’s word, concerning psychology. “One of the great failures of modern day Christian counseling, in its attempt to integrate psychological humanistic theory with biblical spiritual truth, is that is typically produces counseling that does not focus upon the Lord. Rather, it encourages people to become occupied with self and others and circumstances and the past. Then, their hope is to be found in endless earthbound speculations that purport to offer life’s remedies concerning all these matters. Such counsel does not develop faith in the Lord, nor does it bring spiritual stamina from the Lord (pg. 165).

Go back to Isaiah 30 and re-read verses 1-10. It sounds exactly like what is going on today when Christians seek counsel from the worldly system of psychology.

I can’t help but find parallels between psychology and witchcraft.

The following verses speak of those that follow witchcraft:

Duet 18:10- “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer or one who conjures spells, or a medium or a spiritist. For all who do these things are detestable to the Lord.”

1 Samuel 15:23-“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as an iniquity and idolatry, because you have rejected the Word of the Lord.”

2 Chron 33:6-“he caused his sons to pass through the fire; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery and consulted mediums and spiritists.”

It is interesting to note that witchcraft involves, “astrology, false prophets, mediums, spiritists, sorcerers and enchanters.” If you study enchanters in the original language, it speaks of one practicing incantations, which are “ritual recitation or verbal charms to produce a magical effect.” This is what the psychologists of the day are doing. Please note, I know this from experience after my parents took me to a psych ward for anorexia--the eating disorder program was located within the juvenile psych ward. I was admitted into the ward for three months and can attest to many "witchcraft" like practices that the psychologists used for therapy. I refused to take part in such abominations. My parents felt this was there last resort but it was ONLY thru the blood of Jesus Christ that I was set free. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free" Galatians 5:1.

I want to encourage Christ following families that may have their children going to a psychologist, to seek God’s Word. "Taste and see that the Lord is good and blessed is the man {parent/child} who trusts in Him (Pslam 34:8).

Keep this at the forefront of your minds, the enemy is the father of lies. John 18:4 says this of satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

It is the gospel that our children need, just like it was God’s law that the people of Israel needed, not the false counsel of the Egyptians.

“But even if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those that are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Do not let psychology blind the eyes of your children. And let not anything pertaining to witchcraft touch their hearts or minds.

“We are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39

5 comments:

Shonni said...

Wonderful post...we have discussed before the dangers of counseling, even Christian counseling when it isn't the WORD OF THE LORD

Shauna said...

Great Post! You put words and scripture to my thoughts on this. I do not know why Christians think they can be healed apart from Christ. It has always baffled me. Thanks for writing this - I am going to get that book.

Change of subject but have you all seen the "Love Come Softly" series? I have been thinking of good family movies for you all but do not want to double up on any.

simmie flock said...

Summer,

What you've said here, I believe, is a topic that a lot of Christians believe but are too afraid to voice, too afraid of offending someone, etc. I believe and support 100% everything you shared here. Yes, it's a real tragedy when Christian parents either allow their children to see a phycologists or bring themselves to seek them. It's another tragedy all together when those of us Christians around them are aware of it yet say or do nothing to stop it.

Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak so truthfully and boldly through you!! You're a brave and powerful warrior for TRUTH!

Adeye said...

TRUTH, friend--I love it. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and insight. Such a gift that you use to bless the Body!

Yes--I will totally give you a little wave as I fly over Uganda :) Wish I could stop in for coffee and a chat!

Adeye said...

Oh, I forgot--I LOVE the new header. Perfect :)