Haunted: Pursuing the Paranormal
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
8 Things We Know About Satan
1. He is not all knowing or all powerful
2. He is not God, and he is not as powerful as God. As a created being he cannot see the future or know the future.
3. He is not as the Mormons teach the brother of Jesus.
4. He is a fallen angel.
5. He is a murderer.
John 8:44a NIV
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning
6. He is a liar (devil, diabolos, slanderer)
John 8:44b NIV
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
7. He is a destroyer - he wants to destroy people’s faith & keep them from believing.
2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
John 10:10 NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
8. He is defeated
John 12:31 NLT
The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
Revelation 20:10 NLT
Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
1st Pursuing information via the paranormal
Job 9:8-9 MSG
All by himself he stretches out the heavens and strides on the waves of the sea. He designed the Big Dipper and Orion, the Pleiades and Alpha Centauri.
Deuteronomy 4:19 MSG
And also carefully guard yourselves so that you don’t look up into the skies and see the sun and moon and stars, all the constellations of the skies, and be seduced into worshiping and serving them.
Isaiah 47:13-14 NLT
All the advice you receive has made you tired. Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month? Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds. But they are like straw burning in a fire; they cannot save themselves from the flame.You will get no help from them at all;
Zechariah 10:2 GNT
People consult idols and fortunetellers, but the answers they get are lies and nonsense. Some interpret dreams, but only mislead you; the comfort they give is useless.
Isaiah 44:24-25 NLT
This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer and Creator: “I am the LORD, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. Who was with me when I made the earth? I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 MSG
Don’t practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead. People who do these things are an abomination to God.
Isaiah 8:19-20 MSG
When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists. Why not tap into the spirit-world, get in touch with the dead?” Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.” People who try the other ways get nowhere—a dead end!
2nd Connecting with powers, energies, or forces
Ezekiel 13:20-21 MSG
“Therefore God says, ‘I am against all the devices and techniques you use to hunt down souls. I’ll rip them out of your hands. I’ll free the souls you’re trying to catch. I’ll rip your magic bracelets and scarves to shreds and deliver my people from your influence so they’ll no longer be victimized by you. That’s how you’ll come to realize that I am God.
3rd Wicca
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:8 NLT
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Revelation 22:15 MSG
But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.
4th Entertainment
Ephesians 5:11-12 NIV
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
5th Yoga
1. Pranayama: Breath control, by which you tap into the direct flow of energy
2. Asana: body positions (and every position has a meaning)
3. Meditation: consciousness
“I don’t think Christian yoga works. Its an oxymoron. If its truly Christian it can’t truly be yoga. All forms of yoga involve occult assumptions, even hatha yoga, which is often presented as a merely physical discipline.”
— Dr. Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy, Denver Seminary
Psalm 101:2-3 NIV
I will be careful to lead a blameless life — when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NIV
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and the Devil?
1 Corinthians 10:20-22 MSG
I don't want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can't have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us — all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?
More Resources
Yoga, A Brief History
How Should Christians Respond to Yoga? (Article)
The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga? (Article)
How Should Christians Think about Yoga (Podcast):
The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums, and Psychic Phenomena by Ron Rhodes (Book)
Unmasking the New Age by Douglas Groothuis (Book)
