FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP / ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
Since we are preoccupied with talk about inflation and abortion at the moment, you have likely forgotten, if you are old enough to remember, that at one time, one of America’s preoccupations was over which presidents’ wives had been involved with the occult.
The talk was that Mary Todd Lincoln, Nancy Reagan, and Jane Pierce all turned to spiritual practices like seances and astrology for advice they would share with their husbands. It has been argued that Mrs. Pierce was the first-known First Lady occultist and that she would come to bear the nickname “the shadow in the White House.”
She lived in a permanently depressed state after her last surviving child, Benny, died in a tragic train accident at 11 years old. Weighed down with extreme guilt and anxiety, she initially attempted to beckon his spirit by addressing an emotional letter to him, asking him to return to her so she could repent her motherly shortcomings.
I have read an Abstract that focuses on cult and ritualistic violence among teens and that the first amendment protects most, if not all, occult and paganistic religious practices. Yes, “Freedom of Religion,” however it is framed, suggests that the practices cover various illicit teenage activities. These practices mentioned frequently give teenagers who feel powerless a temporary sense of efficacy and power.
Feelings of empowerment derived from the practices compensate for much of the power lacking in young people’s lives. Some juveniles become involved in activities for excitement and entertainment, while others become involved through criminal activities. (G A Crews; R H Montgomery Jr; W R Garris, https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/satanic-occult-ritualistic-violence-america-faces-violence-america.)
If you are wondering why I have such a keen interest in this topic at this time, it is because I have seen that while America seems to be paying attention to other things, there is a seduction of the occult that is bringing a curse upon many families, even leading to the increase in depression and suicide.
So, yes, there is much preoccupation with the occult. If you are in doubt, you only need to drive around and take notice of many yards in your communities covered with Halloween figures that tell about the occult, sorcery, witchcraft, oaths, demonic vows, demonic ceremonies, blood covenants, false gods, and false religions. Then, you only need to visit some bookstores and supermarket magazine racks and take note of the displays. And you also only need to see the movie titles being marketed in the media.
Yes, we are in a nation preoccupied with the occult and its equivalents. I do not say that if you are a reader of this reflection, you are so preoccupied, but if you are and if you know someone that is so preoccupied, I ask you to break away and advise any you know to get away from that which brings a curse instead of a blessing.
Think of the mess Saul, the first king of Israel, made of his life when he, the anointed of God, made his last act of disobedience consulting with the Witch of Endor.He was about to go to war against the Amalekites, and instead of consulting God, “Saul said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said.
So, Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” He named Samuel, who had been dead for a little while. The Witch did as Saul requested. And a ghostlike form of Samuel came up and conversed with Saul and, among other things, predicted his death. Saul was killed in the following battle. He was not killed by an enemy; he fell on his sword. (See the story in 1 Samuel 28). What a shame!
I do not know how many people understand that playing with the occult is one of Satan’s ways of enslavement. So my appeal is that if at all you have made a convent with Satan, worshipped false idols, been in demonic ceremonies, been dedicated to demons as a child, or had any involvement with occult practices, reading occult books, or been watching occult movies, or putting up occult images in your home, renounce them right now. Break them off, and do not give Satan any right to be in your life.
The temptations might be great for you to turn to the occult as you continue to see suffering, pain, and hurts in people’s lives. People who need a miracle of emotional, physical, or spiritual healing might be tempted to test alternative means from God. But remember that our refuge is in God, not in the occult. Listen to the prophet Jeremiah mourning over Judah’s spiritual state, as he asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:22)
The point is that we must learn to trust God so that he can break away from any and every occult curse.
