The Spirit of Divination: What does it entail?

 

BIBLICAL BRIEFS 14

The spirit of divination forms a part of the familiar spirit, which is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. This is the false holy spirit of which Jesus in a typological sense, wanted to get rid of, by casting out all who were buying and selling in the temple, especially, those who were selling doves (Matt. 21:12). In Scripture some practices are singled out that grant a legal right to people to the spirit of divination, in order to predict the future through celestial bodies. Isaiah 47:13-14 gives an explicit warning against any practice of foretelling the future, especially through the use of astrology: “You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, stand up and save you from what will come upon you. Behold, they have become like stubble, fire burns them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; there will be no coal to warm by, Nor a fire to sit before!” (NASB). Many Christian prophets tend to become guilty of this practice, especially those who set their hearts on the present hype regarding blood moons. This does not mean at all that if you have read the foretelling of the stars in magazines, you inevitably have received this spirit. Remember, this is all about constant exposure coupled with faith in the destiny of heavenly bodies and your belief regarding that. Incidental exposure in this regard as a matter of course, is not necessarily demonic. However, be on your guard that many books and material are set on winning you over to astrology. And, as a matter of fact, it has to be understood that there will be aspects in those that will ring true in your life, and will be of interest to you. (There is a big difference between astrology and astronomy. The first-mentioned uses the stars and other heavenly bodies to foretell the future. The latter is the science regarding the basics through which heavenly bodies come into being, and there is no demonic association in this regard.) True prophecy does not foretell the future. And furthermore, all prophecies that deprive you of choice, are divination. Joh.16:13 remains our only  source regarding the future: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (NASB).

Dr. Tom Gouws