WALK WITH THE TRUE GOD 20 Micah also emphasized walking with God, looking to him as the true God, seeking his guidance. (Proverbs 3:5, 6; Hosea 7:10) After the Jews returned from exile, some turned to diviners, fortune-tellers, and false gods, perhaps for help during a drought. In reality they invoked wicked spirit forces to assist them, despite Jehovah’s having clearly condemned all such practices. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Micah 3:6, 11; 5:12; Haggai 1:10, 11; Zechariah 10:1, 2) Those Jews were getting involved with spirit creatures who are in opposition to the true God! 21 Today some think that the wicked spirits mentioned in the Scriptures are merely symbolic of the concept of evil. However, the Bible reveals that the demons are real and are behind astrology, witchcraft, and some types of magic. (Acts 16:16-18; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) The dangers of spiritism are equally real. People in many cultures look to shamans, or medicine men who claim mysterious powers, and to sorcerers. Others seek direction from the horoscope or employ tarot cards, divining rods, Ouija boards, or special crystals. Even attempts to communicate with spirits of the dead are quite common. Reportedly, certain statesmen have turned to astrology and spiritistic mediums for help in decision making. All of that is clearly contrary to Micah’s advice that we walk with the true God, following his guidance. 22 Certainly you—a true servant of Jehovah—must shun such practices. You can be sure that God never uses magic or the occult to reveal his will or to exercise his power. Instead, as Amos 3:7 assures us, Jehovah ‘reveals his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.’ Moreover, dabbling in the occult can bring one under the influence and control of the leader of the demons, Satan, who is a liar and whose strategy is to deceive people. He and his minions are out to harm, having always been cruel, even killing people. (Job 1:7-19; 2:7; Mark 5:5) Understandably, Micah condemned divination and sorceries when he urged us to walk with the true God. 23 True spirituality is found only with Jehovah and his pure worship. (John 4:24) “Make your requests of Jehovah,” the prophet Zechariah wrote. (Zechariah 10:1) Even if you experience attacks or temptations caused by wicked spirit forces, remember that “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” (Joel 2:32) This reassurance is significant as we keep close in mind his great day. 24 Clearly, the words at Micah 6:8 provide us with much food for thought. To build strong morality, we need proper motives and godly qualities. Hosea offered encouragement for those of us living in “the final part of the days.” He said that during our time, God-fearing people would seek Jehovah’s goodness. (Hosea 3:5) Amos confirmed God’s invitation for us to do exactly that: “Search for what is good, . . . to the end that you people may keep living.” We are also urged: “Love what is good.” (Amos 5:14, 15) If we do so, we will be refreshed by doing what Jehovah is asking of us.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 23:13:39 +0000
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