Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 10/11/2006

Question
Rev. Woodward's, In my English comp class we had to compare and comtrast the movies, Frankenstein and the Sixth Sense. I would like to take this opportunity to stand up for my Lord. I told my professor what I would be basing my research paper on and she said it would be Ok. How can I get across that Psychics are not from God. Seems like my whole class has bought into it.I've been given an opportunity and I want to take it.Please help me with some information, Thank You, Vicki

Answer
Hello Vicki,
Thank you for your question. Your desire to make a stand is admirable and I am sure God will honour it in the long term even if in the short term you come in for criticism.
In the Old Testament the warnings against spiritism are clear. Indeed the law for Israel said that someone practising as a medium should be put to death! Leviticus 20:27
King Saul consulted a medium in 1 Sam 28 and spoke with what he considered to be the dead Samuel. This is portrayed in scripture as an illustartion of how badly Saul had fallen.
In the ministry of Jesus we frequently have Him encountering evil spirits, seen as servants of Satan, trying to deceive, entrap and harm people. Often in releasing them from a spirit He released them from a physical symptom of that spirit's presence. Matt 12:22-37 is a key passage here. See the need for clearing out the evil and replacing it with the good. 2 Corinthinas 11:14 tells us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
In Cyprus Paul had to deal very severely with a sorceror who was trying to thwart the truth of the Gospel. See Acts 13:4-12.
Ephesians 6:10-20 warns us that our battle is not with human beings but with rulers, authorities and powers of darkness. The battle is spiritual.
1 John 4:1-3 warns us to test the spirits and tells us how we can separate good from bad.
Then there is the matter of experience. Nearly every Christian Minister of any experience will tell of times when they have had to deal with evil spirits in people and in property. Many are in the grip of fear because they have dabbled with the occult in some form or another and only Jesus can set them free. I have an ex witch in my church who had five spirits thrown out of her. She was in a terrible state and on the verge of suicide because she could see no escape. She is now a very active part of our church, holding down a good job and is a very positive influence on others.
At best much much of the work of 'psychics' is a con. So why get involved? Then there is the genuine. At worst it sucks people into a realm of fear and crippling inner turmoil. It is not worth it. Instead folk should to turn to the real thing, God revealed to us by His Holy Spirit in whom there is freedom and love as well as many deeply spiritual and good experiences.
I hope my comments are of some help and will pray that what you present will be empowered by the Spirit of God.
Stuart Woodward