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A Bible Study For Individuals, Families and groups

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion
Isaiah 8:18, KJV

We are living in a day when Wicca and New Age beliefs are taught in our schools and promoted in places of employment. As “lights” in places of darkness Christians are called to expose these things. Some people feel that exposing the works of Satan could be a form of exalting him. But, God is constantly uncovering evil and He says more about the forces of darkness than any other person! Jesus knew all about Satan, demons, evil works, and sin, but not from experiencing or studying their beliefs. He knew all about evil and how to deal with it because He knew God’s Word thoroughly.

We are not to learn to recognize evil by compromising with it or studying it. We don’t recognize the untruths in cults by learning all about the cults. We are to saturate ourselves with truth from God’s Word so that any false teaching will immediately strike a wrong cord within us, and our spirit cries “untrue!”

Our children are being raised in a society that is basically contrary to God and His ways. It is a world under the influence of the Prince of Darkness. How can we help our children learn to discern between the good and the evil that they will encounter during their growing up years and throughout their life? They are exposed to so much through the media and relationships that they must begin to have this discernment at an early age.

If a person is exposed to something (good or evil) over a period of time, he will begin to accept it, even though at first he may have disliked it. Finally he will desire that thing. For example, look at the television programs that are watched, accepted and enjoyed by millions. Thirty years ago these shows would have brought disgust to most of the public. The same is true of fashion and entertainment. We have compromised over the years and now accept as normal what was once abnormal.

Isaiah 7:15 says that, “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.” We are to feed our children those things that are spiritually “butter and honey.” In this way they will learn to desire the things of the Lord. God has not designed his children to be “experts” in evil by feeding on evil. He has designed us to be “experts in discernment” by knowing and obeying His Word.

Throughout the following Bible Study, information for the parent or teacher is written in italicize print. What is to be read aloud and discussed with your children, teens or adult class is non-italicize. The italicized notes provide additional comments or needed information. Not all of the information is appropriate to share with young children, although it should be summarized at the level of their understanding. Plan to take a week and do a portion of this study each day. Some Bible Study groups will have their members do the whole study at home and then discuss it at their weekly meeting.

Monday
Introduction:
Satan and his demons seek to destroy people because they are made in the image of God. Satan hates anything that resembles God. It was the Father’s love for humanity that caused Him to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to defeat the dark forces of Satan and his demons. As believers, we are not to participate in evil but we are to confront it whenever we encounter it.

Study:
God has given us warnings and commands concerning the areas of the supernatural that are outside our boundary lines as Christians. On a separate sheet of paper, list each scripture reference below and then list (1) the warning and (2) what the consequence will be if we violate the warning. Not all of the scriptures listed will have a “consequence,” yet the warning still needs to be discussed.

The first is done for you as an example.
Leviticus 19:31

WARNING: I am not to seek out or regard someone who has a familiar spirit or is a wizard.

CONSEQUENCE: I will be defiled or corrupted by them.

A medium is a person who communicates with a demon. The demon will masquerade as a departed family member, friend, a higher being or someone long dead. Mediums are also called “channelers.”

A familiar spirit is a demon that has been assigned to a family line. It follows the family from generation to generation. Today these are often called “spirit guides” and are the evil spirits that mediums “channel.”

A wizard is the name given as a masculine form of “witch.” A witch, wizard or sorcerer uses demonic power to work “magic,” or supernatural actions and reactions.

Exodus 20:3,4

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

“Graven images,” or idols, are images that are worshiped, prayed to and given honor. God used statues of oxen in His tabernacle to illustrate His power and majesty, but not as items of worship. Behind every idol there is a demon.

Leviticus 20:6

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

To “prostitute oneself” with evil spirits, or those who contact them, means to have an unholy interest, desire or lust in these areas of the supernatural forbidden by God. Some even engage in a form of sex with demons. Various television programs and some commercials on the SciFi cable TV channel promote sex with demons, so be on the alert.

Leviticus 20:27

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

Thankfully, God has provided a different form of “deliverance” in the New Testament called “casting out demons.” However, the consequence spoken of here shows His hatred towards all forms of the occult and witchcraft.

Exodus 22:18

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

A witch, or a sorceress, is a woman who practices the black arts or other forms of the occult.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

Signs, wonders, supernatural dreams and prophecy do not necessarily validate a person as representing God. If they in any way point a person away from Jesus Christ or speak contrary to the scriptures then they are coming from a demonic source. See also Isaiah 8:19-22.

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

This warning was given to the nation of Israel when it came time to conquer the promised land given to them by God. This land was filled with people who practiced different forms of occult religions. The warning is still valid today as we are to be people who drive out these demonic influences through spiritual warfare and taking a stand for righteousness (see Isaiah 8:18).
Molech was a god who required that children be sacrificed to him. His idol stood with outstretched arms under which a fire had been lit. The child was placed on these red hot arms. Other times the burning of a first born son on the city walls was practiced (see 2 Kings 3:26,27). Human sacrifice is still practiced in some occult rituals. Many consider abortion a form of human sacrifice.

Divination is the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden information through demonic sources.

An observer of times is the same as practicing astrology, which is to use the stars or the Zodiac to foretell the future.

An omen is a sign used by those involved in the occult and false religions to predict future events.

Witchcraft is the practice of gaining information or guidance from supernatural sources other than God.

To cast a spell means to bind someone or a situation through magic.
Necromancy is another word used for calling up the dead.

Revelation 21:8

WARNING: Discuss

CONSEQUENCE: Discuss

Tuesday
Family or group discussion questions:

1. What happened when Israel didn’t obey God’s commands concerning the supernatural?
Read and discuss Psalm 106:34-41 together.

2. Who is Satan seeking to attack through witchcraft? Read Nahum 3:4 aloud. (Individuals, families and nations are always the focus of demonic destruction.)

3. Read 1 Samuel 28:6-17 and 1 Chronicles 10:13,14 aloud. Why was King Saul killed?

Whether the witch actually called up the dead Samuel is not the issue here. Regardless of whether it was actually Samuel or a demonic masquerade, it spoke doom for Saul. Saul was destroyed because he disobeyed God’s word concerning consulting a medium.

4. Read Ephesians 5:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 aloud. As Christians, what are we to do with the “works of darkness?”

What might be some ways that Christians unknowingly fellowship with the works of darkness?
Discuss how this verse applies to things viewed on TV and activities such as playing with an Ouija Board. How might these verses affect how Halloween is celebrated?

5. Read Acts 19:18-20 aloud. There is a progression in these verses concerning a response towards evil. Discuss each verse and note the progression below:

Wednesday

What do the following scriptures teach about discerning between good and evil?

* Hebrews 5:13,14

* Romans 16:19

* Proverbs 16:6

* 2 Timothy 3:15-17

* Malachi 3:16-18

Thursday

What warnings are given in the following scriptures concerning the acceptance of evil?

* Isaiah 5:20-25

* Proverbs 17:15

* Deuteronomy 7:25,26

An abominable or detestable thing are items and practices that are unclean and against the ways of God. Some examples are idols, sexual sin (Leviticus 18), and the practice of magic, witchcraft or New Age type beliefs (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). The things that we bring into our homes or practice in our home can bring a curse upon our house. Even those things we watch on TV can be a form of “bringing an abomination” into our home.

* Judges 8:27

* 2 Peter 2:7,8 and Genesis 19

Friday

On a separate sheet of paper, copy and summarize Psalm 101:1-8 as a goal for you, your family and your home.

Download a PDF form of Discerning Good and Evil: Discerning Good and Evil.pdf 23kb

© 2000 by Susan Gaddis