Strictly Forbidden

The Shocking Message



These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008. They were written by a Godly lady for other ladies young and old so that their walk with the Lord may be strengthened.


Learning how to face our family problems through an in-depth study of the troubled home of Joseph.




This devotion is part of the "Family Problems" series.

Today we will begin with another look at Joseph and his meeting with Pharaoh as this leader expounds his dreams to Joseph throughout verses 17-24 of Genesis chapter 41. Pharaoh made a closing statement after the summary of his dreams in verse 24 that I want to address for a moment…

"...and I told this to the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me."

Why do you suppose Pharaoh went to the magicians for guidance but Joseph did not? Here were two men existing in the same world, yet making different choices for help. Unlike Pharaoh, Joseph knew occult magic was opposed to God. (I hope you do too!) Ladies, God wants us to live by faith, not by enchantment. Neither is God's power demonstrated through magic, but through the Holy Spirit! Who are the "magicians" and "wise men" to which the leaders in our society turn for answers?? In Pharaoh's time, superstition and sorcery were commonplace, just as they still are today. The people cooked up magical formulas to give them wealth, happiness, and success and many LEARNED to turn to magicians during problematic times for answers - but they could not find the truth this way. In Deuteronomy 18:9-13, we find that God clearly forbids such practices…

Deut. 18:9-13
When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.

While we're on the subject, if you are caught up in the occult, get rid of anything and everything that could keep you trapped in such practices, however minor it might seem! All computation of lucky or unlucky days, horoscopes by consulting the stars, all charms for diseases or otherwise, all amulets or spells to prevent evil, fortune-telling, divining into the unknown, séances, etc. are here forbidden. You cannot be a believer and hold on to the occult, black magic, or sorcery! The occult expresses spiritual rebellion against God. In fact, the Bible makes no distinction between "white magic" and "black magic". EVERY form of involvement in spiritism is strictly forbidden. So cleverly and under so many deceptive titles people have been brainwashed into cultic practices without even realizing it! Very popular religions skillfully masquerade themselves as truth; yet contain nothing more than superstitious practices. Yes, they are able to perform "magical" deeds but it isn't God's power they are tapping into!! We must flee wickedness - even when it is agreeable, instructive, and charming… Countless hearts and minds of adults and children are being filled with pagan philosophies and satanic substitutes for faith in God. Why?? Because like Pharaoh, people - even Christians - fail to consider where the road ends when they start out their journey! Like Adam and Eve, folks today foolishly flirt with their fascination for that which God forbids, and in the end, become ensnared by the enemy…

Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

What gives Satan the right to come into a Christian home? YOU DO! He does not have that right but he does take every opportunity you and your children offer him through his subtle schemes! Stay alert, mother! Satan is no less dangerous today than he was in Pharaoh's time... Once you begin to dabble in these areas, it is extremely easy to grow obsessed by them because Satan is very powerful in masquerading false religions and practices as a path to God. He continually seeks to darken man's understanding, which is precisely why God tells us NOT to lean upon it…

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The more you lean upon your own understanding, the greater your chances are for being deceived! Everyone should know and be aware of Satan's true nature and goals, for they are infiltrating our homes and schools and sweeping this nation today! The Israelites were told to replace their evil practices with the worship of the one true God and so should we! You must not mix light with darkness… True wisdom, peace of mind, cleansing of sin and hope for the future is found only through faith in God! Don't be duped - if you want to "expand your mind", "relax your body", "relieve your tensions", "transform your life" and "put an end to all wars" you don't need to walk in the counsel of the ungodly to do so - you need to trust Christ - with ALL your heart!! The magicians didn't declare Jesus to Pharaoh and you won't hear about the Savior either if you're seeking pagan advice! These folks are unable to help you in heavenly matters. By the way, are you certain you are injecting God's wisdom in the advice you give to people, or is there a chance you could be spreading some pagan philosophies?? Without sticking closely to the scriptures, you cannot be sure! Praise God that in Genesis 41:16 we learn that Joseph had the courage to tell Pharaoh the truth; God's power is the greatest...

1 John 4:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever.

In closing, let us learn from Pharaoh's mistake. As God's children, we must find our identity in Christ, not in the things this world has to offer. If we, like Joseph, would just entirely submit ourselves to the righteousness of God, we would be safe from Satan's deceptive tricks and never fall prey to the counsel of magicians! With an intellect empty of truth, men and women choose the dark side of life - a life cut off from God. They have chosen to build their lives upon a false foundation, where there is no hatred of sin. However, by leaning wholly upon the Word of God, Christians have the blessed ability to distinguish clearly between right and wrong…

Romans 10:3
For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart...

Ladies, through our salvation we have not learned pagan ways; we have learned Christ! Therefore, we must renounce sin and cultivate holiness and virtue. Even though magicians surround us and compete for our trust, by God's almighty power we CAN live out the truth and declare it unto others!

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003 Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website