Divination

<<insight, prediction>>

This is acquiring hidden information especially about the future. God’s approved ways are through the Bible, the gift of divine inspiration (word of wisdom), discernment of spirits, prophecy and revelation that comes through mature Christians or natural observations (1 Cor 12:8,10). Divination through occult practices such as tea cup reading, sorcery, clairvoyance, magic, crystal gazing, mediums, witches, astrology (horoscopes), fortunate telling, witchcraft, superstition, familiar spirits, consulting the dead etc, do not come from God and Christians are not to entertain such practices for He does not communicate with His children through such means and was one of the reasons why the former inhabitants of the Promised Land were to be driven out (Deut 18:9-14). God stated these types of activities are evil, and He would “set His face against” those who participate in them (Lev 19:26,31, 20:6,27; 1 Sam 15:23; 2 Kgs 17:17).

God will reveal His secrets to us via an approved means, if it is His desire, otherwise they are to remain beyond our grasp (Deut 29:29; Am 3:7). As believers, we can be confident that God is in control, and while He wants to guide us this is through trusting obedience

Do not push beyond His boundaries

and dependency on Him. In our Christian walk we live by faith and not necessarily what has been revealed to our senses. Although we don’t know what the future holds, we know who holds the future (Act 20:22; 2 Cor 5:7; Jas 4:14,15). Our responsibility is to walk uprightly before Him and He will direct our paths, providing what is necessary for us (Prov 3:5,6; Mt 6:25,32-34).

See also: astrology, discernment, future, guidance (divine), occult, predict, prophecy, spiritual gifts, witches/witchcraft.