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Throughout history, many folks have believed that a secret, hidden wisdom exists that can be accessed to make their lives healthier, wealthier and happier. Though the Bible declares that such "knowledge" is nothing but demonic deception, many people are convinced that such a body of wisdom indeed exists.
What would we call this "wisdom?" We'd call it occultism. In the ancient times, it was known as Gnosticism. Gnosticism entails utilizing specific methods, rituals, incantations, chants, prayers etc. to make contact with spiritual forces in order to tap into an alleged body of knowledge that's otherwise inaccessible through the normal senses.
A website titled gnosis.org explains what Gnosticism is: Gnosticism is the teaching based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions. It is nearer the truth to say that Gnosticism expresses a specific religious experience, an experience that does not lend itself to the language of theology or philosophy, but which is instead closely affinitized to, and expresses itself through, the medium of myth. Indeed, one finds that most Gnostic scriptures take the forms of myths. The term “myth” should not here be taken to mean “stories that are not true”, but rather, that the truths embodied in these myths are of a different order from the dogmas of theology or the statements of philosophy.
In other words, myths are really truths cloaked in symbols and metaphors. And in order to decipher these myths, we must go beyond the physical realm to tap into a hidden knowledge or gnosis to find higher truth. Thus, Gnosticism is the ideological foundation of Jungian psychology, Roman Catholic Mystagogy, Islamic Sufism, Judaism's Kabbalah and Free Masonry's 33 degrees.
Where does the lie of Gnosticism-occultism originate? It's found in the Book of Genesis where the serpent (Satan) enticed Eve to violate God's command by eating fruit from a tree in the Garden of Eden that she and husband Adam were ordered to avoid.
When the serpent asked Eve why she refused to eat the fruit from that particular tree, she responded: "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (Genesis 3:2-3) Here's how the serpent responded: "You will not certainly die. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)
Satan enticed Eve to rebel against God by stating that the forbidden fruit would make her as wise as God. He claimed that God declared that particular tree off limits for that specific reason. But if that was true--and it wasn't--then why did God put the tree there? Certainly, as a test of loyalty and devotion to Him. But the tree's fruit contained no secret knowledge.
Rather, that fruit introduced the sin nature into the DNA of Adam and Eve. And all human beings have inherited that sin nature from the first couple. That evil nature has encouraged all the multiplied murders, crime, violence and moral depravity throughout history.
Thus, the belief that a hidden body of esoteric knowledge exists that can be accessed to acquire vast wealth, power, good health and even immortality is a lie that traces back to the dawn of history. If such wisdom existed, God would've revealed it to mankind. No one would have to search for it. In fact, no secret body of wisdom has ever existed.
Rather, those who embrace Satan's lies that a secret wisdom exists often end up making contact with a dark spiritual realm that frequently results in demonic oppression and even possession. How? Through occult techniques such as necromancy, spiritism, shamanism, sorcery and witchcraft. And through hallucinogenic drugs and eastern religious techniques such as transcendental meditation and visualization.
The myth that secret, gnostic wisdom exists that can be acquired to gain wealth and power is a canard that will always fail to deliver on its promises. It will leave its adherents bitter, cynical and depressed about life. In some cases, it will lead to destructive behavior and even suicide.
For those who are seeking a better life, why not heed God's word in the scriptures? For example: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and health to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (Proverbs 3:5-10)
And here's another example: "Because they love me," says the Lord, "I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, and I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16)
You can take that to the bank. Trust in God with all of your heart, soul and mind, and serve Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then you'll find true happiness, contentment and prosperity. That's a promise that will always deliver.
Where does the lie of Gnosticism-occultism originate? It's found in the Book of Genesis where the serpent (Satan) enticed Eve to violate God's command by eating fruit from a tree in the Garden of Eden that she and husband Adam were ordered to avoid.
When the serpent asked Eve why she refused to eat the fruit from that particular tree, she responded: "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (Genesis 3:2-3) Here's how the serpent responded: "You will not certainly die. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)
Satan enticed Eve to rebel against God by stating that the forbidden fruit would make her as wise as God. He claimed that God declared that particular tree off limits for that specific reason. But if that was true--and it wasn't--then why did God put the tree there? Certainly, as a test of loyalty and devotion to Him. But the tree's fruit contained no secret knowledge.
Rather, that fruit introduced the sin nature into the DNA of Adam and Eve. And all human beings have inherited that sin nature from the first couple. That evil nature has encouraged all the multiplied murders, crime, violence and moral depravity throughout history.
Thus, the belief that a hidden body of esoteric knowledge exists that can be accessed to acquire vast wealth, power, good health and even immortality is a lie that traces back to the dawn of history. If such wisdom existed, God would've revealed it to mankind. No one would have to search for it. In fact, no secret body of wisdom has ever existed.
Rather, those who embrace Satan's lies that a secret wisdom exists often end up making contact with a dark spiritual realm that frequently results in demonic oppression and even possession. How? Through occult techniques such as necromancy, spiritism, shamanism, sorcery and witchcraft. And through hallucinogenic drugs and eastern religious techniques such as transcendental meditation and visualization.
The myth that secret, gnostic wisdom exists that can be acquired to gain wealth and power is a canard that will always fail to deliver on its promises. It will leave its adherents bitter, cynical and depressed about life. In some cases, it will lead to destructive behavior and even suicide.
For those who are seeking a better life, why not heed God's word in the scriptures? For example: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and health to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (Proverbs 3:5-10)
And here's another example: "Because they love me," says the Lord, "I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, and I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16)
You can take that to the bank. Trust in God with all of your heart, soul and mind, and serve Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then you'll find true happiness, contentment and prosperity. That's a promise that will always deliver.
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