By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
(Unless
otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the New International
Version)1
GREETING
Psalm 134:1-2.1 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all
ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.2 Lift
up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Life
Center Service Tonight. 7 pm.
2. Friday night join me at eastern Missouri
first jurisdiction Holy Convocation
3. Please register for the International AIM
Convention under “COGIC Department of Evangelism.” July 1-5, Tampa, FL.
6. Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction Holy Convocation 4th Annual Holy Convocation July 21-26. In 2020 I
will be celebrating 5 years as a jurisdictional bishop. Special guests include:
Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop J. Drew Sheard GBM, Dr. Joyce Rodgers, Bishop
Todd Hall and many more!
LESSON NOTES
I. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON?
Deception is prevalent in the last days.
Some things that look like the anointing are really occult practices. There is
also such a hunger for the supernatural. This lesson is designed to help
provide balance from a biblical perspective. It will inform us of some things
that the people of God need to avoid.
A.
Witchcraft.[1]
The
practice of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells. Religious
practice involving magic and affinity with nature, usually within a pagan
tradition.
B.
Occult.[2]
Supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena.
II. Does God honor the prayers
of someone "praying against" another person; And, do Christians have
the power to "curse" people?
Though it may seem awfully strange to
the casual reader of Scripture; prayers against people apparently was pretty
common. However, it does not appear that just any common believer practiced
this much. Generally those who had "governmental offices" (like
Prophets and Apostles) appeared to practice this. According to Scripture
(Ephesians 4:11) everyone is not an apostle or prophet. And there are strict
guidelines; regarding who can claim that office.
Ephesians 4:11 King James Version.[3] And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers;
2 Corinthians 12:12.
I
persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including
signs, wonders and miracles.
I. This was allowed in the Old Testament. However, it
is not arbitrary. God is in control of it and regulates it.
Genesis 12:3.
I
will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all
peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Numbers 23:8.
How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How
can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
Judges 5:23.
'Curse
Meroz,' said the angel of the LORD. 'Curse its people bitterly, because they
did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.'
Psalm 5:10.
Declare
them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for
their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
Psalm 6:9-10. 9The LORD has
heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10All my enemies will be
overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to
shame.
Psalm 143:12. In your
unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Psalm 54:5. Let evil recoil
on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
II. Apparently it is
allowed in the New Testament. Primarily it is the apostles, however, that you
mostly see practicing this.
Matthew 10:14-15 14If anyone
will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake
the dust off your feet. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom
and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 23:13.
"Woe
to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of
the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will
you let those enter who are trying to.
Luke 6:27-28. 27"But to
you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 9:52-55 King James Version. 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went,
and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was
as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when
his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we
command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know
not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Acts 8:20-24
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you
could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this
ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this
wickedness and pray to the LORD in the hope that he may forgive you for having
such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and
captive to sin." 24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the LORD for me so
that nothing you have said may happen to me."
Acts 13:9-11 9Then Saul, who
was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas
and said, 10"You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that
is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop
perverting the right ways of the LORD? 11Now the hand of the LORD is against
you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of
the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped
about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
1 Corinthians 16:22.
If
anyone does not love the LORD, let that person be cursed! Come, LORD!
Galatians 1:8.
But
even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we
preached to you, let them be under God's curse!
Galatians 5:12
Good News Translation.[4]
I wish that the people who are upsetting you would go all the way; let them go
on and castrate themselves!
Romans 12:14.
Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
2 Timothy 4:14.
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of
harm. The LORD will repay him for what he has done.
III.
Is it naturally & spiritually dangerous to eat other people's
cooking? And, should you be careful who brings you water to drink?
According to the Word what we eat and
drink is blessed. This is important because as much as we "eat out"
(in the United States and other nations); your food passes through many
different hands. Thus, it is almost impossible to keep track of all who mean us
well and those who mean us harm. We should always watch and pray and realize
the days are evil (Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 5:16); but we are not to live in
fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
Exodus 23:25.
Worship
the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take
away sickness from among you,
Mark 16:17-18. 17And these
signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;
they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands;
and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will
place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Luke 10:8.
"When
you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.
Acts 15:29.
You
are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of
strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these
things. Farewell.
1 Corinthians 8:4.
So
then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that "An idol is
nothing at all in the world" and that "There is no God but one."
1 Corinthians 10:25-32
25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26for, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it." 27If an unbeliever
invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you
without raising questions of conscience. 28But if someone says to you,
"This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for
the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29I am
referring to the other person's conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom
being judged by another's conscience? 30If I take part in the meal with
thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32Do not cause anyone to stumble,
whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-
1 Timothy 4:3-5
3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods,
which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who
know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the
word of God and prayer.
IV.
IF A DEAD PERSON SPEAKS TO YOU, IS THAT A DEMON?
A.
The Bible teaches against summoning the dead.
Deuteronomy 18:9-13. 9When you
enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the
detestable ways of the nations there. 10Let no one be found among you who
sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or
sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11or casts spells, or who is
a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12Anyone who does these things
is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13You must
be blameless before the LORD your God.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14. 13Saul died
because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and
even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and did not inquire of the LORD. So the
LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. The
Bible also teaches that from God's perspective, everyone is yet alive.
Luke 20:37-38. 37But in the
account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls
the LORD 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38He
is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."
B.
Some of the departed appeared to Christ and talked
with Him; in the presence of His Inner Circle.
Luke 9:29-32. 29As he was
praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright
as a flash of lightning. 30Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious
splendor, talking with Jesus. 31They spoke about his departure, which he was
about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32Peter and his companions were
very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two
men standing with him.
C.
Dead saints were raised and walked Jerusalem's
streets after Christ's resurrection.
Matthew 27:50-54. 50And when
Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that
moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth
shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy
people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after
Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the
earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed,
"Surely he was the Son of God!"
D.
Apparently the
Jews in Christ's time had some varied views regarding the dead.
Matthew 16:13-14
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say
John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the
prophets."
E.
Paul even mentions a strange practice baptizing on
behalf of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:29.
Now
if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead?
If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
F.
Paul also referred to a possible out of body
experience.
2 Corinthians 12:3-4.
3And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not
know, but God knows- 4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things,
things that no one is permitted to tell.
G.
Since there is
so much we DO NOT understand it is best we LEAVE IT ALONE. Whatever the Bible
does not tell you; someone dead CANNOT help you more than the Word.
1 Corinthians 13:12.
For
now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
V.
Is astrology &
following zodiac signs demonic?
A.
There were astrologers in the Bible that followed a
star and worshipped the child Jesus.
Matthew 2:1 Good
News Translation.[5]
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time when Herod
was king. Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars came from the East to
Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:11.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his
mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their
treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
B.
God created the
stars and all the constellations.
Job 9:9.
Who makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south;
C.
The Bible also says that in the last days there will
be signs in the heavens.
Luke 21:25.
"There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay
among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
D.
The Bible refers
to Joseph using a cup to tell the future.
Genesis 44:4-5. 4They had not
gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those
men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid
good with evil? 5Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for
divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.'"
Genesis 44:5 International Standard Version.[6]
Don't you have the cup that my master uses to drink from and also uses to
practice divination? You're wrong to have done this.'"
E.
However, Manasseh is condemned for doing the same
and also for bowing to the stars.
2 Kings 21:1-6.1Manasseh
was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem
fifty-five years. His mother's name was Hephzibah. 2He did evil in the eyes of
the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven
out before the Israelites. 3He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had
destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab
king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped
them. 4He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said,
"In Jerusalem I will put my Name." 5In the two courts of the temple
of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6He sacrificed his own
son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and
spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.
F.
The Bible also condemns fortune telling.
Leviticus 19:26 International Standard Version.[7]
"You are not to eat anything containing blood, engage in occult practices,
or practice fortune telling.
G.
The Bible also refers to judgment on those who
practice such.
Isaiah 47:13-14.[8] "You are
wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by
the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what
will come upon you.” Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them;
They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no
coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before!
H.
Since the New Testament condemns fortune telling; it
is not a practice that saints should do.
Galatians 5:20
Amplified Bible. idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife,
jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies],
1.
Sorcery defined. Such things as
occult practices, witchcraft, worship of evil powers, drug-induced trances.
Acts 19:19.[9]
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their
scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of
the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
VI.
Is burning incense,
spreading salt & applying blessed oil of the devil?
A.
There are many
instances in the Bible where incense is used in worship to symbolize prayer.
Exodus 30:34-36.
34Then the LORD
said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices-gum resin, onycha and galbanum-and
pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35and
make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted
and pure and sacred. 36Grind some of it to
powder and place it in front of the Ark of the Covenant law in the tent of
meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.
Leviticus
16:12-13. 12He is to take a censer
full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely
ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. 13He is to
put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will
conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he
will not die.
Luke 1:10. And when the
time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying
outside.
Revelation 5:8. And when he
had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down
before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of
incense, which are the prayers of God's people.
B.
There is no Scripture reference for applying salt on
people and places to remove demons. Here is what the Word DOES is:
James 4:7.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
C.
Oil is also used
in Scripture as a part of worship.
Genesis 28:18-19 18Early the
next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as
a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19He called that place Bethel, though the
city used to be called Luz.
Psalm 133:2.
It
is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running
down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe.
Mark 6:13.
They
drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
James 5:14.
Is
anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them
and anoint them with oil in the name of the LORD.
[3] Public Domain.
[4]
https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-12.htm. (Accessed, May 13, 2019).
[5]
https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-1.htm. (Accessed, May 13, 2019).
[6]
https://biblehub.com/genesis/44-5.htm. (Accessed, May 13, 2019).
[7]
https://biblehub.com/isv/leviticus/19.htm. (Accessed, May 13, 2019).
[8]
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Astrology. (Accessed, May 13, 2019).
[9]
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A20&version=AMP.
(Accessed, May 13, 2019).
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