Leviticus 19:31 — Today’s Verse for Friday, September 8, 2023

Our world has a re-emergent fascination with the occult, the world of demons, and the dark practices of witchcraft. Many in today’s world are caught in these demonic practices. Unfortunately, some believers in Christ react in two dangerous ways:

1. Downplay the reality of these things and the twisted power available to those who pursue these dark and ancient practices.
2. Dabble in them as matters of entertainment, amusement, or fascination.

God wants us to know that these fascinations and practices are dangerous because the evil entities — demonic spirits and evil curses — behind them are real. These false gods, goddesses, and demonic spirits have been around almost as long as people have been on the earth. When we involve ourselves in practices and entities, they defile us — they leave a demonic residue that only Jesus and his triumph over them can accomplish (Colossians 2:12-15; 1 John 4:1-6). God — one as Father, Son, and Spirit — is God alone (Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9). God is to be worshiped without rivals or taint from evil idolatry by his people (Acts 19:13-20; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 9:20). We are to give a wide berth and stay far away from such evil practices that lead to immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Our worship of the one true Lord must be our consuming passion!