Standing Firm Against Spiritism: Trusting God's Truth
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul calls us to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the spiritual battle we face, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. Today, we delve into the topic of spiritism, a practice that has gained popularity, especially during times of crisis and uncertainty. Spiritism claims to offer guidance, healing, and insight into the future, even suggesting that it can help us understand biblical events like the appearances of angels or the resurrection of Christ. However, as Christians, we must discern the truth and stand firm against such deceptions.
The Bible does not deny the existence of spiritual phenomena but warns us against seeking guidance from them. Jesus Himself cautioned about false prophets performing signs and wonders to deceive even the elect. The Bible consistently condemns spiritism, as seen in the actions of King Saul and King Josiah, who eradicated such practices from Israel. Spiritism undermines the sufficiency of God's revelation in Scripture, offering an alternative path to salvation that contradicts the gospel.
Spiritism is not merely misguided; it is a manifestation of evil spirits impersonating the departed. These spirits aim to deceive and lead people away from the truth of God. The story of Saul and the witch of Endor illustrates that God intervened to condemn spiritism, not to endorse it. Similarly, the Transfiguration of Jesus was a divine event, not a spiritualistic séance.
Ultimately, spiritism reflects a lack of trust in God. It denies His providence, the sufficiency of Christ, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called to trust in God's care, seek His guidance, and rely on His strength. We must resist the allure of spiritism and stand firm in the faith, clothed in the armor of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual Warfare: We are engaged in a spiritual battle against evil forces, not just physical adversaries. This requires us to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, and faith. Our strength comes from the Lord, and we must rely on His power to stand firm. [00:07]
- Discernment Against Deception: Spiritism offers false promises of guidance and insight, but it contradicts the truth of Scripture. As Christians, we must discern these deceptions and hold fast to the teachings of the Bible, which provide all we need for life and godliness. [04:30]
- Condemnation of Spiritism: The Bible consistently condemns spiritism as an abomination. It is not a harmless pursuit but a dangerous practice that leads people away from God. We must heed the warnings of Scripture and avoid any involvement in such activities. [12:00]
- Trust in God's Providence: Spiritism reflects a lack of trust in God's care and provision. As believers, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives. Our times are in His hands, and we can rest in His goodness and faithfulness. [39:44]
- Sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit: Spiritism denies the sufficiency of Christ's work and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We have all we need in Christ, who is our strength, comfort, and guide. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, providing wisdom and peace. [46:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:27] - The Spiritual Battle
- [01:04] - Understanding Demonology
- [01:22] - General and Special Activities of Evil
- [02:10] - The Rise of Spiritism
- [03:28] - Spiritism's Claims and Dangers
- [04:30] - The Christian Response to Spiritism
- [05:22] - Acknowledging Spiritual Phenomena
- [06:21] - Biblical Warnings Against Deception
- [08:00] - The Reality of the Spiritual Realm
- [10:55] - Explaining Spiritual Phenomena
- [12:00] - Biblical Condemnation of Spiritism
- [19:12] - Spiritism vs. Biblical Revelation
- [22:18] - Misinterpretation of Christ's Miracles
- [27:21] - The True Way of Salvation
- [30:43] - The Work of Evil Spirits
- [39:44] - Trusting in God's Providence
- [46:11] - The Sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit
- [47:07] - Conclusion and Call to Stand Firm
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Matthew 24:24
- 1 Samuel 28:3-19
---
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13? How does this relate to standing against the devil's schemes? [00:07]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the general and special activities of evil forces mentioned? [01:22]
3. How does the story of Saul and the witch of Endor illustrate God's stance on spiritism? [12:00]
4. What warnings does Jesus give about false prophets in Matthew 24:24, and how does this relate to the topic of spiritism? [06:21]
---
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-13 challenge the way Christians perceive their daily struggles? [00:27]
2. In what ways does spiritism contradict the sufficiency of God's revelation in Scripture, as discussed in the sermon? [19:12]
3. Why might spiritism be appealing during times of crisis, and how does this reflect a lack of trust in God's providence? [02:41]
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between genuine spiritual phenomena and deceptive practices like spiritism? [05:22]
---
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be seeking guidance outside of God's Word? How can you refocus on the sufficiency of Scripture for guidance? [19:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's providence. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate trust in God's care and provision in your daily life? [39:44]
3. How can you equip yourself with the "armor of God" to stand firm against spiritual deception in your life? What specific piece of armor do you feel you need to strengthen? [00:07]
4. Spiritism is described as a manifestation of evil spirits. How can you discern and avoid influences in your life that might lead you away from the truth of God? [30:43]
5. Consider a time when you felt tempted to seek comfort or answers outside of your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [42:01]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to rely on the Holy Spirit for comfort and guidance rather than turning to deceptive practices? [46:11]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the sufficiency of Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with Christ to ensure He remains your primary source of strength and guidance? [44:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Armor for the Battle
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul emphasizes the importance of being strong in the Lord and putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This spiritual battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. As believers, we are called to be vigilant and equipped with truth, righteousness, and faith. Our strength comes from the Lord, and we must rely on His power to stand firm. This requires a conscious effort to daily put on the armor of God, recognizing that our true adversaries are not of this world. [00:07]
Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."
Reflection: What specific piece of God's armor do you need to focus on today to stand firm in your spiritual battles?
Day 2: Discernment in a Deceptive World
Spiritism offers false promises of guidance and insight, contradicting the truth of Scripture. As Christians, we must discern these deceptions and hold fast to the teachings of the Bible, which provide all we need for life and godliness. The allure of spiritism can be strong, especially in times of uncertainty, but it is crucial to remember that true wisdom and guidance come from God alone. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and prayer, we can develop the discernment needed to recognize and reject these false teachings. [04:30]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of testing the spirits and discerning truth from deception in your daily life?
Day 3: Rejecting the Deception of Spiritism
The Bible consistently condemns spiritism as an abomination. It is not a harmless pursuit but a dangerous practice that leads people away from God. Spiritism undermines the sufficiency of God's revelation in Scripture, offering an alternative path to salvation that contradicts the gospel. As believers, we must heed the warnings of Scripture and avoid any involvement in such activities. By doing so, we protect our faith and remain aligned with God's truth. [12:00]
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV): "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord."
Reflection: Are there any influences or practices in your life that you need to remove to stay true to God's Word?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Spiritism reflects a lack of trust in God's care and provision. As believers, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives. Our times are in His hands, and we can rest in His goodness and faithfulness. Trusting in God means surrendering our need for control and believing that He is working all things for our good. This trust is built through a relationship with Him, nurtured by prayer and meditation on His Word. [39:44]
Psalm 31:14-15 (ESV): "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan, and how can you begin to surrender it to Him today?
Day 5: The Sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit
Spiritism denies the sufficiency of Christ's work and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We have all we need in Christ, who is our strength, comfort, and guide. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, providing wisdom and peace. As Christians, we are called to rely on the sufficiency of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to navigate life's challenges. This reliance brings peace and assurance, knowing that we are never alone in our journey. [46:11]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: How can you more fully rely on the sufficiency of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily decisions and challenges?
Quotes
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [00:12:32]
Spiritism offers guidance to people, it offers healing to people, it offers an understanding of the future, and as we saw and still more serious, most serious of all, there are those even within the Christian church and in the name of Christianity who would say and claim and argue that all this is of great help in understanding the scriptures and in understanding the Christian way of Salvation. [00:188:879]
The Bible itself grants that such facts and phenomena may very well be produced and are produced. Take, for instance, our Lord's own statement in Matthew 24:24. He says, "For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." [00:381:4]
The Bible condemns spiritism altogether and in its entirety. Now we had an illustration of that at the beginning when I read from 1 Samuel CH 28. Let me mention the two important verses: the third verse, which reads, "Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Rama, even in his own city. [00:700:519]
Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land." Here is the first king of Israel, Saul, called of God and anointed, and that was one of his first actions, to put away those that had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. [00:732:079]
Spiritism puts the whole of the biblical revelation on one side. For here we are given teaching, the teaching that is necessary for the soul in every respect. That is the business of the Bible, to teach us the truth about God and ourselves, how to live, how to die, the world, and the life beyond. [00:1201:919]
The teaching of spiritism denies that completely. They are only interested in the spirits of the departed dead, and they would explain what the Bible calls angels in terms of these appearances of the spirits of the departed dead. They don't recognize the biblical teaching concerning these great spiritual powers and forces and factors. [00:1296:279]
The biblical doctrine says that there's a great vision: Heaven and Hell, with God in glory or else suffering and everlasting destruction. There is nothing that's right about this teaching. It is altogether opposed to God and everything that he has done for mankind in his infinite grace and kindness and compassion. [00:1806:0]
It is not the spirits of our departed loved ones; it is these evil spirits, these principalities and powers, these rulers of the darkness of this world, this spiritual wickedness in high places. People think they're talking to their own departed dead; they're not. According to the Bible, it is these evil spirits that are impersonating. [00:1855:799]
Why do people do this sort of thing? Why do they rush to a medium or go to a spiritist meeting or try to do these various other things? Do you know why it is? Here's the answer: it's lack of trust in God and in his goodness. They're not ready to leave their lives and their destiny in the hands of God. [00:2391:88]
The Christian who turns to this kind of thing is displaying either his total unbelief or else he is so ignorant and uninstructed that he knows nothing of the exceeding riches of God's grace and the unsearchable riches of Christ. No, no, my friends, resist it steadfast in the faith. [00:2780:76]
Take unto you the whole armor of God, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole canopy so that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all things to stand. Amen. [00:2827:52]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?