LESSON 3

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE WORSHIP OF ANCESTRAL SPIRITS

OR VISITING TRADITIONAL DOCTORS
Worship of ancestral spirits or consulting traditional healers or rather any communication
with the “dead” or being possessed by familiar spirits is strictly forbidden in the word of
God.
In Deuteronomy 18 from verse 9-12 believers are told in no uncertain terms not to consults
such as it is an abomination to the Lord. Most God fearing Israelite kings would drive out
fortune tellers, spiritualists and diviners banishing them to other lands. 1% Samuel 28:9
refers
to Saul’s banishing of such out of the kingdom of Israel.
The only spirit that believers should interact with is the Holy Spirit. No one can claim to be a
child of God while consulting or dabbling in occultic activities, The fact that the Apostle Paul
on encountering a young girl with a familiar spirit became agitated in his spirit and cast it
out,
demonstrates that God totally disapproves of their presence in people’s lives. Saul who was
in a backslidden state consulted the witch or diviner of Endor because God was no longer
responding to his enquiries. He was obviously adding to his many transgressions.
Herbalists or those who may understand how to use different herbs to cure people from
different ailments can however not be put into the same category with those who are given
knowledge by spirits of the dead. Using herbs is not forbidden in the scriptures; rather the
issue is how the knowledge to use them is acquired.
It is important to note here that it is not possible to communicate with dead relatives and
friends. The bible states that it is not possible. What most of those who summon the spirits
of
the dead consider being the spirits of their loved ones are actually impersonating demon
spirits.
SCRIPTURE READING
9 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the
detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who
sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery,
interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or
spiritist or who consults the dead.
12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these
detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. 13
You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 18:9-13

16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who
had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for
her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting,
"These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be
saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so troubled that he
turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ [ command you to
come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

Acts 16:16-18

7 Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go
and inquire of her." There is one in Endor," they said. 8 So Saul disguised himself,
putting on other clothes and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a
spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name." 9 But the woman said to
him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists
from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"

1 Samuel 28:7-9
19« There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury
every day. 2’ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 2! and
longinzg to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his
sores.2“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to
Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. * In Hades, where he was in
torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. %S0 he
called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his
finger in water and cool my tongue, because 1 am in agony in this fire.” “But
Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things,
while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in
agony. 2 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place,
so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone Cross over from
there to us.”

Luke 16:19-26
LESSON

(1) No one can call themselves Christians while interacting or consulting with any
other spiritual entity than the Holy Spirit.

(2) Consulting familiar spirits implies that one has no faith in God.

(3) All those engaging in the worship of ancestors are under satanic deception.

(4) Some herbs have been proven over centuries to be able to heal certain ailments
and there is nothing wrong in using them. However, a Christian cannot use
medicines prescribed by diviners or those who consult the dead.
(5) Al activity associated with divining, psychic readings or any other such is of the
devil.

62

LESSON 1

CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

The people that a person associates with and spends time with will obviously have a big
impact on that person’s behaviour, attitudes and character. The fact that someone enjoys
the
company of certain individuals and spends time with them is in itself an indication that they
benefit (or think they do) or drink from those relationships.
Human beings are relational by nature and actively seek to associate and interact with
others.
The question arises then how one should manage relationships and associations.
After the Lord called out Abraham beginning the process of separating a nation and a people
to himself, he clearly from one generation to the other warns on the dangers of mixing or
covenanting with those who have different beliefs and lifestyles with a believer.
The children of Israel were commanded in no uncertain terms not to marry among the tribes
that were scattered around them because of their heathen beliefs and practices.
Right through the New Testament, this position is maintained as the apostles warn believers
against the dangers of non-selective interactions.
While we as believers are not expected to hate non-believers, but seek ways of ministering
to
them, we certainly would be foolish if we underestimate the potential destruction to our
spiritual walk if we have unregulated interactions with them.
Many Christians have deceived themselves into thinking that they can still lead spiritually
pure lives while involved in undefined relationships and interactions with non-believers.
The word of God clearly warns us in Psalms 1:1 that we are not to seat, stand nor walk with
non-believers.
Common sense obviously tells us that we cannot avoid non-believers completely, this is a
reference to levels or depth of inferaction and communication that we may have with them.
SCRIPTURE READING '

1 el e, Nos il 11 4a O Bl 2Bt his cclight s in the aw of

the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night....3He will be like a tree firmly
planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not
wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

89

B DR S 8 SR GBS 45 wp s you
ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of G&d. 1 say this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Zechariah 13
LESSON
(1) Every person must deliberately and consciously choose those they associate with.
(2) We are influenced by those we spend time with negatively or positively, that
cannot be denied.
(3) Pretending that our associations do not impact our behaviour, decisions and
character is a form of self-deception according to the bible.
(4) We are not commanded to be judgemental towards non-believers but to have
regulated and properly defined relationships where boundaries are clear.
(5) Itis possible to lose one’s blessing because of ungodly associations.
90

LESSON 2
WHOM SHOULD A CHRISTIAN MARRY
Marriage should never be viewed in a shallow romantic context, but in a broader sense
which
considers its impact on society and the immediate communities where the union may occur.
1t is important to view the home as that place where human beings are born, bred, shaped
and
then released to society.
So, the question will always be, “What kind of final product comes out of a home.”
The beliefs, values and attitudes of every human being impact their social surrounding and
these are developed in the home
The bible teaches that marriage is honourable and the bed is undefiled, it also makes it clear
that adulterers and fornicators will be judged. :
When two people decide to marry it is important for them to realise that firstly they are
contributing to the quality of the moral fibre of society.
Marriage should be approached with a very responsible attitude and realisation that the by-
products of a specific union can be negative and of no meaningful value to society or the
purposes of God. g
Those who go into this union need to be sure that they are in full agreement as to the
importance of centering and building their marriage on the fundamental tenets of Christian
teaching.
There is no home which can be built by two individuals who do not believe the same thing.
The word of God also clearly commands us not to be yoked with unbelievers.
SCRIPTURE READING
...2and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them,
then you shall utterly destroy them. Youvshall make no covenant with them and show
iRt aore. you shall Het mtefbARY Wilh:dher: o0 Shalf Hgk
. 4"For they will turn your sons a.way from followigmMe to serve other gods; then the
anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you....
Deuteronomy 7:3
93

13As a fair exchange, [ ask you as my children: %r pen wide your hearts also. 141G 6l
yith wickodhess?| OF-wlini {ellbwship doks ight' have with ‘dadmeSsit1SWhat
harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common
with an unbeliever? ...
2 Corinthians 6:13-15
LESSON

(1) The marriage relationship is a defining one, it can determine whether a person will
be a failure or success in life depending on whom they marry.

(2) From the Old Covenant to the New, believers were strictly forbidden from
marrying non-believers or gentiles.

(3) Itis important to know that an unequal yoke can be between two believers, if one
knows they are called to go to China and another to Mexico and they marry, the
union will experience conflict.

(4 Anunequal yoke can also be intellectual when two parties have a big gap in their
educational qualifications thus creating a communication rift.

Unless a couple are prepared to change, big differences in family upbringing and class
differences can also create a major rift in a relationship. That would also be an unequal yoke.
94

LESSON3

HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN ENTER A MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP?

When one gets “saved,” their lives become Christ centred and Christ led. The reason why
most people’s lives are wrecked by the enemy is simply because of the choices they make or
they will bave made in terms of choosing a life partner. The word of God urges believers to
trust in the Lord in all their ways and not to lean on their own understanding. In issues which
have to do with human relationships it is important to acknowledge that only God knows the
innermost workings of people’s hearts and feelings. So how can one, if they decide to get
married, know that the person they have set their hearts on is the right person or that they
are
what they portray themselves to be. Asking God to lead in the process of choosing a life
partner is crucial.
‘When Abraham decided to help his son Isaac to look for a wife, he took the first and very
important step of instructing his servant to go back to his people to look for a wife from
among his people because he was in a foreign land. One of the foundations of a successful
relationship is common ground for the two parties involved. Cultural, traditional and other
differences can put an unnecessary strain on a relationship although these may not be
insurmountable.
The servant took the second and very important step of going before God to ask him to send
an angel before him so as to help him choose a wife for his master. Not asking God for his
guidance while moving into such a decisive and determining chapter of a person’s life should
be considered unwise. It is important to seek God’s guidance and also the counsel of
seasoned believers who have an informed understanding of marriage as the believer
prepares
for this important season of their lives.
Dating as a way of confirming that one has made the right choice is no different from living
in with someone. All these methods do not give anyone access into a person’s heart. Only
God knows people’s hearts. It is also important to note that God’s word strictly warns
against
marrying non-believers.
SCRIPTURE READING

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and

wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the LORD.
Proverbs 18:21
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
24 By that time Abraham was very old. The LORD had blessed Abraham in every
way. 2The best servant in his house was in charge of everything Abraham had.
57

Abraham said to him, “Put your hand under my thigh. >The LORD is the God of
heaven and the God of earth. I want you to make a promise to me in his name. I’'m
living among the people of Canaan. But I want you to promise me that you won’t get
a wife for my son from their daughters. *Instead, promise me that you will go to my
country and to my own relatives. Get a wife for my son Isaac from there.”” The
servant asked Abraham, “What if the woman doesn’t want to come back with me to
. this land? Then should T take your son back to the country jou came from?”® “Make
sure you don’t take my son back there,” Abraham said. ’'“The LORD, the God of
heaven, took me away from my father’s family. He brought me out of my own land.
He made me a promise. He said, ‘I will give this land to your family after you.’ The
Lorp will send his angel ahead of you. So you will be able to get a wife for my son
from there. ® The woman may not want to come back with you. If she doesn’t, you
will be free from your promise. But don’t take my son back there.” ®So the servant
put his hand under Abraham’s thigh. He promised to do what his master
wanted.* The servant chose ten of his master’s camels and left. He loaded the camels
with all kinds of good things from his master. He started out for Aram Naharaim and
made his way to the town of Nahor. ' He stopped near the well outside the town.
There he made the camels get down on their knees. It was almost evening, the time
when women go out to get water.'> Then he prayed, “LORD, you are the God of my
master Abraham. Make me successful today. Be kind to my master Abraham. *I’m
standing beside this spring. The daughters of the people who live in the town are
coming out here to get water. '*T will speak to a young woman. Ill say to her, ‘Please
lower your jar so I can have a drink.” Suppose she says, ‘Have a drink of water, and
T'll get some for your camels too.” Then let her be the one you have chosen for your
servant Isaac. That’s how I'll know you have been kind to my master.”
Genesis 24:1-14
LESSON

(1) Getting married is a very important step in one’s life and definitely needs God’s
guidance

(2) Itis not possible to know a person’s heart unless the Lord reveals or exposes it.

(3) Itis important to consider one’s calling and the direction that their life is taking
carefully so as to be sure that their prospective partner will fit in and be a source
of strength and encouragement rather than opposition.
(4) The word of God commands us not to marry non-believers.

(5) Prayer for guidance should play a central role in the lives of those secking a
partner.

98

LESSON 4
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS DRESS?
The word of God warns us about indulging in a liberty that might cause other people to
stumble.
After our encounter with Christ, which results in us being born again, our whole outlook and
attitude towards life must change.
‘We begin to take life more seriously and we also begin to appreciate the reality of eternal
life.
I have never met a person who encountered Jesus who did not only think about where they
would spend eternity without also thinking about where their loved ones and friends would
spend theirs.
This creates an urgency which demands that a Christian tell everyone about Christ and the
need to prepare for life after death.
That is how a new code of conduct and behaviour in turn grips a believer. They then want
Christ to be seen and reflected through them. They want a difference to be seen between
their
old and new self.
This is what helps change the way a person talks, dresses or generally conducts themselves.
Right from the Old Testament God has always had something to say about how his people
should dress. Sometimes our dress has to honour God and sometimes it shows respect to
those around us.
Without going into legalistic interpretations of what is the right or wrong way that a
Christian
should dress, it is a fact that a responsible person will consider the way they dress within the
boundaries of what is considered as decent or indecent within their social grouping. This
they
will do as an act of responsibility so that they do not become a stumbling block to those
seeking eternal life.
Scripture also encourages modesty in dress and a focus on developing the inner rather than
the outer man.
The most important thing to understand as a believer is the need to be responsible.
Different
social settings have different cultural expressions and interpretations of what is appropriate
or
not. The key issue for believers is behaving responsibly, respectfully and appropriately for
the sake of the gospel. This certainly does not mean one has to become a prude.
101

SCRIPTURE READING
5"A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing;
for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 22:5
1 also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided
hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for
women who profess to worship God.

NIV, 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the
wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self,
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to
make themselves beautiful.

NIV, 1 Peter 3:2-5

8But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no
better if we do. 9B careful, however, thatour freedom doesinot becoine & stumbling
Block o the weak: 10For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well
informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to
idols?...

1 Corinthians 8:9

LESSON:

(I) As God’s children we should think about what we put on and the message it
sends.

(2) We must accept that our dress code is very important and God’s word addresses it.

(3) It is easy for us to focus on our outward appearance and dress rather than the
condition of the inner man.

“) Our attire can reflect our attitude towards God or to the community we live in.

) We still have to dress well as long as we can afford it and look contemporary
rather than drab and miserable because that also can bring mockery on the gospel.
102