What is Occultism?

What is Occultism, and why do we need to be free from it in our lives?

Recognizing Occultism

Occultism is often a misunderstood subject. We teach about it in our For My Life Retreats to help people understand what it is. We have found that many people have dipped into Occultism and are unaware of it. Occultism is not just witches, warlocks, and Ouija boards, although it includes such practices. But there may be elements of Occultism that have slipped into your everyday life that you may need to discern so that you can stop participation with them.

Occultism is deceptive, and many people have been bound and destroyed by it. So how is Occultism defined? Occultism is anything that has offered itself as truth—in place of God—and is not truth. It is looking for solutions other than God’s solutions. It is anything that we trust in other than God. We have fallen into occult practices when we have replaced God with something else as our source.

A Picture of Occultism

The root word of Occultism is “occlude.” Occlude means to hide something or obscure it from view. The science of astronomy recognizes this phenomenon when one heavenly body (such as a star or planet) obscures the view of another heavenly body. For example, a solar eclipse is when the moon occludes the sun. In other words, the real thing is hidden, and something else offers itself as if it were the real thing.

This is a good picture of what Satan tried to do and what he still tries to do today. In Isaiah, Satan’s attempt at being like God is recorded. He was not the most High God but tried to offer himself as the most High God.

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14 KJV

This remains Satan’s motive: to try to insert himself or his solutions in place of God and His ways. He will come and offer perverted good because he has always wanted to be like God. His gospel is not God’s gospel; it is occultic in nature because it offers something that is not real.

Mechanisms of Religion, Fear, and Control

Occultism will always try to reason with people and rationalize why God’s gospel is not true or will not work. And it will present another gospel that will help us “manage” the real gospel by offering itself as a religious mechanism. The Bible says very clearly to turn away from those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. We must reject any religious mechanism that presents itself as an alternative to the true gospel.

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV

Occultism will also accuse, drive, and control because it is rooted in fear. Fear always rules and controls because it does not have faith. Occultism is fear based on the opposite of who God is and who we are in Him in truth, knowledge, position, and identity. If we have fear, accusation, or control in our life—this is evidence that we may have slipped into Occultism.

A Mentality of Doubt, Unbelief, and Fear

Doubt and unbelief are part of fear, and they try to influence us not to trust God to fulfill His promises. As a result, we begin to create a mentality that overthrows the Kingdom of God and the Word of God in our lives. Doubt, unbelief, and fear are all evidence that we may have an occultic mentality in our lives.

If we are fearful and afraid of everything, we have a spirit of fear, and occultic thinking has become our identity. But God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind! We can repent of this way of thinking today and determine to pursue truth so that our minds can be renewed to God’s ways of thinking.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

No Rest

When Occultism is present in a person’s life, there is no rest. There is no peace with themselves, God, or others. Occultism can lead to insanity and affect a person’s body chemistry and biological systems. Such practices can cause tormenting thoughts and lack of sleep, or night terrors. Occultism can bring drivenness and performance, self-hatred, and even suicidal thoughts. This is occultic because these thoughts exalt themselves against the knowledge of God and His Word.

We must come out of occult practices and thinking and accept that God loves us and is for us. We can choose to cast down imaginations and any high thing that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of God. We can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and follow God’s ways because Occultism is disobedience to God’s Word.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 1-:5-6 KJV

We can choose to agree with God and what He has said about us so we can live with peace in our minds and bodies. We can decide to no longer deny what He has said and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Concluding Thoughts

We have a choice today to recognize if Occultism is in our lives because it must be broken in order to be totally healed of disease. Continued involvement in occult practices and mentality, or going to occult practitioners, are a few things that block our supernatural healing.

The term Occultism refers to much more than occult practices involving witchcraft, tarot cards, and fortune telling. It is a way of thinking that denies God’s way of thinking. It is the agreement with an alternate gospel that involves management and is rooted in fear. Satan would love to provide himself and his ways as an alternative option. But we can decide to reject Occultism in all its forms and embrace God’s truth in our lives so that we may enter into His promised rest now. You can choose this today with help from the Holy Spirit!

Additional Resources

Would you like to learn more about what Occultism is and the other Spiritual Roots of Disease^®?

In addition to the Occultism teaching, we present over twenty other life-changing classes in the For My Life Retreat. These teachings will lead you to the truth you need to find healing in God for your spirit, soul, and body.

The Be in Health Team invites you to join us on this life-changing journey of healing and restoration that we call the Overcomers’ Journey. We want to help you regain your life, overthrow the enemy’s works in the world, and be a successful overcomer.

Maybe it’s time to take some time out for your life

The For My Life Retreat is a five-day, intensive healing retreat. It is a safe place to take time out for your life to be renewed in your mind, spirit, and body by the truth from God’s Word.

There is also a For My Life Online Course available, where you can participate with us from the comfort of your own home.

Blessings,

The Be in Health Team

This is a sound bite from the For My Life Online Occultism teaching:

This article is part of the For My Life Sound Bite Series.

Check out these articles to learn more about the other teachings we offer and get more insights into spiritual discernment, the power of God’s love, and how He can heal you and help you become an overcomer!

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Separation – Learn how to recognize the enemy’s strategy to divide and destroy relationships and get smarter than him. You can recognize and hate the sin but still love the person just like God does for us.

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Bitterness – Learn the seven steps of bitterness, including unforgiveness, anger, violence, and murder. With these insights, you will be able to defeat this stronghold and operate in God’s forgiveness and peace.

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