Media and Girls

"They have ads of how you should dress and what you should look like and this and that, and then they say, 'but respect people for what they choose to be like.' Okay, so which do we do first?"

Kelsey, 16, quoted in Girl Talk

The statistics are startling. According to the 1983 Nielsen Report on Television, the average North American girl will watch 5,000 hours of television, including 80,000 ads, before she starts kindergarten. The 1996 study "Images of Female Children in TV Commercials" found that in the United States, Saturday morning cartoons alone come with 33 commercials per hour. Commercials aimed at kids spend 55 per cent of their time showing boys building, fixing toys, or fighting. They show girls, on the other hand, spending 77 per cent of their time laughing, talking, or observing others. And while boys in commercials are shown out of the house 85 per cent of the time, more than half of the commercials featuring girls place them in the home.

You've Come A Long Way, Baby?

The mass media, especially children's television, provide more positive role models for girls than ever before. Kids shows such as Timothy Goes to School, Canadian Geographic for Kids, and The Magic School Bus feature strong female characters who interact with their male counterparts on an equal footing.
There are strong role models for teens as well. A Children Now study of the media favoured by teenage girls ("A Different World: Children's Perceptions of Race and Class in Media," 1996) discovered that a similar proportion of male and female characters on TV and in the movies rely on themselves to achieve their goals and solve their own problems. (The one discrepancy was in the movies, where 49 per cent of male characters solve their own problems, compared to only 35 per cent of their female counterparts.) Television shows like Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and computer games such as Tomb Raider and Perfect Dark, star girls who are physically assertive and in control. And of course, Lisa has been acknowledged as the brains of the Simpson family since the start.

Despite the progress that has been made there is a long way to go, both in the quantity of media representations of woman and in their quality.

In terms of quantity, the media is still a long way from reflecting reality : women represent 49 per cent of humanity while female characters make up only 32 per cent of the main characters on TV, as shown by a broad survey done in 2008 by Doctor Maya Götz of the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television. This study measured the representation of male and female characters in nearly twenty thousand children’s programs in 24 different countries. The media industry justifies this disparity by arguing that it is easier for girls than boys to identify with characters of the opposite sex. Götz argues that this argument reverses cause and effect, saying that it is the lack of female characters on TV is what leads to the higher popularity of male characters.

So far as quality is concerned, the media still conform to a stereotyped image of women. Götz’s study identifies a number of sexual stereotypes found around the world : in general, girls and women are motivated by love and romance, appear less independent than boys, and are stereotyped according to their hair colour – blonds fall into two categories, the “girl next door” or the “blonde bitch,” while redheads are always tomboys – they are nearly always conventionally attractive, thinner than average women in real life, and heavily sexualized.

Magazines are the only medium where girls are over-represented. However,almost 70 per cent of the editorial content in teen mags focuses on beauty and fashion, and only 12 per cent talks about school or careers. ("Content Analysis of Contemporary Teen Magazines for Adolescent Females," 1991)

Media, Self-Esteem and Girls' Identities

Research indicates that these mixed messages make it difficult for girls to negotiate the transition to adulthood. In its 1998 study Focus on Youth, the Canadian Council on Social Development reports that while the number of boys who say they "have confidence in themselves" remains relatively stable through adolescence, the numbers for girls drop steadily from 72 per cent in Grade Six students to only 55 per cent in Grade Ten.
Carol Gilligan was the first to highlight this unsettling trend in her landmark 1988 study. Gilligan suggests it happens because of the widening gap between girls' self-images and society's messages about what girls should be like.
Children Now points out that girls are surrounded by images of female beauty that are unrealistic and unattainable. And yet two out of three girls who participated in their national media survey said they "wanted to look like a character on TV." One out of three said they had "changed something about their appearance to resemble that character."
In 2002, researchers at Flinders University in South Australia studied 400 teenagers regarding how they relate to advertising. They found that girls who watched TV commercials featuring underweight models lost self-confidence and became more dissatisfied with their own bodies. Girls who spent the most time and effort on their appearance suffered the greatest loss in confidence.

Eroticization of Young Girls

Under-represented, women are equally misrepresented : the hypersexualization of very young girls, most notably in fashion and advertising, is a disturbing trend given that these stereoypes make up most of the representations of themselves which girls and women see in the media. The pressures on girls are exacerbated by the media's increasing tendency to portray very young girls in sexual ways. Over the past decade, the fashion industry has begun to use younger and younger models, and now commonly presents 12- and 13-year-old girls as if they were women. Camera angles (where the model is often looking up, presumably at a taller man), averted eyes, wounded facial expressions, and vulnerable poses mimic the visual images common in pornographic media.
Anthropologist David Murray warns that, "Our culture is to a large extent experimenting with eroticizing the child." For Murray, the media frenzy around teeny-bopper pop star Britney Spears and murdered 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey are examples of how this eroticization is being turned into a highly saleable commodity.
The most cursory examination of media confirms that young girls are being bombarded with images of sexuality, often dominated by stereotypical portrayals of women and girls as powerless, passive victims.
As these girls become teenagers, many choose to tune out, but others maintain a hungry appetite for these messages. As Shawn Doherty and Nadine Joseph note, those who continue to consume media images are strongly influenced "by stereotypical images of uniformly beautiful, obsessively thin and scantily dressed objects of male desire. And studies show that girls who are frequent viewers have the most negative opinion of their gender."

Offensive Drawing 2

Getting to Really Know God...

Hi, friends, and welcome to this lesson! Any retelling of the life of Jesus Christ—especially a short one like this—falls far short of doing it justice. But if you are not familiar with the facts of Jesus' life and ministry, this lesson will be an introduction that hopefully will whet your appetite to learn more. Understanding Christ is the foundation for understanding true Christianity, which is believing and living by Christ's teachings and striving to imitate His perfect life.
If you already have a good understanding of Christ's life and teachings, this lesson should be an inspiring review and overview of that most precious understanding. It may also help prepare you to know how to explain to others our purpose in life and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
For modern-day disciples of Christ who love Him above all else, it's always a joy to read and meditate on His wonderful life and teachings.

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ

To be a true disciple of Christ means not only to be an admirer and follower, but also to obey and imitate Him. May this lesson help you toward that goal.
The following account from John 20:19-21, 24-29 about "doubting Thomas" has a great lesson for all of us:

"Then, the same day [the day after Jesus rose from the dead] at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you…'
"Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'
"And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'
"Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'
"And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'
"Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

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The Sources of Information About Jesus' Life and Ministry

The primary sources of information about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ are the first four books of the New Testament, which are called the Gospels. Other sources are the many prophecies in the Old Testament about the future Messiah and the New Testament books in which the apostles explain many things about Christ and His teachings.
Why are there four Gospels instead of just one? First, the Gospels are not purely biographies. Each of the four authors are describing what he considers the most spiritually significant elements of Jesus' life and teachings. Of course, each author was inspired by God through His Holy Spirit.
There are no real contradictions among the four accounts. The four different perspectives complement each other and help to fill out the whole picture of His perfect life. Therefore, there is harmony, continuity and unity among the four accounts. It's profitable to combine the perspectives into an overall view, but it's also interesting and profitable to focus on one perspective at a time.
Summarizing the particular focus of each author can be challenging, but here is one simplified approach: Matthew announces Jesus as King, Mark presents Him as Servant, Luke focuses on Him as Man and John highlights Him as God. Jesus is our perfect model in each of those roles.

What are the meanings of Jesus' primary names and titles?

Matthew 1:21
"And she [Mary] will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
John 1:41
He [Andrew] first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).
Luke 6:46
"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?"
Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

We can understand a lot about Jesus and His mission by understanding His names and titles. Jesus means "savior." Jesus is derived from the Greek Iesous, which is derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua (from which we get the English name Joshua).
Jesus truly was and is "God with us." He was and is the Son of God and therefore God. He was God in the flesh (Luke 1:35; John 20:28).
Messiah (from Hebrew mashiach) means "anointed" or "anointed one." Although the specific word appears in the Old Testament only in Daniel 9:25-26, many other prophecies promised a Messiah to be sent by God as a deliverer and liberator. Jesus came to earth the first time to deliver us from our sins and will come the second time to deliver us from mortality to immortality. The Greek for Messiah is Christos, from which we get Christ.
Lord means master. Yet sadly, most who called Him Master would not obey Him as their master.
Jesus usually referred to Himself as "the Son of Man." The reasons for this have been controversial among scholars, but we can state some likely reasons. Jesus used the definite article—He was the [unique] Son of Man, not a son of man. Jesus wanted all to know that He was human, but a very special human.
This idiomatic designation sounded reverential, but it was ambiguous in meaning. That may pinpoint why Jesus used it, because for most of His ministry, Jesus avoided referring to Himself as the Son of God or the Messiah or the son of David. He avoided what might sound political or blasphemous because He didn't want to stir up violent opposition prematurely.
Perhaps Paul was elaborating on this title when he referred to Jesus as "the last Adam," since adam is a Hebrew word for man (1 Corinthians 15:45). "The first man [Adam] was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man [Jesus Christ] is the Lord from heaven" (verse 47).

Did Jesus exist before His human birth?

John 1:1, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

To learn more about Jesus' preexistence, see Lesson 2 in this series of Free Bible Study Guides: "The God Revealed in the Old Testament Was the One Who Became Jesus Christ!"

How was Jesus conceived as a human child?

Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

God the Father used the Holy Spirit to bring about the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Jewish virgin named Mary. For further description, see Matthew 1:19-23 and Luke 1:26-35. And for a description of the Word voluntarily giving up His divine power and glory to temporarily become a human being, see Philippians 2:6-8.

What were the circumstances of Jesus' birth?

Luke 2:1, 4-7
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered [for a census]…
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The events that followed Jesus' birth are described in the remainder of Luke 2 and in Matthew 2. The exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown, for God does not want people to celebrate Jesus' birth. To understand why and for thorough proof that most of the traditions involved in Christmas celebrations are not from the Bible, see our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe?

What was Jesus' childhood like?

Luke 2:39-40
So when they [Joseph and Mary] had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Matthew 13:55-56
"Is this [Jesus] not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?"

Jesus grew up with His mother, stepfather and several younger siblings, the natural children of Mary and Joseph. Jesus certainly was precocious, being able at 12 years old to discuss Scripture with scholars at the temple (Luke 2:41-52). And in order to later be the perfect sacrifice and Savior, He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

When, where and how did Jesus begin His ministry?

Luke 3:23
Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age.
Matthew 3:13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John [the Baptist] at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:12
Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

After His baptism and His 40-day fast and temptation by Satan, Jesus returned to Galilee to begin His ministry. Galilee is the area around the Sea of Galilee, north of Jerusalem.

What was the message that Jesus preached?

Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

The word gospel means "good news." Jesus' message was about God's plan to offer the opportunity for salvation to all humanity, which means eternal life in the Kingdom of God!

What else was remarkable and astonishing about Jesus' ministry?

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

Jesus healed people everywhere He went, which reveals several important things. His miracles proved that He was sent by God (Acts 2:22). They showed that He cares for our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs. He loved and respected all people, regardless of gender, race, age or status, demonstrating a degree of love the world had never seen and which serves as a role model for all His future followers (John 13:34-35). He also used miracles to prove that He had the authority to forgive sins and to heal us of our spiritual problems (Matthew 9:6).

Is Jesus the foundation and Head of the Church?

Ephesians 2:19-20
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Colossians 1:18
And He [Christ] is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Did Jesus die and rise from the dead exactly as He foretold?

Matthew 12:40
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

At the close of Jesus' 3½-year ministry, Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be arrested, tortured, crucified and killed. Jesus' last and most important sign was His prophecy that He would rise from the dead in three days and would be in the tomb exactly three days and three nights (Matthew 12:38-40). That was precisely fulfilled!
Careful study of all the accounts shows He was crucified on a Wednesday afternoon and was put in the tomb before sundown. He rose from the dead and then left the tomb exactly three full days later, in the afternoon of the weekly Sabbath (Saturday). See "The Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection" for more details.
After His resurrection Jesus ascended to heaven and returned to appear to His followers several times. Then 40 days after His resurrection, He again ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 1:1-11). As Jesus repeatedly promised, He will one day return to earth (verse 11). And this next time, it will be "with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26).

What was the main reason for the life and death of Jesus Christ?

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 20:30-31
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Christ lived His earthly life to set us an example and to build His Church. He died for each and every one of us to pay the penalty of our sins so we can be forgiven of those sins. And He lives again to serve as our Savior, High Priest and Master (Hebrews 4:14-15).

So what shall we do?

Acts 2:36-38
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

After Christ's disciples received the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter preached a sermon about Jesus being the prophesied Christ and how He had been raised from the dead and "exalted to the right hand of God" (Acts 2:33). He told the assembled people, "You crucified" Jesus (verse 36). Of course, most of that crowd had no direct part in getting Jesus condemned to death. But we all are guilty indirectly because "all have sinned" and "Christ died for our sins" (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3).
When the people were convinced that Jesus was "both Lord and Christ" (verse 36) and that the guilt for His death lay on everyone, many of them asked, "What shall we do?" They knew they needed to take action. Peter then told them what each person must do to be forgiven of his or her sins and to receive the awesome gift of God's Holy Spirit (verse 38). Peter's instruction to repent and be baptized is just as true today as it was at that time. This is explained in more detail in our booklet Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion.

FALSE TEACHER: Mason Betha a.k.a. MASE

Friendships

Navigating Friendships as a Christian: Staying True to Christ

Friendships should uplift and encourage us, but sometimes they pull us away from God instead. As Christians, it can be challenging to maintain our faith when those around us don’t share our values. You may already sense when a friendship isn’t healthy, but how do you step away without guilt, fear, or loneliness?

Let’s explore a biblical and practical approach to choosing godly friendships and letting go of harmful ones.

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1️⃣ Prioritize Your Walk with Christ

Your relationship with God should come first—above peer approval, social status, or the fear of hurting someone’s feelings. If a friendship is pulling you away from Christ, it’s time to re-evaluate.

📖 Galatians 1:10 –
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

💡 Ask Yourself: Does this friendship help me grow spiritually, or does it weaken my faith?

✅ Practical Steps:

• Start your day with prayer and Scripture to strengthen your faith.
• Surround yourself with people who encourage your walk with Christ.

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2️⃣ Seek God’s Wisdom in Choosing Friends

Making tough friendship decisions isn’t easy, but God is always ready to give you wisdom when you ask.

📖 James 1:5 –
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

🙏 Pray: "Lord, guide me in my friendships. Show me who will help me walk closer to You, and give me the courage to let go of those who don’t."

✅ Practical Steps:

• Pray before forming new friendships.
• Write down the qualities you seek in a godly friend.
• Seek advice from a trusted Christian mentor.

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3️⃣ Recognize When You’re in Denial

Sometimes, we make excuses for bad friendships. We might think we can change someone, or we fear being alone. Be honest with yourself—are you holding onto a friendship that’s damaging your faith?

📖 Matthew 16:24 –
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.’”

⚠️ Signs You May Be in Denial:

• "They’re not always like this."
• "I know they make bad choices, but I won’t let it affect me."
• "I don’t want to seem judgmental."

✅ Practical Steps:

• Write down ways the friendship affects your faith—both positively and negatively.
• Talk to a Christian mentor about your concerns.

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4️⃣ Find and Build Godly Friendships

Loneliness can make it tempting to return to harmful relationships. Instead, seek out friends who strengthen your faith.

📖 Psalm 32:8 –
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.”

✨ Ways to Find Godly Friendships:

• Join a church group or Bible study.
• Invest in friendships that align with your faith.
• Be intentional about making new, healthy connections.

🌍 Digital Friendships Matter Too!
Not all friendships are in person—online relationships also shape your mindset and faith. Be discerning about who you connect with and what influences you allow into your life.

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5️⃣ Strengthen Your Spiritual Foundation

The stronger your relationship with Christ, the easier it is to identify and walk away from unhealthy friendships.

📖 Ephesians 6:10 –
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

💪 How to Grow Spiritually:

• Read your Bible daily.
• Pray regularly for strength and wisdom.
• Seek accountability from a trusted mentor.
• Engage in worship and Christian community.

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🚨 Recognizing a Toxic Friendship

Not sure if a friendship is unhealthy? Here are some warning signs:

✔️ Negative Influence: They pressure you into behaviors that go against your faith (dishonesty, gossip, substance abuse, etc.).
✔️ Emotional Manipulation: They are controlling, manipulative, or always critical.
✔️ Spiritual Hindrance: They mock your faith or discourage you from following Christ.
✔️ Lack of Respect: They ignore your boundaries, values, or beliefs.
✔️ Gossip & Betrayal: They spread rumors or break your trust.

🚨 If any of these describe your friendship, it may be time to step back.

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How to End an Unhealthy Friendship

Letting go of a toxic friendship can be hard, but with God’s help, you can do it.

📖 Proverbs 13:20 –
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

✨ Steps to Walk Away Gracefully:
1️⃣ Gradual Distancing: Reduce contact and create space.
2️⃣ Honest Conversation: If necessary, kindly explain your decision:

• "I value our friendship, but I need to focus on my relationship with God."
  3️⃣ Set Boundaries: Be clear about what you will and won’t participate in.
• "I can’t join in that activity because it goes against my beliefs."
  4️⃣ Seek Support: Talk to a trusted Christian for encouragement and accountability.

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Biblical Examples of Friendship

✅ Good Friends in the Bible:

• Ruth & Naomi – Loyal and supportive (Ruth 1:16).
• Jonathan & David – Selfless and protective (1 Samuel 20).
• Paul & Timothy – Encouraging and strengthening each other (Philippians 2:19-22).

❌ Bad Friends in the Bible:

• Pharaoh’s Cupbearer – Ungrateful and forgetful (Genesis 40:1-23).
• Ahithophel – Betrayer and manipulative (2 Samuel 15:12-17:23).
• Judas Iscariot – Self-serving and treacherous (Matthew 26:15-17).

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Final Encouragement ❤️

Choosing the right friends is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. God cares about your friendships, and He will guide you to relationships that encourage and strengthen your faith.

📖 Proverbs 12:26 –
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

🙏 A Prayer for You:
"Lord, give me wisdom in my friendships. Help me to let go of relationships that pull me away from You, and surround me with people who encourage my faith. Give me strength, courage, and peace. Amen."

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What Do You Think?

Have you struggled with ending a bad friendship? What helped you? Let’s talk in the comments! ⬇️

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This version is now universally relevant while maintaining its biblical foundation, engaging structure, and practical application. 🚀 Let me know if you need any final adjustments before publishing! 😊

Proverbs 14:20 NIV
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Proverbs 22:24 NIV
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Sex in Advertising Mind Control Video

Occult Symbolism in Advertising, Merchandise & Print:

Flick My NWO










Anyone for a "sexplosion"?



.

...I REALLY hope they're washing their hands over at Starbucks!


Laid by the Best


Seems normal at first glance...



Underage pregnancy is "OK"! (?)




..or you can go the other route.


Occult Symbolism: "OK"


Can You see it?
(Sex)


Is that a sex doll?


Miley Cyrus



Look closely at what he is holding.



Sears ad from the 70's



Hopefully, I won't have to point this one out.


...now, go smoke some ciggs kidz!


Levi's










Time shows Bill Clinton's true nature


...Vogue loves you



Old Navy Ad rockin' the Horns.


Hard Rock Cafe

Spiritualism and the Occult

Spiritualism and the occult are topics that have fascinated and troubled humanity for centuries. They encompass a wide range of practices, beliefs, and phenomena that often seek to access supernatural knowledge, power, or communication with spiritual entities outside the realm of the divine. For Christians, these practices are explicitly warned against in Scripture, as they involve engaging with forces that are opposed to God and His purposes. Let’s explore what spiritualism and the occult entail, their dangers, and how Christians are called to respond.

What Are Spiritualism and the Occult?

Spiritualism:

• Spiritualism is the belief that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, often through a medium. It gained popularity in the 19th century and often involves séances, Ouija boards, or other methods of contacting the deceased.

• The goal is typically to gain knowledge, comfort, or guidance from the spirit world.

The Occult:

• The occult refers to hidden or secret knowledge and practices that seek to tap into supernatural forces or realms. This includes practices like witchcraft, sorcery, divination, astrology, tarot reading, necromancy, and other forms of magic.

• The occult often involves rituals, symbols, and invocations to manipulate spiritual forces or gain insight into the future.

Biblical Warnings Against Spiritualism and the Occult

The Bible consistently condemns involvement with spiritualism and the occult. These practices are seen as rebellion against God and a dangerous opening to demonic influence. Here are some key passages:

• Deuteronomy 18:10-12:

  "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."

• Leviticus 19:31:

  "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God."

• Galatians 5:19-21: The works of the flesh include "idolatry, sorcery" (the Greek word for sorcery, pharmakeia, is often associated with occult practices), and those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God."

• Acts 19:19:

  In Ephesus, new believers who had practiced magic brought their books and burned them, demonstrating their repentance and rejection of occult practices.

• 1 Samuel 28: The story of King Saul consulting the medium of Endor to summon the spirit of Samuel is a sobering example of the dangers of dabbling in spiritualism. Saul’s actions led to his downfall and death.

Why Are Spiritualism and the Occult Dangerous?

1. They Open the Door to Demonic Influence:

• Spiritualism and occult practices often involve interacting with spiritual entities that are not of God. These entities are deceptive and malevolent, seeking to lead people away from the truth and into bondage.

• The Bible makes it clear that Satan disguises himself as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14), and his servants can appear righteous while leading people astray.

2. They Replace Trust in God:

• Engaging in these practices reflects a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and provision. Instead of seeking God for guidance, people turn to forbidden sources of knowledge and power.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."

3. They Lead to Spiritual Bondage:

• Occult practices often create a cycle of dependency and fear. Those involved may feel trapped by the very forces they sought to control or manipulate.

4. They Distort Truth:

• The occult often mixes truth with lies, making it appealing but ultimately deceptive. It can lead people away from the gospel and into false beliefs about God, the afterlife, and spiritual reality.

How Should Christians Respond?

1. Avoid All Forms of Spiritualism and the Occult:

• The Bible is clear that these practices are off-limits for believers. Even seemingly harmless activities like playing with a Ouija board or reading horoscopes can open the door to spiritual danger.

2. Seek God Alone for Guidance:

• Instead of turning to mediums, psychics, or occult practices, Christians are called to seek God through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).

3. Renounce and Repent of Any Involvement:

• If you or someone you know has been involved in spiritualism or the occult, it’s important to repent and renounce these practices in Jesus’ name. This includes destroying any objects or materials associated with these practices (Acts 19:19).

• Seeking guidance from trained deliverance ministers can also be beneficial for those struggling with spiritual oppression.

4. Put on the Armor of God:

• Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

5. Pray for Protection and Deliverance:

• Pray for God’s protection over yourself and your loved ones. If you sense spiritual oppression or bondage, seek prayer and support from mature Christians or church leaders with experience in spiritual deliverance.

6. Share the Truth with Others:

• Many people are drawn to spiritualism and the occult out of curiosity, fear, or a desire for meaning. As Christians, we can share the hope and truth of the gospel, which offers freedom and life in Christ.

• It is important to approach those involved in these practices with love and compassion, recognizing that they are often searching for answers in the wrong places.

The Power of Christ Over the Occult

The good news is that Jesus Christ has ultimate authority over all spiritual forces. Colossians 2:15 declares that Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them." Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of sin, death, and the devil. Those who turn to Him in faith can be set free from any form of spiritual bondage.

If you or someone you know has been involved in spiritualism or the occult, remember that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Through repentance, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit, you can experience true freedom and peace in Him.

Final Thought

Spiritualism and the occult may promise knowledge, power, or connection, but they ultimately lead to deception and bondage. As Christians, we are called to walk in the light of Christ, relying on His Word and Spirit for guidance and protection. By staying rooted in the truth and rejecting all forms of darkness, we can live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has won for us.