Can Fortune Tellers Determine True Believers of Jesus?
Can I even ask that?
Have you ever met anyone who claims to be a bona fide palm reader, fortune-teller or tarot card reader? If so, have you ever asked them what they think of Jesus?
Some of you may have immediately concluded that it would be foolish to connect with such a person. And perhaps it is on some level, depending on one’s level of spiritual maturity. Nevertheless, I’m always wondering whether these people are just putting on a show, or do they really have demonic powers.
Before you jump to any conclusions, no, I have not given my life over to the dark lord. I’m just trying to get a handle on what demon possession really looks like in Western society. Allow me to explain.
Last week I walked into our local coffee shop.
I was shocked to see a tarot card reader set up right in the shop. (This is a post within itself, but we won’t go there.) I looked around to see what anyone else thought of the situation, but it seemed normal to everyone around me.
I couldn’t believe how common it had become in culture, that no one seemed phased. Speaking to a pastor friend of mine a couple of days ago, he commented on how frequently people are talking about tarot readings lately. He also noted that his local bookstore had set up a huge tarot display recently.
It makes me wonder…
Would that tarot card reader know that I’m a follower of Jesus? Would she know that I’m a pastor? How would she react in my presence if I sat down beside her? How would I start a conversation with her?
My mind drifts to Acts 16, soon after the Apostle Paul picks up his apprentice Timothy when they had a crazy encounter.
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She 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.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.” (Acts 16:16-18)
This gal was a genuine, demon-possessed fortune-teller. And if I read this correctly, a true demon-possessed fortune-teller should know whether or not someone is a follower of Jesus.
So, what would happen?
What would have happened if I had sat down beside that tarot card reader in my local coffee shop? In her presence, would she lash out in anger or invite me in? Would I be able to tell if she was putting on a show? Would she display similar demonic powers that we see in Acts 16?
At the time, she was with a ‘client‘, which gave me a good reason to chicken out on speaking to her, but I somewhat regret it now. She’s likely just another lost person who needs Jesus but got caught up in this empty practice.
Anyone can receive the Gospel.
I imagine most Christians avoid these people as I did. I guess, if I read the passage correctly, Paul tried to avoid the fortune-telling girl as well. And yet, maybe by avoiding these people, there are missed opportunities.
Maybe there are opportunities to prove the power of Christ in the lives of some very lost people. Then again, maybe I just want to know if I have what it takes to endure a serious spiritual encounter. It’s not like I’m going to stop getting coffee, so I might get the opportunity in the coming weeks.
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:
- Have you had any experience with tarot card readers or fortune-tellers?
- How would you or could you perceive demonic involvement?
- How would you share the Gospel with such a person?
I actually had to read your post more than once. WOW!!!
Your ignorance is astounding. (No offence or disrespect.)
Don’t get me wrong here, there are plenty of fraudulent “fortune tellers” out there, The problem I have with your article is that you are putting “demonic possesion” together with divination in general. You are treating this as a very black and white concept. The fact is that divination is a tool used by many cultures and faiths around the world for a variety of reasons.
Let me say that again; divination is a tool. Like a hammer.
Is a hammer good or evil? Is the person weilding the hammer automatically demon possesed? Think about that for a second.
Yes, a person with a hammer may use it to pry open a door to break into someone’s house, and they have been used for murder. So, by extension, all hammers must be evil…
Wait a minute. Jesus was a carpenter. He used a hammer. Is he Evil?
Jesus was also a prophet. (Along with many others in the bible.) This means he divined future events. See where I’m going with this?
Before automatically assigning demons to all of those people in the world who do not believe like you do, maybe you should consider their intentions. I for one used to think very much like you. That line of thinking comes from a place of fear.
To answer your question, I am a proud Pagan who uses divination in my devotional work to help and counsel others. I am more than willing to answer your questions, I only ask that we treat each other respectfully. I am not demon possesed, nor am I evil. I hold no ill will towards you, and have no interest in converting you or in being converted.
The fact is, I know you in the real world, Jeremy. I’d love to turn this into an inter-faith exchange.
Quite early on in the Bible, God required Noah to build an ark. He said it should be made of wood, so I’m assuming he likely used a hammer. Soon after, God gave instruction on building a place of worship, again with wood as a main material (overlaid with gold). Again, I believe they likely used a hammer a few times. In all this time and up until now, a hammer has always been used in contact with none communicative things (wood, nails, etc.) The wood never spoke back to Noah and wood has never spoken to me.
However, also early on in Scripture, God specifically warns about the evils of “divination”, “soothsaying”, “sorcerers”, “mediums”, etc. God actually says you SHALL NOT visit or use these “tools” (as you say). The reason is that the “materials” (spirits) in which the “tools” work are evil (according to God). God chose to communicate with the prophets (which may be considered a tool) because the material was Him that was being in contact.
As a pagan, the Bible teaches that the only “material” that you’re communicating with (regardless of the tool) is the devil and his demons (regardless of the tool you use). I believe the Bible to be true, mostly because of the “material” (the Holy Spirit) that’s living inside of me and leading me every day. Thanks for your thoughts!