Isaiah 8:19-22
(19) – “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?”
Isaiah was warning the people of Israel that because of their wickedness, the Assyrians were going to invade and destroy everything. We know from what we read in the Bible as well as world history, the Assyrians did just that. Isaiah predicted that when the Assyrians would invade, that some people would consult witches, wizards, mediums, etc… to try and communicate with the dead. Now, that just doesn’t make any sense! If the dead were all that powerful, they wouldn’t be dead! The dead can’t do anything, they have no control over what happens to the living. Isaiah said that instead of trying to consult the dead, in this troublesome time, they should seek the living God.
We are all faced with trouble in life. It’s unavoidable. However, we can be just as foolish as the Israelites when we consult the dead instead of our living God. We may not go to witches and mediums or attend a seance to try and contact the dead, (at least I hope you don’t!) However, too many times, when there is trouble in life, we like to look to the world for answers. The world is lost and spiritually dead. When you try and get the world’s answers to life’s problems, it’s akin to consulting a witch to try and contact the dead. Look at the state of the world we live in: people call good evil and evil good! The world doesn’t have the answers. The world is self destructive. It’s like asking the captain of the Titanic to sail your ship! It’s crazy!
The Bible says that any advice you are given that doesn’t line up with God’s Word is darkness. In fact, it says there is NO light in worldly counsel. As in, not even a dim, small glimmer of light. Complete darkness. Some advice you get may sound good to you, it may sound moral, and it may sound spiritual. But, you have to look at it through the filter of God’s Word. If the advice you are given disagrees in the slightest, minute detail of God’s Word, it is complete darkness and you need to throw it out.
– Worldly counsel leaves you greatly distressed and leads to worry.
-Worldly counsel takes you away from God.
-Worldly counsel leads to despair, depression, trouble, anguish, suffering.
Instead of seeking counsel from the dead, seek counsel from the living God. God possesses all wisdom and knowledge. He loves you and knows what is best for you. No distress in your life is too small for God. When trouble comes into your life, Look for God’s counsel in:
-His Word
-Through prayer
-The spiritual authorities that God has put in your life
God should be the first One we take our troubles to, not our last resort. The only thing more foolish than consulting the dead and asking for their help in battle, is asking advice of this wicked world we live in. This world cannot help you with your problems, they’re spiritually dead! When you inevitably face the problems that life throws at you, consult the living God.
Jesse Maxwell | YP
Landmark Baptist Church | Haines City, Fl
