Ep. 149: Don’t Even Dabble on the Dark Side!

SHOW NOTES:

 

In Podcast Episode 149, “Don’t Even Dabble on the Dark Side!,” Kim discusses the temptation many people experience to reach out through dark means to accomplish a goal. How many people, even Christians, have been so overcome with grief that they will contact a psychic in an attempt to speak with their loved one once again? In today’s scripture, we see King Saul frustrated and scared because God will not answer him. He is intent he will know what to do if he can only speak with the prophet Samuel once again.

 

The primary scripture text for this episode is 1 Samuel 28:1-25 with 3-7 as the focal verses.

 

3 Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.

4 The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. 6 He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. 7 Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.”

His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”

 

ADDITIONAL VERSES:

 

31 “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:31)

 

6 “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community. (Leviticus 20:6)

 

27 “Men and women among you who act as mediums or who consult the spirits of the dead must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense.” (Leviticus 20:27)

 

19 Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? (Isaiah 8:19)

 

6 Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger. (2 Kings 21:6)

 

6 Manasseh also sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger. (2 Chronicles 33:6)

 

24 Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the Lord’s Temple. (2 Kings 23:24)

 

Mark 5:1-17 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man

 

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Weekly Assignment Feature: 

 

Ask the Lord to reveal to you any areas of your life which are portals for evil to obtain a stronghold.

 

Additional Resources:

 

• For more on the Overcast podcast app, go to https://overcast.fm/
• For more information on Stalking, you may want to begin at https://www.rainn.org/articles/stalking

I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. 

 

RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Samuel PODCASTS:

• “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume”
• “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda”
• “Life Application Study Bible”
• “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll
• Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
• Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by J. D. Greear, Heath A. Thomas
• “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors)

"Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:

 

Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.

 

This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.

 

In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.

 

If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week. 

 

Remember, “It’s Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”

 

If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

 

1-800-273-8255

 

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

 

Reference:

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.

 

Podcast recorded through Zencastr and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack was created in GarageBand by Kim Smith.