Seeking the Advice of Jesus for Your Life

May 10, 2009

seek300_1 Seeking Psychics: Consumers Look to Outside Help for Financial Advice

Which is worse? To receive counsel and trust in financial advisers like Bernie Madoff or to listen to the counsel of fortune tellers, soothsayers, mystics, or, as they are now called, “Intuitives?” When it comes to your finances and the financial decisions you make in this world’s system, you better choose neither choice, at least as a Christian and follower of Jesus!

While this article does not disclose the actual numbers that are turning to using these “Intuitives” it does present some startling information of how much they are used. From companies and corporations enlisting the services of Intuitives for $10,000 a day, to Intuitives building large companies that can support over 150 employees and have “sales” increases that average 7 1/2 percent year over year – MUCH better than most of the corporations that are struggling just to stay open and afloat during this economy! Their customers could describe them with words like “boost” givers, anxiety relievers, life-direction givers, confidence instillers, life coaches, advice givers, and even counselors.

While many will find encouragement and direction, we have to be clear about whom Intuitives are and what the Bible says about them. First of all, an Intuitive, by definition is someone having the “power” to discern the true nature of a person or situation. A synonym that could be used is to call them instinctive, which, by definition, is acting or happening without apparent forethought, prompting, or planning. Notice that they are void of involving God, His Word, Jesus, or in seeking the Holy Ghost regarding anything. Everything they advise on comes from them – in some cases, we may call them their own gods.

So what does the Bible say about these Intuitives? Jude, the brother of James warned the body of Christ about these people and even reminded us of them that had been marked before! In Jude 1:4 (New Living Translation), Jude calls them out:

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

For us, as Christians, we must watch those that come into the body of Christ that have nothing to do with Jesus and then proclaim to be able to help direct our lives and show us the things they “instinctively” know about us. Do not be convinced nor deceived into believing things that the Word of God does not even speak over you! Only the God Himself knows this. He has already told us in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Who else would know more than the Lord God Almighty?

Jude goes warning Christians in Jude 1:17-19 (The New Living Translation):

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

Notice what Jude said here – they are out to satisfy their own desires! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if these people had your best interest in mind, would they not offer up their “gifts” to HELP the body of Christ as we, as Christians are called to, without looking to be paid for it? The body of Christ is to operate in similar Gifts of the Spirit to edify and help everyone with giving them leading, direction, guidance, edification, and building each other up in faith, without any need for payment!

Even further, notice what Jude says in verse 19 – “They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Sounds exactly like the “Intuitives” or “Instinctive” ones described in the article. As a result of this, what happens when these people get into the body of Christ or begin to influence one of Christ followers? Jude calls it out clearly at the beginning of verse 19 – “These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you.” This is what causes people to be double-minded or following both Jesus and God’s word, while trying to listen to their “Intuitive.” You cannot follow two different words that oppose one another or contradict each other – that is called confusion and has lead many to mental distress and even to not knowing who or what to trust.

So what are we to do? Let’s let the word speak for itself – Jude 1:20-25 (The New Living Translation):

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

If you encourage, build up, and use the Gifts of the Spirit that God has imparted to you, who have Jesus living in and through you, this is how we keep each other safe in God’s love! The love of God being shed abroad in the body of Christ’s heart is how we can receive all that we may think we need from some Intuitive. No Intuitive can give what Jesus has given! But notice here too, that the same love that keeps us safe is the love we are to extend to those that have waivered or are wavering and allowing this stuff to contaminate their lives that believe and choose the word of an Intuitive over the Word of God. Pray for them to know The Truth and to not be destroyed by the choices they make now, but to be saved by and through the choice the make for New Life! Stay focused on this Truth in verse 25 – “All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” That sounds like a future and a hope that can only be delivered by one person and that is the Lord, Master and King, Jesus!

And that is The Truth!
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