From olive tree ministries… {P.S.-this ISN’T about whether you agree with Jan’s view on eschatology, or the nation Israel. All posts concerning those issues will not be allowed!} This is a WARNING to alert young people of the dangers of dabbling in the paranormal.
From Jan Markell…
Playtime for Kids and It’s Called Divination
I was planning to write about a current event issue when this story hit my in-box. I am no longer shocked by issues like what I am about to report. Our kids and teens have been seduced for decades. Harry Potter hasn’t helped nor has Twilight. Both kids and adults have been introduced to the paranormal in dozens of TV programs and movies. So much so, in fact, that the paranormal is the new normal.
So now ToysRus has a cute little pink Ouija board and one that glows in the dark, both marketed for children. They advertise that kids as young as 8 need to have these new sorcery objects! (Well, they don’t call them “sorcery objects” but the Bible does.) I know it is billed as a “toy” but I have enough personal experience that I can tell you it is blatant divination.
The Bible speaks extensively about “divination” and “sorcery.” Entire civilizations have been wiped out because of sorcery. Those perpetrating this are aiming at younger kids every day. Serious reproach against witchcraft and divination is given in Deuteronomy 18:9-15.
Are Christian parents going to say that this new kids’ Ouija board is “just a game,” just like they say Harry Potter and Twilight are “just fiction” and can’t hurt anyone? You can bet some will!
Let me tell you my personal ordeal with a Ouija board.
I was 23 years old. (I know that was back in the Bronze Age, but divination hasn’t changed.) I was addicted to a Ouija board. I had people driving 100 miles to put their hands on the glass object, ask the board questions, and have it spell out answers. I was so good at it that the glass object could move with no hands on it.
It made predictions and many of them came true. It instilled power in me that was stunning. The glass object that spelled out words would often spin around the board in a frenzy, and it was always talking about dark, evil things. All predictions were negative. It scared many participants. It has supernatural power, but since it is of the devil, not all predictions came true because the devil does not know the future.
When I asked the board where it got its power, it spelled S-A-T-A-N.
One evening I put the board away and felt a presence in my apartment. I did not want to open my eyes because I knew I would see a demon.
If you think I am doing this for sensationalism, I can tell you that it has not been easy reliving my experience. I do it only to spare some of you from my mistakes.
I had roots in a solid church in my teenage years and I sensed I had crossed a line. I seriously repented, took the board and glass object out to a bonfire and forever said good-bye to its evil. That was in accordance with Acts 19 which says that those who practiced magic gathered up their instruments and burned them.
Sadly, I had obtained almost a lust for the paranormal from the Ouija board and that is why most participants then move to deeper and darker occultic practices. The Ouija board is stepping stone number one.
But isn’t this just a game like Monopoly? you ask. Going back to my personal experience — the glass object was profane, cursed God, and sometimes flew off the board in a rage. Evil spirits were present to be sure. So no, it’s not just like Monopoly. This is playing with FIRE.
If anyone you know, child or adult, is playing with this force of evil, warn them. March on over to ToysRus and register a complaint.
There are many Web sites that speak of people getting obsessed/addicted to this so-called game. Others say this was the start of their paranormal journey. Sadly, most toy stores will put profits before protecting children, but speak up nonetheless.
This is just another sign of the times and of the lateness of the hour. In these last days, evil will wax worse and worse. That is why we as believers are called to be salt and light in a dark world. If a Christian feels they can dabble in darkness and still be “light,” they are seriously deceived.–Jan Markell
It disturbs me how casual so many Christians are regarding subtle, destructive influences – whether from these types of sources or “Christian” stuff such as Osteen, “Prayer of Jabez”, et. al. Laziness and the desire for somethings new – dangerous for pagans and saints of the living God.
This is very true Manfred; we also see things like lectio divina, labyrinth prayer walking, and tons of other mystic practices making their way into churches everywhere. I cannot stress enough the absolute necessity to bury ourselves in His word, as well as prayer.
This is sad…and I can tell from my own personal experience (as a teenager many years ago), too, that the board is very dangerous. It is NOT an innocent toy, but a TRAP. I had to repent of being involved with this as well as other activities occultic. It pains my heart now to know that I even participated in such a thing, and what an abomination to our Lord this is. Through His grace and mercy he showed me the Truth.
Amen, sis. “Has God really said …. ?” Every time we who are redeemed choose evil, we stand with the crowd calling “Give us Barabbas!”
I recently bought a book from “Into Thy Word” (book by the same name), which is a ministry based on the legacy of Francis Schaffer. In the leader’s guide, the author calls for Jesuit spiritual disciplines, calling by name for such as “Jesus Prayer”, “Lectio Divina”, and “Ignatian Awareness Examen”. The author was kind enough to answer my emails and insists the Romans co-opted these terms and he endorses the pre-Roman meaning. I rebutted this argument and he agreed to leave this section out in a revision. Yet he also recommends “centering prayer” and visualization exercises.
I have enough tendency to sin without “Christian” influences adding to it. Give me Truth and nothing that leads me away from it.
unworthy1:
Thank you for the warning about this great evil that seems to go unchallenged.
Occult cartoons, occult games, occult movies, occult music, occult literature: all “cool stuff” today. I remember a time when Christians stayed separate from all this stuff, and raised their kids to stay clear of it, because they took heed to God’s word, and were being warned of such abomination from the pulpits. But, then, what’s the point of warning about the dangers of popular occultism, when the occult is already being approved and recommended in many churches under the guise of “Spiritual disciplines”, “Contemplative prayer”, and a myriad of other “Christian” sounding labels? ALL of it must be purged from the Christian’s life. We must identify it however it is labelled, no matter how accepted it may be, and reject it for the abomination it is.
“There shall not be found among you anyone that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord…” (Deut. 18:10-12)
DavidW,
You are welcome.
I’ve done a little research on the ouija board itself, and found this—”The term “talking board” is the generic name for a message board with numbers, letters, and a movable message indicator. The message indicator, touched lightly by one or more persons, slides or pivots along the surface of the board to spell out words. Hence, the name “talking board.” There is debate about whether the messages come from supernatural entities or are some form of psychological phenomenon originating from the players. Boards using pendulums, fixed spinners, or rolling balls, are not technically “talking boards” although they may have the same effect. Talking boards are also referred to as Ouija boards, witch boards, spirit boards, oracle boards, and most recently, channeling boards. The name “Ouija” is a registered trademark for Parker Brothers’ William Fuld Talking Board Set”
The website I found this at is not a Christian one, as a matter of fact, it delves in witchcraft. Needless to say, I didn’t hang out there long!!
My point in all this is simply this; doesn’t the fact that this game is considered a ‘talking board’ send up any red flags? You’d think the first question on the lips of parents would be, how is it this board ‘talks’? Instead, parents are in such a hurry to buy their spoiled rotten children anything their carnal hearts desire, they fail to take the time to investigate matters like this. They would never hand their child a loaded gun, or a syringe full of heroin, yet, they have no problem exposing them to demonic, deadly forces through movies, media, television, music, etc. So when ‘Johnny’ goes ‘goth’ and cuts himself, or slips in and out of suicidal behavior patterns, or becomes more frighteningly violent, the parents NEVER understand why; they may ask, ‘where did we go wrong?’
The times they took their kids to the movies to see ‘Twilight’, Harry Potter’ and the like never cross their minds. How sad and tragic is this??? There are numerous young souls at stake, with idiotic parents adding to the problem!!!
Unbelievable !
I will agree that this should not be a child’s toy. It isn’t a toy at all! It is a way to communicate with the other side, but if you don’t know how to use it and don’t know how to protect yourself, well you’ll likely get negative results. It’s kinda like handing a child a pair of scissors or maybe a drill and just let them have at it! With no knowledge or understanding of the tool, more than likely they will get hurt.
However, it is not the devil nor is it the devil’s work! That’s fear talking about the unknown. There is evil and negative spirits in our realm and when you use that board without prayer and/or positive purpose then you’re opening the door for anyone to walk in.
But really, how dare you categorize all paranormal as darkness. The fact is, fear, mystery, the unknown, it sells; makes big money, but there is enough information out there that shows the other side to what paranormal is all about.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand how closed minded all you loving Christians can be. The bible was written by MAN! Hello people, doesn’t that leave room for the author(s) to fabricate or change things a bit in order to scare and control the people! Furthermore, God isn’t vengeful or judgmental; He/She loves all equally. In the end, the only one who judges and punishes you is you! Then there’s Karma, so you get what you give. It all equals out through time.
What’s sad is that there are many lost and confused ghosts on this earth and 95% of them just need help and want help. There are also many spirits wanting and waiting to relay messages to us on earth. So isn’t that what God’s all about? Helping others, doing good by others? I hope if any of you have children with the ability to see and/or communicate with the other side you take it upon yourself to understand them and the ability and not shun them, because that would be a sin!
There’s some confusion in your post, first you say, ‘ It is a way to communicate with the other side’, then you say, ‘However, it is not the devil nor is it the devil’s work’, then you say, ‘What’s sad is that there are many lost and confused ghosts on this earth and 95% of them just need help and want help’. So, where do these ‘ghosts’ come from?
As for the bible written by men, not so. From 2 Timothy 3:16, ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God’. That means from Genesis to Revelation. As for God NOT being judgmental or vengeful, this too stems from wrong thinking; but if you don’t believe the Bible is God’s inspired word, you can make God to be anything you want. Read this from Jude 1:14, 15, ‘Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ Or this from 1 Peter 4:5, ‘Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead’.
There are many verses from God’s word that speak of His judgment and His wrath at sin, He will avenge all who sin against Him and reject the Gospel message.
We are all sinners, including you. You are delving in demonic activity, even though you deny such. One day you will stand before a Holy God and answer for this, and all other sins. There is hope though, Jesus Christ. He came here to die for wicked sinners, so that we may be reconciled back to a holy God. I urge you to cry out to the God of all creation for mercy and forgiveness. May He draw you to Christ, breaking you over your sins and saving your soul.
Please understand this, when a person dies, they either go to be with the Lord or they go to outer darkness. There is NO contact with lost loved ones, this is where demonic activity takes hold and deceives those who indulge in such into believing they are speaking to ‘Uncle Joe’ or ‘Aunt Sally’. The soul of the deceased doesn’t wander around this earth, or in the upper realm, restless and trying to find peace. This is hogwash straight from the pit of hell.
May God, who is rich in mercy, yet must punish sin because He is holy and righteous, may He look upon you with favor.
What does the One True God say on the matter.
Lev20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Lev20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Deu18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
Deu18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Wow, I didn’t realize how far gone you all are. There is no point for me to say anything because you and your bible have all the answers. But I can’t help it so here goes…
I never said god wasn’t the inspiration of the bible, but inspiration is the key word here. God used the hand of a human to write it. Humans make mistakes, humans sin through their own fears and selfishness
What makes you such an expert other than your bible? I’ve got news for ya all, lost souls are everywhere. Why? some don’t know they’ve died, some are afraid to leave, some don’t want to leave. These aren’t just adult souls these are children as well. What sickens me is how much you don’t get it.
The love that is felt when a soul crosses over or a loved one sends a message is so beautiful that in my heart I know it comes from God.
I can respect that everyone has their own beliefs, but I loose all respect for one or a religion who can’t respect and be open to others.
John14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
We have no choice but to believe that Christianity is the only true “religion”. There is no other way to God but by Jesus Christ.
“What makes you such an expert other than your bible? I’ve got news for ya all, lost souls are everywhere. Why? some don’t know they’ve died, some are afraid to leave, some don’t want to leave. These aren’t just adult souls these are children as well. What sickens me is how much you don’t get it.”
How do you know that it is the souls of the dead? How do you know that it is not the minions of Satan that pretend to be those that are dead?
The Bible is the only authority we have to judge by. We believe that the Holy Spirit of God has preserved His word from the time that it was written until the present. And we believe He will continue to do so in the future.
“Wow, I didn’t realize how far gone you all are. ”
If that means being sold out to Jesus. Then I am truly over the edge.
What proof do you have in stating there are lost souls who are wondering about, not realizing they are dead?
Your lack of a biblical understanding of death is why you have a wrong view on departed souls. God is the giver of all life, He has written in His word what happens at death.
Here is the biblical account of death…
Ecc. 12:7, ‘and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it’.
Phil. 1:23, ‘I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.’
Matt. 25:30, ‘”‘And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Lord Jesus Christ teaches about hell in Luke 16:22, ‘”The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,
“and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
“And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. “‘And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
There is no biblical evidence to support any kind of limbo for departed souls, one either goes to be with the Lord, or they are cast into hades, or the place of the dead.
What you are delving in is demonic, evil and forbidden by God.
To mypsychicmediumfamily:
You may think you have the answers, but what is your basis of authority for those answers? What is your basis for that which you consider to be truth on such matters? You make statements about the condition of lost souls. What leads you to believe you are correct? You obviously don’t hold to the authority of the bible in these matters, yet you say one ought to pray. To who or what? The god you think is he/she? Or to someone/something else? Do you think that you, as a human, have any sort of protection from the “evil and negative spirits” by “prayer and/or positive purpose”? What is your basis for those beliefs? You say God isn’t judgmental. By what authority to you make such statements?
Friend, with absolutely no animosity, certainly no hate toward you, I am concerned for your eternal soul. I implore you to take heed to the Bible, which in reality are the words (though hand-written by His servants) of the Almighty God, Who has the power to save you.
mypsychicmediumfamily,
I think you may realize by now that you’ve come to the wrong place to find support for your views…but you may find the joy ,liberty peace and forgiveness of bowing the knee to the views of YHWH the Sovereign ruler of the universe. For more information look around this site and open up a Bible and see what the one true God has to say
The only one who will gain anything from a Ouija board is Satan himself. If you are ready to put your faith into a cardboard from hell, then you are throwing your mind and your life away. You may think you are gaining some insight into the future, but you are not! Satan is the father of lies and he is waiting to tell you exactly what you want to hear just as he deceived Eve on how good it would be to become like God in knowing good and evil. It is nothing but lies from hell. How dare any of you believe in a supernatural power less than God Himself! He is the most powerful high God and there is no one like Him. Fear him and learn wisdom. Don’t be a fool. Call on Him while He can be found.
Helllo Unworthy,
I have an honest question for you and hopefully you can help me understand what you mean.
How does a Ouija board predict the future isn’t God the only one who knows the future?
Thanks Matthew
Matthew,
It doesn’t. However, those who use this ‘talking board’ believe they can contact the dead, find out about the future, etc. They do not understand they are stepping into the demonic realm by doing such.
You are correct in stating only God knows the future, but, you would be hard-pressed to convince some people of that fact.
Lyn
Thanks Unworthy,
My question came from your article when you said it made predictions and many of them came true.
Matthew
Matthew,
I am not the author of this article, but, I think Jan was referencing to predictions that you are I could make, with a 50/50 chance of them coming true…for instance, it will be cloudy tomorrow. These types of predictions don’t stem from divine knowledge, they are predictions of chance.
I too can speak of the evil and destruction from this device, and many others. For many years in Southern Calif., I was involved in ALL of it…Psychics, handwriting analysis, horoscopes, Native American spiritualism (burning sage in the home to protect from evil spirits), Buddism, mediums calling on the dead, you name it, I thought it was great! But then, so many in that area did, it was simply second nature to go to a “Psychic Fair” on the week-ends. Why, I even got a great job once because the gal that hired me had my handwriting analyzed from my resume’! My favorite psychic was a “devout Catholic” lady who had a large picture of Jesus and one of the Virgin Mary hanging behind her desk, and her sister owned a Catholic store next door selling all things Catholic! I shudder when I think of all of it, and I thank God everyday that he called me to repentence. I warn everyone about all of these things, but Satan keeps them hooked because most of it looks so pretty and fun, and Christ is no longer being taught in the home, nor in many Churches.
I am so alarmed at reading this article. Years ago, when Harry Potter first came out, I refused to allow my young daughter to read it. My Minister at Church warned about the dangers of Harry Potter and the like from the pulpit. Needless to say he was ridiculed and accused of seeing a demon behind every tree. Even the local Christian School allowed the books into their library despite the protests of many parents and Minister’s.
My daughter is now 15, still hasn’t read or watched the Harry Potter series, neither have I allowed her to read Twilight or any other occult book. She is teased at school for our stance.
I was raised in a home with a father who dabbled in the occult. From satanic books at a very young age, it wasn’t long before I moved into the Ouja board and then full-on satan worship and rituals. My life was a demonised mess until Jesus called me. I cannot begin to speak of the horrors I endured at the hands of the demonic. I know first hand how it starts, and how dangerous it is. I have shielded my daughter from “pop-culture” as much as I could and my reward is that she has zero interest in anything dark and demonic. I never allowed the slightest spark of interest and always warned her of the dangers.
I am amazed that “Christian” parents can be so blind to the occult and can so openly reject the warnings of the Almighty. How can they not realise that they are sacrificing their children? Thank you so much for the article. It saddened me greatly to see how far the world has gone, and I am absolutely positive that some of these cute little pink ouja boards will end up in the homes of many who profess to love the Lord.
Unworthy
Thanks.
First the claim is that the accuracy of the Ouija was amazing and that people would drive from many miles away to see it in action, then switches over to ‘it wasn’t that accurate because Satan doesn’t know the future’.
Which is it?