As mentioned in previous days of this devotional, there are many different routes that we can be led down when searching for the truth that derail us from actually finding the truth. 

They may promise us insight and understanding, but ultimately, they tie us in knots, winding ever tighter around us until we are wrapped up in a false spiritual experience that can never lead us to the truth. 

Some examples of these practices are as follows: 

Crystals – The practice of using crystals is largely to do with healing. The idea is that healing energy from the crystals flows into the body, causing negative energy that causes disease to flow out.  

Astrology – The belief in and practising of astrology is to do with the alignment of stars and planets and their correlating impact on our lives. The understanding is that, depending on what the alignment of constellations are, will depend on how they interact with the supernatural world and therefore affect the events of our lives. 

Tarot cards – Tarot readings involve a deck of cards that depict a number of states of being. Through asking yourself (or being asked questions by a tarot reader), you are aiming to unveil spiritual answers to some of your life’s questions, for example – will I ever get married? The cards are then dealt and turned over to reveal an insight into your life.  

(N.B. This list is not exhaustive. There are many forms of false, alternative spiritual practices, too many to investigate here). 

My reason for highlighting these practices is not to mock or belittle those who believe in or follow them. My intent is to shine a light on the idolatry that exists in following each of these practices. 

God clearly says in the book of Exodus in the Bible: 

“You must not have any other god but me.” 

(Exodus 20v3 NLT) 

Notice how the word ‘god’ has a lower case ‘g’.  

This indicates that there is no other god to be found aside from the one true God. 

All other routes to spiritual insight or practice are false and will lead you to believe in and worship God’s enemy – Satan.  

He is the author of all counterfeit spirituality and the father of lies (read John 8:44).  

His mission is to derail your true faith in Jesus Christ by offering you alternatives (such as crystals, astrology, tarot readings etc.) that cannot satisfy or provide you with any kind of legitimate answer. (Subsequently, this is just one of the areas that Satan tries to derail faith.) 

All forms of worshipping other gods are called idolatry.  

Idolatry can take on many faces, especially in our modern world.  

We may look to and worship money, sex, politics, sport, fashion – you name it, we’ve made an idol out of it. 

We will look later on in this devotional journey at the practices that are spiritually true and follow the Christian faith but until then be mindful that all other forms of spiritual exploration outside of Jesus Christ lead you down very dark, twisted paths.  

The truth promises to set you free. The lies of false spiritual practices will bind you up. 

Father God, 

Thank you for opening my eyes to the various forms of idolatry that exist in this world. Please help me in my search for truth not to get bound up in idolatry. Where I have already given the devil a foothold, please set me free. 

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.