Deuteronomy 18:10-12
"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
God is always speaking.
In life, each of us embarks on a journey—a journey filled with moments that shape our identity and our faith. Featuring Kataryeba Isaac, a man who has walked a path filled with both trials and triumphs, and ultimately found his calling in recognizing the voice of the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, we are here today on what the world calls "Friday the 13th," a day often shrouded in superstition, fear, and intrigue. Many are drawn to the darkness, fascinated by the mysterious and the occult. But let me be clear: these are practices that lead us away from the light of God and into the shadows of confusion, bondage, and destruction.
As a man who once walked in the confusion of worldly ideas, I stand as a testimony of the Lord’s ability to pull us from such deceptions. There was a time when I was like many in the world—unsure of what I believed, pulled by cultural trends, and swayed by the allure of things not of God. I thought I was just being curious, open-minded, but in reality, I was walking down a dangerous path.
The world today, on days like Friday the 13th, tempts us with superstition, tarot readings, astrology, and occult rituals—things that may seem harmless or fun but are rooted in deception. What begins as curiosity often becomes captivity. Be warned of this slippery slope: I began to notice that my ‘innocent’ explorations were leading me further from God. There was a darkness surrounding me, but I didn’t see it until I truly opened my heart to the Lord.
My journey toward the light wasn’t immediate. Like many, I searched for meaning in all the wrong places. It started small—reading horoscopes, watching shows about magic and witchcraft, even joking about curses. But what felt like harmless entertainment turned into spiritual confusion. I was letting things into my life that had no place in a heart that belonged to Jesus.
It wasn’t until a moment of deep prayer and reflection that I recognized the voice of the Lord. God spoke to me through scripture, I read Deuteronomy 18:10-12, and it was like a wake-up call. I realized that these things—divination, sorcery, interpreting omens—were an abomination to the Lord. I had to turn away.
In that moment, I made a decision that transformed my life. I renounced every form of occult behavior, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, and committed to following the Lord’s voice. I knew that I could not serve two masters. God was calling me to be holy, to be set apart. And that meant walking away from anything that wasn’t from Him.
Brothers and sisters, today, as many indulge in superstition and occult practices, I urge you to follow my example. Scripture is clear: we are called to have nothing to do with darkness. The enemy uses these practices to entrap us, but the Lord offers freedom. It’s easy to get caught up in what the world is doing, but remember, we are called to be the light of the world, not participants in its darkness.
As we reflect on this story, let us remember the words of Jesus in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We must choose the light over darkness every day. Occult behavior, no matter how innocent it may seem, is a doorway that the enemy uses to lead us away from God.
This testimony is a powerful reminder that God is always speaking to us, calling us back from the brink of spiritual destruction. The world is noisy, but if you listen, God’s voice is always there—calling you to righteousness, to holiness, to life.
Today, as the world turns its gaze toward fear and superstition, let us turn our eyes toward Jesus. Let us reject every form of occult behavior, and instead, embrace the true power and freedom found in the Lord. For He is our light and our salvation, and in Him, there is no darkness at all.
