Fortune Tellers....
By PDBME2
@PDBME2 (1014)
United States
August 2, 2010 1:34am CST
Today our pastor was talking about Acts 16:16-25 where Paul and Silas meet a slave girl who is a fortune teller. I was reading this passage and found it interesting that a spirit of fortune telling was in her. Paul commands the spirit to leave her when she keeps telling everyone that Paul and Silas are servants of God.
I hear alot of Christians say they look at horoscopes or visit fortune tellers but if Paul commands this spirit to leave the person, doesn't it mean that in some way it's not good? I believe that there are people who can predict the future but then it says in the Bible that we shouldn't go to them because they are guided by evil spirits. This verse just confirmed to me that although something "seems" right, sometimes it isn't. What do you think? 
3 people like this
7 responses
@deve_annrn (1856)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
hi.. i am a christian and i believe our church pastor did discussed this before...i tried going to fortune tellers before...card readers and such with my friends.. just for the sake of curiosity and fun... but i didn't took it seriously... because i know it's not good and it is written in the Bible.,.. and it's only God who have the right to predict our future because He is the only one who laid his master plan for each one of us...God Bless you...=)
2 people like this
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
6 Sep 10
Very well said PDBME2. You are revealing some wisdom you've received from your humble curiosity. 
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
2 Aug 10
Amen. I don't have the curiosity either to go to one, maybe it's a blessing not to but I have so many friends who tell me that they do. I would not trust another human with my life, if they actually knew things wouldn't their lives be better? Not only that like you said it's only God who really knows. 
1 person likes this
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
2 Aug 10
I think, like just about all religions, Christianity is very territorial. They don't want their followers seeking wisdom or fulfillment anywhere else,just through the Christian churches. So it goes with that that the leaders of Christianity, who teach the bible, say things like "stay away from fortune tellers" because they don't want to lose their spiritual power over their followers. Founders of Christianity used the fear of evil spirits to control their congregations- in the bible we see all kinds of things being blamed on evil spirits, such as epilepsy, mental illness, etc (how many times did Jesus heal the sick and the bible said it was a "spirit" that made them that way) Fear of evil spirits keeps the faithful docile, and the clergy's power remains unchallenged. Those donations keep pouring in, and the Christians continue to cling to their beliefs and not question them for fear of "Satan" or evil spirits who will "get them" if they say or do the wrong thing.
1 person likes this
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
2 Aug 10
You say that Christianity is not territorial but then you (in this post and in your next one) come out and say that there is no "way" other than Christianity- indeed, no path of "salvation" but to accept the Christian religion. That is the very definition of territorial in that Christianity wants to proclaim a monopoly on truth and religious guidance.
1 person likes this
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Once you are saved and the spirt of God enters you,(Holy SPirit) no fortuneteller can tell your future. Only God knows it.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
2 Aug 10
Hi PDBME2, The problems that I see with fortune telling is that sometimes people are given false hope. Many people Christians and others read their daily horoscope and I see nothing wrong with that. Even the best fortune teller can only tell you what will happen if you continue on the same path you are. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@winjayoma (186)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
any fortune telling or horoscope is not of God and it is of the devil. there is only one who knows our future and He is the One holding our futures... He is only .... JESUS CHRIST!
1 person likes this
@charmlenile (387)
•
2 Aug 10
No one can predict life itself for God only knows where we lead us on his way. But in terms of fortune teller positively we all think that's just a superstitious belief but most believe that sometimes what have been written in the stars or horoscope they say that its happening actually or they said that it is precisely what they felt at that point in time.In anyway if they think and believe or make it as a guidance for a daily living and it helping them to persuade life then might be. And for me there is no right or wrong here a long as they have to believe it or not but make sure it is accompanied by prayers.
1 person likes this
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 10
I know in the Old Testamont they did have prophets who could prophesy. I think that God took that part out in the New Testamont. Any church member that has prophesied has been proven to be untrue. I just choose to pray and ask God to take me where he would like me to be.
1 person likes this
@cajimenez (452)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
Fortune telling is just a mere guessing game of the future . Sometimes I indulge myself in horoscopes for entertainment purposes . We make our own decision , We are not a puppet of circumstances...
@PDBME2 (1014)
• United States
3 Aug 10
I just don't look at the horoscopes because I feel that in some way it will influence what I do. You know like when someone tells you something at the beginning of the day and it somehow changes your whole day whether you want it to or not.
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
4 Aug 10
God wants his people to look to him and seek him concerning everything in our lives. In the OT he forbade his people from seeking to astrologers and fortune tellers. He only is in control of our circumstances and he only can prepare us for whatever is in our future. And he wants a relationship with his people, for them to trust him and walk by faith, is what the Bible says.
