The Danger of Rebellion

Merciful Servants of God

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23) Rebellion is described in the Bible as divination. In the KJV, it is translated "witchcraft." Strong's: H7081 qesem: A masculine noun meaning divination. This word described the cultic practice of foreign nations that was prohibited in Israel (Deu_18:10); and considered a great sin (1Sa_15:23; 2Ki_17:17). False prophets used divination to prophesy in God's name, but God identified them as false (Jer_14:14; Eze_13:6); and pledged to remove such practices from Israel (Eze_13:23). Several verses give some insight into what this actual practice looked like: it was compared to a kingly sentence (Pro_16:10); and was used to discern between two choices (Eze_21:21-22 [26-27]). (The Complete Wordstudy Dictionary) Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of divination: The art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers. Rebellion attracts demonic forces to influence and control. "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2) Rebellion is also linked with stubbornness & wickedness and idolatry. The history of the people of Israel involves rebellion (Psalm 78 and Nehemiah 9). How can a believer overcome the sin of rebellion?