Animism is the belief that all things have a soul or a spirit, including animals, plants, and nonliving things such as the moon, wind, rivers, mountains, etc. But Jesus Christ did not die for trees, rocks, grass, or horses. There are different variations, but basically animists believe all these things are alive, with little or no distinction between the physical and spiritual world, and that these beings can help or hurt you, which can cause one to have fear, as people with this belief are concerned they do not offended one of these spirits.
But all spirits are subject unto Jesus Christ. "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." (Luke 10:17) In Mark 5:7-13 a "legion" of evil spirits (for "legion" Strong's Concordance gives “numbering about 6,000”) who possesed a man, were afraid of Jesus, and He cast them all out. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" (Philippians 2:9-10) But Animists will try to appease these many spirits so as to obtain their favor or help against others, by spells, curses, “sacred” words (or actions), dances, prayers, sacrifices, and so on. “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (I Corinthians 10:19-20). “With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them” (II Kings 17:35, 37).
Unfortunately in certain places Animism has been mixed in, or coexists with, Christianity. Animism is sometimes confused with Pantheism (see Pantheism). Though animists believe everything to be spiritual in nature, they do not see everything united, as in pantheism. Animists usually believe in a supreme god, but He cannot be known personally, so they seek many lesser gods for help, and they will also seek the spirits of their dead parents or relatives. But the only one between us and God is His "only begotten Son" (John 3:16) Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). In Luke 16:19-31, the man in hell wanted to communicate with his five brothers to warn them about hell but he was not able to, nor could those on Earth communicate with him. Deuteronomy 18:10 commands “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination, sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who consults the dead.” There is only one God! “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:10-11). “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).
Man is God’s crowning creation, and He is personally interested in you! God is everywhere present and is right now next to you. “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me” (Psalm 139:1-5). Why not ask Jesus now to forgive your sins and be the Lord of your soul.
But all spirits are subject unto Jesus Christ. "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." (Luke 10:17) In Mark 5:7-13 a "legion" of evil spirits (for "legion" Strong's Concordance gives “numbering about 6,000”) who possesed a man, were afraid of Jesus, and He cast them all out. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" (Philippians 2:9-10) But Animists will try to appease these many spirits so as to obtain their favor or help against others, by spells, curses, “sacred” words (or actions), dances, prayers, sacrifices, and so on. “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (I Corinthians 10:19-20). “With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them” (II Kings 17:35, 37).
Unfortunately in certain places Animism has been mixed in, or coexists with, Christianity. Animism is sometimes confused with Pantheism (see Pantheism). Though animists believe everything to be spiritual in nature, they do not see everything united, as in pantheism. Animists usually believe in a supreme god, but He cannot be known personally, so they seek many lesser gods for help, and they will also seek the spirits of their dead parents or relatives. But the only one between us and God is His "only begotten Son" (John 3:16) Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). In Luke 16:19-31, the man in hell wanted to communicate with his five brothers to warn them about hell but he was not able to, nor could those on Earth communicate with him. Deuteronomy 18:10 commands “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination, sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who consults the dead.” There is only one God! “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:10-11). “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).
Man is God’s crowning creation, and He is personally interested in you! God is everywhere present and is right now next to you. “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me” (Psalm 139:1-5). Why not ask Jesus now to forgive your sins and be the Lord of your soul.
