what is Obeah
I have been reading with interest the various articles on Obeah in Jamaica and the arguments for or against its legalization. The crux of the matter for the Christians is that Obeah is not just a part of our African culture or another religious practice. The practice of Obeah runs counter to the Christian religion because it represents a violation of the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods besides me”( Exodus 20:3). Obeah represents the serving of other gods because the obeah practitioners do not depend on the creator God for their healing or solution to life’s problems; they communicate with the spirit world, often calling on the dead.
Several scriptures warn about the dangers of seeking advice from mediums. Isiah 8:19 reads “Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? (NLT). AndLeviticus 19:31 states, “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God”. Let no one be found among you who… practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
This seeking of guidance from mediums represents a turning to other gods, which is Idolatry. Idolatry, incidentally, is the worst sin because all other sins can be forgiven, but if we choose to serve other gods, we forfeit our right to forgiveness. There are only two forces in this world: God, a force for good, and the Devil, a force for evil. So if we are not looking to God for the solution to our problems, whoever or whatever else we turn to, we are on the side of the devil. And that is the issue that the Christians have with Obeah. We cannot serve God and mammon. Obeah represents the unpardonable sin because if we do not choose the Lord, we cannot be saved.
However, the foundation of Christianity is ‘free will’; God does not force any man to serve Him. God has given us free will, and not even God Himself interferes with free will. Each man must exercise his ‘free will’ to choose to serve God. Therefore, the decision to serve God cannot be legislated. That is why Joshua said: “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14 -15).
Since the decision to serve God cannot be legislated, instead of fighting to prevent the repealing of the Obeah laws, the Christians ought to focus on the role that Christ gave them in Matthew 28:19 to “ Go therefore, and teach all nations”. Christians need to double down on teaching people about the dangers of Obeah and encourage them to choose to worship the true and living God, who is our Balm in Gilead, our healer, provider, protector, and the solution to all that ails mankind.
