The Kadazan people of Sabah have a rich cultural heritage, deeply intertwined with their beliefs and spiritual practices. However, many have fallen into spiritual bondage through practices that deviate from the worship of Yahweh, the Creator. This blog seeks to lovingly yet firmly address the dangers of veneration and worship of Mary, saints, and angels, as well as the occult practices of momohizan. It is a call to repentance, deliverance, and a return to the pure and life-giving worship of Yahweh through Jesus Christ.
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1. The Reality of Mary Worship and Its Consequences
The Roman Catholic Church (RCC), to which 60% of Kadazans belong, emphasizes the veneration of Mary, angels, and saints. While the RCC distinguishes between "veneration" and "worship," in practice, many believers cross the line into idolatry.
The Bible warns against idol worship:
> "You shall not make for yourselves an idol or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4)
Praying to Mary, angels, or saints elevates created beings to a position meant for God alone. Jesus is the sole mediator between God and humanity:
> "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
The focus on Mary detracts from the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and His ongoing role as our intercessor before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).
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2. The Dangers of Momohizan and Other Occult Practices
Many Kadazan families still engage in momohizan, a form of necromancy and spiritism. This practice involves invoking the spirits of the dead or seeking guidance through spiritual intermediaries. These rituals are rooted in pre-Christian animistic traditions and directly violate God’s commandments:
> "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31)
Involvement in such practices opens doors to demonic oppression, generational curses, and spiritual bondage. The spirits invoked are not ancestral spirits but demonic entities masquerading as the dead, perpetuating deception (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
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3. The Effects of Nephilim, Marine, and Familiar Spirits
The Kadazan community’s entanglement with momohizan, ancestral worship, and RCC practices often invites influence from Nephilim, marine, and familiar spirits. These spiritual entities bring:
Bondage: Preventing individuals and families from experiencing freedom in Christ.
Curses: Manifesting as broken relationships, chronic illnesses, or cycles of poverty and despair.
Spiritual Blindness: Keeping people from recognizing the truth of the gospel.
Paul warns of spiritual warfare:
> "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
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4. The Way Forward: Repentance and Deliverance
The Bible provides the solution to spiritual bondage: repentance, faith in Christ, and renunciation of all occult and idolatrous practices.
Repentance:
> "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Renunciation of Idolatry:
Break free from the veneration of Mary and saints by focusing solely on Christ. Declare and decree freedom from idolatry in the name of Jesus.
Deliverance from Occult Practices:
Renounce all participation in momohizan and other occult rituals. Pray for God’s intervention:
> "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
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5. A Message of Hope to the Kadazan People
The Kadazan are a resilient, beautiful people with a strong sense of community and heritage. God has a plan for this community—a plan of redemption, restoration, and renewal. But this requires returning to the pure worship of Yahweh and rejecting practices that dishonor Him.
The good news is that Christ has already won the victory over all powers of darkness:
> "Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:15)
You can claim this victory by inviting Jesus to reign fully in your life, home, and community. Seek the guidance of His Word, the Bible, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with wisdom and discernment.
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6. A Call to Action
To the Kadazan people, the time to act is now. Break free from spiritual darkness and embrace the light of Christ. Here are practical steps:
1. Confess and renounce all past sins involving idolatry and occult practices.
2. Dedicate your life and family to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
3. Seek prayer and deliverance ministry from a Bible-based church or trusted spiritual leaders.
4. Immerse yourself in God’s Word and pray daily for spiritual strength.
5. Encourage others to turn to Christ and reject practices that perpetuate bondage.
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Conclusion: A Hope for Revival
The Kadazan people stand at a spiritual crossroads. By choosing to honor Yahweh alone, rejecting idolatry and occultism, and embracing the transformative power of Jesus Christ, the Kadazan can experience true freedom, healing, and revival. Let this generation be the one to break the chains of the past and pave the way for a future of faith, hope, and victory in Christ.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)
The image is an oil painting of a serene yet spiritually charged scene, with Mount Kinabalu standing tall in the distant background, symbolizing strength, divine authority, and God's omnipresence over creation. The foreground reveals a complex interplay of natural and spiritual elements:
A dark, ominous cloud hovering near the base of the mountain represents the presence of spiritual battles and strongholds, such as marine spirits, Nephilim spirits, and familiar spirits that have influenced the land and its people.
A radiant beam of light piercing through the clouds symbolizes God's intervention, divine truth, and hope breaking through spiritual darkness. This light highlights the victory of Jesus Christ over all forms of oppression, deception, and bondage.
A figure kneeling in prayer near a river or body of water reflects repentance, intercession, and the cleansing power of God's Spirit. The water signifies spiritual purification, echoing scriptures like John 7:38: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’"
Mountainside vegetation with vibrant yet subdued tones symbolizes renewal and restoration, as God’s presence begins to heal and bring life to the land once polluted by idolatry and occult practices.
Shadowy figures or vague impressions of spirits in the water or forest edges represent the lingering effects of past sins, generational curses, and spiritual oppression, reminding viewers of the need for vigilance and ongoing spiritual warfare.
Meaning and Interpretation
The painting visually communicates a spiritual battle and God's redemptive power. It reflects the reality of how practices like Mary worship, momohizan, and occultism can lead to spiritual bondage, yet underscores the transformative power of repentance and divine intervention.
Mount Kinabalu’s towering presence is a call to ascend higher spiritually, to rise above the influences of darkness, and to seek God’s face wholeheartedly.
The interplay of light and dark emphasizes that while darkness may persist for a time, God’s light is always stronger, bringing truth, healing, and deliverance.
The praying figure represents those who stand in the gap for their families and communities, battling in prayer against forces of darkness and claiming God’s promises for freedom and restoration.
In summary, the image is a visual metaphor for the journey from bondage to freedom, from spiritual oppression to victory in Christ. It serves as a reminder of the power of faith, repentance, and intercession to bring about God’s deliverance and healing.
Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience that God set before the Israelites. Here's a brief overview of how these principles might be seen in the context of the Kadazan people:
### Blessings for Obedience
1. **Prosperity and Abundance**:
- The Kadazan, like the Israelites, might experience blessings in their agriculture and daily life if they follow God's commandments. This could manifest as fruitful harvests, healthy livestock, and overall community well-being.
2. **Protection and Victory**:
- Obedience to God could bring protection from adversaries and success in their endeavors. For the Kadazan, this might mean safeguarding their land rights and cultural heritage against external threats.
3. **Community and Spiritual Growth**:
- Following God's ways could lead to a strong, united community with deep spiritual roots. This unity and spiritual strength can help preserve their traditions and foster a sense of identity and purpose.
### Curses for Disobedience
1. **Economic Hardship**:
- Disobedience might result in economic difficulties, such as poor harvests or loss of resources. For the Kadazan, this could mean struggling to maintain their agricultural lifestyle and facing financial instability.
2. **Conflict and Division**:
- Turning away from God's commandments could lead to internal conflicts and divisions within the community. This could weaken their collective strength and make it harder to stand against external pressures, such as political corruption or land disputes.
3. **Loss of Cultural Identity**:
- Disobedience might also lead to a loss of cultural and spiritual identity. For the Kadazan, this could mean a gradual erosion of their traditional beliefs and practices, making it harder to pass these on to future generations.
### Application to the Kadazan
While Deuteronomy 28 was specifically addressed to the Israelites, the underlying principles of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience can be seen as universally applicable. For the Kadazan, maintaining their cultural and spiritual practices in alignment with their beliefs can bring about positive outcomes, while straying from these principles might lead to challenges and hardships.
If you have any specific aspects of Deuteronomy 28 or the Kadazan context you'd like to explore further, feel free to let me know!
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 12/6/2024
(1) Deuteronomy 28:1-24 Bible Study - Blessings and Curses - Study and Obey. https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/deuteronomy/deuteronomy-28/.
(2) What are the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28?. https://biblechat.ai/knowledgebase/old-testament/pentateuch/what-blessings-curses-outlined-deuteronomy-28/.
(3) Deuteronomy 28 Chapter Summary - Bible Hub. https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/deuteronomy/28.htm.
(4) Lesson 14: Blessings and Curses - tbcpdx.org. https://tbcpdx.org/curriculum/14-3_deuteronomy/lesson_14_blessings.pdf.
(5) From Curses to Blessings | Deuteronomy 28:15 - IFCJ. https://www.ifcj.org/learn/holy-land-moments/daily-devotionals/from-curses-to-blessings.
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