A dead lizard fell on the head of a man. He was afraid as he did not know what kind of omen it was. Once, he has heard that a dead lizard falling on someone is omen for death. As he did not have any old person in home who could die, he was afraid he may die as he was the oldest in the home. Doing some religious expensive rituals to ward off evil began with right earnestness. Yet, he could not have peace. One of his friends visited him and he shared his dilemma. Smiling, his friend said: “When a dead lizard falls on someone, it means death of the lizard. How can the death of a lizard cause death to any human?” Convinced, this superstitious person had peace in his mind. Generally, people are afraid. They are afraid about the future, death, sickness, calamities, losses, pandemic…etc. When some peculiar but natural thing happens, they think of it as omen – predicting their future. They believe that some omens are good news and others are bad news. For example, a cat crossing the path of a person means ill luck and even harm. A crow cawing in your footsteps is an indication of a guest visiting your home. These are culture conditioned interpretations of events or omens.
However, the Bible clearly warns: “You shall not interpret omens and tell fortunes.” (Leviticus 19:26) There is also another danger. There are some so-called prophets who become fortune tellers. Seeking interpretation for omens or fortune tellers even in the garb of a Christian minister or prophet is sin.
Instead of seeking omens or interpretations of omens, during difficult times, we must examine and evaluate our lives. “Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1: 5) God is in perfect control of our lives, omens or curses can never harm us. In fact, perfect love casts out all fear. (I John 4:18) “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.” (Proverbs 26:2)
Do I trust in God or fear omens and curses?