Witches, Witchcraft

<<sorcerers and their activities>>

A sorcerer or witch is a person who is empowered by evil spiritual forces and attempts to intimidate, control or manipulate others through these supernatural or occult means. Witchcraft is predominantly practiced by women (the masculine equivalent is a wizard) and may involve the ritualistic use of magic potions. Wicca is the name given to the pagan religion that practices witchcraft and a coven is a gathering of witches. Increasingly films portray the casting of spells and curses on people, while heavy rock music and taking illicit drugs are also expressions of witchcraft.

The root of witchcraft lies in our fallen, rebellious, sinful nature – hoping to get what we want, to know the future and control events that are not ours to control; these are God’s sole right. This was what lay behind Satan’s first temptation to Adam and Eve – “You can be like God” (Gen 3:5). Instead, God wants to meet our needs as we walk in a humble, obedient relationship – dependent on Him and giving Him the worship and devotion He deserves.

In the OT God stated those who were involved in witchcraft and other evil practices were to be put to death (Ex 22:18; Lev 20:6,27; Deut 18:10-12). Any practice that seeks to gain self-realisation and spiritual enlightenment, except through submission to Jesus Christ, is delving into Satan’s realm. These include using so-called lucky charms, Ouija boards, horoscopes, Eastern meditation rituals and some role-playing electronic games. Christians are not to be associated in any way with such practices that produce effects beyond the natural powers of man and the Bible declares that those who practice magic arts will not enter heaven (Rev 22:15).

There are a vast array of cults, religions and philosophies, termed New Age practices, that appeal to humans if they want to function independently, and align with the wrong spiritual realm instead of being in submission to God (1 Tim 4:1). ‘Black’ magic attempts to produce bad outcomes through curses and spells by utilising evil spirits while ‘White’ magic tries to undo curses or spells and to use

Ensure your past has been cleaned up

occult forces for the good of oneself and others. If you have been involved in any form of witchcraft, repent and renounce that association, following the example of the early believers who destroyed all associated gear (Act 19:19).

All false religions and belief systems promise spirituality but because they are not vitally connected to the only source of life they lead to emptiness, bondage, defeat and ultimately eternal spiritual death, which is the opposite to the freedom, victory and life available in Christ (Prov 16:25; Jn 10:10; Act 4:12; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Jn 3:8). Praise God, we can resist and overcome all the vices of false religions and belief systems through the power of God, being delivered from their influence in the name of Jesus Christ.

True religion centres in the personal experience of the one true God, and attempts to live a life that conforms to His will. The believer walks in humble submission with his God, prays to Him and seeks to live according to the principles of the Scriptures and is prepared to accept the circumstances of life as the sphere in which to glorify Him. Establishing our lives on truth and trusting the Lord to outwork His plans for us as we ‘walk’ under His authority will safeguard us from the influences of witchcraft. True spiritual authority is derived from relating to Christ, for “It’s not by human effort or power but by the Holy Spirit you will accomplish” (Zech 4:6).

There are only two sources of spiritual power: God and Satan. Satan only has the power God allows him to have yet it is considerable (2 Cor 4:4; 1 Jn 5:19). When Adam and Eve turned from God in rebellion, they aligned with Satan in seeking spiritual enlightenment, self-realization and power independent of God so witchcraft became the prevailing

Be connected to and operate from the right source of power

religion of fallen humanity. Refusing to obey God is rebellion. The Bible says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam 15:23).

The effect of living without a close relationship and obedience to God has even permeated the church, to a degree, as people look for spirituality from the wrong source and practice what is contrary to Bible doctrine, including intimidating or manipulating others through guilt. Those who habitually operate in the flesh (selfishly) with the aim to control others will increasingly come under the domination of an evil spirit. Directive praying may even fall into this category. God never seeks to control us. He has given us free wills and respects our choices while holding us responsible for how we use that freedom.

Satan attempts to counterfeit what God does as did the magicians in Egypt. Though they utilised demonic powers they could only match a few of God’s miracles performed through Moses (Ex 7:10ff).