Let’s start by defining the word witchcraft from modern day dictionaries and then have a look at this from the reference source of all Christian belief, the Bible.
Definition of witchcraft from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft
1a: the use of sorcery or magic
b: communication with the devil or with a familiar (spirit) – brackets are mine.
2: an irresistible influence or fascination
3a: rituals and practices that incorporate belief in magic and that are associated especially with neo-pagan traditions and religions (such as Wicca and Yoga)
b: a tradition or religion that involves the practice of witchcraft
The use of the word witchcraft or divination in the Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew word ‘qesem’ – pronounced ‘kehsem’ which, strangely enough, means: witchcraft or divination (the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers).
Let’s have a look at a scripture from the Old Testament that expresses God’s abhorrence of witchcraft perfectly.
2 Chronicles 33:6 (NIV)
He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
The above verse is referring to the evil practices of Manasseh, one of the Kings of Judah. Here we see that witchcraft is never manifest alone, it is always accompanied by a number of other evil practices – evil keeps evil company! The end result of this was that Manasseh aroused the anger of God who brought disaster upon him and Judah. Evil practices lead others into the same evil and away from God!
Witchcraft is a powerful corrupter of good character! Bad company corrupts good character.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
So, from what we’ve just looked at, I think that we can safely say that God takes the sin of witchcraft and its associated family of evil very seriously, in fact so seriously that God describes it as detestable to him.
Deuteronomy 18:10-14 (AMP)
10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire [as a sacrifice], one who uses divination and fortune-telling, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead]. 12 For everyone who does these things is utterly repulsive to the Lord; and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God. 14 For these nations which you shall dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners and fortune-tellers, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.
So, when we look at these Old Testament scriptures, we see that God has very strong feelings about anybody and any nation that follows occultic practices in any way and he deals with them severely.
1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
In the above verse the prophet Samuel is addressing King Saul as he had rebelled against God’s instruction in not destroying the Amalekites completely. God sees our disobedience of His Word as rebellion and says that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft. When we reject the teachings of the Bible (God’s Word) we are in rebellion – we set ourselves against God.
When we rebel against God, not only do we invoke His wrath, but we also open the door to welcome Satan into our souls, as many of the Kings of Israel and Judah did; and more recently as Judas Iscariot did when he sold Jesus out for money!
When we rebel against God, we betray Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
Now, let’s have a look at what the New Testament teaches about witchcraft. Paul gives us a very strong warning in the book of Galatians. Here he gives a list of what is called ‘acts of the flesh’ and if anyone indulges in them, they will not enter heaven.
And in Revelation, Jesus himself gives the strongest warning of all to those who indulge in evil practices in any shape or form.
And for good measure let’s have a look at the same verse from the Amplified Bible.
In the above verse we see witchcraft and other occult practices go hand in hand with murderers, liars and idol worshippers and those that practice them have one ultimate fate – they got to hell along with Satan! Eternal separation from God!
Witchcraft is from the devil and anyone who practices it will not enter into Heaven. It is an abomination to God! When you start dabbling in witchcraft you open yourself up to demons and demonic influences which will indeed harm you.
When we examine what we have just read and take a step back, we see this picture emerge. Right from mans fall at Eden, his heart is naturally drawn to evil.
From the above verses we can see how sin, from Adam onward, had increased over the earth and had infected mankind to the extent that God had to put an end to man by bringing the flood except for one righteous man, Noah, only he and his family escaped the penalty for sin – death!
Now, unfortunately, even after the flood the trend for man to perpetuate evil continued – the influence of Satan working through man continued and is even more evident in the times we are living in right now. Man is probably just as corrupt now as he was right up until the time of the flood, if not even more so. Jesus mentioned this fact himself when he was telling us about the signs of the end times.
In the above verses we see that Jesus knew that the corruption of man would continue and worsen and warns the future Church to look out for the signs of His return!
Jesus knew that the world would continue in its evil ways as we’ve already read earlier in this article what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:19-21.
Jesus himself also warns us about succumbing to evil practices in His prophetic word to the Church that his angel brought to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Let’s take a look at the scriptures and take note of His warning, particularly about witchcraft and other occult practices, and let ourselves be changed and strengthened by the washing of the Word!
Here I think it is well worth it for us to read again this verse that I have already quoted above.
Here we see that these same practices that man performed before the flood were continued after the flood and are still being performed in an even greater measure today and have even infiltrated the Church in various cunningly subtle ways.
Right now, you are probably asking yourself how? Let’s have a look.
We have already established that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Here’s the scripture again for good measure:
It is now time for us to examine the word ‘rebellion’ in the above verse.
Rebellion in this verse is translated form the Hebrew word ‘meri – pronounced mer-ee.’ It’s root word source in Hebrew is ‘marah’ and it’s expanded meaning is bitterness and most rebellious.
In the verse above we see that King Saul rebelled against God’s Word, he was disobedient and consulted with occult mediums and was thus rejected by God because any rebellion against God and His Word is evil. Rebellion and disobedience lead us straight into the devil’s playground and we open the door for him to enter in to our lives and wreak havoc.
Now, getting back to today’s Church, and here I’m referring to the Church as individual believers (including myself) and in its corporate state, various congregations in various Towns and Cities across the world.
What has happened in the Church say, over the last seventy years or so. What type of ‘movements’ have emerged.
The Prosperity Movement and other such deceptions
Generally speaking, and in a nutshell this movement preaches, “Come to God, give your life to Jesus and you will gain wealth and your troubles will be over.” This movement came to prominence from the 1950’s and, by far, is still the most prevalent to this day because of its appearance of Christianity.
When we rebel against God, we betray Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
Luke 22:1-6 (NIV)
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
John 13:2 (AMP)
It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,
Now, let’s have a look at what the New Testament teaches about witchcraft. Paul gives us a very strong warning in the book of Galatians. Here he gives a list of what is called ‘acts of the flesh’ and if anyone indulges in them, they will not enter heaven.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
And in Revelation, Jesus himself gives the strongest warning of all to those who indulge in evil practices in any shape or form.
Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
And for good measure let’s have a look at the same verse from the Amplified Bible.
Revelation 21:8 (AMP)
But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
In the above verse we see witchcraft and other occult practices go hand in hand with murderers, liars and idol worshippers and those that practice them have one ultimate fate – they got to hell along with Satan! Eternal separation from God!
Witchcraft is from the devil and anyone who practices it will not enter into Heaven. It is an abomination to God! When you start dabbling in witchcraft you open yourself up to demons and demonic influences which will indeed harm you.
When we examine what we have just read and take a step back, we see this picture emerge. Right from mans fall at Eden, his heart is naturally drawn to evil.
Genesis 6:5-6 (AMP)
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. 6 The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart.
Genesis 6:11-12 (AMP)
11 The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 12 God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.
From the above verses we can see how sin, from Adam onward, had increased over the earth and had infected mankind to the extent that God had to put an end to man by bringing the flood except for one righteous man, Noah, only he and his family escaped the penalty for sin – death!
Now, unfortunately, even after the flood the trend for man to perpetuate evil continued – the influence of Satan working through man continued and is even more evident in the times we are living in right now. Man is probably just as corrupt now as he was right up until the time of the flood, if not even more so. Jesus mentioned this fact himself when he was telling us about the signs of the end times.
Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT)
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
In the above verses we see that Jesus knew that the corruption of man would continue and worsen and warns the future Church to look out for the signs of His return!
Jesus knew that the world would continue in its evil ways as we’ve already read earlier in this article what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:19-21.
Jesus himself also warns us about succumbing to evil practices in His prophetic word to the Church that his angel brought to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Let’s take a look at the scriptures and take note of His warning, particularly about witchcraft and other occult practices, and let ourselves be changed and strengthened by the washing of the Word!
Here I think it is well worth it for us to read again this verse that I have already quoted above.
Revelation 21:8 (AMP)
But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire Iand brimstone, which is the second death.”
Here we see that these same practices that man performed before the flood were continued after the flood and are still being performed in an even greater measure today and have even infiltrated the Church in various cunningly subtle ways.
Right now, you are probably asking yourself how? Let’s have a look.
We have already established that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Here’s the scripture again for good measure:
1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
It is now time for us to examine the word ‘rebellion’ in the above verse.
Rebellion in this verse is translated form the Hebrew word ‘meri – pronounced mer-ee.’ It’s root word source in Hebrew is ‘marah’ and it’s expanded meaning is bitterness and most rebellious.
In the verse above we see that King Saul rebelled against God’s Word, he was disobedient and consulted with occult mediums and was thus rejected by God because any rebellion against God and His Word is evil. Rebellion and disobedience lead us straight into the devil’s playground and we open the door for him to enter in to our lives and wreak havoc.
Proverbs 17:11
Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
Now, getting back to today’s Church, and here I’m referring to the Church as individual believers (including myself) and in its corporate state, various congregations in various Towns and Cities across the world.
What has happened in the Church say, over the last seventy years or so. What type of ‘movements’ have emerged.
The Prosperity Movement and other such deceptions
Generally speaking, and in a nutshell this movement preaches, “Come to God, give your life to Jesus and you will gain wealth and your troubles will be over.” This movement came to prominence from the 1950’s and, by far, is still the most prevalent to this day because of its appearance of Christianity.
It encompasses many of the so called ‘mega’ churches and focuses on creating wealth through various ministries and preaches a false doctrine of wordly wealth.
In many of the,se mega Churches lead pastors have gleaned $millions to splash on themselves with lavish and very often lascivious lifestyles and have led many unsuspecting people astray.
God has nothing against money or Christians becoming money rich, but he does have a problem when the sole motivation in our Christian walk is money and when we accumulate that money by deceiving and manipulating others to give you theirs! God will supply all your needs even when you don’t have money.
These false teachings are always accompanied by their brothers and sisters like New Age teachings, Yoga practices, Wicca, so called Christian Dream Interpretation and many more. All of them are deceptions and lies designed by the evil one to infiltrate the Church. They all subtly lead the unwise believer astray and all of them are contrary to the Word of God, the Bible. Most of them will take money from you.
When we deviate from preaching the Word of God, we are being disobedient, and when we disobey God we are in rebellion and we open ourselves up to demonic infiltration. The Bible (the Word of God) teaches that God sees rebellion as sinful as witchcraft (see 1 Samuel 15:23 above). It is through false teaching that witchcraft and its associated occult practices has infiltrated today’s Church. It is impossible for anyone to call themselves a born-again Christian and preach, teach, prophesy and practice what is contrary to the Word of God!
Dream interpreters will sell you cards that will help you interpret your dreams thus negating your need to ask God for yourself. These cards are akin to tarot cards and are just another form of witchcraft. They will tell you what different colours and animals mean in your dreams and what seeing different persons mean – this is all rubbish.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
God has nothing against money or Christians becoming money rich, but he does have a problem when the sole motivation in our Christian walk is money and when we accumulate that money by deceiving and manipulating others to give you theirs! God will supply all your needs even when you don’t have money.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:24 (AMP)
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
1 Timothy 6:10 (AMP)
For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.
2 Timothy 3:2-6 (AMP)
2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.
These false teachings are always accompanied by their brothers and sisters like New Age teachings, Yoga practices, Wicca, so called Christian Dream Interpretation and many more. All of them are deceptions and lies designed by the evil one to infiltrate the Church. They all subtly lead the unwise believer astray and all of them are contrary to the Word of God, the Bible. Most of them will take money from you.
When we deviate from preaching the Word of God, we are being disobedient, and when we disobey God we are in rebellion and we open ourselves up to demonic infiltration. The Bible (the Word of God) teaches that God sees rebellion as sinful as witchcraft (see 1 Samuel 15:23 above). It is through false teaching that witchcraft and its associated occult practices has infiltrated today’s Church. It is impossible for anyone to call themselves a born-again Christian and preach, teach, prophesy and practice what is contrary to the Word of God!
Dream interpreters will sell you cards that will help you interpret your dreams thus negating your need to ask God for yourself. These cards are akin to tarot cards and are just another form of witchcraft. They will tell you what different colours and animals mean in your dreams and what seeing different persons mean – this is all rubbish.
None of this is found in the Bible! If you feel you need to know what your dream means, go to God and Him alone! Most dreams that people have are merely a sign that one’s mind is not completely at rest – nothing more and nothing less! Does God give us dreams, yes, He does but he will also give their meaning to you as well.
The only time in the Bible where God gave somebody else the interpretation of a another’s dream was to Daniel for Nebuchadnezzar and to Joseph for the wine taster the baker and for Pharaoh, all of whom where unbelievers and thus not walking in the Spirit. All the interpretations were designed to turn the eyes of the pagan world to God’s sovereignty over all the earth and to show them to that God will bring his people into positions of power in Christ Jesus for the purpose of saving His people!
There are no good witches – Wicca is from the devil, just study your Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Do not even associate with things that stem from false religions. Many Christians believe that it is OK to do Yoga stretch exercises and leave out the pagan spirituality of Yoga. No, you can’t Church – what does light have to do with darkness. Yoga is the evangelistic arm of Hinduism, just look at how it has been embraced by an unbelieving world!.
Many deceived people say that you can still be a Christian and practice witchcraft, which is false. It’s so sad that now there is witchcraft in the church and so-called men of God are allowing this to happen. Even today’s worship in song has become entertainment cloned on the way the world does things and has been turned into a multi-million dollar money making industry!
Church don’t come with fancy words, programmes and concerts! I have nothing against praise and worship in our celebrations of Christ – but let it be to lead us into God’s presence and not just to entertain and tickle our flesh! Just preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Prayer
The only time in the Bible where God gave somebody else the interpretation of a another’s dream was to Daniel for Nebuchadnezzar and to Joseph for the wine taster the baker and for Pharaoh, all of whom where unbelievers and thus not walking in the Spirit. All the interpretations were designed to turn the eyes of the pagan world to God’s sovereignty over all the earth and to show them to that God will bring his people into positions of power in Christ Jesus for the purpose of saving His people!
There are no good witches – Wicca is from the devil, just study your Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Do not even associate with things that stem from false religions. Many Christians believe that it is OK to do Yoga stretch exercises and leave out the pagan spirituality of Yoga. No, you can’t Church – what does light have to do with darkness. Yoga is the evangelistic arm of Hinduism, just look at how it has been embraced by an unbelieving world!.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Church don’t come with fancy words, programmes and concerts! I have nothing against praise and worship in our celebrations of Christ – but let it be to lead us into God’s presence and not just to entertain and tickle our flesh! Just preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
The Church needs to repent from bringing worldly practices into our services and for allowing error to be preached from the pulpit! And for allowing ourselves to be aligned with occult practices, false teachers, false prophets and false doctrines! Anything that is contrary to the Word of God is a false doctrine!
Wake up you foolish Church for who has bewitched you? False prophets and teachers who preach on how to gain worldly wealth, wealth that feeds the flesh instead of how to store up treasure in heaven, the treasure that feeds the spirit!
Prayer:
O Lord, protect me from evil, I pray, and keep me on the path of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Lord, do not let me be led astray by the lies of Satan through false teachers, preachers, prophets and doctrines. Let your Word be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Lead my feet through the narrow gate and help me to keep on the narrow path. Give me wisdom, Lord. I pray and a discerning spirit that I my test every spirit to see what is good and pleasing to you that I may be led by your Holy Spirit and bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (AMP)
For I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].
Wake up you foolish Church for who has bewitched you? False prophets and teachers who preach on how to gain worldly wealth, wealth that feeds the flesh instead of how to store up treasure in heaven, the treasure that feeds the spirit!
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Prayer:
O Lord, protect me from evil, I pray, and keep me on the path of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Lord, do not let me be led astray by the lies of Satan through false teachers, preachers, prophets and doctrines. Let your Word be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Lead my feet through the narrow gate and help me to keep on the narrow path. Give me wisdom, Lord. I pray and a discerning spirit that I my test every spirit to see what is good and pleasing to you that I may be led by your Holy Spirit and bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen.
In many of today's traditional, mainline Churches like Roman Catholic and Anglican, the Bible is no longer preached but man-made liturgies and traditions are followed which are contrary to the Word of God and those that follow them and adhere to them are in rebellion to God and are thus perpetrators of witchcraft and occult practices.
They teach that man is able to forgive sin when the Bible clearly teaches that there is on one way to receive forgiveness of sin and that is through the name of Jesus and there is only one way to pray to the Father and that is in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:11-12 (AMP)
11 This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
John 14:6 (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus I pray that you would teach me your ways and keep me from doing evil. Lord, let me not be led astray by the teachings and traditional church practices created by man. Keep me ever rooted in Your Word and lead me by your Holy Spirit that I may keep on the path of Your will for my life that I may bring glory to Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus, the Name above all names!
Thanks Ray for reminding us to be vigilant, to test all things and to focus on Jesus who calls us to be His holy people.
ReplyDeleteThank you William for your kind words. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteVery thorough and excellent coverage of a serious issue in today's church. Thank you Ray.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan, for taking the time to read it! God bless you
ReplyDeleteAlways like your teachings my dear brother. Please keep doing it and blessing the world with your gifts and heart. 🙏🏻❤️
ReplyDeleteSomehow I wasn’t logged so it didn’t show my name in my previous comment 😊 . Wanderson Machado
DeleteFantastic article Ray. You can’t argue with the Word, the Truth. I agree, the church should wake up from their comfortable slumber of compromise and sin tolerating mindset.
ReplyDelete