The Word of God vs. Witchcraft
Several years ago, my mother and I were having a discussion concerning professing Christians who practice witchcraft. She was pointing out the contradiction in people who simultaneously attempted to rely on power of God and the power of the devil.
These practices range from reliance on horoscopes to full-blown involvement and preoccupation with witchcraft and other occultic practices. It also involves astrology, black arts, fortune telling, Ouija boards, Tarot cards, spiritism, and the like. Somehow, many are enchanted and entrapped by these demonic, dangerous, and deadly activities, seeking some glimpse into the realm of the hidden, the secret, and the mysterious.
One of the problems is that many Christians do not recognize deadly dangers which are inherent in these practices. They do not grasp the perils to which they may subject themselves, because of exposure to satanic forces which seek to disrupt or destroy God’s people and God’s work!
One example of this peril was found in Acts 13:6-10, when the Apostle Paul and Barnabas had an encounter with a diabolical menace. The Bible revealed that they “traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas, and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?’”
One biblical commentator pointed out that in this account, there were several characteristics of those involved in the occult. There is a false prophet (verse 6) who denies the basic doctrines of Christianity: the deity of Christ, the fall of man into sin, heaven, hell, salvation, and the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Second, he sought to influence other people, particularly those in positions of power, to turn them from the faith (verses 6-7). Third, he did everything in his power to keep the true gospel of Christ from being spread, opposing God’s ministers at every turn (verse 8). The truth is that, when the truth of the gospel is curtailed, watered down, or flatly rejected, Satan and his demons rejoice.
This encounter in Acts, however, points to only a part of the problem. In this instance, these men of God did not invite the one practicing the occult. There is no indication of an invitation to the demonic, the sorcerer. Yet, there are times, when professing Christians themselves delve into the realm of the occult or engage in witchcraft.
The most fundamental problem is not simply the practice of witchcraft or involvement in the occult. The chief concern is disobedience to the clear commandments of God! God told His people in Deuteronomy 18:9-14, “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.”
They were instructed and warned in Leviticus 19:31, to not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.” So profound was this assault upon God that God warned them that He would “set [His] face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut them off from their people” (Leviticus 20:6). This included spiritism (Isaiah 8:19) and astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19; Isaiah 47:13-15)
Instead of this reliance on dangerous, demonic entities, the Christian must place all his or her hope on Christ and His Word—the Bible! All that is needed to make decisions for your life is found in the Word of God. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Moreover, the Word of God is a lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path.” (Psalm 119:105).
Additionally, our Lord, Jesus Christ told His disciples of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in truth and direction for our lives. Jesus said, that “when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come! The Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, is holy, dependable, secure, and knows all things! Therefore, His Word, illumined by His Spirit, is all that we need to guide us and direct us!
