Sorcery is becoming accepted today. Harry Potter, Wicked, numerous Disney movies and other current books and movies paint it as something innocent and good. Witchcraft and astrology are becoming increasingly popular and well-accepted practices. Children are exposed to witchcraft when young and many see it as harmless fantasy but in reality it is extremely dangerous. It opens the door to all kinds of spiritual attacks and bondages. Disguising it as “white” magic or “good” sorcery, witchcraft or wizards, doesn’t change the fact that its Satanic. That’s like trying to promote the health benefits of rat poison. You can change the name on the container, but evil is still evil.
In Old Testament times anyone involved in sorcery was executed. Exodus 22:18 says, “Do not allow a sorceress to live.” Clear and to the point. Leviticus 20:27 commands, “‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.” Deuteronomy 18:11 includes it in the list of occult practices which God hates and which bring a death penalty. King Saul was killed by God after his involvement in sorcery with the witch of Endor (1 Chronicles 10:13).
In the New Testament, Gentiles who were not under the Jewish law were still forbidden to have anything to do with witchcraft or sorcery. In Ephesus Paul led the Christians in turning from any form of the occult. “A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.” (Acts 19:19). A drachma, by the way, was worth a day’s wages. This was a costly bonfire!
The word φαρμακεία (pharmakeia) translated as “sorcery” or “witchcraft” in most English versions, literally means “the use of medicine, drugs or spells.” It is a turning to other powers for that which only God knows and provides. Witchcraft can be seductive, offering false knowledge, community, power, and identity. Any form of witchcraft is forbidden in the Bible because it a turning to demonic powers to get information or power that only God comes from God. Divination has been viewed as a way to know, control, or predict the mind of God, something that is considered blasphemous and sinful.
These things are growing in popularity because they seem to meet a need. They are a substitute to fill a desire for personal empowerment. People have a growing interest in spirituality outside traditional religions. When man denies God exists and turns from Him and His revealed truth, a spiritual vacuum develops inside. People look elsewhere to fill it. That is Satan’s plan: first, have people deny God’s existence, then turn to a counterfeit, a substitute spirituality instead. We are spiritual human beings and if we don’t find that need met in God we will look elsewhere. People are looking for stability, for meaning, for a power greater than themselves. Enter the occult. Satan, the ruler of this world system (Ephesians 2:2), does not mind man worshipping something, as long as it is not God. He doesn’t get man to deny the need for the supernatural, he tries to make sure that need isn’t met by the One True God of the universe and His earthly incarnation, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Children and young people are particularly vulnerable in our culture. They are exposed to sorcery and witchcraft in TV programs, movies, books, social media and in many other ways. It’s always in a positive, appealing way. Pray for the children in your life and teach them God’s Word. Be very careful what kind of gifts you get them or entertainment you provide. There are many healthy, Biblical alternatives. We are in a battle for the soul of the next generation. Don’t shrink from the fight! Remember that light is greater than darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8).
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
Have you been influenced by the world’s focus on the ‘good’ side of sorcery?
Who do you know that is open to witchcraft in any form? What can you do to help them?
SPIRITUAL WARFARE HANDBOOK covers all the basic information you need to know in order to have victory in your spiritual battles. If you don’t have a copy of this free book, you can download it at https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/spiritual-warfare/learning-more/ Or you can email me at jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org. If you have questions or I can help you please email me. Forward to the book to those who would benefit, or send me their email address and I’ll send them a copy.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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