Witchcraft and it’s influence in the Church

Deut 18:10-12 (ESV)

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer, [engages in witchcraft or cast spells] or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.

There are 3 English words used for the study of witchcraft:

Divination, sorcery and witchcraft4th term associated with witchcraft = spiritism

1. Divination/fortune tellingProviding knowledge through supernatural means about people, events and situations – predicting future eventsAct 16:16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

Spirit of divination = spirit of “python” (Gr. Puthōn)

“To utter spells while raving or under the pretense of predicting the future”

A “measure of truth” is the BAIT by which Satan seeks to capture and enslave his victimExamples of fortune-telling:

HoroscopesOuija-board games

2. SorceryUsing various means or tools to make an impact on the physical sensesGr. Pharmakeia (magic, drugs, potions, charms, amulets, spells, incantations, various forms of music e.g. rock music or drumming, use of lights to stimulate the senses)

3. SpiritismA person who acts as a “go-between” the natural and the spiritual worldCharmer, medium, necromancer (one calling up the spirits of the dead), inquiring of the dead on behalf of others

4. WitchcraftWitchcraft is the universal, primeval religion of fallen humanity and its “god” is Satan

1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Root of witchcraft = rebellionRebellion to God or people because of fear, rejection, injustice, emotional pain, inferiority, hopelessness, oppression, etc.

Witchcraft is Satan’s way of imposing his will on your will, emotions, behaviour or using circumstances to force people to do what they would otherwise not do.

Witchcraft imposes its power primarily through curses and “spells”

The New Testament describes witchcraft in two ways:

1.A work of the flesh

2.An evil, spiritual power

Witchcraft as fallen human natureGal 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;

Witchcraft as demonic powerGal 3:1

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

5 Elements of demonic witchcraft• Priesthood (witch doctor,

medicine man, shaman)• Ritual (various forms)• A sacrifice (animal or human)• A characteristic form of music (incantation, hand clapping, drumming)• Covenant between members (oath, blood covenant, circumcision)

4 Aims of demonic witchcraft

• To appease a higher spiritual being• To control the forces of nature• To ward of sickness and infertility• To control other human beings

Witchcraft: Numbers 23 - 25

1. Balak feared Israel will take their land (22:3,4)

2. Balak hired Balaam, a sorcerer, to curse Israel (22:5-7)

3. Balaam was unable to curse because Israel was under God’s blessing and protection (22:12; 23:8,20)

Witchcraft: Numbers 23 - 25

4. God did not observe iniquity in Israel (23:21,23)

5. Balaam advised Moab to send a temptation to entice Israel to sin (25:1,2; 31:16; Rev 2:14)

4 levels of modern demonic witchcraft

• Open, public, “respectable”

• Underground (covens)

• Disguised or “innocent”

• Sinful flesh/human nature

In a culture where witchcraft rules, the witch (or witch doctor) is judge, jury and executioner in societal affairs. He is second only to the tribal chief, king, president or prime minister of the country

Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft

The essence of rebellion is the rejection of the righteous, legal, legitimate government of God – which may be: The Holy Spirit, Church leadership, husband, parents, ministry leaders, political leaders, authority, etc.

Witchcraft in fallen human nature

• To control other people

1. Manipulation

2. Intimidation

3. Domination

Main tool of manipulation is GUILT

When a person habitually use manipulation or intimidation to control others, they open the door for oppression by or demonization of a demonic spirit of witchcraft

Biblical term for manipulation isJEZEBEL

Disguised Witchcraft/RebellionIn-submission, Undermining authority, Superiority, Super-spirituality, Arrogance, Pride, Self-righteousness, Accusation, Criticism, to Belittle others, Rumor-spreading, Self-defense, Back-biting and Gossip

Divination can masquerade in the Church as Prophecy

Witchcraft obscures the cross and the preaching of the crossDomination can masquerade in the Church as “charisma” or “personality”

Indications of curses• Mental or emotional breakdown• Repeated or chronic sickness (hereditary• Barrenness, miscarriage• Breakdown of marriage or family• Continual financial insufficiency• Being “accident-prone”• Family history of suicides or unnatural or untimely deaths

Indications of curses• When a Christian is under an assault of witchcraft, he becomes increasingly disoriented or confused, he might even become clumsy.• Satan wants to cloud your vision, thus stopping you from reaching your destiny in God. The individual under attack cannot connect with his spiritual vision; his motivation is either gone or lacking

Indications of curses• One targeted by curses, might feel emotionally drained or debilitated, like carrying a darkness, a cloud, in their countenance. The back of their neck is tight, a band of oppression around their heads manifests as a headache.• The curses from witchcraft may arouse inordinate fears which will plague the mind, the imagination is targeted. Lack of sleep or restful sleep.

Indications of curses• When curses are aimed at a congregation, interchurch relationships will experience constant problems, distracting the body of Christ from its primary focus and calling.• Irritation levels will be high; patience will be low.• Complaining, gossip and backbiting will increase proportionately.

Indications of curses• Rebellion against church leaders will seem justified and the temptation to withdraw from fellowship will be strong.• In the church a form of religion operating only on a material and intellectual plane, without the power of the Holy Spirit, can often revert to witchcraft to operate in the supernatural

The devil has no power to originate anything. He can only manipulate what is already under judgment or wrath of God. All sin is under God’s curse, and whatever is under God’s curse is accessible to evil spirits.

Protection against witchcraft

God will not allow a curse to land without cause. Sin is the landing strip in a person’s soul upon which a curse alights.

Protection against witchcraft

Christians are not exempt from this. Col 3:25 – you reap what you sow. Especially unforgiveness (Matt 18:34-35).

God’s blessing is upon the nature of Christ. Even the desire to walk like Christ draws the Father’s blessing, for such a soul is quick to repent; its humility draws grace from God.

Protection against witchcraft

It is our heart’s attitude which draws God’s blessing or a

curse upon our lives

Protection against witchcraft

God grants Satan permission to sift a servant of God (Job 1-2; Luke 22:31-32).

“Positive” effect of witchcraft

These kind of attacks build character and humility. Unless otherwise allowed by God, satanic activity is limited to what is already under the judgment of God.

Conditions for deliverance1. Repentance – turning away from

every form of sin2. Look to Jesus – He alone is the

Deliverer3. Base your appeal on the work of

Jesus on the cross, not on your “good works”

4. Forgive, by an act of your will, every person who ever harmed or wronged you

To break ancestral curses, we must identify the unchristlike behavior we have inherited from our forefathers and renounce it.

Bless those who curse you(Luke 6:28).

Renouncing witchcraft• Person exercising control must repent and renounce his or her desire to control• Person being controlled must repent of submitting to such control

Prayer for Deliverance

Basic steps of deliverance1. Personally affirm your faith in Christ

2. Humble yourself3. Confess any known sin4. Repent of all sins5. Forgive all other people6. Break with the occult7. Prepare to be released from every

curse over your life8. Take your stand with God and expel

the demons