Witchcraft is a subject that most people do not like to talk
about. Just the thought of it conjures up visions of black magic,
black pointed hats, and broomsticks. However, there is a very subtle
form of witchcraft which often goes unrecognized even though it is
just as evil and dangerous as the stereotypical form. The purpose of
this article is to give you the tools to identify and defeat this
enemy.
Let us begin by defining the term witchcraft. The scripture says
"Witchcraft is rebellion" or "Rebellion is witchcraft." (1 Samuel
15:23) The words witchcraft and rebellion interchange depending on
which translation you are reading. In this passage King Saul is
being chastised for his rebellious disobedience and it is said to be
witchcraft. In the book of Galatians a group of false teachers
rebelled against the authority of the Apostle Paul and the apostles
in Jerusalem by misleading the Galatians with an unsanctioned
doctrine. Paul said that these false teachers had bewitched the
Galatians. (Galatians 3:1) So then, we can see that the scriptures
define whitchcraft as rebellion.
So now, let us define rebellion. Rebellion is not limited to the
common perception of the rebelliously defiant teenager or the
disident military faction. Rebellion is any act which usurps or
subverts authority. Sometimes rebellion is called illigitimate
authority because it takes authority where it does not have
authority.
To determine if you have authority in a particular area, simply
ask yourself the question, "Do I have responsibility in that area?"
Authority and responsibility go hand-in-hand. If you DO NOT have one
then you DO NOT have the other. If you DO have one then you DO have
the other. A person commits an act of rebellion whenever they try to
take authority in an area where they do not have responsibility.
This is what King Saul did when he decided to spare certain
animals in the battle in order to offer them as sacrifices. He had
not been given responsibility to provide for a sacrifice and yet he
authorized the sparing of these animals in direct opposition to what
he had been told to do. King Saul took authority where he did not
have responsibility thereby commiting an act of rebellion which is
witchcraft.
Perhaps an even better example of this is found in the book of
Galatians. (Galatians 5:7-12) Some false teachers went into Galatia
and began teaching a doctrine the had not been sanctioned by the
Apostle Paul or the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul wrote to the
Galatians and told them that by allowing themselves to be influenced
by the false doctrine, they had become bewitched. The false teachers
were in a position of responibility for the church at Galatia and
therefore did not the authority to teach any doctrine. By
illigitimately exercising influence over the Galatians, they
practiced witchcraft and damaged the church there.
Let us look in detail at the mechanism which this type of
witchcraft employs. There are primarily three things that indicate
the practice of witchcraft. Those three things are MANIPULATION,
INTIMIDATION, and DOMINATION. If you remember nothing else from this
article, remember those three words. Whenever you see these things
being utilized, witchcraft is being practiced. They cast a spell on
you.
When we consider the stereotypical witch involved in the black
arts, we see that she/he uses potions (i.e. chemicals),
encantations, evil spirits, etc., in order to force their will on
another person. Manipulation, intimidation, and domination act in a
similar way to cast a spell on another person. It is more subtle
than the stereotype, but the result is the same.
Manipulation may be the most subtle of the three. This has become
such a common practice that it is not only socially acceptable, but
most people do not even realize they are doing it. People use guilt,
fear, embarassment, sympathy, etc. to get someone to do something
that they would not otherwise do. You may have heard someone say,
"They made me feel guilty so I..." did what the other person wanted
even though they would not have done it had they not been made to
feel guilty. People will play on the sympathy of others in order to
manipulate them. There are legitimate needs and sympathy has a
proper place. But when someone deliberately uses anothers
compassionate heart as a means to manipulate them into complying
with their will, it is witchcraft. Even fear can be used to
manipulate. This happens all to often in churches when ministers
intentionally instill fear of hell or the tribulation into their
congregation in an effort to manipulate them into reciting the
sinners prayer or attending church more regularly. Of course, hell
and the tribulation are terrible things but the awful truth of these
things can be presented without premeditatedly using fear as a means
to an end.
Intimidation is another means of employing this subtle brand of
witchcraft. Intimidation very often comes in the form of bullying or
threats. Just because someone has the capacity to push someone else
around whether physically, financially, emotionally, or otherwise
does not mean that they have the authority to make that someone
abide by their will. Many people with strong dominant personalities
cross the line from a God-given ability to lead into an ungodly
intimidation. These people are often intimidating to others simply
by virtue of their personality. But all too often these people abuse
their gift and deliberately intimidate others into compliance with
their wishes.
Domination is the third and most obvious of the three. This
occurs many times in criminal acts such as rape, murder, or
kidnapping. Domination is, however, not limited to these examples.
Other forms of domination would be spousal abuse, an employer
wrongfully terminating an employee, or any abuse of authority that
forces someone to comply with the abusers will. You will find that
this type of witchcraft is manifested any time that someone forces
their will on someone else leaving them no choice whatsoever.
Let us be carefull not to confuse legitimate authority with
illigitimate authority. Legitimate authority attempts to persuade
through presentation of facts or good salesmanship. Illigitimate
authority attempts to manipulate in order to get its own way.
Legitimate authority is a strong influential leader. Illigitimate
authority is a bully who intimidates in order to make someone do his
bidding. Legitimate authority is a police officer who arrests and
imprisons a criminal offender. Illigitimate authority is wrongfully
and unduely forcing the abusers will on an innocent person.
Illigitimate authority is rebellion and it is witchcraft.
One area where people cross the line into witchcraft is in their
marriage. They get married with the idea that they can change their
spouse. But only God can change people, and even He will not do it
against their will. When entering marriage people need to consider
carefully their spouses ways. They will not change unless they want
to.
Witch hunts are unacceptable. Do not use the information in this
article to seek out witches under every rock. Rather, look for the
practice of witchcraft in your own life. Ask yourself if you are
manipulating, intimidating, or dominating someone yourself. Or ask
youself if someone is trying to put you under their spell. These are
the issues we should deal with. Leave the pagans to their own folly.
Their real problem is not being washed in the Blood of Jesus. You
may correct a brother. If you know a fellow servant of the Almighty
God who is involved in this type of witchcraft, you may gently
correct them in love. But, as it is with any other ministry,
correcting a brother must be done with the guidance and annointing
of the Holy Spirit. If you try to correct someone acting solely on
your own, you will probably do more harm than good. Remember, always
"remove the beam from your own eye before you try to remove the
splinter from your brothers eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)
Let us look now at the issue of becoming free from the practice
of witchcraft. Like all of the other works of the flesh, (Galatians
5:19-21) witchcraft must be dealt with as the sin that it is. We
begin with salvation by the grace of God through faith in the Blood
of Jesus. Without salvation, all other steps to ending witchcraft in
your life are meaningless. If you have never been born again, then
the experience of salvation is your first step to freedom. If you
have been saved for a while, but are just now learning about this
bondage of witchcraft, then you may need to take further steps. One
thing you must do is to determine in yourself by an act of your will
that you will stop practicing witchcraft. This act of repentance is
necessary to achieve freedom. (Luke 13:3) The Scripture says that as
Christians we are named with the Name of Jesus and are given the
right to use His Name. (Ephesians 3:15, Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians
5:4) So then, stand in the Name of Jesus acting as He would act and
you are free from the bondage of witchcraft. Then immerse yourself
in the Word of God. The Sword of the Spirit is a powerful weapon
that will build your strength in overcoming your enemy. (Ephesians
6:17) The Scripture also says that the victotious ones overcome by
the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. (Revelation
12:11) So remind yourself of the Blood of Jesus and what He has done
for you. Remind yourself of all the miracles that God has done for
you no matter how big or small. And declare that you are free from
the bondage of practicing witchcraft.
Not only does witchcraft need to be dealt with when you are
practicing it yourself, but it must also be dealt with if someone
else is trying to put you under their spell. Of course, you cannot
"force" anyone to stop trying to illigitimately influence you
because that would be witchcraft on your part. But you can resist
them. (James 4:7) The Scripture says to resist the devil and he will
flee from you. So then, refuse to be manipulated. Refuse to be
intimidated. Refuse to be dominated. Many times simply saying "No,"
is enough. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, you may have
to separate yourself from the one attempting to bewitch you. And
always you can intercede for the offender praying that the Lord will
draw them to Himself (Jeremiah 31:3, John 6:44) so that they may
experience salvation and freedom from the bondage to witchcraft.
Remember "the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that
all might come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
In closing, let me say that I understand this brief article only
scratches the surface of a widespread problem. It is my prayer that
you will find enough information here to help you achieve freedom
and a more intimate relationship with the Almighty God. Feel free to
contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Written by
Reverend Bill McLean
With additions
and revisions by
Reverend Kathleen McLean
