Is there witchcraft in the church?
Here’s part four…
Witchcraft, as I’ve shared in previous posts, isn’t necessarily about hexes, potions, and Ouija Boards. It IS about seduction, manipulation, deception, poisoning, and medication for the purpose of control.
Galatians 5:19,20 mentions witchcraft as one of the works of the flesh. One doesn’t need to be a bonafide sorcerer or warlock to dabble in witchcraft. Simply giving in to certain fleshly tendencies is enough to open the door to the spirit of witchcraft.
Remember these words of Paul?
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5 – 8:8 ESV)
Even seasoned, Spirit-filled believers must be aware of the continuous battle between flesh and Spirit. No one outgrows the desires of the flesh; if we are going to have victory we must crucify the flesh, training it to obey, instead of yielding to our baser tendencies.
And that brings me to this: ways witchcraft has made its way into the Church.
Nice, well meaning believers have succumbed to witchcraft without knowing it. Some preachers, worship leaders, Christian leaders and celebrities are dabbling in it.
Here are some areas I see it happening:
1. Hype, bigger and better advertising.
The need to build up, to promote in order to get a certain natural reaction, can be nothing more than manipulation, or witchcraft. It’s very essence reveals where one’s trust truly lies.
2. The wisdom of man.
Realizing God can give a person creative ideas is one thing. Yet scripture indicates the wisdom of man is foolishness to God. Touting one’s ability to “turn a phrase”, “preach the house down”, or use the right amount of voice inflection to “move a crowd” is NOT the anointing of God. It’s something else.
Paul said, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1 – 2:5 ESV)
3. Rebellion toward God’s authority.
God has set in the Church…leaders. Not the kind that lord their authority over others, but those who are called to a life of servant leadership.
However, when people fail to recognize the leaders God has placed into their lives, they are quick to either speak ill of them or step away from the proper relationship with them. In a way, their words are calling for curses upon God’s leader.
A manifestation of the flesh.
4. Manipulation/coercion of members.
On the flip side, there are leaders who aren’t clear about their calling, or are simply so stuck on themselves they abuse their supposed authority over their flock.
Peter warned against such actions (1 Peter 5), but sometimes people don’t recognize the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit.
They “feel” the Spirit, and make demands of others because God has “given them charge of His flock.”
A favorite passage is “don’t touch God’s anointed”.
Too bad, because dictatorship isn’t the nature of the kingdom. We are supposed to submit to one another in the fear of God.
God’s way produces godly results. Fleshly ways may produce numbers and excitement, but the final tally may be lacking.
To be continued… (I’ll include another group of areas where I believe witchcraft has found its way into the Church. I have a total of 15. I’ll list them here, then explain them later.)
5. Reliance upon gimmicks/mood setting
6. False prophecies
7. Extra-biblical/non-biblical experiences
8. Being above correction
9. Fleshy “word of knowledge/wisdom”
10. Discerning of spirits
11. Idolizing a leader, doctrine, etc.
12. Misinterpreting the Spirit’s direction
13. Counterfeit spirit
14. Forcing a word from God
15. Desiring the show rather than the grow
Jan Grace 