Ditch the Witchcraft

When I was a pre-teen, I often rode my bicycle down the hill to Suzy’s apartment. We engaged in typical pre-teen activities, but every once in a while, we pulled out the Ouija* board. As we gently placed our fingers on the edge of the planchette, we asked a question and waited with anticipation. Then it happened. The planchette began to move from letter to letter, spelling out the answer to our question. Suzy denied any forced coercion, as did I.

The scientific community criticizes the activity as pseudoscience, driven by a psychophysiological phenomenon that controls unconscious movements. Whatever it was, it was bizarre and certainly not of God! Even back then, Suzy and I didn’t “play” for very long, recognizing the eerie influence of something evil.

*An interesting sidenote: the word “Ouija” came from being spelled out on the board when the medium asked the board to name itself! (Eww! That’s just creepy.)

Source of Power

Two sources of spiritual power exist: God and Satan. God allows Satan to have only the power He gives, but it is a considerable amount. Witchcraft is Satan’s realm. He uses it to entice people, suggesting they can achieve power and spiritual enlightenment apart from God.

Engaging in a demonic practice or taking a substance that induces an altered state of consciousness is a form of witchcraft. Horoscopes, Ouija boards, Eastern meditation rituals, some video games, or any practice that dabbles in a source of power other than Jesus Christ is witchcraft.

Not surprisingly, witchcraft is condemned in the Bible as being an abomination and “works of the flesh.” “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (I Samuel 15:23). It is forbidden in the Old and the New Testaments and considered to be rebellion against God’s will.

Sorcerers attempted to gain power or knowledge from evil spirits. Witchcraft rejects the authority of God and the natural order He established.

Sorcery, divination, casting spells, interpreting omens, fortune-telling, and consulting familiar spirits are mentioned in the Bible and are not to be tolerated. Ancient Israelite history indicates the existence of these practices, as evidenced by laws that condemned them. Those who practiced witchcraft and dealt with the dead were sentenced to death according to Mosaic Law.

Deuteronomy 18:10-11 lists people and practices to be avoided: one who casts spells, one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. God told the Israelites to steer clear of the “detestable ways of the nations there” as they journeyed towards the Promised Land.

A Man Named Simon

A story in Acts describes a man named Simon, who was a long-time sorcerer living in Samaria. The people called him “the Great One—the Power of God” because his magic was so astonishing.  

When Jesus’ disciple Philip came to Samaria, the people “listened intently”. Philip preached, healed the lame and paralyzed, and cast out evil spirits. Much rejoicing occurred throughout the city. People believed the Good News, and many were baptized. Among them was Simon, the sorcerer.

Upon hearing of the conversions in Samaria, Peter and John traveled there to be with Philip. They laid hands upon the new believers as they had not been baptized by the Holy Spirit — only in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled each one. Simon was taken aback by this power, not understanding its true source. He offered the disciples money to buy this great power so that he, too, could lay hands upon his clients to receive the Holy Spirit.

Appalled at his request, Peter said, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!” He told Simon his heart was not right with God—that he should repent of his wickedness and pray. “Perhaps the Lord will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

Simon pleaded with Peter to pray for him so that nothing would happen. And that’s the end of the story as recorded. We don’t know exactly what happened, but by the reaction of Peter, I would guess it didn’t end well for Simon. When your heart is not right, salvation does not happen. There must be acceptance, belief, and repentance—all three.

Our Defense

As believers, we have a defense against Satan’s power: Jesus Christ. But we should still acknowledge Satan’s power and stay away from it.

Those who practice witchcraft are urged to stop. Materials related to such deeds should also be destroyed. Converts in Ephesus are recorded as burning their incantation books, worth millions of dollars (Acts 19:18-20).

Hallelujah, we don’t need to fear Satan’s power. God gives us armor to stand against Satan’s schemes. “Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4).