Witchcraft

Witchcraft... Some of you may be wondering what is witchcraft? Is there such thing in today's world? What qualifies as witchcraft? What things in this world (toys, movies, books, etc...) depict or encourage witchcraft? Does the Bible really say that witchcraft is bad?

Definitions*:
Witchcraft:1: a : the use of sorcery or magic b : communication with the devil or with a familiar 2: an irresistible influence or fascination

Witch: : one that is credited with usually malignant supernatural powers; especially : a woman practicing usually black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar : sorceress.

Divination: : the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.

Sorcery: : the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining

This Week's Scriptures:

Exodus 22:18, "Do not allow a sorceress to live." (NIV)

Pretty obvious...

Leviticus 19:26b, "Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft." (NLT)

Can't get much clearer than that...

Leviticus 19:31, "Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God." (NLT)

Consulting mediums or witches can separate you from God; it puts your relationship in jeopardy.

Leviticus 20:6-8, “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community. 7So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy." (NLT)

Do what God says, and He will protect you. Don't jeopardize your relationship with Him for a whimsical fortune telling...

Leviticus 20:27, "'Men and women among you who act as mediums or who consult the spirits of the dead must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense."' (NLT)

If we did this stuff now a days (putting sinners to death for capital offenses the real capital offenses), we wouldn't have near as many problems in this world as we do... You can't go wrong when following God's Word!

Deuteronomy 18:9-14, “'When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. 10For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. 13But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. 14The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.'” (NLT)

If we would stop sinning against God, we would be a nation safe and blessed by Him. But instead we follow or engage in the detestable things, and we pay for it. All the things listed in the above scripture are things God hates. Why would you want to do something that dishonors Him; something He forbids?

1 Samuel 15:23, "'Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.'" (NLT)

If you think about it... Witchcraft is rebellion... Along with a lot of other things...

2 Kings 21:6, "He [Manasseh] sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger." (NIV) (Repeated in 2 Chronicles 33:6)

It makes God angry when we practice evil things.

Galatians 5:19-21, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (NIV) (emphasis added)

I think they are obvious, but a lot of people in this world don't know right from wrong. Look in the Word and learn what God blesses and curses.

Revelation 9:21, "And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts." (NLT)

Guess what's going to happen to them? (read the next scripture)

Revelation 21:8, '"But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars--their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."' (NLT) (emphasis added)

Pretty serious stuff... I don't think we want to be practicing witchcraft. I personally wouldn't get near it with a ten foot pole!

What things are witchcraft that might effect you? Anything with sorcery or revolving around death probably isn't a good idea. Including some of the following: Harry Potter, Twilight, Wizards of Waverly Place, Ouija boards (pronounced weegie board), Tarot cards, Horoscopes, etc... Let's face it... The only one who knows the future is God. We don't need to waste our time trying to figure out what tomorrow will bring, for God knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11). I encourage you to put your trust in the Lord, not in a Ouija board. He will bring the best out of you!

Extra Scriptures to look up: Isaiah 47:9, Micah 3:7, Micah 5:12-13, Nahum 3:4, Revelation 18:23

Blessings!
~ S*

*definitions came from merriam-webster.com/dictionary/