Witchcraft

By John Weaver

March 1, 2021

WITCHCRAFT: The use of spells, invocation of spirits, communication with the devil or a familiar spirit or medium.

There are only two sources of spiritual power: 1) From almighty God. 2) From our enemy, Satan. Satan has a lot of power. But God has all power. It is absolutely imperative that we understand the difference of these power sources. Many people do not. It is a dangerous ignorance to say that something must be of God because, "It works."

Witchcraft is tapping into or using Satan’s power. Divination is similar. It is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or of the unknown by supernatural means. Christians should have absolutely nothing to do with anything related to the spirit world, except what comes from the Holy Spirit of God. The spirit world is real, but it is not innocent. REPEAT. The spirit world is real, but it is not innocent. It is far from innocent.

Many from conservative, or ultra-conservative Anabaptist groups have been involved in using unknown powers. It is often used for healing (bracha), for telling the future, to cast spells, or about anything else. I would say that much of this has been practiced in ignorance, not realizing the source of the unknown power or energy. The Bible says that Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy. WE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES.

Let me expose one of those devices: being involved in anything that utilizes the wrong kind of power. When a person allows themselves to be subject to an unknown power, it opens a door for Satan into their lives, and he will exploit that person for his agenda. Dangerous indeed.

All kinds of witchcraft, superstitions, and divination are not from God. Involvement in these will give Satan access to the person, to control and use that person for all kinds of evil. It is shocking to hear of the abuse that is rampant in conservative groups where the above-mentioned powers are practiced. I see a connection.

Why, or how, can all manner of sexual sin be rampant in these groups? Fornication, adultery, incest, rape, homosexuality, etc. It is shocking. How can these things happen? What we know is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We must face and expose these things for what they are.

In the first two chapters of Romans, we read of the foolishness of man, and what happens when God is not honored or given His rightful place. When a man allows Satan to use him instead of exposing him, all kinds of evil will come about, and God will take away His hedge of protection.

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God... their foolish heart was darkened, professing themselves to be wise they became fools... God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts... for this cause, God gave them up to vile affections,” and “God gave them over to a reprobate mind.” (Romans 1:21-28)

God has given us access to His power through Jesus Christ. We need not fear Satan. He is powerless in the presence of a believer and follower of Jesus. But if we open ourselves to the wrong kind of power, we lose that protection. Satan will exploit and manipulate such a person to do all kinds of evil. That person becomes powerless to resist. The power of God has been exchanged for the power of the enemy.

Praise God, that in the name of Jesus, this can be reversed. If you have been involved in anything that allowed Satan access to you, even in innocence, you need to cut it off. In the name of Jesus, and in the power of His blood, and in the power of the resurrection, pray for God to take away all ground that was lost and commit to follow Jesus only. Ask for His power in your life. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit that will guide you into all truth. God will gladly give to those who ask.

Expose the enemy at every opportunity. Always remember that the power of sin is in its secrecy. Expose sin. “Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Satan and his demons hate to hear the name of Jesus, or hear about the blood. Let them hear it often. Remind them that you have been redeemed by the Son of God, and that you are committed to serve Him, and Him only, all the days of your life. Then do it.

Witchcraft is rampant in lots of conservative groups. Dabbling in witchcraft allows Satan access into the person's heart and soul. Satan then uses that access to do what he does best: kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

Many of these people, through ignorance,  no doubt, defend these practices for a variety of reasons, such as:

1. My (brother, uncle, grandpa, father, good friend) has done this for years. They don't look evil, and they are a good person, etc. 
2. It works, so it must be from a good source. This argument is very common. 
3. Are you saying that our forefathers, who we respect highly, were wrong?

The list could go on. Seldom will a defender of witchcraft look at scripture. Not surprising.

Let us look at one such practice: water witching, or water smelling. Divining is another name, as is dowsing.

Here is the definition for the above; 

“Water witching generally refers to the practice of walking over an area with a forked stick, or bent rods or something similar, and by observing the apparatus moving, one can determine below-ground water or sometimes minerals. The subject has been debated for hundreds, if not thousands of years."

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth DIVINATION, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD”  (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a).

The above verse clearly states what God thinks of the strange or unknown powers. Let's look at what the New Testament has to say about the same.

In Acts chapter 16, Paul met a young girl who was "POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION." This girl brought her masters a lot of money by soothsaying (the art or gift of prophesy, or the pretense thereof, divination, etc.). Paul was grieved at what the spirit was doing and he turned and said to the spirit,

“I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:18b).

Her masters were greatly displeased that their source of income was gone. They had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned. Here it is clear that this girl’s ability came from a spirit that possessed her.

The subject of water witching has brought out strong feelings, both pro and con, in many people. I have been asked to write about it. I was a bit reluctant because of the potential of strong feelings, but God gave me a peace about it. You are welcome to express your thoughts. I do ask that you be like a LED bulb rather than a heat lamp. A LED bulb gives light, without heat.

I have given scripture out of both the Old and the New. I have also observed people practicing water witching. Years ago, I tried it in ignorance, but it did not work for me. I would not ever want to try it again.

Some say that water witching is electric power or currant working through some people. There is no scientific explanation for water witching, or for the source of its power.