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Galations 5:19-21 ~ Witchcraft, a Work of the Flesh
This week our studies revolve about the sixth manifestation of the "works of the flesh" as listed in Galatians 5:19-21, and that is "witchcraft", also known as sorcery.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is a very dark topic to have to think about and write about, but we live in a world that is immersed in this type of "work of darkness". It is everywhere and it behooves us to be able to discern it when we encounter it.
The Greek word for sorcery, witchcraft is pharmakeía (Strong's # 5331) rom pharmakeus; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively) -- sorcery, witchcraft. see GREEK pharmakeus (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)
HELPS Word-studies
5331 pharmakeía (from pharmakeuō, "administer drugs") - properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc.
Today, witches are also known as followers of Wicca, a pagan nature religion with roots in pre-Christian western Europe. There is much evidence that Wicca is now undergoing a revival, especially in the United States and Great Britain. Also, we know from experience and living in these modern times that witchcraft and sorcery is growing more prevalent in all our media. We hear reports of horrific ritualistic rites being done all around the world.
We need to be Biblically educated enough to recognize what we are dealing with and come away from it as quickly as possible when we spot anything having to do with sorcery. And this includes ridding out anything to do with these influences from our homes and from our minds as well.
Witchcraft comes in many forms and we need to be on guard against of all the varieties of sorcery that can come packaged to us in many ways; whether its movies, music, books, video games, vampire themes, Harry Potter books and videos, astrology, tara cards, Ouija, boards, the occult, even children's cartoons are saturated with themes of witchcraft in our modern day world.
Paul tells us that we are not to be ignorant of these kind of devices that are used by Satan, who is the author of sorcery, lest he get an advantage over us and our children who are under our care.
2nd Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
One of the best ways to understand this topic is to look to the Scriptures to see what God's perspective is of this subject and how He inspired the men of the Bible to deal with it. The Bible is very clear about its condemnation of witchcraft in all of its many varied forms; and warns His people to avoid it and stay far from those who practice such things.
Hebrew word for sorceress, sorcerer, or magician (as is often interpreted) is kashaph (Strong's #3784) properly, to whisper a spell, i.e. To inchant or practise magic -- sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft).
The first place the word magician (which comes from the Hebrew word for witchcraft or sorcery) is used is in Genesis 41, and used in the account of Pharaoh's dream of the fat and lean cattle and the healthy and dried up wheat stalks that could not be interpreted by any of the practicing magicians [sorcerers] in the land.
Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
But God used Joseph (a man of God) to interpret the very meaning by giving him the knowledge and insight he needed to tell Pharaoh what to anticipate in the coming years for the nation of Egypt.
This subject and these different names for sorcerers are mentioned throughout the Bible and would be a good Bible study to see how many times the men of God had to do battle against this kind of evil as manifested in these spiritualists.
When the Israelites were about to come into the land of Canaan, the Lord explicitly warned them to NOT learn the ways of the heathen people and NOT to do the things that they were so notorious for doing. God plainly tells them that all of these things are abominations, and it was for these abominations that God was driving them out from before the children of Israel.
Note the list of the kind of things that pertain to the practice of sorcery:
1. sacrificing children to the fires of false deities
2. divination - looking to omens to give directions, signs, guidance
3. observer of times - a type of divination, looking to various types of omens
4. enchanter - casting of spells and fascinations with enchantments
5. witches - women who practiced sorcery or divination, acquainted with secrets of unseen world
6. charmers - to whisper; by implication, to mumble a spell
7. consulter of familiar spirits - seeking otherwise unattainable knowledge from demonic sources
8. wizards - name for male witches who practiced sorcery and are acquainted with secrets of the unseen world
9. necromancer - form of magic involving communication with the deceased - by summoning their spirit as an apparition, worship of the dead,
The ancient Israelites were commanded to have no part in such activities. But these Scriptures are also a warning for all God's people including the spiritual nation of Israel [God's Ekklesia] to not have any thing to do with those who practice such things.
Deuteronomy 18:9 When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 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. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
Simon Magnus and Elymus: Two Sorcerers In The New Testament
In the New Testament we have several accounts of these kinds of people who tried to cause trouble for those that God was calling, one of which is Simon the Sorcerer, sometimes referred to as Simon Magus.
Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Simon had the people fooled about his magic tricks until they saw God's power working in the apostles. Even Simon was amazed at the real thing, to the point of believing. He was baptized but it appears that he did not really repent, for the account goes on to say that he lusted for the power of the Holy Spirit and offered to buy it with money, rather than obtaining it by seeking God's righteousness.
Acts 8: 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Even after professing that he believed and after he had been baptized, Simon showed the fruits of his rebellion against God, which is really at the heart of witchcraft and sorcery. When King Saul refused to follow the Lord's commandments, the Lord finally sent Samuel to rebuke him and told him, that to be in rebellion against the Lord is the same as the sin of witchcraft.
1st Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Acts 9:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
God's people can learn a lesson from this account of Simon Magnus. This incident could very well be showing us an example of a "tare" that had become a part of the assembly of believers, but had not really become a true believer. His subsequent behavior of trying to buy the Holy Spirit showed that he still had a spirit of rebellion and the fruit was shown to Peter, who rebuked him sharply; yet in his rebuke, Peter exhorted him to repent and to pray for forgiveness.
In our assemblies there are those who say that they believe in God and in His Word, have become baptized, yet inwardly they still have a "heart that is not right before God". These people are what the Bible calls tares and can be "supposed" members within the assemblies for many years but are not truly converted. They will seek to subvert the sincerely repentant into compromising with God's Word in some way. And we must be careful of those who claim to possess supernatural powers in addition to claiming that they are some "great one".
Another example of a sorcerer in the New Testament was Bar-Jesus, a Jew that opposed the apostles when they were given the opportunity to speak to a deputy of the country, who requested to hear the message of the gospel.
When Paul and Barnabus were sent out from the church at Antioch to preach the Gospel they went to Seluica and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they came to the town of Paphos, they met a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus. This man was a false prophet (a sorcerer) and he was also called Elymus, which the King James Bible translates as a "sorcerer".
He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who called for Banabus and Saul to hear what they had to say about the word of God. But this Elymas, a sorcerer, [who like Simon Magnus was full of the "gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity"] opposed them and tried to turn Serius Paulus away from believing the words of Paul.
Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. 6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul could discern exactly the spirit that Elymus was of and what he was up to; he looked directly at him, rebuked him and told him flat out who he was and what he was about. Then he pronounced that God would cause him to become blind for a while, which happened as soon as Paul had spoken the words. What he accuses Barjesus [Elymus] of, provides us with more clues as to what this work of the flesh is like by showing us some of the fruits and how we can recognize it when we encounter it.
Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
This incident actually worked in Paul's favor, for instead of the deputy being turned away, he became even more convicted when he saw the divine power of God intervening to punish this false prophet for his attempt to influence him against believing the apostles' message.
Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
These two situations show that those who are under the power of witchcraft are used as direct instruments of Satan to oppose God's truth and the work of God's servants. They are usually open worshipers of Satan and have no shame in the fact that they worship him. They are filled with all kinds of deceit and mischief! God calls them the children of the devil, they are God's enemies and they hate His righteousness and His pure doctrines. They hate God and all that He stands for and they also hate God's children. They are typically sarcastic; they love to mock everything about God's ways, everything that is holy and true, and they love to twist God's words to mean perverse things.
These worshipers of Satan, or sorcerers, are commonly so hardened that they will not repent or cease to do their evil works. We as Christians must be vigilant in not letting them beguile us, lead us astray or influence us to take on their mindset of bitterness and rebellion toward God. We must not allow them one toehold into our lives thinking that no harm can be done if we allow a little bit of their poison into our entertainment or fellowship.
The following proverb is talking about the dangers of adultery but witchcraft is about blatant spiritual adultery and the same principle applies.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Some may think that there is no harm in having some "innocent" fun playing around with Ouija boards or tara cards, reading horoscopes, or allowing their children to dabble in these things. But when we allow even a little, we do so at our own peril; as we can be unwittingly opening the door for demonic oppression that leads to moral corruption and eventually to our destruction if not repented of.
1st Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Just like it is today in our culture, the culture that Jesus and the apostles lived in were full of people who were under this kind of control. Here is another incident that Paul dealt with as he was working to bring the gospel to Philippi.
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, 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. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
A Coming Man of Sorcery
In the end times, the Bible tells us that there will be a very powerful false prophet, a type of sorcerer, that will come to power. He is described as one that will be given certain powers that are of the "works of the flesh", especially the spirit of witchcraft. He will also be very deceptive and his lying wonders and miracles will bewitch people into thinking he is a "great one", somewhat like Simon the Sorcerer.
2nd Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast;....
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
How Do We Combat this Wickedness in Our midst and Protect Ourselves
The prophet Isaiah tells us what we are to do when we are tempted to seek counsel from those who have familiar spirits or are encouraged to look to them as being great leaders. He says that we must seek only our God and that if prophets or teachers do not speak according to His Word, there is no light [truth] in them. A prophet, teacher, or religious type leader may be a very articulate, charismatic, smooth sounding, sophisticated, and seem very convincing; but if he in any way tries to lead the people away from keeping all of God's commandments and the whole Word of God, then that person has no light [truth], and is therefore automatically walking in darkness and is trying to get you to join him in his darkness.
Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Our first line of defense is to have a very close relationship with our Lord and Savior, walking with Him, being constant in prayer, and seeking to obey Him always in all things; and we must love God's truth!
2nd Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We will be protected if we are full of God's Word, the Beatitudes qalities, and the Fruits of the Spirit as then there is no room for darkness to enter. We are to be so repelled by this sort of thing, that we naturally would avoid all movies, books, music, or any type of media or person that portrays the works of the flesh, including witchcraft/sorcery.
Witchcraft is so insidious and seductive that it is like a spiritual poison that seeks to contaminate our whole being and defile our character, destroying our souls. Satan wants to supplant our love and devotion to our Lord and Savior to himself, so that we forfeit our opportunity to be a child of God and to inherit all things with Christ.
Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
The apostle James tells us to submit to God and to the things of God, to resist Satan and if we are keeping away from all of his devices, he will flee from us.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The apostle John gives us comfort by telling us that God is much greater than the spirit that is in the world; He is all powerful against any of the the demonic forces, including their leader, Satan.
1st John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And in Numbers when Balaam tried to put a curse on the children of Israel, he realized that as long as Israel [and now spiritual Israel] was faithful to God, living according to all God's commandments, that there could not be any enchantment or divination practiced against her.
Numbers 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel...
Paul gives us counsel on overcoming the works of darkness in all of his letters. These are just a few of them.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
1st Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2nd Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 3:3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Paul tells us that we are not fighting against humans really, but against the principalities, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, and he gives us the analogy of having putting on the full armor of a soldier in dealing against the invisible but real enemies of God.
If the Word of God is our offensive weapon and the other pieces of armor are for our defense, then prayer can be thought of as our secret weapon. And it is by prayer that we gain the necessary strength and courage to stand forth and fight in our battles against the forces of evil. Without this necessary component we are doomed to failure, but with it, and with the other pieces of God's armor firmly fixed in their places, we can overcome the works of darkness with the help that God gives to us.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Again, we are to pray to God for help in combating the works of the flesh and to withstand the dark forces that surround us and which seems to be so much a part of this modern day Babylon that we are living in.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; [Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,] but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus [garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus].
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Be not afraid of this wickedness; God is with us if we are staying close to Him and trusting Him to protect us from the forces of darkness. We have nothing to fear if we have the Almighty One on our side and if we are following Him withersoever He goes.
Constance
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