[Exodus 22:18 KJV] “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”
[Exodus 22:18 MSG] “Don’t let a sorceress live.”
Witchcraft or sorcerer is the practice of the craft of using magic to gain control over other persons or events of life, or to usurp authority, or to manipulate others to do your will or to be subject to you.
It usually starts as the work of the flesh and then graduates to seeking magic powers to control and manipulate others into doing your will.
Witches and wizards usually try to use magic and enchantment to control the minds and wills of people, or to predetermine the outcome of events.
The tendency to turn to witchcraft usually has its roots in:
1. Insecurity:
King Saul turned to witchcraft because of insecurity. He went to the witch of Endor because he was insecure. In Africa, many of our great grandparents turned to sorcery because they were insecure; they were afraid that someone might use witchcraft to destroy their children; so they turned to look for power to protect their children.
2. An uncontrolled desire to be in charge (stubbornness):
Simon the sorcerer turned to wizardry because he wanted to control the city. He wanted to be the one calling the shots. Bar-Jesus use sorcery to control Sergius Paulus because he wanted to be in charge. Many of our great grandparents turned to sorcery because they wanted to influence the outcome of events.
3. Jealousy and/or competitiveness:
The third most notorious reason why many turn to witchcraft and magic is the quest to be on top; jealousy and competitiveness. Many turn to witchcraft because they want to be on top and above all.
4. Greed and discontentment:
The fourth disposing factor is greed and discontentment. When people are greedy and have an insatiable quest to possess, they are likely to turn to witchcraft.
The Lord does not want us to allow a witch to live among us because they “sell nations and families”. Witchcraft incites fear and breeds poverty. Witchcraft destroys families, nations, and cities.
The truth, however, is that witchcraft is subtle and anyone of us has a propensity or a tendency to be drawn and tempted into it. Remember, it is a work of the flesh; so just as we have a tendency to lust, get angry, or do any of the works of the flesh; we all have the tendency to be drawn into witchcraft; hence the need to discern and deal with such tendencies.
It is important to state that under the theocratic governance of the Hebrews, practicing witchcraft was a felony that merited a death sentence; but under the new testament,
- We don’t have the right to take another man’s life
- We must give everyone the opportunity to get born again
- We must however not suffer a witch or wizard to live among us
If you look on as people practice the craft, they will destroy much good. When the church allowed Jezebel to operate, she taught the ministers and pastors how to fornicate and eat food sacrificed to idols. She destroyed much good in the church and opened the Body up to God’s judgement. We must arise and deal with the tendency in our own lives and in the lives of those connected to us.
The simple steps to deal with these tendencies in our own lives are:
- Put your faith and hope in God; be submitted under the mighty hand of God.
- Be content with such as you have. Your life does not consist of the abundance of things you have.
- Admit that the world does not spin around you. Accept that no man owes you an allegiance. Above all, it will not always go your way.
- Guard your heart with all diligence; cut off anything that stirs insecurity, fear, or greed.
- Walk in the spirit; then you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.
May the Lord help us to overcome!
Stay blessed
Simpe Bediako
Hallelujah
I am blessed by your word Bishop. I now know that witchcraft begins as the work of the flesh.
In as much as i am not suppose to kill a witch, I don’t have to allow a witchcraft to be practiced in and around me.
I receive the grace to deal with witchcraft tendencies, in and around me.
God bless you Bishop