Warning! Witchcraft and Sorcery are Deadly!
Halloween—the season of witchcraft and sorcery! It might seem fun, but have you ever heard God’s opinion on some of these supernatural practices?
Warnings of witchcraft and sorcery
God has given us warnings and commands concerning the areas of the supernatural that are outside our boundary lines as Christians. One such warning is Deuteronomy 18:10–11: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead” (NIV).This warning was given to the nation of Israel when it came time to conquer the land promised to them by God. This land was filled with people who practiced different forms of occult religions. The warning is still valid today as our families are to be people who drive out these demonic influences through spiritual warfare and by taking a stand for righteousness (see Isaiah 8:18).
Definition of witchcraft and sorcery
Child sacrifice--Molech was a god who required that children be sacrificed to him. His idol stood with outstretched arms under which a fire had been lit. The child was placed on these red hot arms. Other times the sacrifice of a first born son on the city walls was practiced (see 2 Kings 3:26–27). Child sacrifice is still practiced in some occult rituals, and many consider abortion a form of human sacrifice.Divination is the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden information through demonic sources.An observer of times is what we call astrology, which is to use the stars to foretell the future.An omen is a sign used by those involved in the occult to predict future events.Witchcraft is the practice of gaining information or guidance from supernatural sources other than God.To cast a spell means to bind someone or a situation through magic or curses.A medium is a person acting as a mediator between the physical world and the dead. Actually, the medium is contacting a supernatural being called a demon. A demon will impersonate a dead person, or present itself as a higher being or a spirit guide. This practice is also called channeling.Necromancy is another word used for calling up the dead.
What’s Your Sign?
Isaiah 8:18 calls us to be “signs and symbols” from the Lord to the people of our community. How does one do that in a culture that is saturated with signs of witchcraft and sorcery? Please share your comments below.(For lots more detailed information on the demonic realm and spiritual warfare, check out Intercessors, God's End-time Vanguard: How to Pray Effectively For the Things That Matter Most.)
In Him together, Susan Gaddis