Witchcraft and the Bible.

Well Saturday Night Live had to do it. The news reports that they spoofed Christine O'Donnell Witchcraft confession. Republicans say it is not fair for Democrats to use the past history of candidates, but isn't that the way politics are played. To be a politician, one must keep their lives clean from anything that can be used against them such as whether Bill Clinton inhaled or not. POLITICS seems to be the devil's playground these days.

What does the Bible have to say about all of this hocus pocus?

Exodus 22:18 explains in its section of public responsibility "thou should not suffer a witch to live" The Salem Witch Trials went overboard and did not suffer any woman to live and thus we lost valuable folk cures for ailments. Those tried and true home cures bit the dust or one could be seen as a witch able to cure people of sicknesses.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 under the section of detestable practices tells us "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire (child sacrifice), 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; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee."

It is clear that witches were recognized as people not sanctioned by God. Whether they had real power or not did not matter. They were not the type of persons for God's people to hang around with. I always found the story of the Witch of Endor funny. Saul himself had put a prohibition (actually expelled them from Israel) on going to furtune tellers, but when he needed a wise word he went to a witch to help him to contact Samuel who was dead. He needed Saul's counsel in a matter bothering him. The Philistine Army had set up against Saul and he was frightened by their number, so he consulted the Witch of Endor. To me, when the witch was able to raise the spirit of Samuel from the dead, she seemed shocked herself. The spirit of Samuel spoke to Saul and told him "tomorrow you and your sons will be with me." 1 Samuel 28:1ff.

It is clear through the words of the Bible that there was a such thing as witches. 1 Samuel 15:23 states that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." This was Samuel speaking to Saul before Saul banned withcraft. Now we may know why he chose to do so.

We often state that the Old Testament is of a time so far removed until it cannot be used in the 21st century in the same way. Let's look at how witchcraft was viewed in the New Testament and see if it can be applied to life today.

In Galatians 5:16-21. a section of the chapter begins speaking about life by the Spirit. The people are told to live by the Spirit. Then a list follows telling the reader the acts of a sinful nature which are obvious: "sexual immorality (adultery), impurity and debauchery (fornication), idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy,murders, 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."

What does this word "witchcraft" really mean in Galatians? It is defined as pharmakeia from medication (pharmacy), by extension magic or sorcery. It signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then, poisoning, then witchcraft as in Galatians and Revelation 9:21 and 18:23. In socery the use of drugs whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of devils, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the socerer.

So in essence the New Testament believed that witchcraft was used more or less for the sorcerer to be seen or held in high esteem by those seeking them out. The trick was "I can help you with MY powers" which of course was contrary to the fact that it is to God we look to for help.

There is a form of witchcraft practiced on others today. When people spend a majority of their time figuring out how to manipulate people into doing their bidding by hook or crook. They find ways to get you under their spell.

As Halloween approaches, many Christians will rail against the paganism associated (they believe is pagan. Do a study on the origin of Halloween [or maybe I will for you in another post]) of this time. One day of dress up for kids ususally allowing for play and imagination is seen as courting the devil. In truth, we do far more damage then the Halloween candy fest by our trying to make ourselves into gods each day and by disobeying His word which he likens to witchcraft.

Today, many people are turning to the 'religion' of Wiccan. It is one of the fastest growing religions of the 21st century. We must ask ourselves why would someone seek such a religion with a stigma. We are quick to say because they are 'evil' but many people will tell you that they are looking for a religion of peace, harmony and love. We must ask ourselves is this the face of Christianity today (peace, harmony, love)?

So today we have vampires, witches and socerers and Christians fighting in the political arena. Who is left to spread the Good News of God?