Breaking Free
505 Witchcraft
Well known Christian author and writer Derek Prince defines witchcraft as the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5:20. He says that witchcraft always has the attributes of:
Manipulating
Intimidating
Dominating
Satan entices people through these desires. (James 1:14).but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
Derek Prince further writes that witchcraft is a spiritual power.
It works with spells and curses. Numbers 22:10-11,17.
It works through divination, or fortune telling. Acts 16:16-17
It works through sorcery, which includes objects, drugs, chants, music, etc.
When witchcraft is active in the church community there are always at least two results. In the church community? Oh yes, it is widespread even among Christians. The following Scripture in Galatians 3:1-5 tells us that the Galatians were be-witched. Notice the two things that were the result of their being bewitched:
1) The works of the flesh.
2) Legalism.
Galatians 3:1-5. O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you not to obey the truth, to whom before your eyes Jesus Christ was written among you crucified? This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now perfect yourself in the flesh? (human effort) Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed it is even in vain? Then He supplying the Spirit to you and working powerful works in you, is it by works of the law, or by hearing of faith?.
Witchcraft in the church always obscures Jesus Christ crucified and the work of the Cross. The work of the Cross is the only basis for God's provision and Satan's defeat. It is the only power source for Christian living. Witchcraft substitutes fleshly works and legalism for the power of God; it brings a curse. Witchcraft gains control.
Witchcraft is sometimes a radical word and many people do not like to use it. It sounds too "spooky" or something. However it is very widespread among Christians and unbelievers alike. It is the very root of the fallen race of Adam. It is the result of rebellion. Man does not wish to submit to the authority of anyone, especially God, so the result is to control and be controlled.
Witchcraft does not have to be demonic, although it often turns into the demonic. Witchcraft is anything that takes the place of the Holy Spirit for control. It always goes for control and manipulation.
Witchcraft always avoids obedience to the Holy Spirit and Lordship to Jesus and the Word of God. Rebellion is witchcraft. (1 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.)
Rebellious people normally attempt to control others. Rebellion keeps a person from trusting in God for their needs, therefore they must use the world's system to obtain their basic needs. The world's system has a prince named Satan, and he is into control and manipulation. His methods are imprisonment, slavery, selfishness, all of which utilize control of others.
How people control you. You will always have others who will try to control you for some reason or another. It may be for money, power, or security of some kind, or perhaps to give them significance. The three main needs of the human are love, security and significance. People do not know how to obtain these from God, so they will try to manipulate you in order to achieve these ends. Watch out when someone is telling you that you should be doing something, or you owe something to them. This is often the sign of the manipulator. So often Christians use the Bible as a means of manipulation. They show you one Scripture out of context to prove that you should be doing something. The Holy Spirit never uses force or pressure. He always suggests things and allows you to make a free decision.
How you control others. Be sure that you are not guilty of witchcraft, even in the smallest way. Never push people to give to you. Never manipulate, or try to dominate. Always give people their free will to make their own decision without making them feel guilty or obligated.
Remember Jesus was and is the Lamb of God. Remember the Holy Spirit as a dove fell on Jesus as He was being baptized in the Jordan river. The Holy Spirit always falls on the "lamb" nature. The lamb nature is meek and humble, never seeking its own, always obedient to the shepherd.
Jezebel. Most people misunderstand her role as one of a sexually perverse person. She may have been, but her primary role was one of usurping proper authority. Her husband the king was supposed to be the ruler, but actually, behind the scenes she was calling the shots. When Joram saw Jehu he asked, "Have you come in peace, Jehu?" "How can there be peace," Jehu replied, "as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" (2 Kings 9:22)
1 Kings 21:5-8. His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?" He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, `Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, `I will not give you my vineyard.'" Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him.
I have seen many Jezebels, women who dominate their husbands, who marry for power and money. Actually, the Jezebel spirit can operate in a man as well, however, most of my observations have been with the females in this area. They often use sex as a method of manipulation. They entice men who do not properly submit to the authority of Jesus, or to their proper earthly authority. These men are ripe picking for Jezebels and almost always fall into their fangs of manipulation. I have seen them come into the church and pick off single men, marry them and take them as far away from church and God as they can get them. Their aim is to fulfill their needs for love, security, and significance. Their result is often demonic.
Revelation 2:20-23 says, "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds."
Remember 2 Corinthians 3:17. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.