Cauldrons, potions, long warted noses, pointy hats and broomsticks. These are some of the images that may come to mind when we hear the word “witchcraft.” But what if I told you that most people have operated in witchcraft at some point in their lives without even knowing it? What if I told you that witchcraft doesn’t just happen in the dark, gloomy corners of society but in the bright, worshipful, energetic houses of worship throughout the world? The Bible has much to say about witchcraft in both the Old and New Testament, and we as believers need to be informed about this very dangerous sin that stretches its tentacles further than you would think.

Galatians 5:19–20 (NIV): The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

Witchcraft in its most elaborate form is the use of spells, incantations, potions, drugs, and spirits as a counterfeit method of achieving certain selfishly motivated results. The use of witchcraft in its most primitive form would be the general pursuit of controlling others through ungodly means. Whether it be through spells, curses, or incantations, or through narcissistic behavior patterns that seek to dominate and abuse others. Witchcraft is listed as a work of the flesh right alongside things we would consider more ordinary such as jealousy and selfish ambition. The point is this, we can all fall into the temptation of seeking to control others because our fallen nature desires to do so, and when we do this we operate in the sin of witchcraft at some level.

James 1:14 NIV-  “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

The sin of witchcraft is born from a craving for power and control that lurks within our Adamic nature. Nevertheless it’s important to understand that although witchcraft is born from the fallen desire of our flesh it manifests itself within the demonic realm. That is, witchcraft when full grown acts through supernatural power that is not of God, mainly through spells and curses. Someone operating in the sin of witchcraft operates from the flesh and speaks words of death under the influence of demons. The unsuspecting Christian can fall prey to such spiritual powers without even knowing that the demoic is at work.

Galatians 3:1-3- “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”

Paul points out that the Galatians had been bewitched by people who sought to misuse God’s Word to put them into bondage and gain the ability to control their lives. The spirit of witchcraft sought to replace the power of the Cross with a list of religious regulations that could be used to manipulate people. The reason that witchcraft seeks to replace the Cross of Christ with counterfeit religion is because the power of the Cross destroys the power of witchcraft completely.

Colossians 2:15- “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”

The Cross is God’s sole basis of provision for His people and by seeking to undermine the Cross of Jesus, the spirit of witchcraft intends to rob God’s people of their provision of spiritual freedom in Christ. Through the Cross, Jesus administered the devils total defeat, and through the power of the sacrifice of Jesus we can appropriate the victory of Jesus over and against the spirit of witchcraft. Through the Cross we find the place to put our sinful nature to death daily and live a life guided by the Holy Spirit and not the works of the flesh. As a child of God the spirit of witchcraft can only take hold of the places in your life that you let it, therefore declare the power of the blood of Jesus which delivers us daily from the hand of the devil.

Proclamation for Today (say aloud): Through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil. Through the blood of Jesus all of my sins are forgiven. The blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses me from all sin. Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just-as-if- I’d never sinned. Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, redeemed, and cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. Satan has no place in me, and no power over me through the blood of Jesus Christ!