What about Witchcraft???

1. With much assistance from a sermon posted on the La Vista Church of Christ website What about Witchcraft???

2. Introduction • We just finished reading from scripture where our thoughts and minds should be focused…the true, the noble, the just, the pure, the lovely, things of good report, the virtuous, and the praiseworthy • This does not describe our topic for today in anyway shape or form • There is also a term we use in the use of computers known as GIGO • Garbage in = Garbage out • Good in = Good out

3. Introduction • Over the course of the next few weeks we are going to be looking at some of the garbage people are putting into themselves beginning today with the idea of witchcraft • It is not fun to discuss these things but we are told to preach and share the whole word of God and included in His word are references to this particular sin

4. The Bible has much to say about witchcraft and none of it is good • Many people in the world today actually try to blend witchcraft with Christainity • There are actually those who call themselves “White Witches” and believe that as long as the powers there are using are being used for good, there is nothing wrong with being both a witch and a Christian at the same time • How does that match up with the following scripture • Ex 22:18; Lev 19:31; Deut 18:10-12; Gal 5:19-21; Rev 21:8

5. A look at Deut:9-12(a detailed list of witchcraft) • Defining some of the terms • Makes his son or daughter pass through fire • A reference to the idol worship of Molec, where a person’s first born child was sacrificed to ensure many future children • One who practices witchcraft • “A witch - מחשףmechashsheph, probably those who by means of drugs, herbs, perfumes, etc., pretended to bring certain celestial influences to their aid.” (Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible) • “A witch - One that is in covenant with the devil.” (Wesley’s Notes)

6. A look at Deut:9-12(a detailed list of witchcraft) • Defining some of the terms • Soothsayer (user of divination) • Seeking after the will of the gods to learn their future actions or to gain divine blessing on a proposed action • An attempt to contact supernatural powers to answer questions hidden to humans • Example, Ezek. 21:21 where the king consults the liver of an animal to determine which direction to travel • One who interprets omens (an observer times) • “An observer of times - Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an observer of the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the motions of the clouds, by the stars, or by the flying or chattering of birds, all which Heathens used to observe.” (Wesley’s Notes)

7. A look at Deut:9-12(a detailed list of witchcraft) • Defining some of the terms • A sorcerer • Sorcery: Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits (Webster's) • Sorcery, therefore, is the reliance on black arts or other forms of supernatural insight or ability, and not a reliance on God • One who conjures spells (a charmer) • “A charmer - i. e., one who fascinates and subdues noxious animals or men, such as the famous serpent-charmers of the East Psalm 58:4-5.” (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)

8. A look at Deut:9-12(a detailed list of witchcraft) • Defining some of the terms • A medium • “A person supposedly used as a spiritual intermediary between the dead and the living” (World English Dictionary) • A spiritist • One who conjures a ghost • One who calls up the dead (necromancer) • Necromancy: “a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art” (Dictionary.com) • None of these definitions imply that the practitioner is actually able to do the things claimed. In fact, in may of the definitions there is a hint that these practices are based on various deceptions.

9. When confronted with the Power of God, many who practiced witchcraft were amazed • Pharaoh’s magicians could not explain his dream, even knowing what it was - Gen. 41:1-16 • Nebechaneezer showed that his “wise men” were but frauds for they did not truly know what they were talking about. However, Daniel, by the power of God, could answer the question (Dan 2:1-11; 2:26-28) • Saul asked for Samuel to be summoned, but when the medium got exactly what was requested, she cried out in alarm. (1 Sam 28:7-14) • In other words, she didn’t normally get the real thing • She saw a spirit (divine being) coming up out of the ground. This was not normal! • In other words, God intervened in this woman’s tricks to teach Saul a lesson

10. The Bible teaches that witchcraft is ineffective • The practitioners were not able to save Israel • Is 47:12-15 • Satan’s ministers are described as deceitful workers • 2 Cor 11:13-15 • This makes sense since he is the father of lies • Satan comes with deceitful, lying miracles • 2 Thess 2:9-12

11. The Bible teaches that witchcraft is ineffective • Satan doesn’t have real power. • His power is only as much as God permits - Job 1:6-12 • He cannot overcome us if we resist - James 4:7 • Satan’s power is in deception • This doesn’t mean Satan is powerless. Deception alone has brought many low. • He had the power to destroy Job’s fortune, his family, and his health • He had a woman who appeared to foretell the future - Acts 16:16-18 • She even spoke some truth, but it is not like the real thing • It was a mimicry of the truth

12. Conclusion • Our God is more powerful than all of Satan’s trickery • Rom 8:37-39 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”