AS FAR AS GOD IS CONCERNED - DEFINING WITCHCRAFT

Let me start by saying, this will be a hard lesson. Many of you will be triggered by this blog’s post. But if you allow the power of GOD’s Word through this blog to arrest and quench (as in saturate) your inner man. Many of you will be delivered by my word as GOD’s apostle. You will be freed from such rebellious behaviors and habits outlined in this blog concerning witchcraft. Also, remember, it is our goal to grow in Christ so that we can be more like Him. (Compare to 1 John 2:6, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1-2). With that being said, brace yourself because this is about to be a bumpy ride.
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what does the bible say about witchcrafT

​Let’s open up by reading 1 Samuel, chapter 15, verse 23. It reads
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​Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.... (NLT).
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​Let’s back up a few verses to get an understanding of what is going on here. But let’s read it from the Message Bible. It reads
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​Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship (vv. 22-23, MSG).
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​How did King Saul view his military conquest? He said in 1 Samuel, chapter 15, verses 20 through 21 to the prophet Samuel.
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Saul defended himself. “What are you talking about? I did obey God. I did the job God set for me. I brought in King Agag and destroyed the Amalekites under the terms of the holy ban. So the soldiers saved back a few choice sheep and cattle from the holy ban for sacrifice to GOD at Gilgal – what’s wrong with that?”
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​So, King Saul felt he was obedient to the instructions given to him by GOD’s prophet. Let’s go back to verse 22 again and read it from the New Living Translation. 
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But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
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​So, how did GOD’s servant, Samuel, respond? He said. 
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But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
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In verse 23, Prophet Samuel compared King Saul’s actions not only to rebellion, as in sin. But he took it a step further and stated that King Saul’s behavior was as sinful as WITCHCRAFT.
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So, what exactly is witchcraft? Let’s dig deeper into GOD’s Word to find out. 
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what is witchcraft

​It is very important that a child of GOD understand (1) what is a witch and (2) how to discern them. Otherwise, a child of GOD is setting themselves up to be destroyed by them. Why do I say that? Because the Bible tells us not to be… well, let’s read it for ourselves. 
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​So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11, NLT).
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​The New Kings James Version says it this way
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Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
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​We don’t want to be outsmarted or taken advantage of because we are ignorant of the fact of what is a witch. Hosea 4:6 boldly puts it this way. 

​My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (NKJV).

​The Message Bible puts it this way.
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​This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels (Ephesians 6:10-12).
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​Let’s not miss the point here concerning why we as Christians should be able to recognize when witches are hiding among us in full view. Let’s read that verse again but this time in the New Living Translation. Verse 11 says
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​Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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It would be a disservice to ourselves, our family, and especially the church if we, especially leaders, cannot discern when a witch is near nor recognize them. Why? Because we cannot defeat what we do not understand or recognize. Hence, why Hosea chapter 4, verse 6 says my people perish for lack of knowledge.
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Our ignorance concerning certain demonic strategies, tricks, devices, manifestation, and presence of demonic forces, aka witches in our houses of GOD is what will destroy us. We need to be well acquainted not only with the presence of witches but with their spells, habits, and behaviors in order to stop and defeat them. 
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SIDEBAR: This is not an invitation to go and study or get involved in witchcraft. Far from it. But we need to have an understanding of what it is in order to know how to best deal with and confront witches in our houses.  
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Now, we have to understand that there are three types of witches. These witches use the art of magic that is empowered by spells – not curses but spells. Also, be mindful that sorcery is connected to charms. Witchcraft – spells; sorcery – charms. These are two very different things. But a witch and a wizard can both a witch. Also, let’s be mindful that’s witches has nothing to do with gender. Witches and wizards have to do more with an evil art in their identity than a specific gender. So, a witch can be a man or a woman. Witchcraft has to do with both spells and incantations.

According to the Holy Scriptures, there are three types of witches. One is more dangerous than the other. So, let’s break them down. 

type 3 witches
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This type of witch is the most settled witchcraft. Therefore, it is not the easiest to discern. This one can only be determined by the Spirit of GOD. This type of witchcraft primarily falls under the category of unconscious witchcraft. And many, especially in the church, need to be delivered from this type of witchcraft.

Now, we have to be mindful that for those who fall under types 1 and 2, these types of witchcraft are being driven by another source – a familiar spirit. So, this spirit can be cast out of them. But this third witch is more tricky. So, we must understand the root source of this third witch. So, let’s go back in time to grasp an understanding of this third witch.

The first witch ever mentioned in the Bible was Cain. Yes, I said Cain. Let me prove it to you through the Scriptures.
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Becoming a witch starts with the works of the flesh. This is why the first witch in the Bible is Cain. Here’s why? Cain was the first to envy another person to the point of murdering that person – which is witchcraft. Go back to Galatians 5:19-21. Starting with verse 20 is when you enter the dimension of witches. 
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​… Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy… (Galatians 5:20-21, NIV). (The NKJV adds murders to its text). 
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After Galatians mentions sexual sins in verse 19, it goes into the realm of witchcraft – … idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders… (Galatians 5:20-21, NKJV). This also includes gossip, which is not listed here, which also is witchcraft.

If these qualities are rising in you. You are becoming a witch – … idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders….

Cain manifested many of these qualities. Be mindful that both Cain and his brother, Able were servants of the MOST HIGH GOD. They both were making an offering to GOD and yet witchcraft entered Cain during a prayer and worship service. They were spending time with GOD. So, witchcraft had its birth right there in the church while members were in GOD’s presence. It is heavily rooted in the church. And many today in the church are carriers of this witchcraft spirit unconsciously – … idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders.
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Let’s prove this by going even deeper into GOD’s Word.

We need to understand that witches easily become envious and jealous of others. And he or she looks for a way to alter things, whether spiritually or in nature. How so? Go to 1 Samuel 15:23. 
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For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.
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Rebellion against GOD, sin is witchcraft. This is why type 3 witchcraft is the most dangerous. You cannot cast out the soul. You cannot rebuke the soul.

So, let’s analyze please ourselves. (See 2 Corinthians 13:5). Do we exhibit these traits? Remember, a witch is not just, a woman. It can be a male or female.
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BE DELIVERED! Either by means of having that familiar spirit cast out of you. Or, really work on that rebellious spirit of yours – see Galatians 5:20-21 – … idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders. These are the nature of witchcraft.