2002-03-02 - Witchcraft

Please note: The theogloical beliefs of this devotional do not reflect the views of all webservants staff.

Witchcraft, just the word all by itself, usually grabs a reader's attention. It certainly took hold of mine during the past few weeks. One of the mothers I provide child care for practices Wiccan. Another, I discovered, has grown up in a family with a history of witchcraft.

She is a third-generation witch. She was concerned because she now has a daughter and does not want this "ability" passed on to her child. She felt that some of her practices were destroying her marriage and had brought demons into her house. She was looking for "God." She had no difficulty believing in the activities of the demonic world; they are very real to her. Yet she really struggled with belief in God's Word and in the things of God.

When I was about eleven years old, my father became involved in various occult activities. I clearly recall some of the things that happened in our own home. It was the beginning of a whirlwind of events that changed all of our lives and destroyed many relationships. Speaking with this woman brought it all back.

We are praying for the salvation of her family. We are praying for the protection of those who are witnessing to her. Several things have happened since we and others began sharing with her, that I believe are directly linked to demonic activity.

Rather than explain and focus on the events, I prefer to share something the Lord showed me through this experience.

I began to look for scriptures that would better help me to understand all that was happening. Some that really spoke to me were:

Colossians 3:1-3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ.

1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan is not hanging around in a red suit with a "pitchfork". He is "traveling to and fro throughout the earth" and he appears in Heaven to accuse God's own.

Witchcraft is not innocent child's play. God hates it. Remember that Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving so that they may not come to the light (2 Corinthians 4:4). However, the Word also tells us that Satan is a defeated foe and will someday be cast into the lake of fire, and Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14).

I needed to remind myself (and was reminded by others to do so) to keep my conversation focused on Jesus and not on the power Satan has been given. Though the events can seem sensational, sometimes we, need to "...bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2nd Cor. 10:5)

If you're unsure about something, search it out in the scripture. Then take it before the Lord. Ask Him if what you are reading or thinking or doing is going to bring Him glory and honor. Ask Him if it is something He wants you or your family involved in. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, and then, regardless of popular opinion, be obedient.

Psalm 122:6

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

 liv4yeshua@cfdevotionals.org
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