OVERCOMING WITCHCRAFT IN SOCIETY

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: profbenonyeukwu@gmail.com

OVERCOMING WITCHCRAFT IN SOCIETY

Devotional Text: Deu. 18:10-12

Introduction:

Witchcraft is a satanic bewitching or charming means of casting demonic spells on people, with the objective of hurting or bringing them into the web of misfortunes and evil omens. This is exactly what witches are known for. Therefore, a witch can be defined as someone who uses demonic powers or magic to charm or bewitch others in their immediate societies or beyond. Their main intention is to kill, destroy and dispossess people of their lives and valuables or hinder their fortunes through witchcraft.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Witchcraft is an abomination before God, (Deu. 18: 12).

(2)     Witchcraft is among other satanic practices outlawed by God, (Deu. 18:11-12).

(3)     In the law of Moses, witches carry death sentence, (Ex. 22:18).

(4)     But, in the Gospels, Jesus says, “He did not come to kill, including the witch, (Luke 9:51-56).

REBELLION AS WITCHCRAFT

It is a known fact that in this dispensation of grace, people still canvass for the outright destruction of witches wherever they are spotted. However, the general remarks of this lesson have already cited that Jesus is against such a position. All the same, it is indicative that most people who are of the opinion that witches should be killed on sight, may be guilty of the same offence. This is because the Holy Scripture shows that, “rebellion is as sin of witchcraft” --- (I Sam. 15:23). Therefore, if one is in the rebellion of not submitting one’s life to Christ or in the rebellion of sinning and disobeying God’s Word, such a fellow is by the verdict of the Word, a witch and carries eternal death sentence, (Rev. 21:8), and so, requires the mercy which Jesus enshrines in His redemptive work, just as the “actual witch” requires it.

                        In furtherance, if Jesus had taken a sweep on destroying those in rebellion, which the Bible also refers to as witches, it then means that most people, including the writer, wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to return to the Lord in repentance. In this connection, it becomes proper to adopt the principle of the dispensation of grace, as well as discard the “witch must die” principle of the dispensation of the Law of Moses, (Ex. 22:18), and in turn pray for their salvation, (See Luke 9:51-56).

WITCHCRAFT AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

                        Having stressed the biblical fact that, there is the “actual witch”, (Ex. 22:18), as well as the “attitudinal witch”, (I Sam 15:23), it becomes worthy of note that the both of them are faced with the danger of the judgment of God, since the Scripture pictures both of them as among the wicked, who would finally end up in hell, if they fail to repent, (Rev. 21:8). Based on this, therefore, both those in the actual practice of witchcraft and their counterpart in rebellion against God and His Son, Jesus Christ, are hereby advised to take urgent steps to repent, before it becomes too late, (Hebrew 3:17; 15).

WITCHCRAFT AND THE POWER OF GOD

                        There is no gainsaying the fact that every society shares the havoc of witchcraft on its people. As such, most members of the society are terrified by the activities of witches, since it is believed that they possess the power to kill or cause problems for people, and of a truth, they do. In fact, people should not take the activities of witches with a pinch of salt, as they are, indeed, wicked and destructive.

                        And, those who seek solution to problems caused by witches from any other source apart from God should better know that they only compound those problems, as well as heap the wrath of God on themselves, (2 Chr. 33:6). This is because “Satan cannot cast out Satan”..., (Matt. 6:26), and that nobody can be freed from the powers of witchcraft unless by the power of God. Therefore, it is a mere waste of time and money to visit witch-doctors when there is a problem of witchcraft. In line with the above, those who desire to overcome the powers of witchcraft must;

(i)                   Repent and receive Jesus for power, (John 1:11-12), (Luke 10:19)

(ii)                 Learn to fast and pray for power to cast out the spells of witches, (Matt. 17:21), (Mark 9:29).

(iii)                Learn to use the authority in the Name of Jesus to destroy the evil enforced by witches, (Mark 16:17).

In conclusion, please note strictly that it is only in the Name of Jesus, (Mark 16:17), and through His Blood, (Rev. 12:11) that we can overcome the  power of Satan, (Luke 10:19), including witchcraft. For, if the Son, therefore, sets you free, you will be free indeed, (John 8:36).