Did you know that the sin of witchcraft is very prevalent in the Church (the body of Christ)? Many members including the leaders such as Bishops, Pastors and Ministers are all practicing the sin of witchcraft. Even more disturbing is that many of these people are unaware that they are practicing this sin.

According to the English dictionary, witchcraft is the practice of supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits, magic, or illusion. Witches use all sorts of demonic symbols, spells, and incantations to enhance their activities.

Witchcraft also includes occults, obeah, voodoo, sorcery, the paranormal, superstition, necromancy, spiritualist, diviners, etc. All of these practices have their roots in Satanism with Satan as their god.

Although most members of the Church may not dabble deeply in the above rituals and may often disassociate themselves from those who do, there are still many people who believe in superstitions, psychic, false prophets, folklore, and horoscopes. Although these may appear harmless, they are still classified as witchcraft.

These may seem harmless, but they are still classified as witchcraft.

However, these evil practices are not the sin of witchcraft that most people in the Church are guilty of. To give you a better understanding let us recap a story from the Bible.

The fall of King Saul

Saul was anointed the first king of Israel. God chose him to be King because of his humility. After the prophet Samuel had anointed Saul, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and he prophesied along with a company of prophets. (1 Samuel 9-12)

Initially, Saul was obedient to God during his reign until iniquity was found in his heart. How did this happen?

After three years of the new king’s rule, the Israelites were in a battle with the Philistines. The enemies outnumbered the Israelites’ army, and it appeared as if they would be defeated, so Saul sent for the prophet Samuel to offer sacrifice to God. (1 Samuel 13)

However, Samuel delayed, and Saul could not wait so he did it himself. Bad idea!

This behavior was unlawful because only a sanctified priest or the prophet was allowed to make sacrifices to God. However, Saul thought as the King he was worthy to make these sacrifices.

Saul’s action was a big mistake! When Samuel finally arrived, he was shocked at Saul’s behavior and said to him,

“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

Thus began Saul’s downward slide from the throne of Israel. Misfortunes descended upon Saul and his army. The first calamity that happened was a shortage of weapons for his soldiers.

They had no blacksmith in Israel to make weapons, so they had to use their farming tools. They took their makeshift weapons and sharpened them in the land of the enemies who charged them a fee (1 Samuel 13:16-23).

The king also brought confusion among his army so that they turned their sword against each other. He even denied his soldiers food all day and his army became hungry, distress and weak. (1 Samuel 14:19-23)

Consequently, after his soldiers conquered the enemy, they were so hungry that they hurriedly slaughtered the spoils and ate the meat with the blood which was against the commandment of God.

The Lord was displeased and did not listen to Saul’s prayers. (1 Samuel 14:24 – 52).

Finally, God gave Saul a second chance to make things right. He commanded him to attack the Amalekites and destroy everything including the animals. Samuel begged the King to obey the word of the Lord. (1 Samuel 15)

But he did not! After the war, he spared the king of the Amalekites’ life and the best of the animals. Upon hearing about Sauls disobedience Samuel wept all night.

When Samuel confronted Saul about his actions, he did not repent but made excuses. He told Samuel that he rescued the best animals to make sacrifices to God. In Saul’s eyes, he felt that he was still obedient to God.The word of God immediately pronounced judgment upon him.

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

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.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

The Lord delights in your obedience rather than sacrifices. Obey theLord! Humility and obedience destroy witchcraft.