Witchcraft: Purpose, Methodology, and Outcome

[votivesoul]

This topic has come up in a couple of recent threads, and seems to be, therefore, a necessary item to address.

Without going into much detail, I am going to attempt to explain the purpose, methodology, and outcome witchcraft has in a person's life. I believe having some understanding of the way the enemy of our souls works, is an imperative, if we are going to properly discern and defeat him. What I present here is going to be somewhat broad, and for the most part, deals with my own unfortunate experiences, before the Lord saved me.

The Purpose

Witchcraft, for the most part comes down to two main concepts, that are really two sides of the same coin. They are:

1.) Manipulation
2.) Control

The idea behind witchcraft is that the one involved in it can be granted the power to manipulate the circumstances, the situations, and even the people around them, so that those things can become subject to the one wielding the power.

The reason this kind of thing is undertaken is so that the one involved in witchcraft can gain some kind of control over whatever it is that is being manipulated.

Methodology

In my experience, witchcraft works primarily off of two main concepts:

1.) Subversion
2.) Perversion

Subversion is the pulling away, the derailing, and changing of one's course, into a new, unanticipated direction. Perversion, on the other hand, is the intentional corruption and twisting of one's course, so that, although the person remains on the same path as before, it becomes altogether unrecognizable.

What manipulation is to subversion, control is to perversion. When the practitioner of witchcraft succeeds in his or her efforts to manipulate circumstances, situations, or people, those very things are subverted, so that those things can be brought under the control of the practitioner, so the practitioner can pervert those things, at will.

There is a lot of different ways this can take shape, depending on the particular field of witchcraft involved, but suffice it to say that wherever something or someone is being subverted, in particular, away from Christ, or the message of Christ is or has been perverted, know and understand that some form or another of witchcraft is responsible.

Outcome

The final outcome of the subversion and perversion attempted by the practitioner of witchcraft is that, both the witch and those who've come under his or her spell, are slowly but surely made to become the thrall of an evil spirit. Basically, the final goal and outcome is the denouncement of Jesus Christ, the disbelief in God Almighty, and the ruination of the human souls involved, so that, upon death, eternal damnation is assured.

All witchcraft is anchored in rebellion against the commandments of the Lord God. There are many different kinds of witchcraft in the world, depending upon one's location and the evil spirits involved. But the bottomline is, no believing Christian should have any part in this wickedness. While most of the specifics don't need to be shared or taught, lest through weakness, a brother or sister ends up tempted to look too deeply into how all of this stuff works, and begins, perhaps subconsciously at first, practice whatever form of witchcraft they've begun studying, it still behooves us to have a general, working knowledge, so that we can be on our guard, ever vigilant to resist this work of flesh and/or work of satan.

Let us not be ignorant of the devil's devices. Let's let the light of our Lord shine upon and expose these evil works of darkness, so the people of God can be certain to never, even unintentionally, find themselves involved in this most serious of offenses God has had the displeasure of dealing with.

[votivesoul]

I hasten to add, that because Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high, even among those who profess to be Christians, it has become very easy for every wind of doctrine to make its way into the Church. In many places, it is now the norm for those who have been denounced as clouds without water, as wandering stars for whom it is reserved the blackness of darkness forever, to be the main catalysts, the movers and shakers, in modern Christianity.

It's unfortunate, but altogether too true, that things are the way they are, these days. We, therefore, must separate ourselves from this mess, and keep ourselves pure and our covenant with God true.

[jediwill83]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I hasten to add, that because Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high, even among those who profess to be Christians, it has become very easy for every wind of doctrine to make its way into the Church. In many places, it is now the norm for those who have been denounced as clouds without water, as wandering stars for whom it is reserved the blackness of darkness forever, to be the main catalysts, the movers and shakers, in modern Christianity.

It's unfortunate, but altogether too true, that things are the way they are, these days. We, therefore, must separate ourselves from this mess, and keep ourselves pure and our covenant with God true.

What is the norm? Illiteracy or witchcraft?

And would you mind giving examples in context of how it happens in churches either in the thread or in PM?

What Ive found is because a lack of biblical knowledge and discernment a lot of this mess slips under the radar undetected...we have become a "big tent" for all things spiritual and of it appeals to our flesh we are quick to adopt it as doctrine or at least accepted behaviour.

When Katherine and I had just gotten married, she started spending time with some of the older women in the church and having "prayer meetings" bro, it was some off the wall stuff going on.

Im not looking for ammo against any organization or as a way to denigrate corporate meetings.

I personally feel that its not just about trying to manipulate people and situations but also we try to manipulate God....

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

What is the norm? Illiteracy or witchcraft?

Illiteracy leading into an acceptance of witchcraft. Paul was adamant about the people of God growing up and maturing, and was concerned that saints would not be tossed to and fro, carried away upon every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). This tossing about and being carried away, Paul wrote, was through the sleight of men (think sleight of hand tricks) and their cunning craftiness, as they prepare ambushes against either immature or novice converts.

As long as the Body of Christ remains in this state, witchcraft is a guarantee.

And would you mind giving examples in context of how it happens in churches either in the thread or in PM?

Several years ago, Rob Bell made a big splash when he wrote and published Velvet Elvis. He was a part of the Emergent Church scene at the time, and lots of people, even Apostolics, were hanging on his every word for the first several years of his public, mainstream ministry. A much used phrase I saw all over the place online went something like "I don't necessarily agree with what Rob Bell says, but I like the way He says it".

But then, the devil overplayed his hand in Mr. Bell's life, when Rob Bell publicly said the following:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us."

Rob Bell thought he was quoting Nelson Mandela, but in fact was quoting New Age Mystic Marianne Williamson, who wrote the above quote in her book Return to Love. Return to Love is a re-examination and meditation on a book called A Course in Miracles, written and then published by a woman named Helen Schuchman back in 1975/6.

Helen Schuchman claimed that she wrote the book under divine guidance, through an inner voice she claimed was Jesus. I tracked a copy of the book down and used to own it, when I found out about the connection. It's completely cracked and has no basis whatsoever in Biblical Christianity.

But when Rob Bell said what he said during one of his "The Gods Aren't Angry" tour stops, most people ate it up and went running with it, not knowing it wasn't a Nelson Mandela quote, but rather a quotation from a New Age Mystic.

This is how, when people are Biblically illiterate, people who ought to be marked as clouds without rain/wells without water/wandering stars, like Rob Bell, get to become so famous in and among Christian circles, even Apostolic circles.

What Ive found is because a lack of biblical knowledge and discernment a lot of this mess slips under the radar undetected...

Exactly so. Right on.

we have become a "big tent" for all things spiritual and of it appeals to our flesh we are quick to adopt it as doctrine or at least accepted behaviour.

When the message of the Cross gets watered down, it becomes easier to swallow. The hard sayings of Christ have all their sharp edges sanded down, and the masses become more accepting of Jesus as a great spiritual leader, instead of Biblical Messiah and Son of God. Therefore, His holy commandments become more like holy suggestions, things that sound good and perhaps are good, but not actually necessary. As such, preaching that demands we take up our cross and follow Him becomes unpopular and out of demand. As people let go of their crosses, the flesh and its lusts and affections remain uncrucified. The world becomes palatable once more, and people think they've found peace, such as the world gives, in exchange for the peace that Christ gives.

That's where the "under the radar" kind of thing succeeds the most. Ease off the gas regarding sin and its consequences, and a whole mess of things begin flying in past anyone's knowledge.

When Katherine and I had just gotten married, she started spending time with some of the older women in the church and having "prayer meetings" bro, it was some off the wall stuff going on.

Im not looking for ammo against any organization or as a way to denigrate corporate meetings.

Despite how this can sound, I, too, have seen some of the worst abuses in Pentecost take place in or during "women's prayer meetings". The first year we were married, I strongly urged my wife to go to Ladies Conference. She went under protest, and came back to tell me the most sordid tales of carnal shenanigans taking place during the meetings, that I apologized to her for pushing her to go and agreed with her that she ought not go ever again.

My mom has some horror stories, too, about prayer meetings that revolve around women leadership. This does not mean every single woman or every single women's prayer meeting, that currently exists, or has existed, in the past. But it's certainly something that needs addressing.

I personally feel that its not just about trying to manipulate people and situations but also we try to manipulate God....

In a sense, ultimately that's true. But often, it goes beyond attempting to manipulate or control God. It goes all the way up to supplanting God and usurping His place and power as Creator.

If the practitioner of witchcraft gains any power at all, and finds it possible to manipulate and control their circumstances, and the situations and people around them, getting a God-complex is not so very far away.

Whenever and wherever anyone, even in the Apostolic Church, attempts to stand in God's place and absorb His worship, a form of witchcraft is being practiced. It may not be formal, or have a name or title to it, but it's happening.

Consider for a moment the story of Absalom, how he sat in the gates and redirected people away from the King, David (subversion) by convincing the people (manipulation) to come to him for all of their grievances and needs. Once he had stolen the heart of the people of Israel away from King David (perversion), he had control over the masses and led the usurpation of the rightful ruler of God's people.

Now, take those events, and overlay them in terms of the Son of David, our Messiah, Jesus. Whenever and wherever someone, even in the Apostolic Church, who "sits in the gates" as it were, and redirects people away from King Jesus (subversion) by convincing them (manipulation) to go to them instead, for all of their grievances and needs, you have a practitioner of witchcraft in your midst. Then, as the hearts of the people of God begin turning away from Jesus toward the witch (perversion), that person gains control over people only Jesus ought to have control over.

And from there, it's a simple hop, jump, and skip to Guyana and the Kool-Aid. Or having to travel to Mexico City to take communion from your prophet's hand. Or kissing the Bishop of Rome's ring. Or...the list is pretty much endless.

[houston]

Illiteracy, that people embrace witchcraft.

[Esaias]

What always struck me as curious was the pythoness who followed Paul and company telling everyone "These are the servants of the most high God who show unto us the way of salvation."

Paul was grieved in his spirit and eventually cast the spirit out of her.

What's curious is the spirit she had was telling the truth, just like the demons Christ encountered who declared "You are the Son of the Highest" etc.

So then, a lot of things that may appear to be gospel-approved inspired utterances may not necessarily be from God.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What always struck me as curious was the pythoness who followed Paul and company telling everyone "These are the servants of the most high God who show unto us the way of salvation."

Paul was grieved in his spirit and eventually cast the spirit out of her.

What's curious is the spirit she had was telling the truth, just like the demons Christ encountered who declared "You are the Son of the Highest" etc.

So then, a lot of things that may appear to be gospel-approved inspired utterances may not necessarily be from God.

She was speaking the truth, so What was wrong with her message?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by houston

She was speaking the truth, so What was wrong with her message?

Well, that's what I'm wondering. Perhaps, being a known psychic in town, her "confirming" the apostle's message would have made people think that she was connected to the Christians, blurring the lines between apostolic Christianity and the local psychic TV show. A sort of new age ecumenical effort.

Reminds me of when they were rebuilding Jerusalem, and some folks wanted to volunteer to help, but were rejected (Ezra 4:1-4). The result was similar to what happened in Acts (they attempted to stop the progress in Ezra, and the employers of the psychic girl attempted to stop the progress in Acts), and appears to be a warning against ecumenicalism...

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What always struck me as curious was the pythoness who followed Paul and company telling everyone "These are the servants of the most high God who show unto us the way of salvation."

Paul was grieved in his spirit and eventually cast the spirit out of her.

What's curious is the spirit she had was telling the truth, just like the demons Christ encountered who declared "You are the Son of the Highest" etc.

So then, a lot of things that may appear to be gospel-approved inspired utterances may not necessarily be from God.

This is the kind of insight and discernment I trust wholeheartedly. Thank you, Lord!

If you are interested, I think this right here ought to be mined as much as possible, to see just how far and how bad, this kind of thing can go.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

This is the kind of insight and discernment I trust wholeheartedly. Thank you, Lord!

If you are interested, I think this right here ought to be mined as much as possible, to see just how far and how bad, this kind of thing can go.

I have a rule to never discuss God or the Bible with people who are intoxicated. I've learned by experience that people, when they get drunk or high, often wax eloquent about religion. Something drives such people to want to discuss and debate Bible doctrine while flying three sheets to the wind.

And I think there's an analogy there to the subject of this thread: it seems spirits are attracted to spiritual truth, in a weird sort of way, and often mimic the truth very closely. We just need to be able to identify the source of things that come our way.

I think 1 Cor 14:29 comes into play here.