sidebar“The Bible and Witchcraft”

by Mark McCrary

For many of us, witches and warlocks are the stuff of movies and television shows such as "Bewitched." But,there exists in our world those who really pursue and practice magic - at least what they believe to be magic. It is the world of the occult, or the hidden and secret. It is a world that offers three great lures:

On the surface, witchcraft may not seem that bad. It’s just fun, isn’t it? Ouji boards and tricks, right? Even if one knows someone who practices witchcraft, they often see people who believe in doing good, just like Christians; people who help others, just like Christians; people who work spells rather than saying prayers.

The Bible’s teachings in both the Old and New Testaments are very clear. In the Old Testament:

Those were the commands to the nation of Israel, not to Christians today. The Law of Moses does not apply to us.

In the New Testament, sorcery is listed as a work of the flesh, a work that will keep one from entering into heaven. As the apostle Paul preached in the city of Ephesus, people who practiced magic repented and turned from witchcraft, burning their books of magic and followed the true God of the Bible.

Why is witchcraft sound so condemned in scripture? Several reasons stand out:

Years ago, I had the opportunity to study with a man who had left the world of the occult and returned to Christianity. Before his journey out of the world of the occult, he passed from white magic to black magic (which seeks to dominate others and often includes blood as an ingredient of magic) to Vampyrism (not like those in the movies, but real people who drink animal and human blood) to finally Satanism. He shared these pieces of advice for parents who are concerned with their children entering the world of witchcraft:

  1. Know your child. Often, young people become involved in white or black magic, because they long for attention and structure. They find it in occult groups. As a parent, give it to them first, so they won’t feel compelled to seek it from elsewhere. If you see some things that are commonly associated with the world of the occult-- obsession with black clothing and lipstick; intense music that glorifies evil, anger and death; Ouji boards; Dungeon and Dragons games, etc.-- then talk to your child about them. Some of these may be very innocent, so don’t be alarmed if you see them. But, watch and talk to your child.
  2. Know your child’s friends. 1 Corinthians 15:33 has always been true - evil companions corrupt good kids. My friend attributed at least some of his interest in the occult to poor choices in friends.
  3. Make your religion real. Children can spot a fake Christian from a mile away. When you are not happy serving God, don’t think your children won’t learn this lesson from you. The best way to show them that Christianity is the best philosophy by which to live your life is to do so yourself. Let them see you finding joy in serving God, singing to God, studying His word, and meeting with His people.

The Bible teaches that God is the power that works in our lives - and He is quite enough. Does God love those who practice witchcraft? Yes, He does, and so should His people. But, we must love by warning those who engage and glorify witchcraft that the only power it gives is one which draws from Satan and the only knowledge it gives is one that deprives people from ever coming to the God who longs to save them. But, when one comes to true, undenominational Christianity, they learn several things:

Witchcraft - and those things that glorify it - is nothing for anyone to ignore. It is a very serious sin with very serious consequences.