What is Witchcraft?
What is Witchcraft?
There exists a common misunderstanding within the body of Christ as to of what witchcraft actually is and the devil uses this to his advantage. Fear of witches, curses, and pharmakeia perpetuate ideas of “suffer not a witch to live” just as the Israelites did under Moses, or did they? What exactly is a curse according to what Jesus taught? And is pharmacy really considered sorcery by the Lord?
Let’s find out.
CARNAL DESIRES
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” – 1 Samuel 15:23 KJV
The word witchcraft is transliterated from the Hebrew word qesem which means divination. The English definition of the word divination is: the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means; And because rebellion is considered to be as the sin of witchcraft, the definition of rebellion also must be searched out. Nevertheless, it remains the same transliterated from the Hebrew word meri which literately means rebellious.
While in the city of Thyatira the Apostle Paul and Timothy encountered “a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying” (Acts 16:16) Divination, while from the preciously unused Hebrew word qesem, is defined in the Greek from the word puthón which means: a divining spirit, Python, called after the Pythian serpent said to have guarded the oracle at Delphi and been slain by Apollo.
Necromancers are specifically those who professed to call up the dead to” “answer questions, were said to have a “familiar spirit” as King Saul specifically sought after “a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her.” (1 Sam 28:7) Such a person was called by the Hebrews an ‘ob, which means mediums properly, a leathern bottle; Thus, were they were regarded as vessels containing the inspiring unholy spirit. This Hebrew word ob is equivalent to the Greek word pytho, and was used to convey that both the person and the spirit which possessed a body. The word “familiar” is from the” “Latin familiaris, meaning a “household servant,” and was” intended to express the idea that sorcerers had spirits as their servants ready to obey their commands.
Defined by the Apostle Paul as a work of the flesh, for obvious reasons, witchcraft is also mentioned in the New Testament.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21 KJV
Witchcraft transliterated from the Greek word pharmakeia means: magic, sorcery, enchantment. From the word pharmakeuó which properly is defined as drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, in the administration of related drug remedies, etc. This is not to say it is witchcraft to take the medicine your doctor prescribes you or that there is a spirit of pharmakeia therefore, doctors are actually sorcerers in the eyes of God. Such is in regards to those then known as herbalist and nowadays known as illegal drug dealers. Now, put two and two together and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft which is regarded as a work of the flesh.
The Greeks and Romans often used opium as to enter a meditative state in worshiping their gods.
“Ancient wine, like the wine of most early peoples, did not contain alcohol as its sole inebriate but was ordinarily a variable infusion of herbal toxins in a vinous liquid. Unguents, spices, and herbs, all with recognized psychotropic properties, could be added to the wine.” – Dr. Carl A.P. Ruck
Such are nowadays referred to as drug cults. https://www.britannica.com/topic/drug-cult
“Classical literature abounds with sorcerers, magicians, and witches. Translators rarely reveal that their power stemmed from their great expertise in drugs. Sorcerers were classical drug dealers and the effects of drugs were seen as magical in those times. Drugs and magic were one.” – D.C.A. Hillman, The Chemical Muse: Drug Use and the Roots of Western Civilization (2008)
It is man that glorifies witchcraft, not God. To put things into perspective, there are 783,137 words in the King James Bible, JESUS is written 983 times & WITCHCRAFT just 6.
If you have ever heard the term “witchcraft control” it is important to understand that no spell can manipulate those born of God nor will those born of God peruse intoxication. “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” – 1 John 5:18-19 KJV
So, fear not and understand that taking prescribed pharmaceuticals for the purpose of pain relief or to treat an illness is not considered witchcraft or rebellion to God. It is an intent issue, if a medication “may cause drowsiness” as a side effect, it’s okay to take it to alleviate your pain as it is not being done to get high.
THE WITCHES!
You may have heard it either preached or said before,
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” – Exodus 22:18 KJV
Written in ancient Hebrew, it is transliterated “kashaph chayah” (pronounced kaw-shaf’ khaw-yaw’) which simply means: ‘sorcerers leave’ That’s it, two words. The phrase in English ‘Thou shalt not suffer a witch’ is transliterated into the single Hebrew word ‘kashaph’ which is a verb indicating the practice of and the last two words ‘to live’ are transliterated from the word ‘chayah’ also a verb suggesting departure. This is according to Strong’s Concordance.
Earlier in the same book the word live is directly used in Exodus 1:16 and this word is חָיַי written in English as ‘chayay’ (pronounced khaw-yah’-ee)
After the prophet Samuel had told King Saul God would remove his blessing from him for had not obeyed God, King Saul feared and repented when the Philistine army closed in. Seeking to regain the favor of the Lord, yet blinded by his jealousy of David Saul put the sorcerers out from Israel.
“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.” – 1 Samuel 28:3 KJV
The three words ‘had put away’ are transliterated from the single word ‘sur’ which means depart. People believe that because of the reaction the witch at Endor had, such is truth, but forget that it is how she perceived things to be just as the 12 spies returned to Moses and delivered an evil report out of fear of a seemingly greater opposition in Numbers chapter 13.
“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
*And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.” – 1 Samuel 28:7-11 KJV
*And the woman said… “Yada Saul asah krath ob yiddeoni erets naqash muth” Which is word for word: “know Saul accomplish off mediums spiritualist land ensnared die”
The Hebrew word Saul uses in return is not die as the witch feared when he assured her, he replied “there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing”, “im avon qarah dabar” word for word is: “if iniquity appoint word.” This makes sense for he swore to her by the Lord just before saying by the Lord’s age. In other words, “do what you do, but you know how God sees it” as did Saul.
Surprisingly, there still remains two sides to this interpretation. Some believe the Jews were in deed commanded by God to murder those who learned the religious ways of the Egyptians, such as Jack Chick, who’s website has posted their position here: http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/witch.asp
Then there are those who stand in opposition to murdering witches in the Old Testament, but from a different perspective and one of those examples can be found here: https://www.google.com/…/thou-shalt-not-suffer-a-witch-to-l…
Whatever the case may be in that the original message has become distorted, lost in translation, the fact remains that God changes not. (Mal 3:6) Many forget this fact and thereby fail to apply the character of Christ to the words of the Old Testament just as they do to the that of the New; For in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. (Jn 1:1) Therefore, Jesus Christ being the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8) the governing factor then becomes expressed in the New Testament in How Christ served God. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (Jn 3:17) And if one is killed for practicing witchcraft, believing not in Christ is that not condemnation?
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” – John 12;47 KJV
The practice of the ancient Jews is it is irrelevant for Christians today as we are not under their covenant with God; Don’t even entertain those ideas that distract from the truth in Christ as to be adopted by any means.
Whereas it was not beyond God to order the death of people as we have many examples of, when we begin think this way, that it is acceptable, then it becomes easier to receive lies from the devil that those who someone disagrees with is operating in some form of witchcraft due to a misunderstanding between the two parties. Satan uses fear to manipulate all the time and once this poison has been delivered the next step to make the person commit a form of witchcraft. Person A believes that person B is a actual witch and paranoia calling itself the Holy Ghost directs person A to the Christmas card they received from Person B last year, cause that’s got a spell on it, or God forbid one has another’s personal items… Folks this stuff really happens. Doors are welded open to believe that weapons formed against us CAN prosper, that something from without a person entering into him CAN defile him; And this is the exact opposite of what Jesus said so, it only strengthens fear. For all a person has to do is sin not and the hand of the wicked cannot touch them. (1 Jn 5:18)
“And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 7:14-15 KJV
Given by God through Moses to the people of Israel, this is part of the Old Testament Law, the Old Covenant that God made with Israel that is fulfilled through Christ. Not that the practice of sorcery is acceptable, but that at the preaching of Jesus Christ will they also have the opportunity to repent and know him, no longer commanded out and away. Phillip did not tell Simon the scorer to leave he preached to him, Simon made his own choice.
CUTTING SILVER CORDS
The idea in some circles is that through astral projection, an occult practice, those who are witches can attack Christians so, as to defend against this some teach prayers that include cutting the silver cords of those having an OBE out of body experience. This is NOT Christian as in one’s heart they are wishing death upon that person for it is believed that cutting this cord leaves the person’s human spirit lost unable to find their way back to their body and the with therefore dies. End of witch equals end of attack… Folks, this is murder in the heart and pure fantasy as God will not honor it. Nevertheless, perception is reality.
What Silver Means
Those that seek to justify killing witches “in the spirit” that may have used astral projection to attack them or others, so they attempt to “cut the silver cord” understand these things.
Silver is a reference to man’s understanding influenced by his desires as King Solomon writes, “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.” (Prov 8:10) “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” – Proverbs 16:16 KJV
Silver is thereby an analogy, a metaphor for a person’s pursuits fashioned unto the lust of the word that opposed the righteousness of God.
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:1-6 KJV
What Cords Are
“The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.” (Ps 18:5) “The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.” (Ps 116:3) When speaking to Job (who was self-righteous) God asked him, “Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?” – Job 38:31 KJV
The English word ‘bands’ is transliterated from the ancient Hebrew word ‘moshekah’ which means: cord. Likewise, the English word ‘cord’ is from the ancient Hebrew word ‘chebel’ meaning: band. In that allegory constellations were used to illustrate the same point that Solomon does in a different way. Therefore, in the following context the cords represent that which bind us to the very things we seek to overcome though Christ Jesus.
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 KJV
Again, when people interpret such as the description for astral projection, that is when a person falls into a trance and willfully leaves their body as people practice in the occult, that King Solomon is instructing God’s people to cut the silver cord that ties them to their body wherever they go. The idea then becomes that the witch’s spirit cannot return home to their body and they therefore die in real life; And because they were of the occult, they go to hell, Jesus said bless those that curse you and we will all be held accountable for every idle word we speak, or just forget all of that, reap what you sow and thou shalt not suffer a witch to live!!! The choice is yours.
UNDERSTANDING CURSES
Already considered to be an ‘old adage’ in 1862 the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me” has been around from a long time and for good reason to those of the world. Nevertheless, it becomes even more true in Christ. Know that there is no need to break any ‘word curses’ spoken against you. The Apostle Paul writes, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14 KJV
The Apostle is directly referencing the curse God had in place for Israel that Jesus willing took upon himself for us that we might also be partakers in the gift of the Holy Ghost by faith unto our salvation through Christ.
“And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” – Deuteronomy 21:22-23 KJV
Therefore, this confession is a witness against one, not for them. The lack of faith expressed in words, for out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak that one takes upon themselves to do so in the vanity of their own mind; For if what has already been done on the cross by the shedding of blood through the sacrifice of life remains unworthy unto God as payment received in full for the remission of sins then the law was never fulfilled and we still await foolishly. With great vigor of compassion and due diligence do I express to you Jesus Christ is Lord who in deed, gave his life that you may live freely unto God! Death could not defeat him, the grave could not hold him, for the power of God and His Christ through the resurrection is eternal!
If greater is He that’s in me that he that’s in the world, no weapon formed against you shall prosper; And this is what is to be glorified rather than the fear of powerless words that one can assure their own heart before the Lord; For fear in the world is the absents of faith in God. Therefore, repent unto the LORD and find peace within 1 John 3.
“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” – Proverbs 26:2 KJV
The three words ‘so the curs’ are transliterated from the single word qelalah meaning curse. Simple right? But what kind of curse? Puppy dog noses and chicken feet mixed together with pine cones and goats’ milk? or something spoken? Turns out its the latter. The Hebrew word qelalah is from the root word qalal a verb defined as: to be slight, swift or trifling, cursed. Be anxious for nothing right?
If you treat someone bad in action or through your speech and in turn they say something negative about you, they have cursed you. Jesus says this in regard to how we speak.
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” – Luke 6:27-28 KJV
The English word bless is transliterated from the Greek word eulogeó which is a verb that means: to speak well of, praise, I bless.
So, to bless means to speak well of nothing more, nothing less.
The phrase ‘Them that curse’ is taken from the Greek word kataraomai which simply means curse. Now the origin of the word is where the clarity and thereby peace is found for the verb kataraomai is from the noun katara which is a compound word from kata which means: down from, against, according to, throughout, during and the word ara which means: a prayer; more commonly: a prayer for evil, a curse, imprecation.
Understanding the original author’s intent leaves no room for error. So, to the Greeks the definition of kataraomai meant a curse that was not understood as just harsh language or even that of a spell as many often liken curses only to be, but to curse someone would also be to patronize them, speak negatively about them, to pray this way to God about them. If anyone has prayed a slanderous prayer about you in front of you, you understand what this means.
For example: imagine those in the “inner rooms” all praying together for you to receive wisdom because you disagree with their beliefs; Come on now what are they really saying, be not deceived. If someone is insecure enough in the word of God and desire the company of men more than God esteeming them to be holy that do such, they will receive what they desire. Nevertheless, this type of practice is indeed manipulation, open seduction to be “in one accord” unto the Lord. Understand that this is witchcraft, for there would not be a disagreement if all had the same understanding which no man can do for himself and all receive simply by keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ; But eyes to see and ears to hear are both relative terms for maturity in Christ.
YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED
Know that this is contrary to the will of God for He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pt 3:9) Therefore, these people who teach such things, no matter who they are, DO NOT SERVE GOD WITH THIS DOCTRINE. They simply use His name and He allows this to separate those who truly desire him and seek to continue in him, one example of how the wheat is separated from the chaff. While their heart may be for God, the direction is misplaced due to the result, the fruit. Understand that their efforts are not of nefarious intent, but that they are deceived.
The apostle Peter writes of following leavened doctrine as well,
“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” – 2 Peter 2:18-21 KJV
So, when people still suffer spiritual attacks, manifestations, and remain in bondage after all they’ve tried to follow after Jesus and someone comes along and explains that’s its “someone attacking them spiritually” and nothing they are doing on not doing as in what they need to repent for. Of course, they will accept this lie hook, line, and sinker… And God said unto Hosea “My People are destroyed for the lack of knowledge” (Hs 4:6) Depart for those people quickly lest you remain bearing with them.
There is NOTHING a person can do except repent unto God, accepting that they are not good, that they have made mistakes and own up them. Let Him show them when and where He has previously had called them, reached out to them, and they’ve done their own thing instead when they knew they should have followed his voice. Repent for how they have treated the people in their life, especially the ones they’ve taken for granted; And in all willingness to have their heart searched before the Lord as to be pleasing unto him then humble enough to realize how they are seen through other people’s eyes. This is the circumcision made without hands that only Jesus Christ can offer that will bring mercy and peace to all that receive of him.
Please share this information with anyone you know suffering from erroneous doctrine, that they may be made free by the truth in Christ Jesus our Lord; And if you have in the past or still do subscribe to the aforementioned beliefs, please weigh such by His word exorcising in forbearance to repentance unto the Lord; That your words and the fruit thereof may be edifying in sound precepts unto God’s righteousness.
May his everlasting mercy and peace comfort the afflicted who long to overcome and his word be a light unto their feet to guide their way. God bless you all and take care.