"Witchcraft in the Church"

We have dealt with witchcraft as it comes against us from outside the body of Christ. However, there is another means through which Satan binds congregations with curses. It is also witchcraft, but the people whom the devil uses are not Satanists; they are misled Christians. A primary gate through which curses and witchcraft gain access into the church is gossip and backbiting among Christians.

Until the body of Christ learns to pray for one another, we will continually find ourselves being manipulated by demons who exploit the prayerlessness of Christians. Consider: The most common activity of Christians when they discover sin or failure in the church is not to weep and pray, but to descend into the darkness of gossip. Such unbridled talk brings what amounts to a curse against the individual who has stumbled.

Let us assume a brother in Christ, we will call him "Bob," has spent a weekend drinking. He has been a Christian for ten years, but was an alcoholic prior to his conversion. This is the third time in these past ten years that he has stumbled. Three people who know his situation are in a room at church, talking about him. The conversation sounds like this:

"Did you hear what Bob did? From Friday to Sunday morning, he was out drinking," said the first.

"Well, that's not the only time he's done that. How can he call himself a Christian?" replies the second.

"It makes me furious," says the third. "The money he spent was food money for his family. I've always wondered about him, I never could believe he was really a Christian!"

And on they talk until, quite unannounced, the door opens, and in walks Bob himself! The conversation plunges to a murmur and tapers off into an artificial greeting, "It's nice to see you."

But it is not "nice." And, after that first glance, no one even sees Bob, for the gaze of everyone in the group has drooped to the floor, where each is searching desperately for nothing in particular.

What Bob stepped into was not "talk"; it was witchcraft. Of course, it was not pre-Christian European or African witchcraft, but it did basically the same thing to Bob: It ministered death to him. He felt it, and they felt it. Death. It manifested all over the room; like a shroud, it covered everybody.

But, let's imagine there was another room at the church and in it three other people were meeting. There three also knew Bob, but they are part of the intercession team. Their meeting is not to discuss Bob's situation, but to pray for him. At various times they cry when they pray.

"Oh God, you know how Bob's dad was an alcoholic an dhow you delivered Bob from that bondage ten years ago. Lord, for Your name's sake, don't let him return!"

The next one prays, "Lord, you have kept Bob sober for the past three years! For over a thousand days, he has walked clean in this area. Lord, return to him in your mercy. Raise him up again."

The third intercessor speaks, "Lord, help us to help him. Lord, right now we pray against the accuser of the brethren that wants to condemn Bob and wipe him right out of the kingdom. Lord, we rebuke that spirit in Jesus' name!"

and on they continue until, to their great joy, Bob wanders into the room in which they are kneeling. In an instant, the three spring to their feet and hub Bob, letting him know of their love and faith for him, encouraging him to get back on the path with Christ.

Can you see the difference between the two groups? The first is ministering death; the second is pouring out life. The first group is actually practicing a form of witch craft under the influence of a religious spirit; the second is bring the intercession of Christ before God, and a brother is being saved. 

This practice of Christians ministering death instead of life is not limited to immediate church relationships. A Congregation can be under a spirit of witchcraft in their attitude about their pastor. The Scriptures tell us that "Rebellion is as the sin of divination" (1 Sam 15:23). If you have a problem with the pastor, pray for him; if you feel that the Lord is calling you to go to another church, you do not have to rebel against your present church in order to leave it.

Ask your current pastor to bless you. If there is come conflict, make sure you both forgive each other and are committed to praying for each other. Ask him to call the church where you are going and communicate to your new pastor any insight or support he might have. When it is time to finally move on, make sure that you give your blessing to the ministry and people you leave.

At River of Life, where I am the senior minister, it is our policy is to bless the individuals who want to go to another church, thanking God for our time together. If they are willing, we will bring them before our congregation and "gift wrap" them with our love, admonishing them to consider themselves a blessing from us to their next place of fellowship.

Whatever you do, do not go in rebellion. If you do, you will open the door for witchcraft. Once you become judgmental, you also pt yourself under God's judgment. Stay submissive to God, and keep your spirit right. You and all those involved with your transition will benefit from God's blessing rather than obtain His judgment, which accompanies a rebellious attitude.

... ... ... ...