Witchcraft in the Church

The Scriptures warn God's people strongly against the occult and its practices. The Law of God states plainly, "If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6). During the reign of King Saul, he had cut off such practices in Israel. Yet he himself saw his wicked life end tragically after he consulted the Witch of Endor and heard his judgment pronounced (1 Sam. 28).

Prophets like Isaiah called out the people of Judah for seeking the help of witches and those who consult the dead, rather than seeking the Lord and His Word. "When they say to you, 'Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,' should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?" (Is. 8:19). The Bible's last chapter ends with a picture of the beauty of the holy city, where sorcerers and other wicked people are not allowed to enter (Rev. 22:15).

The internet has fostered a revival of interest in the occult. So many are enthralled with its practices that there are demonic websites, social platforms dedicated to named evil spirits, and even a "WitchTok" community on the popular TikTok platform. Though I could devote the rest of this article to the occult and warn the church to guard its youth from it, that is not the purpose of this particular article.

For there is another form of witchcraft afoot in the church. This type is closer, more subtle, and a greater danger than God's people recognize.

To understand this type of sorcery, we need to go back to the example of King Saul. Before he ever went to the Witch at Endor, Saul began practicing "black magic" after his anointing as king. The prophet Samuel gave clear directions to Saul to bring judgment on King Agag, the Amalekites, and all their flocks and herds bwith a full destruction (1 Sam. 15:3). Saul failed to obey God's Word, as he "and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them" (1 Sam. 15:9). Saul thought God would be pleased if he used these animals as an offering to the Lord. This disobedience on Saul's part, also seen at other times (see 1 Sam. 13:8-14), caused Samuel to make the following pronouncement.

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 listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination ("witchcraft" in the KJV), and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

In reading this account, I often wondered why the Lord likened rebellion to witchcraft. One day, it hit me. Because, like witchcraft or divination, rebellion occurs when someone ignores the plain commands of God, looks elsewhere for revelation, and then, in their rebellion, casts a spell over others around them who are influenced. Rebellion blinds men, and others are caught up in their web of self-delusion and deceit. Just as the occult is all the craze these days and ensnaring thousands of young people with its allure, so is rebellion. The witchcraft of rebellion is alive and well in the modern church.

Many men calling themselves pastors and ministry leaders are rebels at heart. Some sidestep proper ordination and oversight by other leaders, setting up their own ministries devoid of any true accountability. Others refuse any type of correction when their teachings or actions call for it. In either situation, when attempts are made to address areas of concern in doctrine or life, instead of humbly receiving it, these men rail against correction, procedure, discipline, and the courts of the church. Further, they began attacking God‘s people and creating division. They have fallen under the spell of the evil ones' lies and deception, under the witchcraft of rebellion.

In my own denominational setting, people take vows upon becoming members of the church. One of the vows reads in part, “In case you should need correction in doctrine or life, do you promise to respect the authority and discipline of the church?" I have seen pastors, over years of ministry, ask dozens of people this question, then refuse to accept this correction themselves when they need it. Furthermore, these same ministers took this vow upon their own ordination.

Do you promise subjection in the Lord to the courts of this church, and engage to follow no divisive courses from the doctrine and order which the church has solemnly recognized and adopted; and do you promise to submit to all the brotherly counsel which your brethren may tender you in the Lord?

I shudder to think of how their disregard of their vow, their rejection of the authority and counsel of the church, and the way they divide the church are all seen by the Lord who states, "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!" (Eccl. 5:4).

Recently, I was preaching from James about being a doer of God‘s word. James says to those who only hear and do not obey God‘s word that they are "deceiving" themselves (Jas. 1:22). This word is a strong one in the Greek, implying that someone has come under the influence of a con artist and fallen for a false scheme. When God’s people do not obey his word - especially if they are leaders! - they have fallen for the scheme of pride, being self-deluded and rebellious.

The problem with such people is that, like Saul, once under the spell of rebellion, it is difficult to break. They are self-convinced and self-justified in their behavior. In their anger, which is always present in rebellion, they cannot even consider that they may be wrong. Rarely do the rebellious ever come to their senses, humble themselves before the Lord and his people, and repent in brokenness before the church. That is why Hebrews warns, "Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness" (Heb. 3:8). Like Israel, those who harden their hearts in this manner do not enter God's rest (Heb. 3:10-18).

As a Christian leader, who has seen too many harden their hearts in this manner, I have wondered and prayed about what happens in a man's heart that leads him down the path of rebellion. Are there safeguards and warning signs the Lord has in place to halt us from this treacherous way of self-delusion? I definitely believe so. I offer the five below as Biblical practices that can prevent the seeds of pride and rebellion from developing in leaders' hearts.

Listen carefully to, rather than sinfully subjugate, your wife. So often I see a domineering spirit in rebellious men toward their wives. They are overly concerned with having their wives and others submit to their husbands. They fail to see that submission is a command given to wives to voluntarily in Christ submit to their husbands, who are to lead them in love.

The godly, humble leaders I know view their wives as dear sisters in Christ, co-heirs of the gospel, helpers complementarily provided by God to them, and their chief counselors whom they consult on most any matter. Nabal was a fool by name and actions because he did not listen to his godly wife, Abigail. His rebellion cost him both his life and his wife. I wonder how many times a Christian woman tried to say something to a man starting down a path of rebellion, only to be strongly and sinfully silenced with misused Bible verses and shaming tactics? Living in a covenant of companionship (Mal. 2:14) with a wife that you cherish, whose counsel you value, and whose warnings you strongly consider could save many a man from becoming a rebel. Those who believe such a relationship does not exhibit true, Biblical masculinity only show their Nabal-like delusion and pride.

Have men in your life who can tell you that you are wrong and know that you will listen. Hebrews 13:17 says,

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

When the Scriptures say we are to obey our leaders and submit to them, that includes pastors and other ministry leaders as well! Church leaders cannot read themselves out of that text!

I am both a pastor of a local church and the president of a seminary. The elders over our local congregation and the board that oversees the seminary are authorities the Lord has set over me. Additionally, those elders are accountable to the Presbytery of the Alleghenies, and the board members are accountable to the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. I like to jokingly say at this point in my life, I have more bosses over me than ever before! And I also quickly add that I am so grateful for it. I believe these groups of men and other close advisors know that they can speak to me about any issue in the church and academy, respectively, and that I will listen to them. Decisions are made in tandem with them and under their approval, not by asking them to rubber-stamp an action that I have already taken.

But how many times do we see men, holding to positions that are either contrary to or an imbalance of the church's doctrine and practice, think that they are some modern-day Luther or Knox as they defy everyone in the church around them! Usually, it is for issues that should be considered at most secondary or tertiary in the life of God’s people. These men, filled not with true boldness but with pride, disregard the peace of the church as they charge around using their internet bullhorns to try to shout down everyone. They seem to never learn that if you cannot use wisdom, persuasion, and prayer to convince people of the rightness of a position, perhaps you should consider that you are either wrong or you need to wait on the Lord's Spirit to effect change.

Learn, discuss, and practice theology among an incarnated community in the church. The great problem in the digital and social media age is "echo chamber theology." Almost robotically, people allow algorithms to drive them to those who think just like they do. Invariably, they then get out of balance. Bolstered by a few other like-minded social media warriors, they get puffed up and convince themselves they have a platform and influence far beyond what the metrics show.

Theology is best discussed in the community of the church in face-to-face meetings. Because of the variety the local church provides, one cannot just have a bunch of yes-men around them to discuss theology. In the church, you have to grapple in real time and space with people who actually know you and do not always share your views. The body of Christ has a wonderful way of sanding off our rough edges and pushing us toward being more like the Savior we profess to follow. One begins to learn that theology without the character that matches it is unacceptable in the church. That is why so many men short-circuit the church and its accountability, where their true influence is known, by convincing themselves that they are popular on social media. It is part of the rebellious man's self-delusion.

Study what biblical humility and boldness really are. If you were asked, could you define these terms? Sadly, rebellious men try to convince others that humility is a sign of weakness, not boldness. Yet we should learn that it is the truly humble man who possesses spiritual boldness.

The Bible defines humility (tapeinophrosune) as a "lowliness of mind"—an inward heart attitude, rather than just outward behavior. The humble man recognizes that Christ sacrificed for us by emptying himself to go to the cross, and thus likewise he empties himself and considers others more important than himself (Phil. 2:3-9). He views sacrifice for Christ and others as his calling.

Then, in the paradox of God’s kingdom, it is this humility that actually gives true Christian boldness. John was told in Revelation 4 to look at the Lion of Judah that had conquered, and when he turned around, he saw Jesus as the Lamb of God. When one sees all that Christ has done in sacrificing himself, that person, in lamb-like humility, is willing to give up everything to boldly speak and represent Jesus with the Lion's strength he gives. According to the historical account, King Saul was a great warrior. But he was scared of people and true godliness when it counted most, sneaking around looking for a witch's help, as his pride took boldness from him.

Seek daily the Spirit of God from the Lord. I know men who are Trinitarian in theology, but not in practice. What do I mean? They hold to the doctrine of the Trinity but do not exhibit the presence of the Trinity. The test is simple.

Just look and see if they are producing the fruit of the Spirit in all of his manifestations. The Holy Spirit is called in the Bible the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. Where he is present, so are the Father and the Son. So read Galatians 5:22-23 and ask yourself these questions about a man you are concerned is rebellious. Better yet, Christian leader, ask them about yourself.

Why is he so hateful of his enemies if the leading quality of the Spirit and chief identity of the Christian is love?

Does he seem angry instead of joyful?

Is he causing division in the church rather than its peace?

Are his words unkind?

Does he show forth the good work of caring for the weak and the lowly?

Is he impatiently wanting his way?

Does he believe gentleness is a quality used to describe our Lord and the elders of the church?

Is he focused on self-control or the control of others?

The older I get, the more I see that I need the Spirit of God. I need more of his character in my relationships with the children of God. I need to become more childlike, not less; more dependent and Spirit-seeking as I age, not less. As I see older leaders in the past few years fall into gross sin, I realize that it is not starting the race that makes the man, but finishing it strong and well to God‘s glory. It means recognizing that I’m not too good for the church, but that the bride of Christ is too good for a sinner like me. Only by the Spirit of God do I know Christ, belong to Christ, have my name written in Christ's book, belong to his church by his blood. Each day means a new opportunity to ask again for new measures of the Spirit of God, for I only have at most a few precious years in this world to serve the Lord who has loved me so.

Beware the adomination of witchcraft.