Devils, Demons and Evil
Don’t let anyone among you offer a son or daughter as a sacrifice in the fire [12:30–31]. Don’t let anyone use ·magic [divination; Ex. 7:11; Ezek. 21:21] or witchcraft, or ·try to explain the meaning of signs [augury or sorcery]. Don’t let anyone ·try to control others with magic [cast spells], and don’t let them ·be mediums [consult/inquire of ghosts or spirits] or try to ·talk with the spirits of [consult] dead people [1 Sam. 28].
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18: 9-11
Introduction
There is a real devil and we can see the evidence of his presence and works all over. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan uses fear, division, lies, murder, rape, sickness, tragedies, sex, nudity, drugs, alcohol, mental disorders, violence, robberies, assaults, violence and more violence, perversion, greed, pride, stealing, etc.
We need prayer power and a spiritual awakening. Even as I speak with you and the devil is making you feel uneasy and wanting to listen anymore.
Mark 5: 1-9. He was violent and he lived among the dead.
Estimated a total of about 500,000 people associated with the “overall movement” of Wicca, with “tens of thousands” of members active in between 5,000 and 10,000 covens. Those have shown that Wicca grew tremendously over this period. From an estimated 20,000 Wiccans and Pagans, they found there were about 340,000 practitioners.
People are introduced to witchcraft at a very young age. It comes in what appears to be innocent games like Ouija board, reading cards, seances, fortunetelling, astrology. People get involved in these things through curiosity of the unknown.
They seek guidance and to understand their future. By doing these things we open the door to demonic activity. It is rebellion and pride that causes people to look outside from the knowledge of God.
Witchcraft comes from Rebellion.
1 Samuel 15:23 – 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 Chronicles 10:13-14 – So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];
‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.’ Leviticus 19:31.
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead-on behalf of the living? Isa. 8:19.
‘Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:20-21
Brief Picture of Witchcraft in Scriptures
A. Acts 8:5- 11—Philip in Samaria and Simon the sorcerer. Samaria was controlled by witchcraft.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
The Motive of Witchcraft.
1. Occult people try to get near political power and authority.
2. They seek to hinder the preaching of the truth.
Deut. 7:26—Warning of “the cursed thing” in a home
E. Gal. 1:6–9—Galatians believe a false gospel.
F. Gal. 3:1—This put them under the power of witchcraft.
G. The evidence for their bewitchment—v. 10: They observed times (astrology and
horoscopes).
H. 2 Tim. 3:6–9—False teachers who deceive and seduce.
1. Comparison to Jannes and Jambres: Egyptian magicians
2. v. 9—Open conflict between forces of Satan and Christ
I. 2 Tim. 3:13—Seducers (magicians) will get worse.
We are in a War!
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph. 6:10-17
Know your Authority in Christ Jesus.
Danger of coming under the influence of witchcraft. A Christian can become oppressed but not possessed by demonic powers.
Nowhere in the epistles will you find the God rebuking the devil. He gave that authority to the church when He ascended on high. The church has been given full authority by the Risen Christ to rebuke and resist the devil. Remember that you have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness. Col. 1:13-14. You must be grounded and rooted in your faith. Col. 1:23.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18
Be Steadfast and Resist the devil.
• James 4:7. The devil will flee which means run in fear from believers.
• I Peter 5:8- resist- push back against the devil using the words of your confession.
• Renew your Mind with the Word of God. Rom. 12:2, transform your minds.
• Think on the word of God. Phil 4:6-9.
• We believe and confess the Word of God. 2 Cor. 4:13
• We believe and confess the Word of God. 2 Cor. 4:13