The Practice of Magic

In conversation with a friend yesterday who shares with me, the love of Jesus and his words (John 1:1,14; 14:6), she expressed interest in what scripture means when it speaks of sorcery and witchcraft.  My response to my friend's interest is below, and as always, anyone who visits this blog is directed to read all the scriptures referenced because it is Jesus who gives us the meaning of what he is saying (John 1:1,14; Rev.19:13). Scriptures will pop up for readability when on a mobile device if lightly touched, or if on a laptop, hovered over by cursor.

When we consider Jesus’ words, we reflect on how he taught throughout all scripture…through parables that contain analogies, similes, illustrations, and figurative discourses, which help us to understand spiritual things (John 1:1,14; Rev.19:13; Matt.13:3,10,34-35; 22:1; Mark 4:33; John 10:6; 16:25; Mark 4:13; Psalm 78:2-3; Ezek.17:2; 24:3).  Jesus explained to his disciples why he used parables and told them the meaning of the parables, which helped them to reason in their mind and heart the nature of his kingdom and to recognize that not all would “see,” perceive, because not all who proclaimed to believe, truly believed him and had a real love for truth (Mark 4:34,10-12; Matt.13:34,10-13; 16:5-12; Mark 2:6-8; 4:11; Luke 8:10; Rom.10:2-3; John 14:6; 8:31-32; 4:23-24; 5:39-40; 2 Thess.2:9-12).  Jesus’ disciples listened to him, but they also needed to belief and have faith in him, to rely upon him, his promise of Holy Spirit to teach them in his absence so that they may bear much fruit and be a light to others (John 14:1-3,15-28; 14:26; 16:13; 6:63; 14:6; Luke 12:12; Rom.8:9; Neh.9:20; John 2:22; 12:16; 1 John 5:10,13; Matt.14:25-31; Heb.11:6; John 15:1-4,8; Prov.12:14; John 8:12; Matt.5:14-16). 

We were warned that there will be false prophets and false teachers among us, so we are unsurprised that there will be those who are in positions of teaching and that appear and sound sheep-like, but who are not speaking for God (Matt.7:15; 24:11; 2 Pet.2:1; 1 John 4:1). Those who speak lies about God and his son speak not by Spirit but from their own imagination, conjuring charms, seductive words as magic stunts to create an illusion of special spiritual power, knowledge, and insight (2 Pet.2:1; Nahum 3:4; Rev.17:3-5,15; Prov.31:30; Mark 7:6; Isa.29:13; 47:10-13; Psalm 57:4; 58:3-6; Luke 6:45; Matt.13:15; Rom.1:21-25; 1 Cor.10:19; John 6:35,51; 7:37).  They do not rely on Spirit, but divine lies purported as true they mix religious “magical potions” that when ingested “drug” people’s minds putting them under a “spell,” a captivity of mind and heart (John 14:6; 1 John 5:6; 1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.4:3-4; Ezek.13:9-10; 2 Cor.11:13-14; Deut.11:16,18; Prov.4:23; Gal.3:1-3; 5:17; Heb.3:10-12).  When lies are craftily mixed to appear as light from Jesus, this is sorcery, but this sorcery is cut off, demolished by the sword of the Spirit, God’s word (Isa.5:20; Ezek.13:9-10; Psalm 34:12-13; Prov.12:22; Deut.18:9-14; Isa.47:1,12-14; Jer.23:29; Micah 5:10-15; Rev.18:21,23; 2 Thess.2:8; Psalm 29:7; Rev.2:16; Eph.6:17; 2 Cor.10:3-5; Rev.22:12-15).  Both “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov.18:21) – What we hear and allow to penetrate our mind and heart, and what we speak that comes from within our heart can be as lethal as drawn swords (2 Cor.10:3-5; Prov.18:21,6-7; 11:9; 12:13-14; 55:20-21; 57:4; Psalm 140:3; John 6:63; 8:44; Psalm 5:6; 52:2-5; Prov.19:9).   

Who do anointed revere? - a public response to two comments under a blog post

I received two comments of similar nature by two different individuals under one of my blog posts.  Neither comment/gripe included authors’ names nor provided references to any scriptures in support of what was asserted.  Additionally, while the two commenters did not profess to be or not to be anointed, I feel that they both were anointed and due to the similar nature of their content, that they knew each other (if I am incorrect, they may clarify by commenting on this blog).  This being said, the following subject matter will address in their comments what is pertinent.  I will not address at length the gripe made to me about an anointed partner of mine - the complaint being that she has chosen an inoffensive nickname for herself rather than being called by her given first name. I will simply say that while I do not have a nickname, I know of many people who have a nickname, and that it is neither here nor there as nicknames do not violate scripture.  

What I will respond to of the two comments made is the assertion that I am “revering” an anointed partner of mine.  That purport was made without any familiarity with me or ability to distinguish between spirits, for at the least, if reading any of my blogs one quickly can discern that the writings contained within direct all readers to the only means of salvation: Faith in Jesus (1 Cor.12:4,10; John 14:6; 3:16-18; 15:1,7,9; Acts 4:12; 16:30,31; Rom.10:9,10; Heb.7:24,25; 1 John 5:13).  My blogs are written with the help of Holy Spirit that guides me through scripture, opening understanding of Jesus’ words, truth, for without Spirit that would be impossible (John 14:6,26; 8:31; 1 John 2:20,21,27; 2 John 2:2; Rom.8:28). Who are anointed to revere?  We revere our Father, and Jesus our head who we must remain attached and listen to (Heb.12:28; Psalm 89:7; 111:10; 147:11; John 14:6; 1 Cor.11:3; Col.1:18; Eph.1:21; John 15:4; 1 Cor.12:14-20,27).

The content of the two similar comments made under my blog post brings great sadness that those of the “body of Christ” are disgruntled with each other.  Are we not all to be “one” under our head Jesus, building the “body,” living in peace being guided and taught by Holy Spirit, considering each other with love? (1 Cor.12:12-31; Eph.5:23; 2 Cor.13:11-14; Rom.12:1-10,16; 15:6; 1 Pet.3:8; 2:5; Phil.2:1-5; 1 Cor.6:15-17,19,20; 1:10).  The anointed partners I am in unity with have been working hard before me, and I am in agreement with them as the Spirit has shown me the same truths they have discerned and thus, readers will see similarities in my writings to theirs (2 Pet. 1:20,21; 1 Cor.2:14). So, to the two commenters of my blog and the reason for this post:  Please, do not be running to people to gossip or complain about others…if we have an issue with another, what are we to do?  We are to go to that person and always with scriptures, bearing with one another in love and spurring one another toward love (Lev.19:16; 1 John 2:9,11; 3:15; 1 Cor.4:6; Heb.4:12; James 3:17; Rom.12:10,17; Matt.18:15,35; 5:22-24; James 13:34; Eph.4:2; Heb.10:24).  This we must heed for each of us answers for ourselves, there is no favoritism with God…and do not forget that we will also answer for how we treat each other (2 Chron.19:7; Matt.5:22-24; 7:1,2,12; Rom.2:1-3,11; Gal.5:14; Acts 10:34).  I pray the two commenters find peace (John 13:34,35; Eph.1:17-23; 2 Cor.13:11).

Rachel