Witchcraft in Relationships

15 May 2011

1. Introduction

Acts 13:4-12 Paul’s encounter with a sorcerer in Cyprus.

• The Sorcerer operated with the assistance of demonic powers.
• He sought to turn away the governor from faith in Christ (v8)
• People operating with witchcraft spirits seek to influence those with authority.
• The impact of this occultic power is to turn people from faith in Christ and control them.

2. Witchcraft and The Occult

• Occult = hidden, covered, secret = the spiritual power behind it is concealed.
• Dt. 18:9-14 God expressly forbids His people to be involved in the occult.
• Witchcraft = to manipulate, intimidate or control someone or something with the assistance of spiritual powers.
• The power behind witchcraft is demonic and always steals, kills and destroys.
• 1 Kings 19:1-5 After successful ministry Elijah came under witchcraft attack “Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying …” (vs2).

(i)   Distorted perspective – he focussed on problem and not on God (v3)

(ii) He became afraid – He felt fear, dread, sick- He drew back from his responsibility (v3)

(iii) Isolation - He separated himself from relationship – a mistake! (v3)

                     - Disconnection from relationship is a fruit of witchcraft operating.

(iv) Discouragement and Depression – “He sat down” (v4).

(v)  Death Wish – “He desired to die” (v4). A sense of hopelessness

      overwhelmed him.

• God’s response was to touch him, refresh him, challenge him and reassign him.
• When witchcraft operates in relationships – people can experience similar issues.

3. Witchcraft in Relationships

· When people are in relationship with one another they have influence on each other.

· Witchcraft = to manipulate another person to impose your will upon theirs. So they do what you want, rather than what they really want to.

· This manipulation of others to asset your will may be –

(i)   Direct: shouts, threats, violence.

(ii)  Indirect: subtle manipulation of emotions – guilt, blame, self pity, demand.

· The agenda may never be spoken but a “pressure” to agree and to please the person is “flet”.

· You might experience – guilt, dread, anxiety, grief.

· You can never be at rest to be yourself when witchcraft operates.

· Example of Peter and Jerusalem leaders

Gal. 3:11-14 “Now when Peter had come to Antioch I withstood him to his face”

• Peter had personal revelation from God (Acts 10:9-16) to connect relationship with Gentiles.
• When the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem came he changed his behaviour.
• He was afraid of judgement and rejection by them – he felt pressure to conform.
• Paul confronted the behaviour which he called hypocrisy – not authentic.
• The spiritual pressure was so strong Barnabus was influenced also.

4. Witchcraft and The Flesh

(i) Witchcraft is also a Work of the Flesh

· Gal. 5:17-21 Witchcraft is connected to idolatry and hatred.

· Selfish agendas war against the low of the Holy Spirit and are contrary to Him.

(ii)  Rebellion is as Witchcraft

· 1 Sam. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

· Rebellion = 4805 = to be bitter, to resist, to rebel.

· Underneath witchcraft are bitter roots and rebellion against God’s order.

(iii) Religion can be a form of Witchcraft

· Gal. 3:1 “Oh foolish Galatians – who has bewitched you?”

· Bewitched = 940 = to charm, put under a spiritual influence, bring evil on a person.

· The Galatians had come under the influence of religions legalism.

· Religion – activities to please God that have form but no power (1 Tim. 3:5).

(iv) How God has designed us

· Man is designed to be spirit, soul and body (1 Thess. 5:23)

· The spirit of a man energises his body and soul (Prov. 4:23)

· Spirit life flowing from within a person is first seen on the face. E.g. Ps 34:5. Gen. 4:5-7 – Cain.

· What is in a person’s heart overflows as a “spiritual presence” or atmosphere.

· Demons can manipulate people and fill that atmosphere (Eph. 4:26-27).

· Whatever a person focuses on he will open his heart to release. (Mt. 6:21).

· Examples of Spiritual presence ‘felt’? – body posture, voice tone, atmosphere.

*Anger   *Peace   *Uncleanness   *Anxiety   *Arrogance   *Blame   *Self Pity

· Unrestrained negative attitudes within a person overflow and influence people around them placing a “pressure” upon them.

· When witchcraft operates people “feel” – sick, dread, fear, anxiety, pressure, tense.

5 How to Deal with Witchcraft in Relationships

· It is a doorway to the demonic – you must confront it (Gal. 5:1).

(i)   Identify the influence                                            (iii)  Prepare self to respond

· Reserve – something is ‘not right’.                        *     What am I responsible for?

· Loss personality, spontaneity, freedom.               *     What am I not responsible

· ‘Pressure’ to please, appease, yield.                          For?

· Fear, anxiety, dread.                                             *     Do I need support?

· Desire to flee – avoid.                                    

· Disconnecting relationally.                              (iv) Confront the Darkness (Eph.

                                                                                          5:11-13)                

(ii)  Pray strongly (Eph. 6:10-12)                                      *     Find suitable time/place

· Energise spirit man – tongues                              *     Speak directly

· Ask Holy Spirit to reveal what can’t see               *     Say what feeling/sensing

· Hold back until see clearly (Acts 16:18)               *     Bring issue out to open

                                                                                    *     Explore possible solutions

                                                                              *     Establish clear boundaries                              what you will/will not

                                                                                    accept.

                                                                              *     Stay Calm.