It is far more important to be abiding in the
Lord than just understanding what is going to happen in these times.
It is only by abiding in Him so that we see with His eyes, hear with
His ears, and begin to understand with His heart, that we can see
and understand anything correctly, including biblical prophecies.
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality,
impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn
you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:17-21).
The Apostle Paul lists “sorcery” or “witchcraft” as a work of the
flesh. Certainly no true Christian would ever become involved in
witchcraft, but the truth is that most are, even if unknowingly. How
can this be?
First, we often think of witchcraft in its extreme forms of black
magic and devil worshipers. But, like many of the works of evil,
there are often subtle, seemingly harmless, or even benevolent forms
of witchcraft that entrap those who really do not mean to bring harm
to anyone. They may even have good intentions, but are in fact using
a form of witchcraft nonetheless.
So we need to begin by defining just what witchcraft is. Such
spiritual definitions will seldom be found in any dictionary, but we
need to consider them from what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:12-16:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by
God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human
wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual
thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the
things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he
cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But
he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is
appraised by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he
should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
For this reason I sought a definition of witchcraft that was a work
of the flesh many years ago. However, when Paul says here that “we
have the mind of Christ” (not that he did personally) he was
referring to something we should have corporately. Therefore, I
always look for others to have parts of a definition that I do not
have. This also means that what I am about to share with you may be
incomplete, but I think that it is accurate.
Witchcraft is counterfeit spiritual authority. It is using any
spirit other than the Holy Spirit to manipulate or control others
with. This can be done to accomplish our own purpose, or even a
noble purpose, and even something we feel called to do for the Lord.
We may wonder how someone would try to use witchcraft or soul power
to accomplish the works of God, but many try, which has caused some
of the worst spiritual disasters in Church history right up to the
present. A noble purpose does not justify evil means. Tacking the
Lord’s name onto a project does not mean that the Lord is behind it.
The Lord, being the King of kings, above all rule, authority, power,
and dominion, moves with a certain dignity and class in all that He
does that is far above such things as trying to manipulate others,
or use a dominating form of control. So are those who move by His
Spirit in true spiritual authority.
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As stated, it is not only possible, but also common for people to
try to accomplish the purposes of God using what is in fact
counterfeit spiritual authority, or witchcraft. They manipulate
people into giving to their cause, or use a form of a control spirit
to keep them committed and to get the job done. These are houses
that we may claim are being built for the Lord, but He will not
bless them with His manifest presence. This is like King David
trying to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem on a new ox cart. Oxen
speak of natural strength in Scripture, and we often think we can
bring God to our place in our own strength. David paid the price for
this foolishness, and so do many well meaning, but misled,
Christians.
My daughter and I recently stopped in some used car lots to find her
something to drive at college. Two of them were a joy to visit and
the salespeople delightful. They wanted to sell us a car, but we did
not feel any pressure at all. The third car dealer we visited was
the opposite. I do not remember ever being subjected to such base
manipulation in any potential business transaction. As we left, my
daughter said she felt “slimed.” The whole experience was similar to
what I think it would be like to get your hand caught in a meat
grinder. I resolved to never step foot on their property again and
would certainly never buy a car from them. You could feel hype and
manipulation throughout that business. Sadly, it reminded me of some
churches I have been in. The salesmen felt like some preachers I
have met.
I am not trying to be negative toward the Church, because, like the
previous two car dealers we went to, most are not like the third
one. However, the reason that the third car dealer can stay in
business and the reason that churches which are like it stay open,
is because of a great number of people who allow themselves to be
manipulated and controlled.
As the Apostle Paul lamented in 2 Corinthians 11:20: “For you bear
with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes
advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face.”
The Corinthian church is still thought of as “the carnal church,”
and the above is probably how such forms of base carnality, or works
of the flesh, manifested themselves in this church. They were
probably the result of the kind of authority they responded to –
carnal people respond to carnal authority.
Now we can continue to reproach the Corinthian church in our hearts
and teachings, but it is likely that if they existed today they
would be the most spiritual church on the planet in spite of their
many flaws. Because most people do in fact live in a place of basic
carnality, including most Christians as recent studies have proven,
car dealers and churches like I briefly described above not only
continue in business, but also actually thrive.
However, one thing we can count on, many temporary successes will
prove to be ultimate failures, as we are told in 1 Corinthians
3:10-13: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a
wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building
upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no
man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will
become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be
revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of
each man’s work.”
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Works or accomplishments that are the fruit of the works of the
flesh or carnal strength will have to be maintained by the flesh.
The bigger such works become, the more striving that will be
required to maintain them, and so the manipulation and control
grows, until the leaders and the people break under the pressure.
This is where you find the long train through history of devastated
works and people who were supposed to be doing the work of the Lord.
In politics, business, and sometimes even in family relations, these
forms of manipulation and control can seem to be almost the fabric
upon which all human relations are built. This is true to a large
degree in this age. It will not be true of the Kingdom, or those
works that really are being built by the King.
Let us resolve that we do not want one thing in our life that God
does not want us to have. Therefore, we will pursue what we are to
have, and the works that we are to do by His Spirit, which is always
recognized by the fruit of the Spirit. – Excerpted from “Creating a
Clean Heart, Part IV by Rick Joyner. Used by permission.
Rick Joyner is founder, executive director and senior pastor of
MorningStar Fellowship Church, which now holds services at Heritage
International Ministries near Charlotte, as well as Wilkesboro,
Winston-Salem, and Wilmington, NC. Rick founded MorningStar
Publications and Ministries in 1985 and has written more than 20
books as part of his commitment to equip the saints. For more info,
visit www.morningstarministries.org.
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Do you want to see with His eyes and hear with His ears? Cleanse your heart from the fleshly
works of witchcraft.
