Beware of the Witchcrafts in the Church

SERMON TOPIC:

BEWARE OF THE WITCHCRAFTS IN THE CHURCH.

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…” — 1 Samuel 15:23

Church, not every danger to the Christian comes from outside the church.

Some dangers can appear inside the church, around spiritual activities, leadership, relationships, money, influence, and even ministry.

When we hear the word witchcraft, we often think only about occult practices, charms, spells, or people consulting dark powers. But Scripture also uses witchcraft as a picture of rebellion, manipulation, deception, and the desire to control what belongs to God.
That is why the church must be spiritually discerning.
Not everyone who carries a Bible is submitted to God. Not every spiritual-looking activity is evidence of spiritual maturity. And not every person who says “God told me” has necessarily heard from God.
But we must also be careful: discernment is not suspicion. We are not called to accuse people carelessly or label difficult people “witches.” We are called to test everything by the Word of God.

KEY SCRIPTURES.

1. 1 Samuel 15:23

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…”
King Saul disobeyed God’s instruction and then tried to justify himself.
Samuel revealed something profound: rebellion against God’s authority can have the same destructive character as witchcraft.
A person may look religious outwardly while inwardly resisting God’s will.
2. Galatians 5:19–21
Paul lists the works of the flesh, including “witchcraft” or sorcery.
This reminds us that Christians must not participate in occult practices, manipulation, or spiritual darkness while claiming to serve Christ.
3. Acts 8:9–24 — Simon the Sorcerer
Simon practiced sorcery and amazed people with his power. After hearing the gospel, he believed and was baptized.
Yet later, he tried to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit with money.
Peter confronted him strongly.
This teaches us that conversion does not mean every wrong desire disappears immediately. People must continue to surrender their motives, ambitions, and desires to Christ.
4. 1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”
The Bible does not tell us to believe everything simply because it appears spiritual.

Test it. Examine it. Compare it with Scripture.

1. BEWARE OF SPIRITUAL MANIPULATION.
   Witchcraft in its occult sense involves seeking supernatural power apart from God.
   But within church life, manipulation can also become spiritually dangerous.
   Examples include:
   “If you don’t obey me, something bad will happen to you.”
   Using prophecy to control people’s decisions.
   Threatening people with curses because they disagree with a leader.
   Using fear to extract money.
   Claiming exclusive access to God.
   Making people dependent upon a personality instead of Christ.
   The Holy Spirit leads people to Christ; manipulation makes people slaves to personalities.
   Jesus said:

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:32
Where Christ truly reigns, people are directed toward truth, freedom, holiness and obedience to God.
2. BEWARE OF MIXING CHRISTIANITY WITH OCCULT PRACTICES.
One of the greatest dangers is trying to combine Christianity with practices that contradict Scripture.
A person may say:
“I am a Christian, but I also need this spiritual object for protection.”
Or:
“I pray to Jesus, but I also consult this person secretly for spiritual information.”
That is dangerous territory.
God does not need assistance from darkness.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 warns against divination, sorcery, witchcraft, consulting mediums and related occult practices.
You cannot follow Christ while deliberately maintaining a second spiritual authority that contradicts Him.
Our protection is not in charms, objects, rituals, secret formulas or personalities.
Our confidence is in Christ.
3. BEWARE OF THE DESIRE FOR POWER WITHOUT CHARACTER.
This is where Simon the Sorcerer becomes an important warning.
Simon saw the apostles operating in the power of the Holy Spirit and wanted the ability for himself.
But his heart was wrong.
He wanted the power without the purity.
That temptation still exists today.
Some people want:
the title without the sacrifice,
the platform without the character,
the miracles without the prayer,
the influence without accountability,
the money without integrity,
the authority without submission.
But God’s power is not a tool for personal ambition.
Remember:
Spiritual gifts do not replace spiritual character.
A person can be gifted and still need serious spiritual growth.
That is why we must examine not only what happens through someone’s ministry, but also whether their teaching, character and conduct agree with Scripture.
4. BEWARE OF REBELLION DISGUISED AS SPIRITUALITY
1 Samuel 15 gives us another serious warning.
Saul disobeyed God, but afterwards he tried to present his actions as religious.
He said that the animals were spared to sacrifice to the Lord.
Samuel’s response was devastating:
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Sometimes people use spiritual language to cover simple disobedience.
They say:
“God understands.”
“God told me.”
“Everybody is doing it.”
“I am doing this for ministry.”
But the question remains:
What does God’s Word say?
Spiritual language cannot make disobedience obedience.
5. DISCERN WITHOUT BECOMING SUSPICIOUS.
This is extremely important.
When we preach about witchcraft, we must not create an atmosphere where Christians begin accusing one another.
Do not call somebody a witch simply because you dislike them.
Do not accuse your neighbour because they had a disagreement with you.
Do not accuse a church member because they are poor, sick, unsuccessful or experiencing difficulties.
Do not label someone because they dreamt about something strange.
Jesus did not command His disciples to become professional accusers.
He commanded them to watch, pray and remain faithful.
Spiritual discernment asks:
Does this teaching agree with Scripture?
Does this practice exalt Christ?
What fruit does this ministry produce?
Is there accountability?
Is money being handled transparently?
Are people being directed to Christ or to a personality?
Does the person’s character support their message?
Discernment examines fruit; suspicion invents enemies.

BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

SIMON THE SORCERER.

Acts 8:9–24

Simon had influence in Samaria because of his sorcery.
Then Philip preached Christ.
People believed the gospel, and Simon himself believed and was baptized.
But when Simon saw the apostles laying hands on people and the Holy Spirit being received, he offered money for that spiritual authority.
Peter immediately confronted him.
The lesson is powerful:
The church must not commercialize the power of God.
God’s gifts are not merchandise.
The Holy Spirit is not for sale.
Prayer is not a commodity.
Prophecy is not a business strategy.
Deliverance is not a marketplace.
The gospel must never become a means of exploiting desperate people.

DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS.

1. Satan does not always attack with persecution.
   Sometimes deception is more effective than persecution.
2. Spiritual appearance does not automatically equal spiritual authenticity.
   Jesus warned:

“You will know them by their fruits.”
— Matthew 7:16
3. The greatest protection against deception is knowing God’s Word.
A Christian who does not know Scripture can easily be controlled by anyone who claims, “God said.”
4. Christ must remain the centre of the church.
Not personalities.
Not miracles.
Not money.
Not titles.
Not celebrities.
Christ.
5. Holiness is greater than spiritual excitement.
We should not pursue supernatural experiences while neglecting obedience, love, truth, humility and righteousness.

PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS.

1. Know your Bible.
   Don’t build your faith entirely on what someone tells you.
2. Test spiritual claims.
   Ask: “Where is this established in Scripture?”
3. Reject occult practices completely.
   Do not mix Christ with divination, charms, mediums, sorcery or other occult practices.
4. Don’t surrender your conscience to a human being
   Respect spiritual leaders, but remember that Christ is Lord.
5. Watch the fruit.
   Character matters.
6. Pray for discernment.
   Ask the Holy Spirit to help you distinguish truth from deception.
7. Don’t become an accuser.
   If you have concerns about a person or ministry, seek facts, biblical counsel and proper accountability rather than spreading rumours.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION.

1. Am I following Christ or merely following a personality?
2. Do I know enough Scripture to recognize false teaching?
3. Have I allowed fear or manipulation to control my spiritual decisions?
4. Am I pursuing God’s power more than God’s character?
5. Have I unknowingly mixed biblical Christianity with practices Scripture forbids?
6. Do my actions demonstrate obedience to God?
7. Am I discerning—or am I simply suspicious of everyone?

POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS.

Father, give me the spirit of discernment to recognize truth and reject deception, in Jesus’ name.
2.
Lord Jesus, deliver me from every form of spiritual manipulation and deception.
3.
Father, remove every desire for spiritual power without spiritual character from my heart.
4.
Lord, expose every practice in my life that does not agree with Your Word and give me grace to abandon it.
5
Father, keep me from occult practices, false teachings and counterfeit spirituality.
6.
Holy Spirit, make me a student of God’s Word so that I will not be deceived.
7.
Lord Jesus, let my life produce the fruit of righteousness, holiness, love and obedience.
8.
Father, protect Your Church from deception and raise leaders who will faithfully teach Your Word.

STRONG CLOSING:

CHRIST IS OUR STANDARD.

Church, we must not live in fear of witches. We must live in submission to Christ.
Our answer to spiritual darkness is not paranoia.
Our answer is Christ.
Our weapon is the Word of God.
Our strength is the Holy Spirit.
Our lifestyle is holiness.
Our protection is God’s presence.
Our foundation is Jesus Christ.
So, beware—but don’t be afraid.
Discern—but don’t become an accuser.
Test everything—but remain rooted in love.
And above everything else:

KNOW JESUS. KNOW HIS WORD. OBEY HIS WORD. AND REFUSE TO MIX LIGHT WITH DARKNESS.

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:11

FINAL CALL TO ACTION.

Church, examine your foundation.
If there is any practice, relationship, teaching, ambition or spiritual activity in your life that contradicts God’s Word, don’t defend it—surrender it.
If you have been controlled by fear, return to Christ.
If you have been deceived, return to the Word.
If you have been pursuing power more than character, return to the Cross.
And if you are a believer, make this your declaration:

“JESUS CHRIST IS MY LORD. GOD’S WORD IS MY STANDARD. I WILL WALK IN TRUTH, HOLINESS AND DISCERNMENT.”
Amen.

Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church near you

You can read more messages on the website below

www.umohedem.com

info@umohedem.com