Christian Life Church
July 14, 2024 at 8:30am & 10:00am
Luke 6:27-29 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic from him either.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Overcoming Witchcraft 07-14-2024
1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.
The Big Picture
- The entire church age has been immersed in Spiritual warfare.
- Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
- We are victorious overcomers, but even the mightiest army can be neutralized if it is not aware of the activity of the enemy.
- We must defeat ignorance and apathy in our lives to be truly free and to be genuinely overcoming.
- This area of witchcraft is one of the most difficult areas to understand and defeat because it thrives in the atmosphere of deception.
- I define witchcraft as “Illegitimate authority, especially in the spiritual and soulish realm, that seeks to manipulate, dominate, or control others.”
- Galatians 5:20 names sorcery as one of the works of the flesh. This suggests to us that witchcraft can operate on a natural level, but we also know that witchcraft can be demonically driven as well.
- In other words, witchcraft may be of a natural sort or on a spiritual level.
- Furthermore, sincere Believers may fall into its trap and often not realize their own condition. We need to discern false spirituality coming from any source. This is only achieved by the help of The Holy Spirit’s fulness.
I. Stand Alert
A. 2 Corinthians 2:10-12 NLT “…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”
B. 1 Peter 5:8 NASB “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.”
C. We are commanded to “continually be/remain filled with The Holy Spirit.”
D. The entire church age has been immersed in Spiritual warfare.
E. Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
II. Stand Away
A. Any influence we gain by manipulation or self-promotion will end up as a stumbling block to us and others.
B. It will also hinder our ability to receive true authority from God.
C. When the Lord promotes us, He provides anointing, grace, and wisdom.
D. Solomon expressed more insight than we may realize by asking God for wisdom to rule Israel.
E. King Saul teaches us:
1. Few things create insecurity and carnality quicker than attempts to maintain a position or influence by our own promotion or influence.
a. Anything we do through hype, exaggeration, or manipulation will make us toxic, even if our original intention was noble.
b. If we have been involved, even unknowingly, in witchcraft we need to repent and renounce.
c. Discernment and suspicion look and sound the same for a while, but in actuality they are worlds apart. See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
2. Unlike Saul, David learned how to take rejection and mistreatment to The Lord. The result was true kingdom authority (spiritual authority).
3. The Fear of Man leads to Witchcraft.
a. “I saw that the people were scattering from me…and that the Philistines were assembling.” 1 Samuel 13:11
b. “Avoid a mindset that fears man leaving more than it fears God leaving.” Rick Joyner
c. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare.”
d. Those who walk in true maturity and authority are the ones least affected by manipulation or attempts at domination.
4. The result of manipulation and control leads to paranoia and attacks energized by our flesh. (1 Samuel 24:14)
5. “Those who receive their authority, security, or recognition end up in the witch’s house.” Rick Joyner - Morningstar Spiritual Warfare Conference
6. It is better to step aside from a position than to place your trust in anything other than God in order to retain it.
7. Saul let the Amalekite live. David put the Amalekite to death.
III. Stand Against
A. Not only must we stand against witchcraft in our own lives, we must know how to deal with witchcraft leveled against us.
B. Recognize the nature of these attacks:[1]
1. Discouragement - (2 Corinthians 10:3) which is overcome by taking thoughts captive.
2. Confusion - (1 Corinthians 14:33) which is overcome by disciplined thought processes.
3. Depression - (Genesis 4:6, 7; 1 Kings 19:9-21) which is overcome by resumption of our “First Works.”
4. Loss of Vision - (Acts 16:1-12) which is overcome by holding a steady course under The Spirit’s direction.
5. Disorientation - (2 Timothy 1:6,7) which is overcome by “rekindling” the gifts God has given you.
6. Withdrawal - (Genesis 2:18; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Kings 19) which is overcome by steady continuance. (Remember John Mark.)
7. Despair - (Galatians 6:1, 2; Genesis 2:18) which is overcome by returning to fellowship with other Believers.
8. Defeat - (2 Corinthians 4:9; Romans 8:37) - which is overcome by embracing Hope. (The Helmet of Salvation - 1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Christian Life Lessons
1. The primary defense against witchcraft is to walk in humility and under authority.
A. My first sermon about witchcraft
B. Stay under the blood.
C. 1 Peter 5:6 NASB “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
D. “David inquired of The Lord.” (1 Samuel 30:8)
2. God has called us to kingdom authority, but it takes us to the cross first.
A. Satan will offer a shortcut. (Matthew 4:1ff)
3. The love of Christ must control us. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
A. Luke 6:27-29 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic from him either.
B. We must bless those who curse us. They may pray against you, but you are called to pray for them.
C. Romans 12:21 NASB “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
D. The greatest among you will be the most intense and intentional servant of all. (Mark 9:35)
4. True Spiritual Authority is not an honor to be sought, it is a burden to be carried.
A. A parent has authority over his child because he takes responsibility for the child.
B. Jesus corrected James and John twice.
- “You don’t know what you are asking.” (Matthew 22:24)
- “You don’t understand what spirit you are operating in.”( Luke 9:54, 55)
C. He granted their request but sent leanness to their souls. (Psalm 106:15 NLT “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it.”)
D. Some Christians are courting disaster because of their pride and presumption.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.
The Big Picture
- The entire church age has been immersed in Spiritual warfare.
- Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
- We are victorious overcomers, but even the mightiest army can be neutralized if it is not aware of the activity of the enemy.
- We must defeat ignorance and apathy in our lives to be truly free and to be genuinely overcoming.
- This area of witchcraft is one of the most difficult areas to understand and defeat because it thrives in the atmosphere of deception.
- I define witchcraft as “Illegitimate authority, especially in the spiritual and soulish realm, that seeks to manipulate, dominate, or control others.”
- Galatians 5:20 names sorcery as one of the works of the flesh. This suggests to us that witchcraft can operate on a natural level, but we also know that witchcraft can be demonically driven as well.
- In other words, witchcraft may be of a natural sort or on a spiritual level.
- Furthermore, sincere Believers may fall into its trap and often not realize their own condition. We need to discern false spirituality coming from any source. This is only achieved by the help of The Holy Spirit’s fulness.
I. Stand Alert
A. 2 Corinthians 2:10-12 NLT “…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”
B. 1 Peter 5:8 NASB “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.”
C. We are commanded to “continually be/remain filled with The Holy Spirit.”
D. The entire church age has been immersed in Spiritual warfare.
E. Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
II. Stand Away
A. Any influence we gain by manipulation or self-promotion will end up as a stumbling block to us and others.
B. It will also hinder our ability to receive true authority from God.
C. When the Lord promotes us, He provides anointing, grace, and wisdom.
D. Solomon expressed more insight than we may realize by asking God for wisdom to rule Israel.
E. King Saul teaches us:
1. Few things create insecurity and carnality quicker than attempts to maintain a position or influence by our own promotion or influence.
a. Anything we do through hype, exaggeration, or manipulation will make us toxic, even if our original intention was noble.
b. If we have been involved, even unknowingly, in witchcraft we need to repent and renounce.
c. Discernment and suspicion look and sound the same for a while, but in actuality they are worlds apart. See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
2. Unlike Saul, David learned how to take rejection and mistreatment to The Lord. The result was true kingdom authority (spiritual authority).
3. The Fear of Man leads to Witchcraft.
a. “I saw that the people were scattering from me…and that the Philistines were assembling.” 1 Samuel 13:11
b. “Avoid a mindset that fears man leaving more than it fears God leaving.” Rick Joyner
c. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare.”
d. Those who walk in true maturity and authority are the ones least affected by manipulation or attempts at domination.
4. The result of manipulation and control leads to paranoia and attacks energized by our flesh. (1 Samuel 24:14)
5. “Those who receive their authority, security, or recognition end up in the witch’s house.” Rick Joyner - Morningstar Spiritual Warfare Conference
6. It is better to step aside from a position than to place your trust in anything other than God in order to retain it.
7. Saul let the Amalekite live. David put the Amalekite to death.
III. Stand Against
A. Not only must we stand against witchcraft in our own lives, we must know how to deal with witchcraft leveled against us.
B. Recognize the nature of these attacks:[1]
1. Discouragement - (2 Corinthians 10:3) which is overcome by taking thoughts captive.
2. Confusion - (1 Corinthians 14:33) which is overcome by disciplined thought processes.
3. Depression - (Genesis 4:6, 7; 1 Kings 19:9-21) which is overcome by resumption of our “First Works.”
4. Loss of Vision - (Acts 16:1-12) which is overcome by holding a steady course under The Spirit’s direction.
5. Disorientation - (2 Timothy 1:6,7) which is overcome by “rekindling” the gifts God has given you.
6. Withdrawal - (Genesis 2:18; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Kings 19) which is overcome by steady continuance. (Remember John Mark.)
7. Despair - (Galatians 6:1, 2; Genesis 2:18) which is overcome by returning to fellowship with other Believers.
8. Defeat - (2 Corinthians 4:9; Romans 8:37) - which is overcome by embracing Hope. (The Helmet of Salvation - 1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Christian Life Lessons
1. The primary defense against witchcraft is to walk in humility and under authority.
A. My first sermon about witchcraft
B. Stay under the blood.
C. 1 Peter 5:6 NASB “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
D. “David inquired of The Lord.” (1 Samuel 30:8)
2. God has called us to kingdom authority, but it takes us to the cross first.
A. Satan will offer a shortcut. (Matthew 4:1ff)
3. The love of Christ must control us. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
A. Luke 6:27-29 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic from him either.
B. We must bless those who curse us. They may pray against you, but you are called to pray for them.
C. Romans 12:21 NASB “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
D. The greatest among you will be the most intense and intentional servant of all. (Mark 9:35)
4. True Spiritual Authority is not an honor to be sought, it is a burden to be carried.
A. A parent has authority over his child because he takes responsibility for the child.
B. Jesus corrected James and John twice.
- “You don’t know what you are asking.” (Matthew 22:24)
- “You don’t understand what spirit you are operating in.”( Luke 9:54, 55)
C. He granted their request but sent leanness to their souls. (Psalm 106:15 NLT “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it.”)
D. Some Christians are courting disaster because of their pride and presumption.