The Truth About Magic, Witchcraft and Sorcery

(C) 1995 By John Conley. All rights reserved. A Sword of Loving Light Publication
P.O. Box 742571, Dallas, TX  75237

Our so-called modern age has blinded us, especially Christians, to the actual relationship
between humanity and the spiritual world. Satan, the prince of the air and god of this
world, has blanketed and darkened our minds with falsehoods so that we only know a
small portion of the truth. This is why we do not fully realize our spiritual potential,
whether good or bad. The fact is, we have tremendous influence, good or bad, in the spirit
realm, but we have allowed our minds to go underutilized in this respect. Medical research
has indicated that the average person only uses ten percent of his or her brain. That in itself
is evidence of the widespread, successful propaganda campaign being waged by the devil
and his vast spiritual and physical army.

One of Satan’s most damaging propaganda tool has been the segmentation of our reality
into what we call (1) fiction, and (2) nonfiction. Fiction is the belief that what we read,
write, or see in print or visual media is not true and can never happen; to believe otherwise
would render one on the brink of insanity. Nonfiction represents the opposite. However, if
we examine examples of each of these compartments closely, we find that what is fiction
actually can or has happened, and what is nonfiction is, with few exceptions, a half-truth
or is a full deception.

Before analyzing current examples, we should understand one key concept about
ourselves in relation to what has been called fiction and nonfiction by the followers of
Satan’s way of life. As far as the human experience is concerned, there is only one reality
for humans; there is no realm of human imagination that cannot happen. If we think it, then
it can eventually happen (recall the lengthy history of man’s attempt to fly). Those
experiences that are kept from human experience are explained in the Bible.

In Exodus 33:20, Jehovah, also called Yahve, tells Moses no one may see His face and
live. He echoes this point in verse 23. In John 3:6, we read, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but
the Spirit gives birth to spirit (NIV).” As humans, we cannot give birth to flesh, nor can we
enter the spirit realm as flesh and bones. This is especially true of inheriting the kingdom
of God (1Cor. 15:50). Isaiah 14:12-15 shows us that neither angel nor human can occupy
the throne of God. Finally, to not sin is beyond our scope of experience, because all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). These are the things that are beyond
our reality. As such, we should not permit Satan to compartmentalize true human reality
into fiction and nonfiction, because such compartmentalization is only propaganda not
founded on biblical reality.

Consider what Solomon had to say on this subject in Eccl 1:9-10. “What has been will be
again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there
anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long
ago; it was here before our time (NIV).” Within the context of this article, things that
happened in ancient history should not become fiction to us in this so-called modern age
because they happened long ago. because, as Solomon points out, “what has been done
will be done again.”

Another example of the misguidedness of this compartmentalization of human experiences
is in genesis 11:6. This is where the Lord is not pleased with the Tower of Babel project.
But notice what He says about their plans to realize their dreams: “If as one people
speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will
be impossible for them (NIV).” He clearly tells that if we unite, whether for good or for
evil, nothing is impossible–that is, unless the Lord Himself limits the scope of our plans to
implement our dreams, as we see in verse 7.

Only the Lord, not Satan, can limit our reality, and nowhere in the Bible is there any such
compartmentalization of reality into fiction and nonfiction. This is very, very important for
Christians to understand. Today’s movies, novels, plays, and other methods of story-telling
have, because of their repetitiveness, gradually convinced us that what is told or seen does
not happen, and that science and medicine is the measuring line of what is possible and
what is not. This is exactly why we, unfortunately, do not believe that full-blown magic,
witchcraft, and sorcery exist. But now, let us briefly come to grips with the real truth.

Magic, witchcraft, and sorcery are the satanic impostors of the mystery that became the
faith of Christians. Throughout history, magic, sorcery and witchcraft has been mainly
influenced by first the Egyptians and then the Jewish Kabbalists who introduced these dark
arts into Europe. (This is also where we get our moderns notions of the wizard that have
been popular in Arthurian legend, and in stories such as “The Lord of the Rings”). The so-
called science of medicine–from surgery to abortion–owes a tremendous debt to the
Jewish Kabbalists and necromancers, Greek doctor-magicians and Egyptian doctor-
magicians whose magic remedies have been watered down into what we have today.
Contrary to popular modern thinking, the Bible does not proclaim that the magical arts do
not exist or are innocent and harmless. In fact, the Bible tells us plainly that magic,
witchcraft, and sorcery still exist and are not make-believe.

Recall the Egyptian wise men, sorcerers, and magicians who matched some of the
supernatural acts of God through Moses. In Exodus 7:10, the Lord allowed Aaron’s staff
to become a snake. Yet Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do the same, though we know
Satan was behind it, and Satan can only do what God allows him to do. This is why the
snake of Aaron’s staff swallowed up the Egyptians’ snakes (verse 12). In verses 20-21,
Moses and Aaron caused all the water in Egypt to be changed to blood. But the Pharaoh’s
magicians did the same thing (verse 22), for it has been documented that the Egyptians
were the first to practice what would later be called alchemy, a secret art that was
perfected by the Jewish Kabbalah. In 8:6, Aaron caused frogs to swarm all over Egypt.
But in verse 7, we read that the Pharaoh’s magicians matched the feat of Aaron. So far, we
see that magic and sorcery are real indeed, that the Bible does not lie because the Lord has
revealed this knowledge to us. Now, the difference between Satan’s magic and sorcery and
God’s power is that Satan can only do what the Lord permits him to do. Notice 8:17-19.
Aaron stretched out his hand, and gnats swarmed all over Egypt, in almost every particle
of air (since all the dust became gnats). Yet, when the Pharaoh’s team of magicians and
sorcerers tried to match this feat, their secret arts failed them. Unlike our faithless
generation, the magicians realized they were outdone by the Lord, and reported their
acknowledgment of God’s power to Pharaoh (verse 19).The next seven plagues would
eventually break the spirit and resolve of Pharaoh (after the third plague showed the
magicians and sorcerers who was really in charge of the forces of nature). Please
understand that magic and sorcery are very real indeed and have not ceased to exist.

Let’s continue. There are numerous references to sorcery, witchcraft, magic, divination,
omen interpretation, astrology, and other dark arts throughout the Bible. To believe that
they do not exist nor occur in our present age is to completely doubt the Bible and Jesus
Christ Himself. In Deut. 18:10-11, the Lord commands, “Let no one be found among you
who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery,
interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or
who consults the dead (NIV).” In 2Kings 9:22, we read that Jezebel practiced witchcraft.
Jewish and Israelite kings practiced magic, sorcery, witchcraft, and others, most notably
the very evil Manasseh (2Chron. 33:6) and his son Amon (verse 22).

In Micah 5:12, the Lord prophetically warns all the descendants of Jacob to discontinue
the practice of witchcraft and the casting of spells–which are nothing more than attempts
to control God and their own destiny rather than submit to the Lord’s will.. In Nahum 3:4,
again the Lord prophetically warns the inhabitants of Jerusalem that although the world
does not see the witchcraft and political-religious prostitution going on in the “city of
blood,” nevertheless He does, and will expose such detestable practices in the near future.
Even our beloved apostle Paul, a former high-ranking member of the Jewish leadership
structure, recognized the reality and evils of witchcraft In Gal. 5:20-21, he warns that
those who practice witchcraft will not inherit the kingdom of God. In Isa. 47:12, the Lord
wants us to realize the extent of the use of magic spells and sorceries by the virgin
daughter of Babylon, which is a prophetic symbol of those wicked men and women who
are currently using the New Age philosophy, satanism, and occultism as a front for their
own ancient magic and sorcery. (Read all of chapter 47 to get the full meaning of who is
behind the covert magic and sorcery that are still practiced by those who purposely rebel
against the Lord today). The Lord tells us that these spiritual rebels have practiced such
dark arts since birth (meaning ancient Egypt). The last sentence is most important
concerning the effectiveness of this magic and sorcery today: “Perhaps you will succeed,
perhaps you will cause terror.” Do not dismiss any part of Isaiah’s prophecies as ancient,
outdated, or irrelevant. As long as the Lord has not returned a second time, they are still in
effect for our age today.

Ezekiel gives us further clues as to the extent of the reality of magic. He lets us know that
magic spells are indeed real, and are used to control the destiny of peoples so as to trap
them and over throw their faith. Prophetically concerning the false prophets of Israel today
and throughout history, Ezek 13:20-21 says, “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD
says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will
tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear
off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to
your power. Then you will know that I am the LORD (NIV).” There are wicked men and
women who have perfect the art of magic and sorcery and are still secretly using them to
influence world affairs. But some readers refuse to believe this because the repetition of
so-called fictional movies and books have convinced the deceived world that magic and
sorcery are the stuff of make-believe, folklore and fantasy, hardly anything that can happen
for real. Such people not only are not Christians, but have allowed themselves to be
blinded to the power of God and, on a lower level, Satan. Do not allow Satan to
compartmentalize your mind into thinking that fiction and nonfiction are two distinct areas
of human reality. The Lord does not sanction such principles. The only true duality is
between those who believe in Jesus Christ, and those who do not.

Carefully consider Acts 8. All Christians must surely realize from this chapter that magic
still exists. It describes Simon the sorcerer, a Jewish member of the Magi who practiced
the magic arts. Verse 11 tells us that he gradually drew a large following because he
backed up his claim to be God incarnate with persuasive magic and sorcery. Is the book of
Acts fraudulent because it tells us that magic and sorcery still exists? This follower of
Satan even became baptized a Christian only to study the signs and miracles the apostles
performed. After seeing how the force of the Holy Spirit came upon anyone whom the
apostles touched, Simon wanted to buy this ability. Peter rebuked him (verse 20-21). So is
Peter a liar or insane for talking with a magician and sorcerer, who apparently does not
exist in the eyes of some modern peoples?

In Daniel 2:10 and 2:27, we read that Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian royalty
regularly consulted magicians, enchanters, diviners and astrologers, yet another real
example of man wanting to control the supernatural.

The most compelling evidence that magic, witchcraft and sorcery still exist and are
practiced both openly at lower levels, and secretly at high-powered levels can be found in
the book of Revelation. In 9:21, we find the world in a war where 33.3 percent of the
world’s population is killed. Notice that despite all this devastation where some 2 or 3
billion people (or more) will be exterminated, those rebels who influence world affairs in
covert ways, and those in a less threatening manner, still practice magic arts. In 18:23, we
read that the same virgin of Babylon spoken of earlier has controlled world governments
and commercial activity by magic spells. This is not some metaphor or symbol. Those
who call on Satan to influence world affairs use magic and sorcery just as Christians use
prayer and faith to ask for the Lord’s help! Remember, Satan wants to copycat the Eternal
Father. Still do not believe? Read 21:8 and 22:15. Those who practice magic arts do not
have any place in the kingdom of God and will be burned in the fiery lake of burning
sulfur, the second death. The temptations of Jesus Christ also gives us clues into sorcery
and magic. In Matt. 4:3, Satan, the father of sorcery, witchcraft and magic, tries to seduce
Jesus into practicing a form of alchemy by turning bread into stones. In verse 6, he tries to
get Jesus to practice a form of magic called levitation, where one’s body is suspended in
mid air. Then finally, Satan puts on the biggest seduction of all. In verse 9, he offers Jesus
the whole world, including control over the affairs of men. Of course, Jesus never intended
to succumb to Satan’s temptations. So why did He want these temptations to be recorded?
Because He wanted us to see how Satan has tempted all the chosen leaders of the Eternal
Father’s people (both racially and spiritually) throughout history. Many of them, even
today, have given in to these temptations which is why the whole world is deceived.

Let’s back up a second. Now, we have entered the ugly realm of Satan’s perversion of the
Christian prayer called magic and sorcery. Let’s get to the heart of the matter. Exactly how
does Satan respond to those wicked magicians, witches and sorcerers? Notice
IKing 22:19-23. The prophet Micaiah has been summoned to appear before the kings of
Israel and Judah because their false prophets always told them what they wanted to hear.
At first, Micaiah told them what they wanted to hear, but only in spite of the other false
prophets. But the king of Israel demanded the truth. So Micaiah explained to them the
inner workings of God’s influence over world affairs. “Therefore hear the word of the
LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around
him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking
Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that.
Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’
” ‘By what means?’ the LORD asked. ”
‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ”
‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
“So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of
yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you (NIV).”

The lying spirit that Micaiah referred to was either Satan or one of his demons, for lies do
not come from God’s throne. When the Lord is displeased with our sinful actions, he
requests proposals from all angels and demons to carry out punishment and disaster. Of
course, the father of sin and destruction, Satan, wins these assignments and eagerly goes
about the execution of his plans. This is how Satan gets his authority, and it originates with
our stubborn sins. Otherwise, Satan would never have any influence over us if we did not
sin. Since magic, witchcraft, and sorcery are obvious sins that perverts the Lord’s system
of faith, and since the earth is full of sin, those who use these dark arts will get their
request granted so long as Satan gets his requests or proposals granted.

Now let’ skip to Job for more insight into Satan’s authority. In Job 1:6-21 and 2:1-6, we
find that all angels and demons gather before the Lord’s throne to give account for what
they are doing, sort of like a military roll call. We find that Satan roams throughout the
earth, just as Jesus Christ warned us in the Gospels. The Eternal Father, just like any
proud papa, praises Job’s righteousness before the devil. As is always the case, Satan our
accuser (Paul recognized this) cynically brushed this off, countering that if the Lord did
not protect his assets and family, Job would be a wicked sinner. Of course, there is a
dilemma here; if sin had not existed among humans, then the Lord would have
immediately kicked Satan out of heaven. But since there is sin among humans, there is
always the possibility of us committing sin, and thus in a way cast a vote for Satan’s
system. No matter how much the Lord loves us, He must see our faith in action before he
dismisses Satan. So He granted Satan’s request to test Job through severe destruction and
disaster (verse 11-12).

Now notice what Satan does to Job. In verses 1:15 and 17, we see that Satan can influence
world armies to do his will. In verses 1:16 and 19, Satan can conjure up destructive, fatal
lightning, deadly tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. In 2:7, we see that Satan can
conjure up terrible, painful diseases and health problems, not to mention emotional stress
and financial crises that result. Given this, you see why it is actually not appropriate to
blame God (though He can bear our blame) because it is Satan who proposes destruction,
since he is the destroyer (Exo. 12:23, Isa. 16:4, Heb. 11:28).

Face it, magic, witchcraft and sorcery do exist. Movies such as “Secret Garden”, the
“Highlander” series, “Ghost”, movies about vampires and wolf men, horror movies such as
the Halloween series, the Nightmare on Elm Street series, and Stephen King’s
contributions to Hollywood, coupled with the “harmless” magic shows, Dungeons and
Dragons, Ouija boards, Halloween, dinosaurs and the children’s cartoons on Saturdays and
in so-called family movies all attempt to trivialize the dark arts so that we, especially
Christians, compartmentalize them into the “innocent” land of fiction, make-believe, and
fantasy–despite what the Bible says about them. Do not underestimate the power of
Satan’s deceptions and propaganda. Christ was not playing when He said the devil has
deceived the whole world. This is a very real war we are waging against the dark powers
of Satan. Do not think that a lie is true (some nonfiction) and the truth a lie (some fiction).
Rather, we should only make distinctions between what is of the Lord, and what is against
the Lord. How do we do this?

At this point, I’ll let John explain. I Jn 4:2-3: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of
God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the
antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (NIV).”
And consider II Jn 1:7-11. “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as
coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the
antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be
rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ
does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If
anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or
welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work (NIV).” My final
warning: do not look for some powerful, charismatic man to fill the role of anti-Christ, as
if he were some character in a comic book. It is the spirit of the anti-Christ that is
important. The spirit of the anti-Christ has been at work in the Jewish leaders and Roman
soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ, and has persisted down through the ages and into our
so-called modern age. Keep the faith and watch out for the influence of demons on TV, in
bookstores, in casual contacts with others, and in world affairs. May the Lord bless the
reader. Amen.