The practice of witchcraft is on the rise. Amidst economic uncertainty, political turmoil, and environmental concerns, astrology and the occult have gained widespread acceptance. And as people seek control over the chaos and instability around them, occultism is expected to gain further interest worldwide.
Hence, it is such an alarming trend to witness the practice of witchcraft spreading even more rapidly via social media, sweeping across the globe like wildfire.
Here is the data:
-Wiccans or Pagans make up 1 to 1.5 million people in the U.S [2014 Pew Research Center]
-Both religious and nonreligious Americans hold New Age beliefs [pewresearch.org]
-Google searches for "spell casting" have increased fourfold since 2016 [Global News]
-The millennial generation and Gen Z have fallen victim to witchcraft more than any other age group
-Witchcraft influencers have thousands of followers on Instagram
-5 billion views are recorded in a segment of tik tok called “Witch Talk” [Global News]
Scripture indicates that during the seven-year tribulation, a society centered around the occult will arise on a global scale, as described in Revelation 9:20-21 [NKJV]:
“The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts”.
The practice of witchcraft has claimed many lives. Though not all practitioners are incorporating human sacrifices into their rituals, there are many who do. In India, Africa, and South America, human sacrifices related to witchcraft have been reported and well-documented.
“People were hunted down for their body parts,” according to Pastor Billy Crone (A Prayer for Your Children Against Satanic Attack).
He further warned that this might even be happening in America. Many have attributed the disappearance of countless individuals, including children, to sex-trafficking across the globe. But as he sees it, and as other pastors agree, there is that possibility that the occult might also have contributed to the rampant abductions and disappearances.
(Relevant video links can be found at the end of this post.)
The New Age movement, for instance, is known for spearheading the worship of ancient pagan goddesses. They do so to advocate for feminist ideologies, embracing Neopagan spiritual practices as a way of fostering inner transformation and enlightenment.
And as the world increasingly conforms to the sinister side of modern feminist doctrine, it's hardly surprising that the Dianic Wiccan tradition is once again undergoing a resurgence.
As such, I am not in any way opposed to the idea of empowering women. Nevertheless, women's empowerment may seem a promising initiative at first glance, but there are underlying pitfalls concealed in the shadows, such as the propagation of liberal ideologies contrary to Christian principles.
The pro-choice movement and sexual liberalism illustrate this point. As true followers of Christ, we are to be mindful that such ideologies run counter to the principles of the Christian faith.
“But I fear, lest somehow, as of the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
The words of God are eternal. If we genuinely love and revere our heavenly Father, we should consider it a travesty when we try to amend His words to serve our selfish interests.
And in a world where political correctness is the norm, Christians must speak the truth with genuine humility, compassion, and respect.
Many Christians would be utterly appalled to discover that the worship of Diana is still prevalent today, with the number of adherents growing steadily in recent years.
In my research, I found that worshippers summon the false goddess's presence, which I found unsettling. They describe themselves as "good witches," convinced they are channeling a kind and benevolent goddess.
Dianic Wiccans also gather to partake in the false goddess' annual feasts and festivals. They celebrate the festivities in the woods or in their homes where statues of the false goddess and other ritual or ceremonial relics are ostensibly displayed.
Many of NASA's major space missions are named after mythological figures from Greek mythology. And their most powerful rocket to launch in history happens to be named Artemis, the Greek goddess. Her Roman name is Diana, the false Roman deity Apostle Paul warned us about in Acts 19.
Diana is the only Roman pagan goddess mentioned by name in the Bible.
During one of St. Paul’s missionary visits to Ephesus, the apostle strongly censured the Ephesians against paying homage to the false goddess.
Considering that the Apostle Paul castigated the Ephesians for worshiping the false goddess, naming NASA's most powerful rocket after her is undeniably an affront to God. To think that in the Bible, God even forbade His people from uttering the names of false gods.
Exodus 23:13 (KJV) “And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
Thus, it is deeply disturbing that our modern culture is embracing this goddess with open arms, bestowing upon her the honor that should be reserved solely for God.
Isaiah 42:8 NKJV “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.”
In a YouTube video, Sabina Magliocco, an anthropology professor explained that the real magic of witchcraft lies in its ability to make people feel more powerful.
Throughout the ages, Satan has exploited humans’ innate desire for power and control in an attempt to draw man away from God.
The desire for power is a perverse obsession that is blatantly at odds with God's teachings. It is this desire for dominance that caused Satan to be cast down from heaven and for man to be expelled from the Garden of Eden.
Clearly, man's disobedience stemmed from his desire to be powerful, to be in full control of his life. And this is the battle cry of today's generation, a vile sentiment that witchcraft and the occult embody and advocate.
The enemy never changes the lies he tells and the tricks he plays. And just like the ancients, today's society has become susceptible to the enemy’s cunning ploys and snares.
Let us not forget the wisdom contained in Winston Churchill's words: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Adam and Eve were enticed into disobeying God, and we have witnessed the terrible ramifications of such disobedience throughout history. We must keep in mind that the enemy's enticement is as sweet as honey, captivating at first, but once you're swayed, the agony that follows is utterly brutal and excruciating.
Likewise, witchcraft can be alluring on the surface, but its consequences can be devastating as can be gleaned from personal accounts of people who dabbled in the practice.
That old serpent is devious and shrewd enough to mask such deception in the guise of “regaining control of one's life.”
Tragically, people's propensity to turn to the mystical as a means of gaining stability and control in the midst of uncertainties is as old as time. Thus, if your faith in God is weak, you can easily be misled by people who are deeply immersed in mysticism.
Here is a link to a video explaining how Satan is deceiving unsuspecting people by disguising himself as an "angel of light".
Prior to entering the Promised Land, God explicitly warned the Israelites not to practice divination or sorcery.
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.”
Upon receiving Christ as our Savior, we become members of God's family. We have been bought with the blood of Christ, so let's not defile ourselves with sins that God deems repulsive.
Consulting a medium, turning to tarot cards to know our future, or trusting in astrological predictions are depraved practices that God detests and forbids.
Leviticus 19:31 "‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.'”
The belief in mediums and fortune tellers whose powers are derived from evil is contrary to the Christian faith and an act of rebellion against God.
Out of curiosity, even Christians read horoscopes online. Others are easily persuaded into consulting psychics to gain insight into the future.
During my stay in Israel, I remember accompanying a friend to a mall. I didn't realize she was going to consult a palm reader. It didn't dawn on me what we were there for until we sat down with the fortune teller.
When she was done with my friend, she turned to me and said, “Would you like me to read yours?" I was speechless, but she took my hand anyway. After such an incident, I did not think much about it. I did not realize how serious my transgression was until I read God’s words that explained the severity of my offense.
Considering the sly deceptions the enemy uses to deceive people, we must always be on guard against his schemes and trickery.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Resources: Video Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH6bMe1brN8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIGvHwB5CoI
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/HappyNati