Witchcraft: A Work of the Flesh


“To attempt to control a person and make them do what you want by the use of any other spirit than the Holy Spirit is a form of witchcraft” carries significant spiritual implications. It reflects the understanding that God, through the Holy Spirit, provides guidance, wisdom, and empowerment to His followers, while any attempt to manipulate or control others through alternative means is contrary to His divine plan.

In the Bible, witchcraft is consistently condemned as an abomination before God. In the Old Testament, passages such as Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly denounce the practice of witchcraft, sorcery, and divination. The apostle Paul also warns against such practices in the New Testament, including Galatians 5:19-20 where witchcraft is listed as one of the works of the flesh.

To control someone through means other than the Holy Spirit is an act rooted in selfishness, pride, and a desire for power. It involves manipulating and influencing others against their will, using tactics such as coercion, intimidation, and domination. These actions not only violate the principles of love, respect, and free will that God values, but they also seek to usurp God’s authority by replacing His guidance with human will.

Instead, the Bible encourages believers to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit in their interactions with others. In John 14:26, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as a Counselor who will teach and remind His followers of His teachings. The Holy Spirit works in believers’ lives to guide them in truth, righteousness, and love, enabling them to live in harmony with God’s will.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that true love and respect for others involve recognizing their individuality and allowing them to make their own decisions. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul exhorts believers to consider others as more important than themselves and to look out for the interests of others. Coercion and manipulation are contrary to this principle of selfless love and undermine the dignity and autonomy of others.

Attempting to control and manipulate others through any means other than the Holy Spirit goes against the principles of love, respect, and free will that God values. Instead, believers are encouraged to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, respecting the autonomy of others and seeking to build healthy, respectful relationships based on love and selflessness.