AN ANSWER TO: WHERE IS WITCHCRAFT IN THE CHURCH ?
God Bless You Priscilla...
So that the churches in Australia can pray and fast regarding "witchcraft in the Father's House today" can you give us a SPECIFIC example of the witchcraft you are referring to in the Body of Christ? This is highly serious and damning allegation, as you know, but no-one I know can pinpoint who you are referring to. I do not for one moment believe you made it up. So could you please give the brethren in Australia specific examples of "witchcraft in the Father's House today." This will validate and add substance to your claim.
Thank You in Jesus Name, Richard
That is a very good question Richard ! Glad you asked !
Firstly I am American so am not acquainted with Australian churches…but
I will attempt to answer it from what I do know. Since my mother was a new age witch and had a jezebel spirit, I have some personal experience with what witchcraft is and the torment it caused in my own life. Her father was a Pentacostal Holiness preacher by the way; but there was RELIGION in the teaching she was exposed to, as she hated the church for the hypocrisy she endured. On top of that, my foster mom who I grew up with half my life was domineering and controlling. Witchcraft in the form of control, domination and manipulation is at the core of the problem in the church.
But in some instances it is just the general form of witchcraft as spoken of below in not wanting to hear the voice of God through the prophets, and walking in REBELLION in our lives to all that is Holy.
There are pastors in pulpits here who are into pornography, adultery, homosexual relationships, and molesting children and it is not only in the Catholic church. All of this is the fruit of witchcraft rebellion. And if I start in on idolatry, that’s a whole other topic…as in GREED, and self-adulation, manipulating the sheep to perpetuate a system of avarice and domination so they can stay in control. Many years ago even Mike Bickle said that most churches, even in revival churches, make their decisions based on FINANCES; what will make MONEY and that they needed to REPENT,
[ which in many churches is still a dirty word.]
1 Sam 15:23 NKJV
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
So basically, every time we do what WE want as opposed to getting our instructions from God, then we are practicing witchcraft control. Not allowing the prophets to speak, or crushing their spirits and praying against them, or even praying they’d die…is one of my favorite examples ! Just as the Israelite Pharisees murdered Zechariah on the altar steps, so it is done spiritually, emotionally today in many churches. When men want to hear their own words, rather than God’s words, it would seem there is idolatry involved eh ?
Ezek 44:15-18 NKJV
15 "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord GOD. 16 "They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge. 17 And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house. 18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.
The concept here in wearing linen that does not cause sweat is to not give in to the works of SELF, and what self wants…like the strange fire offered by the sons of Aaron.
Some pastors have learned in seminaries who are teaching new age concepts that have infiltrated the church and some are off in areas of apostasy where they deny the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are outspoken in their unbelief and hypocrisy, exalting the creature rather than the Creator. And they have no shame to publicize their deceptions on TV shows.
The Lutheran University up in Thousand Oaks had yearly women’s conferences that were inundated with new age spirits..in their teachings. Other churches also
has had some real influence along those lines, but I don't know if it is in the seminary or just individual pastors who have succombed to that spirit.
Ezek 44:5-9 NKJV And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary. 6 "Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "O house of Israel, let Us have no more of all your abominations. 7 When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it — My house — and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. 8 And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you." 9 Thus says the Lord GOD: "No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.
Whereas there is a group of pastors and leaders who are coming together MORE in unity, there is also a great number in America who are following the “politically correct” way of doing things. One Presbyterian church in our town is teaching that ALL ROADS lead to heaven…whether you are Hindu, Islam, Jewish or believe in Christ. While the other one on the North side of town withdrew their funds from missions to the main organization because they were approving of licensing homosexuals. So there is a great diversity here in doctrine and holiness.
Literal witches from WICCA or Satanist covens have literally entered many churches to try to take down the pastors with adultery, or to try to take out the prophets and intercessors. It is not an unusual thing here. They have come to our conferences. Years back I attended one where a witch came to the class at a conference on cults, and was trying to put a spell on me…my neck suddenly went out as I noticed this woman gazing above my head, and the Lord said “WITCH”. When the church lacks discernment as to who is walking in what spirit…then these infiltrators bring all hell with them with the deliberate intent to destroy the church. The Lord showed me just this last week, that they will soon come in and fulfill what the KC prophets described some years back, doing lewd acts, and then accusing the church of foul play.
Meanwhile we lack discernment because so many who are in the pulpit are more concerned for maintaining control, than for the care and healing of the sheep.
As it says in Ezekial 34:
Ezek 34:1-10 NKJV Irresponsible Shepherds
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them."
In all the years (20) I’ve been saved, I’ve not heard anyone in the various churches talk on witchcraft itself save once or twice. So what you see in MY AREA of southern California [ which I’ll admit is probably the worst in the nation to minister to] is people mixing Christianity with psychic hotline advice, astrology, this weird guy on TV who’s practicing necromancy…and people are falling to it because they haven’t been taught. WHY ? Why would they not teach against it unless there is something inhibiting them from doing so when so many in the seats are mixing it up, as they don’t know right from wrong…and they too are at fault for not studying the bible themselves and expecting pastors to spoon feed them.
7'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock" — 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD! 10 Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them."
Ezek 34:11-31 NKJV God, the True Shepherd
'For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord GOD. 16 "I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."
17'And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord GOD:"Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. 18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture — and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet."
20'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them — My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.
25 "I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.
I’m aware that this was a promise to Israel…but we are also Israel by grafting and the same principle applies in the church. When we don’t teach the meat of the word, and not just the milk…then people become a prey. I have received letters from all over the country from people who are desperate because of syncretism…not realizing that dabbling with witchcraft practices was what got them in serious affliction. There is a curse on those who practice it.
Also there is a need to practice TRUE RELIGION as it says in James. The tithe was NOT for buying a million dollar home for the pastor and a Lexus. There is nothing wrong with having money, but it is a snare when the money has you, and when you don't listen to GOD about giving to the poor what HE says to give.
Of course those who work are worthy of their wages. But we are to lean on the Lord and be caretakers of our brothers and sisters as well, not just hoarding it up for ourselves.
The inheritance of the priests was GOD HIMSELF. They did not take any land for themselves, though were provided for from what was given. It is NOT to pilfer from widows and single moms, making them feel guilty to even ask for help, when the widows, poor and fatherless were who were to be cared for with the tithes. IT IS NOT BEING DONE but in a very few churches.
And wouldn’t it be interesting in heaven if the things you gave away were your rewards. Would make us think twice about only giving our leftover clothing, our leftover food, etc..that which we bought at the foodbanks.
Once I was taking a warm dinner to a homeless man I had met and I asked the Lord what should I take him, and He said, “ What are you having for dinner ? “ So I brought him a steak and mashed potatoes, roll and veggies
nice and hot.
People in the world want RELATIONSHIP and they see through all the hypocrisy and selfish ambition and pride that is in the church today. They will not be impressed any more with titles. They want to see churches that practice the TRUTH they espouse to believe. The main reason that cults exist is because the church does not know how to LOVE people into repentance ! Although there is the issue of self-will in them as well…statistics here show that many had tried to commit to Christianity but were hurt violently in the church. Witchcraft exalts SELF. Witchcraft is only concerned for what makes SELF look good, and what is best for me, myself and I. It is not concerned with the dying children of the world, or the lost wandering about on every hill and dale in our nation who know nothing of God. The Lord once told me when He gave me a word for China, that murder was the highest form of witchcraft ! He had shown me they were killing babies. People like just occupying pews, and BUSINESS as USUAL. But apathy is akin to murder. It says “ I don’t care what happens to you !”
We are to be DOERS of the Word and not just readers of the Word !
The Lord taught us in Isaiah 58 what TRUE WORSHIP is. It is to take the homeless in, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, to visit the sick and those imprisoned. It is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I HAVE LOVED YOU.
Jesus said, Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matt 7:22-23 NKJV
Matt 23:1-30 Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees
(Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' 8 But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
Basically many in the American church can be likened to the temple Pharisees in the time of Jesus . More concerned for the externals and their idea of what the bible says, but hypocrites in terms of actually DOING IT.
They are not so concerned with hearing from God either…like in the time of Jeremiah. They only want to hear cozy prophecies and it is taught so. They only want to hear the “bless me’s” and no conviction, the comfort and encouragement, but not the EDIFICATION part. And just as the GREED in the world has accelerated, so has it in the church here. Buy a tape, buy a book, pay extraordinary prices for conferences…etc., etc., etc.
And I haven’t even started into what it has done for women in terms of quenching what God wants to do in them. In many churches now, that is being restored, but many still are either allowing jezebel or the other extreme of oppressing them. See book by J. Lee Grady “ Ten Lies the Chruch Tells Women”. Then we also have Replacement Theology in major churches, and all kinds of perverted twisting of the gospel to serve SELF.
Priscilla van Sutphin
