Witchcraft can be defined as speaking with spirits of the dead, demons, fortune-telling, divination, etc. Why is rebellion associated with witchcraft? Why did Samuel state King Saul was operating in witchcraft?
We humans are led by two voices. You are either led by the Holy Spirit or you are led by the demons. Now, there can be a mix in which a Christian can be led by the Holy Spirit and by demons. There can be a mix in which a Christian can hear the Voice of God and also be hearing the voices of demons. This is why we need discernment. This is why you need to die to your flesh. This is why you need to be humbled.
If your flesh is much alive, then the loudness and restlessness of your flesh will hinder the Voice of God. You will hear the voices of jealousy, pride, lust, murder, hate, coveting, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, etc. If you are not hearing God or if you are not being led by the Holy Spirit, you are by default being led and spoken by demons. Earthly voices of the unspiritual flesh are but demonic. Scripture says where there is disorder, chaos, and confusion, there is evil of every kind. You must discern your situation to know if you are under order or disorder. Our God is a God of order. Where there is order, there is God. Where there is confusion, disorder, and chaos, there is the devil.
James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
In this world, if you get a 70%, you pass. If you get an 80%, you pass. If you get a 90%, you pass. If you get a 95%, you pass. Lastly, if you get a 99% grade, you pass. This is earthly and physical. It is not eternal. Eternal passing requires 100%. Eternal failing is 99%. The devil only needs 1 % and he has you as his slave.
King Saul obeyed to about 95% in 1 Samuel 15. He defined himself as obeying God. He did everything based on what he wanted. God ordered him to kill all the Amelikites and their livestock. But King Saul spare the king of the enemy. King Saul spared the best cattle, sheep, and livestock because of the people.
Samuel said stubbornness is idol worship. Stubbornness is self exalting. Stubbornness is self will. Stubbornness is self seeking. Stubbornness is self idol. Stubbornness is refusing to yield and submit to authority. Stubbornness is sparing the king of the Amelikites to parade around to show off his trophy. Stubbornness is prideful. King Saul was into himself. He was a self idol worshiper.
But why was his rebellion witchcraft? God spoke instructions to him. God gave him specific instructions. When he listened to the people, the people were led by their flesh. The people were led by the demons. Even though on the surface, it sounded good. "Lets spare the best and sacrifice them to God." The demons will allow you to go to church. The demons will allow you to read, pray and even worship at times. But the demons want you to read out of pride. The demons want you to pray asking for selfish things. If you disobey God, you have yielded to the demons. When one yields to the demons listening to their voices, you are now practicing witchcraft. It does not matter you obeyed God 99% of the times. If you have obeyed the demons 1 %, you are operating in witchcraft because you were led by the demons.
Therefore, one may be very spiritual and be spiritually sensitive. King Saul had to submit to Samuel for he was the Voice of God. But Saul was King and regardless of your position, one must discern to know when to submit to God's authority and government. When King Saul did not FULLY OBEY, he was an anointed person refusing to submit to God's authority. When a person refuses to submit to God's authority and government, such a person who may be spiritual and may hear God's Voice, he/she is in rebellion and operating in witchcraft. Yes, such a person can hear God. In fact, King Saul was able to hear God through Samuel. Whether you hear God directly or indirectly, if you do not OBEY 100%, you are hearing the difference from the demons and therefore you will become a WITCH!
You must ask for discernment. Do not just allow anyone to lay hands on you. Do not just allow anyone to prophecy over you. Just because someone may speak truth does not mean it is from God. Even demons can speak truth but if you receive it from them, you may be turned into a eunuch.
Acts 16:16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
A fortune telling demon possessed girl was speaking truth. Paul and the others were the "servants of the Most High God." I am sure the spectators and the crowd thought she was speaking well. Maybe they thought she was a prophetess. Maybe they thought it would be a good service. But Paul and the disciples discerned rightly.
Acts 16:18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
What if Paul received this prophecy? Many today receive prophecy that sounds good but are from the devil. You must rightly discern. You must know the spirit behind the words.
You must seek HIS Face, die to yourselves, and learn to OBEY FULLY submitting and yielding to HIS authority and government. A true Christian is always seeking to put themselves under God's government and authority. The Kingdom of God is full of citizens who possess characteristics of submission and yielding to God's authority. A witch is a person who possesses spiritual gifts operating as they wish and one who does not submit nor yield to God's government or authority. They are stubborn thinking they are the only ones right because they claim to hear God's voice.
As children of the Most High, we are kings and priests but disobedience will lead to our rejection from the King of Kings. You must come to know HE is a GREAT KING!
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
May 26, 2014
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
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