Works of the Flesh: Sorcery

Let us continue our examination into the practices which Paul deemed as "works of the flesh" in Galatians 5:19-21 with "sorcery," as we can see in Galatians 5:19-20:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties...

The word for "sorcery" (also translated as "witchcraft") in this text is the Greek pharmakeia, defined by Thayer in four ways:

1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaphorically the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

Since the Bible is not known in other places to condemn the use of drugs, we may be certain that Paul is not discussing the dispensing of drugs in this context. Its closeness to "idolatry" in his list demonstrates that the type of "sorcery" under discussion is best expressed with meaning (3).

This "sorcery" is seen in the Scriptures as the magic that Simon of Samaria used to the amazement of the Samarians (Acts 8:9). We also see Saul visiting the "witch" of Endor, a woman who practiced sorcery in calling up dead spirits (cf. 1 Samuel 28).

What, then, is this "sorcery?" Webster's defines it as

Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits.

Sorcery, therefore, is the practice of any form of magic arts. Sorcery is also divination, but this divination is done without regard to the will of the Lord. God often gave predictions to His people Israel when they petitioned Him, yet many times the people of Israel sought divination from unholy sources (cf. 2 Kings 1:2). In this form of divination do we see the implications of Thayer's connection between sorcery and idolatry: trusting in the divination of other spirits is contradictory with complete faith in God.

It might be believed by many that because sorcery refers to the cults of the religions of old that the Christian today ought not be concerned with this "sorcery." Unfortunately, however, a different form of sorcery is very much alive today, and it is seen in the form of tarot card readings, horoscopes, psychic predictions, and things like these. All of these practices claim to be based on some form of supernatural understanding, be it the way the cards fall, the movement of stars in the sky, or the "sixth sense" a person might purport to have. These "supernatural" understandings fit the definition of "sorcery;" these understandings do not rest with the authority of God but with some other spirit.

Many may claim that these modern forms of sorcery are legitimate and might say that they can attest to their truthfulness; therefore, they are truly not sorcery but are legitimate means of understanding the future. The Scriptures, however, attest to the fact that sorceries can have power, be correct, or even that false spirits can come from God. We read the following about Pharaoh's magicians in Exodus 7:11:

Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.

The enchantments of the sorcerers worked somehow; they may have power. Even if it is all hogwash, however, the pursuit of such things demonstrates a lack of faith in God and should by all means be avoided! Such things are not just "entertainment" according to God!

The problem with sorcery is the idolatry inherent in it: if you place your faith in your horoscope, or the tarot card reading, or the psychic, you are not placing your faith in God. Jesus has commanded His followers to not be concerned about the future and what it entails, for the Father in Heaven will take care of you (Matthew 6:25-34)-- how, then, can one justify using tarot cards, horoscopes, or psychics when such a greater promise has already been made? Placing your hope in tarot cards, horoscopes, and/or psychics demonstrates that you have lost your hope in God to take care of you. You have placed your faith in something other than God, and this is idolatry.

Let the Christian today not be deceived: tarot card readings, horoscopes, psychics, and other types of media like these who claim to have "supernatural understandings" is sorcery. Even if their predictions come to pass, the Christian is called to place his faith in God, who alone has the power to keep and to save. Following after these practices claiming supernatural understandings diverts your ability to follow after God and His righteousness, and is idolatry in the eyes of God. Hold fast to the Gospel of Christ and place your faith in God, who will most certainly see that you are taken care of and who may confirm that your future, however uncertain and hard it may seem on Earth, is secure with Him in Heaven.

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

Please click here to return to the 2007 archive of Good News for Norwalk, or click here to return to the main page of Good News for Norwalk. Thanks!