Not everything done contrary to the Bible should be identified as witchcraft. As a deliverance minister, I hear the word “witchcraft” thrown around loosely. People and internet trolls label anything they don’t agree with in which people participate as witchcraft.
We must be careful to reveal the truth to Christians about spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry without judging and criticizing them.
We definitely should not practice yoga—even Christian yoga. However, a Christian isn’t doing or performing witchcraft by participating in these activities. They are opening themselves up to the demonic realm by exposing their soul to these positions and meditation practices that represent false gods among other things, but to outright say they are practicing witchcraft is a harsh statement.
I’ve written several articles recently about Halloween. There is no way I believe a Christian should partake in Halloween, but to say Christians who open their door to pass out candy are practicing witchcraft is extreme. It is a harsh statement that can be hurtful. Christians are opening themselves to the demonic realm and spiritual attacks by participating in Halloween, but they are not performing witchcraft. Witchcraft is practicing spells, curses and more.
I think some Spirit-filled Christians, even those radical for Christ, can be legalistic and extreme in our terminology in the labeling of witchcraft. We close people off instead of opening them up to hear about spiritual warfare and the effects it can have on our lives.
Who are we to judge and criticize? We need to lead with love, not with adamant words that by participating in ungodly, unproductive and unbiblical activities they are performing witchcraft.
I remember ministering at a church in another country where witchcraft was rampant. The pastor labeled everything that wasn’t extreme holiness as witchcraft. This intensity gives too much credit to the enemy. Where are the power of the blood and the authority we walk in amidst all of this? If our eyes are too focused on the enemy, the devil can see that as worship. Remember: He was the angel in charge of worship.
It is time we educate on the demonic and bring balance back into spiritual warfare. One of the ways we do this is by doing a heart check and making sure we are not judging and being too harsh with our labels. Yes, we should not participate in things that open the door to the demonic realm, but we should also not label everything as witchcraft. Let’s be love, lead them to the truth and allow God to be the ultimate judge. {eoa}
For more teachings about Halloween, check out Kathy DeGraw’s new e-book, Why Christians Shouldn’t Celebrate Halloween.
Kathy DeGraw is a prophetic deliverance minister releasing the love and power of God to ignite and activate people, release prophetic destinies and deliver people from the bondage of the enemy. She is the founder of Kathy DeGraw Ministries and Be Love Outreach. She is the author of several books, including: Speak Out, Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan, Identity Invasion, Who is Speaking? and Warfare Declarations. You can connect with Kathy on Facebook at facebook.com/kathydegraw/ or visit kathydegrawministries.org/.