Magic

According to the Webster's Dictionary:

Magic--1) the pretended art of producing effects by charms, spells, and rituals; sorcery. 2) Any mysterious, seemingly inexplicable, power or influence. 3) The art of producing illusions by sleight of hand, etc.

Magician--an expert in magic; a sorcerer, wizard

According to scripture:

 One of the things that God hates is the use of sorcery or practicing magic. The magicians in Moses time were constantly using their powers of divination against Moses and the people of God. To boast of learning, liking, and participation in such a thing is a slap in God's face. We cannot read the scriptures (KJV) without seeing that magic is a part of Lucifer's scheme to take away the heart of the people of God and turn them against the right things spoken of in the scriptures. I think that one of the worst things that can happen is that a Christian takes part in such activities. Sometimes magic and the magician are looked upon as some harmless past-time of entertainment. What we should ask ourselves is what does our Lord God think about this.

Last month I wrote about the topic of Sorcery and how abominable the scriptures say that it is. But now, my attention has been drawn to the topic of Magic because it seems that Christians don't see the two as being the same. Why then would we want to allow this practice to permeate our homes and society. I know that there are some Christian schools as well as churches that actually have "Magicians" come in and entertain their people, treating it like it is just some other entertainment and also used to draw people into the church. Many Christians have become complacent about such things and would even get mad at those not participating in these things to the extent of saying that the non -participating person has no right to speak out about such things.

Many times in order to protect our children we have to just tell the truth about what people are participating in and separate from these practices. I know the Lord will bless these efforts. Many of the prophets of old had to speak out against what the people of God were doing. In doing so, they jeopardized themselves and became ridiculed and humiliated by those they were trying to spare from the wrath of God. Yes, God is a God of wrath!! I realize in this time of "God loves everybody no matter what they do" is rampant in our world, but we know that all through the Old and New Testament the Lord God has proven that he will visit these types of things on the parents and children that participate in them. The closer we get to the coming of the Lord the more we will see this happen. I think that knowing this I would do my best to find out what God likes and try to do my best to live like he wants. Certainly, it is inconceivable to allow magic, sorcery, witchcraft, etc. to be a part of our testimony and lives.

In the book of Revelation during the time of the tribulation (which is in our time zone) there are scriptures regarding the punishment of those who are involved in witchcraft and sorcery.

Revelation 9:20-21
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 21:7-8
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 22:14-15
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Boy!  As a Christian, I would not want to be thought of as one of the above. I know there are times when we do wrong things, but to purposely do the things above....seems to me to be a "trip to the woodshed", Christian!!