Question:
Does witchcraft truly exist? If yes how can a Christian shield himself from it? If no, how can a Christian handle this belief?

Answer:

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Let me put it this way. There certainly are forces of evil. These include demons. Satan is a very powerful force for evil. In principle, from a Christian point of view, witchcraft would be a means to access these forces of evil to affect things that happen here. Witchcraft is in a well-known list of sins (Galatians 5:19-21).

Is witchcraft real? I would guess that well over 90% of all the so-called witchcraft practiced is mere superstition or trickery. It is just a lot of fake stuff. Is there witchcraft practiced which is “real”? In other words, practice which actually involves calling on demons or others of these spiritual forces of evil? I assume that the answer is yes. I believe that it is possible that there is a small minority of what is practiced as witchcraft which actually invokes demonic forces. I cannot prove this, but the Bible implies it is true, and I am aware of anecdotes which I believe are evidence that it is true. Exodus 7:10-12 is an example of what we might call witchcraft with was “real,” as Pharaoh;s servants were able to perform a miracle, and it certainly was not by God’s power. Was Simon’s sorcery real (Acts 8:9)? Maybe.

How do we shield ourselves against this? That is a fairly easy question. I suggest you read Ephesians 6:13-19 and put it into practice. If you “put on the full armor of God” and if you pray in the Spirit at all times, you do not need to fear the direct influence of witchcraft on you.

John Oakes