The number 6 manifest work of the flesh is WITCHCRAFT (Galatians 5:19-21). Witchcraft is Satan’s controlling force that attacks your mind. It comes from and through THE FLESH, the fallen sin-nature of man. It controls through condemnation, manipulation, intimidation, insecurity and fears of all kinds. Witchcraft attacks not only motivate pew warmers to act ugly, it can also come through preachers who allow themselves to be influenced by their own flesh, instead of the Holy Ghost. The flesh kills (Romans 8:13). You don’t need to receive anything that comes from the flesh, even if it sounds Scriptural, spiritual and deep. Take up your authority and rebuke it. Follow and obey God and do what’s written in the Word.
Remember when Christ said, “…depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). It was probably because they were motivated to do things by their own flesh, apart from the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-21 reads — “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
- Adultery
- Fornication
- Uncleanness
- Lasciviousness
- Idolatry
- Witchcraft
- Hatred
- Variance
- Emulations
- Wrath
- Strife
- Seditions
- Heresies
- Envyings
- Murders
- Drunkenness
- Revellings
…and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Many churches have been torn apart in splits because of the works of the flesh. Demon spirits use and operate through the flesh. They have no other jurisdiction or playing field. They live on flesh. They feed on flesh. They are strengthened by the flesh. So long as the flesh has free course, demonic assignments continue.
Flesh influences the sinner more than the saint. We can expect flesh attacks from the world and sinners, however when Christians are seduced by the flesh it does great harm to the Body of Christ. Disciples of Christ need to crucify the flesh daily, deny themselves, take up their cross and follow after Christ.
A great example of overcoming flesh attacks is King David’s testimony of how he dealt with King Saul’s flesh.
Saul was envious of David, because they sang a song, “Saul slayed his thousands, but David his ten of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Obviously that song became a hit because it fueled Saul’s envy even more. The jealous rage that was activated in his soul, came from the flesh and it opened a door for a demon to torment him. Flesh, the fallen sin-nature, released the force of witchcraft against him–within his mind. As a result, he sought to murder David in order to keep him from the throne.
Flesh Always Causes Strife
The flesh is full of self deception.
How many today think that their church is a kingdom and their pulpit a throne. They envy and resist younger preachers in their churches feeling threatened by them. The thoughts and emotions that get stirred up are set on fire by the flesh and evil spirits can begin to torment that pastor’s mind, if he allows it. Mentally, because of insecurity, they began to harbor suspicions of a coup in their kingdom. It’s an unfortunate fact that more often than not there are seditious flesh attacks from immature believers that rebel against his authority in the church. The mature senior leader has to overcome many witchcraft attacks that originate from the flesh of others. You can imagine that many of these attacks can leave a man of God to become distrusting of others and unapproachable. However, responding this way is also of the flesh. It goes both ways. This is why the flesh is so wicked.
Notice, another evil thing takes place as the man of God begins to envy and resist an emerging David in his church. Just like it happened to King David. Witchcraft attacks are released against the young minister that have its source in the Saul type pastor. David must have felt this witchcraft released against him while fleeing Saul’s bitterness. He begins to sense an unseen war against him battling him in his mind. Confusion hits him, thoughts of wanting to give up. “Did God really call me?”, he might be tempted to think. Demons are released from the source of the attack, the flesh of a jealous pulpiteer.
Learn from David, because despite the war released against him, he loved Saul. He continually forgave Saul and didn’t retaliate in any way against Saul. He respected Saul. No wonder the Father called him, a man after His own heart. Like David, guard your heart from sedition and honor the servants of the Lord.
Flesh of Carnal Christians Attracts Demons
So, witchcraft attacks don’t have to come from the outside only. The flesh hidden in you can also release witchcraft at yourself. If you suffer from rejection, a spirit of rejection can torment your mind. If you have hidden sin in your life, a spirit of condemnation can oppress you. If you have been influenced by unscriptural teachings, new age mysticism, yoga exercises and meditation, and such like, you’ve opened the door for demons to oppress you. If you’ve ever been covered by a controlling relationship or church group, the soul ties and teachings will continue to attack your mind. If you had a verbally abusive spouse or parent, the ugly words they spoke over you are like seeds planted in your mind, and can continually hinder you. They need to be broken, in Jesus’ name.
Evil spirits are attracted to the flesh. They attach themselves to the fallen sin-nature of man.
The flesh releases its force of witchcraft through negative words. For example, when there’s gossip about you, false accusations, and deliberate word curses. Here are two examples:
“You’re stupid, you’ll never amount to anything.” Parental word curses can bind a child’s future. God will hold parents accountable for these words. If you had/have an abusive parent, quickly forgive them in love and take authority over those words. Break them and reverse them in Jesus’ name.
“If you leave this church, you’ll never make it.” Controlling insecure leaders pronounce these witchcraft spells through their flesh, not the Holy Ghost. I call these five-fold curses, they are real and will follow you if you don’t break them in the name of Jesus.
Witchcraft attacks also come through thoughts. Yes, others wicked thoughts and your own thoughts. The devil puts suggestions in your mind that sound like you’re thinking them. They are not real, but when you voice them you immediately activate them in your life. Understand, not all the thoughts you think are yours or God’s thoughts. Some are seeds of the enemy. Don’t give them life by watering them with your words. Take them captive and cast them down. The quicker you do it the easier it will be to win the battle in your mind.
Witchcraft attacks also come through others attitudes and body language towards you. This is witchcraft’s way of manipulation. The flesh wants a reaction out of you. Don’t fall for this trap. Just love them, like David did with Saul. Manipulation is controlling because it forces others to do what they otherwise would not. You could be standing right there and get the cold shoulder. The silent treatment, for example, is the most common of manipulative body language. People who use this form of control are actually retaliating against you because of an offense of some sort. They want you to feel guilty and draw you into their mental whirlwind. Don’t give into witchcraft’s desire. Always take the high road of humility and if need be bring correction in love.
Witchcraft, a manifest work of the flesh is a spiritual thing. “The flesh” is not speaking of the physical body, but rather the fallen sin-nature of man and its evil inclinations (Galatians 5:19-21). It started with Lucifer when he rebelled against God in heaven. Then Adam, the first man inherited it from Satan when he betrayed God, and since then every unregenerate person is born with it through the fall of Adam.
But there’s good news, Christ came to deal with that flesh. Scripture says. “The Son of God was made manifest that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Nothing advances the works of the devil more than the flesh. The devil knows that flesh always cooperates with him, and Christ knows this too. In coming in the likeness of sinful flesh Jesus targeted sin at the core. We’ll teach about that the next time. Get ready for victory!
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