Years ago, a well-known and acknowledged leader in the New Apostolic Reformation movement, released a video discussing how to recognize the signs of a church controlled by witchcraft. A series of questions were posed in the teaching such as, does the leadership curse people who leave the church? Does the leadership teach that God will speak to them before He speaks to you? Does the leadership curse people who leave the church? Does the leadership teach that they are the only true church, and all other churches are wrong? Are you forbidden to talk to anyone who has left the church? Is there an overemphasis on teaching submission to authority? Are people afraid to voice any opinion contrary to leadership?

While listening to the list of questions, I could not help but to notice the number of questions I could answer in the affirmative while previously in this movement. However, it was a recognition of spiritual abuse rather than the operation of witchcraft. Charismatic witchcraft is a common teaching in areas of the hyper charismatic movement. The teaching typically centers around individuals who are labeled as operating in witchcraft for rebelling against a leader, and these individuals are said to be praying against the leader with word curses or trying to control and manipulate the leader in some fashion. There are leaders who allege that when they experience physical illness or pain in their bodies, a witch has come to pray against them in corporate gatherings. Sadly, professing Christians are accused of doing these very things and to be operating in Charismatic witchcraft.

Leaders in this movement will also note occultic and witchcraft practices within the prophetic movement, labeling it as prophetic witchcraft. Understandably, some may address the issue of practices engaging in paying for prophecy or teaching on the third eye. These are areas of agreement where such practices are unbiblical and concerning. At the same time, there are areas within the modern prophetic movement where New Age practices have been embraced, such as teaching on opening heavenly portals through prayer, focusing on patterns of numbers in daily life and their prophetic meaning (omen reading), and even claiming the ability to time travel and to change situations in the past. Even though these are highly concerning and unbiblical, well-known leaders who practice such things will not be corrected or addressed in these things.

Scripture does not describe or use the term Charismatic witchcraft, and I believe the argument could be made that this term has been conjured up (no pun intended) by leaders in this movement. Individuals accused of witchcraft may face false accusations and even slander in being labeled as demonized among the leadership and fellow congregants. Accusation of a Jezebel spirit is synonymous in this movement with operating in witchcraft. To question a modern-day Apostle is to question God Himself, and this can lead to accusations of witchcraft, citing 1 Samuel 15:23. There is most assuredly a concern when it comes to such allegations because questioning a spiritual leader does not equate to witchcraft.

What does the Bible have to say about witchcraft? Deuteronomy 18:9-12 helps us to see that God has a strong warning against such practices. Galatians 5:20 lists sorcery as a work of the flesh, and those who operate in this will not inherit the kingdom of God. There is most certainly the acknowledgement of Satan’s realm of power in such things as witchcraft, and Christians should not be participating in things where his power is being exalted, such as reading horoscopes, playing with Ouija boards, or any rituals and practices that are forbidden in Scripture and would agree with Satanic activity.

Having said that, while such activities are rightfully called out and addressed in this movement, other activities that do not fall under the category of witchcraft are labeled incorrectly, such as perceived rebellion against a leader in questioning that leader. Utilizing passages such as 1 Samuel 15:23 in correlation to questioning or disagreeing with a spiritual leader is an abuse of that passage, as this is in context to King Saul’s disobedience and insubordination to God and his sin being no different than the sins of witchcraft, wickedness and idolatry.

Though statements and teachings will be presented such as the one mentioned at the beginning, a sad irony exists in areas of this movement; some of the very practices said to be “Charismatic witchcraft” are practiced by leaders within it. There are people who are encouraged not to associate with those who have left a specific ministry because this would be showing disloyalty to the leader. There are teachings centered around spiritual covering, and if you leave that particular ministry and spiritual covering, then you have opened yourself up to demonic attack and curses. The culture of honor becomes a culture a fear when questioning a leader who espouses to be an Apostle or a Prophet. There are instances where a leader has stated that God has told them what the issues are with a particular individual or situation, ultimately ascribing a demonic spirit to those who dare to question doctrine or practices. There are also instances where churches who do not practice signs and wonders or casting demons out of born-again believers are said to be “dead churches”. People are encouraged to leave those churches and flock to the ones who do such things. What is deemed as witchcraft by such leaders yet practiced is sadly spiritual abuse and gaslighting.

As stated previously, New Age practices have overtaken this movement, and some are more seemingly subtle than others. Additionally, new meanings have been added to their definition because of personal experiences or insight, while making allowances for practices that are forbidden in Scripture. There is a need to return back to solid Biblical truth and to rest in the sufficiency of God’s Word for understanding and a firm foundation.

If someone is a professing witch or warlock, the solution is not in sensationalizing their actions and focusing on alleged curses and actions but in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to him/her. Call them to repentance and saving faith rather than to the allegiance of a human being. If a church member asks questions due to concerns, this should not result in accusations of witchcraft and demonization by Jezebel. There is tremendous concern for those who are hearing an emphasis on witchcraft operating in the church rather than hearing the Word of God rightly divided and God truly glorified. For those who have been in such environments as these, there is hope. There are churches where the Word is ministered to the glory of God and not of man, where people are truly fed rather than led off into myths. There are local churches where Godly leadership welcomes questions and dialogue without fear of a congregant being demonized in the process. There is hope, and your hope is in Christ alone.

Listen to this episode discussing the teaching of Charismatic and Prophetic witchcraft: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Irony of Prophetic Witchcraft Doctrine on Apple Podcasts