Some of you reading this blog remember Elizabeth Montgomery playing in the television show "Bewitched." (Goodness I'm telling my age!) ( Actually I think there are re-runs to watch today). And later there was a movie-take off of the program. However, being "bewitched" is REAL!
Allow me to explain.Being bewitched is not simply the name of a recent movie or television program. And again, the programs were a Hollywood take on witchcraft. It's always amazing to me how we so easily compromise our religious standards and embrace the wickedness of the enemy. Witchcraft is real, but our view of its seductiveness is deluded.
Dear believers, we must be on guard concerning the wiles of the enemy. I wrote an entire blog of the wiles of Satan so you may desire to view the recent archives and read the article for greater understanding. But for now, let me just say that to be bewitched is actually mentioned in the Word of God.
Apostle Paul addressed the Galatians concerning them being bewitched. In Galatians 3:1-3 it reads: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ we clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you trying to attain your goal by human effort? (emphasis added). Did you notice the italicized word bewitched ? Believer, Apostle Paul was pointing out to the Galatians that Satan was attempting to negate the finished work of the cross with a spirit of witchcraft!
Allow me to quote from my previous book, Letting God of Limitations; Experiencing God's Transforming Power (click on store to order):
'The Galatians had started out in the Spirit, as they were saved, filled with the Spirit and continually witnessed the miraculous. But now witchcraft had influenced them to follow unbiblical rules and norms, and they had given in to carnality. All of this caused them to lose sight of God's supernatural power.
A study of the word bewitched can give us a clear picture of how the enemy desires for us to feel that we can take credit for our righteousness. In fact, the message o9f our being righteous only because of the blood and not because of what we do was the very stumbling block over which the Pharisees tripped.
Being bewitched refers to "being out of one's mind, astonished or overwhelmed with wonder." Another use of being bewitched means to "fascinate by false representation. It is closely linked to divination and sorcery. It is safe to say that legalism opens the door to the occult.'(pg 90).
What does this mean for us today?
As I write this we are close to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The Cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is our focus. Yet, it's important to realize that Satan will always try to belittle what was accomplished at the Cross. Jesus paid the price for our ultimate freedom- freedom from the Law, freedom from all religious performance, freedom from sin, etc.
We must remember that we are no longer under the Law and religious performance. In other words, we do not have to perform for God, act and be religious through deeds, nor feel that if we are not holy enough God will reject us! To believe this is to allow ourselves to be bewitched into believing that we must abide by rules, rituals and religious laws. Even religious mindsets can hinder our freedom that we have in Christ! If we continue to believe that we are holy only because we are fulfilling religious obligations and fulfilling religious expectations and man-made doctrines we will witness a watering-down of supernatural power! And we will reap the negative effects of witchcraft which is confusion, performance, exhaustion, sickness and disease, and much more. As Christians, let's now be determined to not be bewitched by false doctrine, religious performance and religious tradition and walk in the freedom that Christ died on the Cross to provide for us!
Be empowered today, by His Spirit, to embrace all that was accomplished at the Cross! We are no longer under the Law of religious performance and doctrines of man. We are free indeed!I encourage you to read my book Letting Go of Your Limitations so that you can break out of religious bondage and experience God's transforming power!
We must remember that we are no longer under the Law and religious performance. In other words, we do not have to perform for God, act and be religious through deeds, nor feel that if we are not holy enough God will reject us! To believe this is to allow ourselves to be bewitched into believing that we must abide by rules, rituals and religious laws. Even religious mindsets can hinder our freedom that we have in Christ! If we continue to believe that we are holy only because we are fulfilling religious obligations and fulfilling religious expectations and man-made doctrines we will witness a watering-down of supernatural power! And we will reap the negative effects of witchcraft which is confusion, performance, exhaustion, sickness and disease, and much more. As Christians, let's now be determined to not be bewitched by false doctrine, religious performance and religious tradition and walk in the freedom that Christ died on the Cross to provide for us!
Be empowered today, by His Spirit, to embrace all that was accomplished at the Cross! We are no longer under the Law of religious performance and doctrines of man. We are free indeed!I encourage you to read my book Letting Go of Your Limitations so that you can break out of religious bondage and experience God's transforming power!
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