–– Paul Schlehlein

Audio version of this article available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Witch hunting is a serious problem in Africa. If locals suppose their neighbour is a witch or engaged in witchcraft, they may injure that person, or even kill them.

Traditional African View on Witchcraft

According to Samuel Waje Kunhiyop, the common traditional African view is that since God does not allow or ordain evil and there is evil in the world, it must come from demons.

Witchcraft, then, is the cause of most suffering in the world. If someone is hit by a car while walking to work and dies, or if a child falls out of a tree at school and is killed, in the African mind, the explanation is often witchcraft.

Why some people are more affected by witchcraft than others may be owing to their neighbour or enemy placing a curse on them. Perhaps a witch doctor is involved.

A common proof of such witchcraft is the thousands of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is debatable if these stories are true. What is not disputable, however, is that the belief in these stories is true. Christians must be careful to address these issues seriously, as many people wholeheartedly accept the holistic activity of the demonic world.

Biblical View on Witchcraft

The biblical view is that God is the ultimate cause of all things. He decrees evil, though he is not the chargeable cause of evil.

Scripture is loaded with passages pointing to God decreeing evil. Genesis 50:20 says, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Exodus 4:11 says, “Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” In Isaiah 45:7, God says: “I form light and create darkness.”  In the New Testament, Jesus was delivered up, ultimately, not by Satan, but “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.”  

According to Deuteronomy 18, there are distinctions within witchcraft, such as sorcerers, charmers, mediums, necromancers, and diviners. All of these positions seem to focus on the central practice of witchcraft, though describing different facets. Some would predict the future, others would call up the dead, but all would engage in some form of witchcraft.

In a similar way, traditional African culture makes distinctions within witchcraft. There are traditional healers (sangomas), witchdoctors (n’angas) and witches (valoyi). Some focus more on traditional medicines while others specialize in magic, finding lost objects, and placing curses, though the line that distinguishes each position is not always clear.

Scriptural Teaching on Witchcraft

Scripture is strictly opposed to any form of witchcraft. Christians must avoid it (Lev. 19:31) because it is an abomination to the Lord (Deut. 18:9-14). Witchdoctors and sorcerers have real power, including the ability to speak to the dead (1 Samuel 28), and mimic the power of God (Ex. 7:11). There seem to be certain places on earth that have a stronger Satanic influence than other parts of the world (Rev. 2:13).

Those involved in witchcraft are under God’s judgment (Lev. 20:6-7) and will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:20), though witchdoctors and sorcerers will be saved if they repent and trust in Christ (Ac. 19:18-19).

Why So Much Misunderstanding About Witchcraft Among Christians

It is astounding how poorly many Christians think about witchcraft. Why is this? First, Christians may have a poor understanding of God. Many Africans believe that God has no role in evil and conclude that evil is always the result of demons or witchcraft.

Second, Christians may have a poor understanding of Scripture. The Bible has much to say about witchcraft, but many Africans turn to tradition and culture before they study the Scriptures.

Third, Christians may have a poor understanding of human nature. Many of our problems come from our own sinful hearts. The flesh is listed as the primary enemy of the Christian, not demons (Rom. 8; Gal. 5:17; Eph. 2:3). Therefore, the biblical and most successful method in spiritual warfare is putting on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:11-18), not soliciting sangomas or blaming the results of sin on witches.

Fourth, Christians may have a poor understanding of medicine. A baby who does not get the proper vaccinations may die. A woman who sleeps around may get AIDS. A teenager who does not wash his hands may get cholera. It is not necessary to blame evil spirits for these medical issues.

Fifth, Christians may have a poor understanding of salvation. Many African churches have nominal Christians who are untrained in the Word of God.

Finally, Christians may be used to poor preaching. When supposed “men of God” give heavy doses of the Prosperity Gospel, it makes sense that people who came to Christ for wealth will emphasize exorcisms.

How Must Christians Deal With This?

The African traditional method of dealing with witchcraft is not biblical. Common are strategies like putting a thread belt around the waist of children, placing wire over the entrance of one’s home, avoiding owls, and covering the children’s bed with “the blood of Jesus”. Some even divide sicknesses into African diseases and European diseases. For the first one, you go to the sangoma and for the second, you go to the hospital.

Moreover, pastors should not seek to cast out demons, as Scripture never commands this. The only people in the Bible who cast out demons were Jesus and his apostles. Christians are commanded to resist (Jas. 4:7) and stand firm against the Devil (Eph. 6:10-10), never to taunt or bind him.

Instead, the Christian who wants to address witchcraft biblically should consider the following five principles. 

First, acknowledge that Satan and his demons have real power and that witchcraft exists. For example, the devil was responsible for the imprisonment of Smyrna Christians in Revelation 2:10.

Second, do not believe witchcraft is somehow a worse sin than others or that it cannot be forgiven. The motto: “Once a witch always a witch” is false. Jesus forgives.

Third, focus on the Gospel. On the cross, Jesus did more than die for our sins. Christ decisively defeated the demonic world by stripping them of some of their power and putting them to shame (Col 2:15).

Fourth, preach the sovereignty of God. God controls all things (Ps. 115:3) and Satan cannot do anything without His permission (Job 1-2).

Fifth, emphasize the various sources of evil. This may include sin (Gen. 3:16; Rom. 5:12). It also includes the choices we make. Other sources of evil are scientific laws and logical consequences. For example, if I tie a rock to my leg and jump in the water, I will drown. If I am lazy at work, I will be fired. And yes, a legitimate source of evil is the demonic world, as can be seen in the story of Job.

Conclusion

Christians should never solicit a witch doctor. They should partake of the means of grace to defeat Satan and his demons. This includes partaking in the salvation Jesus freely offers and then turning to the Scriptures and the church for sanctification. Moreover, Christians should strive to see those involved in witchcraft converted and reconciled to God, for Jesus is their only hope.