It is reasonable to say that there are people who have placed their faith in witchcraft, including those who identify as Christians. Others deny that witchcraft exists at all, yet Scripture contains repeated warnings about it in the New Testament and gives us the account of Saul conjuring Samuel’s spirit in the Old Testament (Acts 19:18–20, Galatians 5:19–21, 1 Samuel 28:7–20). Based on Scripture alone, witchcraft is real.
The greater challenge is identifying those who have placed their faith in such practices instead of in Jesus. The Holy Spirit can give discernment, but these things are hard to prove with the kind of solid evidence the material world demands. Because of this, a relative, a neighbour, a spouse, a sibling, a pastor, or even a trusted friend could be involved, and there is a good chance that many of us are descendants of people who once were (Matthew 7:15–20).
One of the saddening realities is that witchcraft can appear to work with real effect apart from salvation and submission to God’s sovereign power (Exodus 7:11–12, Acts 8:9–11). This perceived effectiveness has caused many believers, and those unwilling to participate, to abandon their faith or live in constant fear—sometimes both. It is understandable to fear that someone acting with malicious intent could attempt to influence the circumstances of your life without your knowledge.
When the Word of God was absent from my life, I lived in fear because I did not know the freedoms and protections the Word offers me against the schemes of the wicked. Too many Christians have forfeited the liberties secured through Jesus’ death and resurrection through ignorance or deliberate disobedience (Hosea 4:6, Matthew 4:4, Ephesians 6:17). Where Jesus tells us not to worry, we worry endlessly; where He calls us to act, we smother His words with excuses so we can avoid obedience.
What I am saying is that disobedience to the Word of God grants witchcraft an effectiveness it would not otherwise have. Witchcraft thrives where the Word is absent from our lives. Jesus promised that His life, death, and resurrection brought an eternal protection that no power can undo. Even when persecution and attacks come, Christ continues to reveal His grace (2 Timothy 3:12). Ultimately, it comes down to our willingness to internalize Scripture and to obey it. So, the question remains: when evil turns its attention toward you, will you trust Jesus enough to live from His Word rather than from fear?