Should we accept as true anything that we hear, see, or experience without some type of godly analysis or evaluation? How should we perform such an analysis?Are we using Scripture as God intended?
Some Words to Consider
Conjuration – the performance of a supernatural act by means of a magic incantation or spell.
Incantation – the chanting or utterance of words employed as a magic spell.
Spell – magical words, influence or powers.
Magic – the power to influence the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces
Stopping Blood by Incantation
Years ago, I knew a woman that had grown up in the hills of Kentucky. She knew that I was a Christian minister. One day, she asked me, “What is that scripture that can stop blood?” I had no idea what she was asking me. “My mother used to speak a Bible verse over us if we had a cut, and it would stop blood. I wondered if you knew which verse that is.”
Later on I learned that she may have been looking for Ezekiel 16:6, It is referenced in the 1997 movie “The Apostle”. Robert Duvall plays the Pentecostal self-proclaimed-apostle E. F. ‘Sonny’ Dewey. In the opening scene, Dewey comes upon a bloody automobile accident, grabs his well-used Bible, runs to the wreck ahead of the sheriff, lifts his hands over the vehicle, and speaks over the driver and passenger,
And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
Proof of God’s Approval
On a Christian forum, I found a statement that tells a lot about gullible Christians. The person posting the statement stated that she learned the incantation of Ezekiel 16:6 from her mother who learned it from her grandmother. The incantation supposedly must be made three times for it to work. The writer used the incantation to stop a nosebleed. She considered it a sign from God because it worked.
However, we need to pause and work out some critical thinking.
Magic or Miracles?
Christians must believe in supernatural events, also called miracles. A miracle is a divine preemptive action in the natural world. We believe in the existence of a supernatural Creator. We believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus and the Apostles performed miraculous signs and wonders. We believe in the supernatural revelation of the 66 books of the Bible.
However, Christians should not unquestionably accept every mysterious event. Just because it sometimes comes up with an appropriate answer does not qualify Magic 8-ball as miraculous. Christians should also be skeptics, not dupable chumps. Christians should investigate the claims of a miracle.
Dr. Geisler, in his first volume of systematic theology, defines a miracle:
A miracle, then, is a divine intervention into, or an interruption of, the regular course of the world that produces a purposeful but unusual event that would not (or could not) have occurred otherwise.
Magic is the power to influence the events of life through mystical forces. Sometimes magic and illusion are the same thing, in which the illusion is just a natural deception, not a supernatural act.
However, the Bible teaches that there are demonic forces at work in the natural world as well.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[Second Thessalonians 29-10]
A miracle accomplishes the purpose of God through the power of God. Magic is accomplished through either deception or a demonic power.
A miracle glorifies God. Magic is not limited to this scope. Magic may seem to credit God, but may also credit a fairy or a witch.
Since a miracle always brings glory to God, a miracle is always good. There is no such thing as an evil miracle or a black miracle. Magic does not have this limitation.
A miracle is always scriptural, always subject to the authority of Scripture, always reinforcing the truth of the Bible. Magic functions outside of the teaching of the Bible, sometimes in contradiction to the Bible.
The proof of God’s approval is not whether or not a miracle “worked”. The proof of God’s approval is that the miracle is scriptural.
Using Scripture as Intended by God
The Bible did not come from the will of man and therefore should not to be used as an incantation to perform the will of man.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
[2 Peter 1:19-21]
The power of God’s Word is that it can transform our lives and empower us to live according to God’s will. It is an act of heresy to twist God’s Word for our own purposes:
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
[2 Peter 3:14-16]
When we read God’s Word, it reveals the motives for our behavior.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[Hebrews 4:12]
Paul commands us to handle God’s Word responsibly, not as an ordinary book or some superstitious nonsense.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
[2 Timothy 2:15]
Scripture was intended for us to read and hear what God says, so that we might respond with obedient actions.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
[2 Timothy 3:16]
We are to memorize Scripture, apply it, and live it out.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
[James 1:21,22]
Using Scripture to Perform Magic
Scripture can be abused if it is used with false motives or selfish intent. Even Satan quoted the Bible. He quoted from Psalm 91 when he tempted Jesus Christ in Luke chapter four.
“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’
and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
It does not sanctify a magical incantation when you use a Scripture to stop blood or for any other conjuration. The Bible is not a book of magic spells and good luck charms.
Incantation and conjuring are pagan practices associated with spell-casting and witchcraft. Sadly, some Christians have adopted pagan superstitious practices. Scripture is not for incantations, speaking words over objects or people to manipulate them.
Don’t have anything to do with pagan practices. Distance yourself from superstition and magic.
Instead, read God’s Word. Hear the Word. Memorize it. Preach it. Live it.