The Bible includes "witchcraft" among the works of the flesh. Witchcraft has been in the world for a long time. The Greek word used here in Galatians 5:20, is translated as "sorceries" in Revelation 9:21. "Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Ancient witches, sorcerers, and magicians used drugs and poisons to control and to deceive the people as well as their rulers. Thayer defines witchcraft as, "sorcery, magical arts."

Isaiah, the great prophet of God, warned Babylon that it would be judged for its sorceries and enchantments. "Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments" (Isa. 47:8-9).

Witches, sorcerers, and those who deal with black magic are especially hideous to God. They operate out of pride and are true servants of the Devil himself. Over the centuries they have cast their spells and frightened people into believing in them. They have murdered and poisoned any who have gotten in their way. Most of all, they "thumbed" their noses to God. But to God they will surely answer.

God had Moses to touch his rod to the river in Egypt, and the river became blood. And the fish that were in the river died and stank! Moses was also told, "...Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said" (Exodus 7:19-22). Notice that Pharaoh's magicians had their enchantments, which helped to harden Pharaoh's heart. Sorcerers, witches, and such evil magicians, turned peoples' hearts from God to themselves, and that for personal profit!

May God help us to condemn anything close to witchcraft or sorcery. We read in Revelation 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." And again we read in Revelation 22:15, "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." Clearly, all those who engage in witchcraft will be condemned eternally by God.