Surrender, Not Control: Understanding Witchcraft, Rebellion and Idolatry
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Scripture was given to equip us for every good work. It teaches, corrects, rebukes, and trains us in righteousness. But God's Word must be applied through the leading of the Holy Spirit, not through our own agendas or desires.
God compares witchcraft to rebellion and idolatry to stubbornness and iniquity.
I am talking about witchcraft that tries to control another’s free will, opposite of God’s design, and attempts to make people do what they want through various forms of manipulation and even prayer.
The Bible is a holy tool meant to guide us through life. Some say B.I.B.L.E. stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, and while that may be simplistic, it highlights an important truth: God's Word is meant to be lived, not manipulated. We should never use Scripture to control, coerce, or force others. When we do, we move into something God compares to witchcraft.
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
When King Saul was confronted by the prophet Samuel for not obeying God’s direction, he tried to defend his actions, but God responded by removing him as the kingdom leader the people had requested.
"To obey is better than sacrifice... For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." – 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Standing in your own will versus surrendering to God’s will is how the demonic realm taps into your soul and begins to infuse its will instead of God’s word.
Idolatry can include wanting your opinion over the truth of the word of God. It is pride.
Any time stubbornness runs the show and we refuse to yield to others, we may be in idolatry.
Any time we refuse to yield to God’s word, we are yielding to rebellion. This is witchcraft.
Witchcraft seeks control. At its core, it attempts to override another person's will and impose its own. This is why God compares rebellion to witchcraft.
Rebellion resists God's authority and exalts personal desires above His will.
Stubbornness becomes idolatry when our opinions, preferences, and desires take precedence over God's truth.
These issues are not merely behaviors; they can also be influenced by spiritual forces. When we continually choose our own will over God's, we open the door for demonic powers to shape our thinking.
Walk in the Spirit
The Apostle Paul described these same attitudes as works of the flesh in Galatians 5. Alongside obvious sins, he included idolatry, sorcery, strife, jealousy, selfish ambition, and division. These are all expressions of a heart that refuses to fully yield to God.
Paul later contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Then he reminds believers that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires and must learn to walk in the Spirit.
The KJV uses a word called variance in its list of the works of the flesh. This word is translated from the Greek epic , which means a conflict resulting from rivalry and discord. It also means expressing differences of opinion with at least some measure of antagonism or hostility. Paul said that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Discern Our Hearts First
Deception is a real thing. People are deceived without knowing they are, or they wouldn’t be. We must learn to discern our hearts before attempting to discern others.
Discernment is not the ability to tell the difference between good and evil. Discernment is the ability to distinguish between what is right and what is almost right.
Just because things look good on the outside does not mean they are on the inside, because external behavior changes without internal change is only religion.
Spiritual maturity requires surrender. We nail our will, pride, and ungodly desires to the cross and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. This process takes time, but it happens more quickly when we are truly yielded to God. Obviously, we must become spiritually mature if we are to walk in the Spirit. It is a process, but one that happens faster when you are surrendered.
James asked a challenging question:
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" – James 4:1
Many conflicts are rooted in fleshly desires, pride, and self-interest. While conflict itself is unpleasant, learning to navigate it God's way develops character and spiritual maturity. Peace, which is the opposite of conflict, can only be sustained through the work of the Holy Spirit.
When people believe they are unquestionably right and refuse to yield to God's truth, relationships often suffer. Pride becomes a barrier to reconciliation. This is why believers must be equipped with the peace of the gospel and continually renew their minds according to God's Word.
Yield to the Peaceable Spirit of Christ
Most people truly don’t like to engage in conflict. But learning how to handle conflict is necessary if we are going to produce character and mature spiritually.
Living a life of peace in the midst of mental chaos can’t happen without the Holy Spirit. He is the only one who can calm the battle in your mind.
One can’t get to a place of peace during conflict if they are not yielded to God’s word.
We are to be perfected in the love of God, not our own ability.
Love is an act of surrender, beginning with the heart.
Love is not defined by human standards.
Love includes grace, mercy, and humility, but it also includes truth and justice.
Lord, help us yield to the peaceable spirit of Christ!
Ask God to Search Our Hearts
So, in closing, we need to ask God to search our hearts for idolatry, witchcraft, stubbornness, and rebellion. These behaviors reflect the way of the world. We are not to walk in the world's way, and when we do, others get hurt.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, he exhorted him with an emphasis on preaching the word first. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." – 2 Timothy 4:2
As believers, we must remain committed to God's truth even when it challenges us. When we disagree with a preacher, teacher, or fellow believer, we should first examine our own hearts and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance. Is it truly error that bothers us, or is it truth confronting our flesh?
Ultimately, submission to one another begins with submission to God. The more surrendered we are to His will, the less likely we are to operate in rebellion, idolatry, or the desire to control others. God's kingdom is built on surrender, not control.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word that is compassionate, merciful, yet full of truth and capable of cutting through the issues of soul and spirit. Help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak as I know this is an attribute of Your character. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me in any way and ask that I walk in lowliness and humility, in Jesus name, Amen
Comments