Charismatic witchcraft is a subtle and dangerous form of manipulation that has quietly infiltrated the church, often disguised as spiritual authority. At its core, it stems from rebellion against God’s authority, as described in 1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of divination.” This rebellion often begins with small acts of disobedience—lying, manipulating, or controlling situations—which, when left unchecked, can escalate into deeper forms of spiritual manipulation.
One of the primary ways charismatic witchcraft manifests is through the misuse of prophecy. True prophecy, according to 1 Corinthians 14:3, is meant to build up, encourage, and edify believers. However, when prophecy is twisted for selfish gain—using flattery, fear-based warnings, or prayers aimed at influencing others—it becomes a tool for manipulation. What should be a gift from God instead turns into a weapon of control, aligning with the rebellious nature of witchcraft.
In many cases, those who engage in charismatic witchcraft are often leaders or individuals who have been wounded in the church. They use spiritual authority as a means to advance their own agendas or maintain control over others. This manipulation is often cloaked in spiritual language, with Scripture being twisted to fit their purposes. Where charismatic witchcraft is present, there is also spiritual abuse. This happens when leaders lose the heart of the Father, shifting their focus from loving God’s people to advancing their own influence. Jeremiah 23:3-4 reveals God’s heart for His people: “Then I will gather the remnant of My flock… and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking.” A lack of true fatherly love often leads to this type of control, as individuals never experienced unconditional love without manipulation themselves.
A striking example of this progression from rebellion to witchcraft is seen in the life of King Saul. His disobedience started with small acts but grew into full-blown rebellion, eventually leading him to seek guidance from the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28). Saul’s desperation for control and disconnection from God drove him into spiritual manipulation—turning to forbidden sources rather than submitting to God’s authority. This illustrates how unchecked rebellion opens the door to dangerous spiritual practices.
Another form of charismatic witchcraft is manipulative prayer. Instead of seeking God’s will, individuals may use prayer as a means to fulfill their own desires or control others. True prayer, as modeled by Jesus in Luke 22:42, seeks God’s will above all: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” When prayer is used with selfish motives, it becomes a tool of rebellion, as described in James 4:3: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” Manipulative prayers, even when seemingly well-intentioned, can harm rather than help if they seek to override God’s process or the free will of others.
For instance, someone may pray for healing or blessing, not realizing that God may be allowing a process of growth or refinement in that person’s life. Manipulation can occur when people pull others into agreement with prayers based on personal desires rather than God’s will. Matthew 18:19 speaks of the power of agreement in prayer: “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them.” However, agreement outside of God’s will can open the door to spiritual attacks. Praying with the wrong motives can lead to spiritual warfare, as curses or spells are sometimes unintentionally released, and those prayed for may come under spiritual attack if they aren’t firmly rooted in Christ.
To guard against charismatic witchcraft, believers must remain vigilant. Ephesians 6:11 urges us to “put on the full armor of God,” staying grounded in His Word and aligning our prayers with His will. Discernment is key—1 John 4:1 reminds us to test every spirit, ensuring that our prophetic words and prayers align with God’s truth. Setting spiritual boundaries, such as being cautious of who lays hands on us or speaks into our lives, helps protect us from manipulation disguised as spiritual authority. By submitting fully to God and walking in humility, we resist the subtle lure of charismatic witchcraft and remain aligned with His will.
With all that said, charismatic witchcraft operates subtly through rebellion, false prophecy, false doctrine and manipulative prayer. Its root is always the same—rebellion against God’s will. Believers must remain vigilant, testing every spirit, aligning themselves with God’s truth, and ensuring that all actions, prayers, and words are rooted in His will rather than personal agendas.