Charismatic Witchcraft – Part 2
Dr Micah Mitchell
Discernment and Testing the Spirits
Charismatic witchcraft thrives where there is a lack of discernment. The Bible instructs us in 1 John 4:1 to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” This means every prophetic word, teaching, or spiritual influence should be evaluated against the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. If a word or action does not align with Scripture or promotes confusion and manipulation, reject it. Do not tolerate teachings or prophecies that twist God’s truth, no matter how spiritual or authoritative the messenger may seem. In addition to 1 John 4:1, we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12:10 that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the distinguishing of spirits: “to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the distinguishing of spirits.” This gift enables us to discern whether a spiritual influence is from God or from a deceptive source, helping us to live a life aligned with the truth of God’s Word.
Establishing Healthy Boundaries
Setting firm boundaries is essential for spiritual protection. 1 Timothy 5:22 warns us not to be hasty in laying hands on others or allowing others to lay hands on us. You do not have to let everyone prophesy over you or pray for you. If someone tries to speak a prophetic word into your life or offer prayer but you sense manipulation or error, you are free to say no. Matthew 7:15 urges us to “beware of false prophets,” and setting boundaries ensures only those led by the Holy Spirit are permitted to speak into your life.
You Can Hear God’s Voice for Yourself
One person is not the sole voice of God in your life. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” You are capable of hearing God’s voice directly. If someone claims they alone hear God for you or tries to manipulate you by using “God said” statements, walk away. Spiritual leaders should guide and confirm what God is speaking to you, not control or dictate your spiritual walk. James 4:7 reminds us to submit to God, resist manipulation, and trust that God will reveal His will to you personally.
Recognize and Avoid Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse is when leaders or individuals use their spiritual authority to manipulate, control, or dominate others. This can manifest through fear, intimidation, or prophetic flattery to coerce someone’s actions. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 warns that even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so it’s crucial to recognize when someone is using spiritual gifts for their own gain. If you feel manipulated, pressured, or spiritually abused by someone, remove yourself from their influence immediately.
Be Cautious About Spiritual Fathers/Mothers and pastors
Not everyone who claims to be a spiritual father or mother or pastor is sent by God. Be very careful about who you align with, because wrong alignments can delay or hinder God’s purpose in your life. Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Aligning with the wrong spiritual authority can cause manipulation and even stifle your growth. Ensure your spiritual mentors are helping you grow into your God-given identity and not controlling your journey.
The Importance of Boundaries
Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial to protect yourself from manipulation and control. Key boundary practices include:
Rejecting prophecies or teachings that don’t align with God’s Word. Do not tolerate anything that goes against Scripture.
Recognizing spiritual manipulation. If someone tries to control or intimidate you, especially using spiritual authority, set firm boundaries and remove yourself from their influence.
Limiting who lays hands on you or prays for you. You have the right to refuse prayer or prophetic words if you sense manipulation or wrong motives.
Trusting your ability to hear God’s voice. John 10:27 ensures that as God’s sheep, you know His voice. Don’t allow anyone to manipulate you into thinking you need them to hear God for you.
Being discerning about spiritual mentors. Proverbs 13:20 warns of the harm caused by aligning with the wrong people. Choose wisely whom you allow to speak into your life.
By using these strategies and establishing clear boundaries, you can protect your spiritual health, ensuring that your relationship with God remains pure and unaffected by manipulation or charismatic witchcraft. Remember that charismatic witchcraft is rooted in rebellion against the will of God, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:23, which equates rebellion to witchcraft. At its core, charismatic witchcraft seeks to exert human will over God’s purpose, often through manipulation, control, or deception disguised as spiritual authority.
One powerful tool in defending against manipulation is the power of saying “no.” As believers, we are not obligated to accept everything spoken over us or participate in spiritually unhealthy situations. Jesus demonstrated this power when He resisted Satan’s temptations, saying “no” to anything that was outside of God’s will (Matthew 4:1-11). Saying “no” is an act of spiritual authority that keeps us aligned with God’s truth.
From my own experience, during a revival I was leading, someone approached me repeatedly wanting to prophesy over me. I repeatedly told them no and that it was out of order. At my revival meetings, I always establish clear boundaries—there is no “parking lot prophesying.” If someone has a word to deliver, it must be shared in front of the congregation so it can be judged biblically. This individual, operating in a rebellious spirit, continued to press for a private prophecy, insisting on releasing a negative word over my life. After showing grace and saying no several times, I eventually called them out. Why? I didn’t need the spiritual warfare that would come from allowing a false prophetic word to be released over me. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “the power of life and death is in the tongue.” I was not going to allow someone to speak death or confusion over my life.
Saying “no” aligns with James 4:7, which instructs us to “submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This includes rejecting false words or manipulative spiritual actions. Boundaries, empowered by the ability to say “no,” help protect your spiritual walk, guarding your heart (Proverbs 4:23) and keeping you aligned with God’s voice, free from the control and manipulation of charismatic witchcraft.