Wicca: Right or Wrong?

By: Christin Ditchfield
 

           For thousands of years, people have depicted witches as hideous, warty-nosed 
creatures who fly around on broomsticks, casting spells and brewing black magic. But 
that's not what Wicca is all about. Listen to anyone who practices the craft, and they'll 
tell you: Wicca is a religion that promotes peace, harmony, and healing. It's a belief
system that celebrates nature. It empowers women. It encourages creativity. The Wiccan 
way to worship is as unique as each individual person. Those who use practical magic 
seek to affect positive change in their own lives and the lives of those they love.In
Wicca, there's no such thing as "right" or "wrong." There are no rules. The witch's creed 
is simple: if "it harm none, do as ye will." Sounds great, doesn't it? As long as it doesn't
hurt anybody, do whatever you want. Live any way you want to. Worship any way you 
want to. Worship anyone you want to. Whatever works for you. Unfortunately, Wicca 
doesn't work. As human beings, we were created by an all-knowing, all-powerful, 
all-loving God. He designed us to find our ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment in having 
an intimate, personal relationship with Him. Apart from that relationship, there is no
hope, no harmony, and no healing. God is the Author of Life, the Creator of the 
universe and all its wonders. He is the infinite genius behind all creativity, the source of
all power. He is the Truth that sets us free.


           When God created the human race, He gave us rules to follow--not to restrict us 
or control us, not to punish us. These rules are meant to protect us and provide for us.
God wants us to be free to enjoy the beautiful world that He had created. As our 
designer, He knows our strengths and weaknesses, the temptations we are susceptible
to. He knows we need guidelines to help us make the best use of the freedom He has 
given us. But as the Bible tells us, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none 
that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.... All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned every one to his own way..." (Romans 3:10-11, Isaiah 53:6).
We have all chosen to live life our own way, without any thought of what our Creator 
intended. We have broken God's rules. The Bible calls this sin. As our Creator, God has 
the right to do anything He wishes with us. In righteous indignation, He could banish us 
from His presence forever. In anger, He could annihilate us on the spot. But that's not 
what God is all about. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). He 
doesn't want to destroy us. He wants to save us--from our sin and from ourselves. God 
doesn't want to be cut off from us. He wants to be reconciled to us. In His love for us,
He made a way. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
No matter how hard we try, it's impossible for us live up to all the rules and lead a
perfect, sinless life. But we don't have to, because Jesus did that for us. We don't have 
to die--and be eternally separated from God--because Jesus died on the cross in our 
place. He paid the penalty for us. We don't have to prove our worthiness. We don't have
to submit to secret ceremonies or fulfill elaborate rituals to gain acceptance from God.
He's already forgiven us. All we have to do is believe and receive the gift of salvation that He so freely gives.
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" 
(John 11:25). When we walk in harmony with our Creator, we experience a 
peace that passes all understanding. We discover a freedom, greater than any we have 
ever known. Freedom from sin, freedom from guilt, freedom from fear. We find a love 
that fills the deepest longings of our hearts.To begin your own personal relationship
with God, you might pray something like this:"Dear God, I know that I have lived life 
on my own terms, without regard for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for sending 
Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I turn now from my sins and invite You into
my life. Teach me how to live in a way that pleases
You. Amen."


                         Of Myth and Magic
 

By :Christin Ditchfield
  
  
Once upon a time . . . 
Human beings have always been fascinated by fairy tales--mythical stories of enchanted 
lands inhabited by elves, trolls, giants, and ogres. Unicorns and dragons roam the 
countryside; witches and warlocks cast their magic spells. Heroes and villains engage
in the epic battle between good and evil, darkness and light. They embark on the 
quest for adventure and romance and, most of all, power. Power to escape from 
bondage, power to conquer those who held them captive, power to rule over all 
they possess. Many people enjoy these stories as an entertaining escape from the 
hassles of everyday life. Others find themselves wishing the fairy tales were true,
that somehow they could experience the intriguing mysteries of the fantasy world. 
Is there such a thing as magic? Could supernatural beings really exist? Can life 
and power be found in another galaxy, a parallel universe, or an unseen spirit world?
To find answers, some people experiment with Ouija boards and tarot cards and 
role-playing games. Others look to crystals and amulets--or psychics, who claim 
to have mystical powers. Still others consult handbooks on the practice of 
witchcraft and spiritualism. The Bible teaches us that there is an unseen spirit 
world--a world populated not by sorcerers and magicians, but by angels and demons. 
There is a battle going on, a battle for the survival--or destruction of--the 
human race. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against .. the 
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the 
heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Before time began, an angel named Lucifer
led a rebellion against God, his Creator. He wanted power and glory and worship
for himself, and he succeeded in convincing a third of the angels in heaven to 
join him in his revolt. But they were no match for the Almighty God; they were 
cast out of heaven in humiliation and defeat. Ever since, Lucifer (Satan) has been 
seeking revenge. He is determined to destroy the people God created, by turning 
them against God, inciting them to rebellion and wickedness, luring them into the 
darkness of sin. Satan knows that the consequence of sin is death--eternal separation 
from God. What could hurt God more than to destroy His beloved creation, separating 
them from Him for all eternity? It is the ultimate battle of good and evil--a battle 
for all time. But the outcome was settled more than two thousand years ago. God 
triumphed over Satan’s schemes by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for 
our sins. Jesus paid the penalty for us so that we could be forgiven and restored
to a right relationship with God. He triumphed over sin and death, setting us free
from the power of darkness once and for all. "Therefore God exalted Him to the 
highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of 
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:9-11).Those who put their
faith in Him will discover that their true destiny is far more wonderful than 
anything the fantasy world imagines. "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him 
who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).In Christ, 
we become a "new creation." The power of God’s Holy Spirit works in us and through 
us to accomplish His perfect will. But those who reject Jesus and who seek 
supernatural power apart from Him have aligned themselves with the enemies of God. 
The Scripture warns, "Let no one be found among you who . . . practices divination 
or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a 
medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is 
detestable to the Lord" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Such persons will be separated 
from God forever; their eternal destiny is hell, "a fiery lake of burning sulfur"
(Revelation 21:8). This is no fairy tale--it’s the gospel truth. And every one of
us must make a choice--we must take sides in the unseen battle of the spirit world.
It’s truly a matter of life and death. Choose life! Begin your own personal 
relationship with Jesus Christ by praying something like this: "Dear Jesus, I
know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank You for dying on the cross 
for my sins. Thank You for calling me out of the kingdom of darkness and into 
Your wonderful light. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have power 
to live my life in a way that pleases You. Amen."



            The Cults: Where They Go Wrong
 


Has someone from a cult ever come to your door or offered you literature? 
Unfortunately, most of us are so unfamiliar with cult teachings that we are 
unable to respond effectively with what we believe as Christians.
There are, however, certain basic doctrinal errors common to most cults. 
By understanding what the Bible teaches and where and how cultists often 
go astray, we can show them the way to Jesus Christ. The following analysis 
of five key truths, while far from exhaustive, will be helpful:

1. The Bible is the final authority.

It is wise to begin at the source. Christian truth is based on the Bible. 
Beware of groups based on other "revelation." Invariably these teachings will 
contradict important biblical doctrines and provide unsatisfying substitutes for 
the true gospel of grace. The truth is that the Bible alone illuminates the path 
of life. Cult teachings obscure the way to God. The Apostle John capsulizes the 
purpose of God's Word, "...these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is 
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name"
(John 20:31).

2. We are accountable to God.

Many cults do not teach that God is a personal being. In conversation with a 
cultist it is important to emphasize that the God revealed in the Bible is not 
an impersonal "Divine Absolute" but a personal being to whom all men are morally
accountable. The Bible clearly teaches that all people are accountable to God for
their sins and that only through personal faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ
is there promise of salvation. When talking with a cultist, focus on the biblical 
teaching on sin so that he will see his need for reconciliation with a holy and 
righteous God. Remember that salvation is God's own initiative and plan. He reaches 
down to us; not we to Him. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is 
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

3. Jesus is the only way to God.

Basic to the false teachings of the cults is a misconception of Jesus Christ as 
"a great teacher" or "the highest of all created beings" or "the divine ideal." 
Whatever the terminology used, the cults do not teach that Jesus Christ is fully
God and man, the incarnate Son of God. But the Bible teaches that, unlike all other
religious teachers, Jesus claims to be equal with God and the only true avenue of
salvation: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, 
but by Me" (John 14:6).

4. We can know we are saved.

The cults have no realistic answer to remedy the problem of our sin. They are 
left with either a false universalism (believing that everyone will be saved) 
or an insecure relationship to God (however they conceive of Him). Some hold to
a false exclusivism in which only their group is saved. But the biblical 
declaration to all people is absolutely clear: "He that believeth on the Son 
hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but
the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).

5. There is life after death.

Misconceptions concerning final judgment and life after death characterize all cults.
However, the Bible is vividly clear about the reality of a final judgment for 
nonbelievers and the existence of Hell. Revelation 20:12-15 is one of many passages
describing the doom of the nonbeliever.

Witnessing Suggestions

1. While knowledge of the cults is helpful, don't try to be an expert on foreign 
ground. Stick with the Bible. By understanding basic errors of the cults, you can 
better point the cultist to what the Bible teaches. As you share the clear plan of 
salvation from the Bible, pray that the Holy Sprit would expose false doctrine. Be 
direct, deal with basic issues of salvation, and don't get off on tangents. Also be
careful to use only appropriate Bible passages in presenting the full perspective
of God's plan of salvation for humanity.

2. Remember that the person you are witnessing to may still be seeking the truth,
even though he is propagating a false doctrine. Therefore, deal with him as a 
fellow human. Your grasp of the heart of the Christian faith, coupled with your 
personal testimony, is the best witness.

3. If communication seems hopeless, politely close the conversation. For a 
continued witness, leave appropriate gospel literature.

Used By Permission: Information from tracts by the same title can be found at
http://www.gnpcb.org