Magic
A. THERE ARE THOSE WHO WONDER ABOUT MAGIC.
1. There were magicians in the Bible.
2. What does the Bible say about magic?
B. WE WANT TO AVOID SUPERSTITION AND FALSE NOTIONS.
1. That can have as much tragic result as the practice of “black arts.”
2. Are we going to burn witches? Practice exorcisms?
C. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE JUDGING.
A. THE WORD IS NOT USED IN THE BIBLE. Magic is "the science or practice of evoking
spirits, or educing the occult powers of nature to produce effects apparently
supernatural." (Smith's Bible Dictionary)
B. MAGICIANS ARE REFERRED TO 15 TIMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
(Gen 41:8, 24; Ex 7:11, :22; 8:7, 18, 19; 9:11; Dan 1:20; 2:2, 27; 4:7, :9; 5:11).
1. In Genesis and Daniel, emphasis on interpreting dreams and telling the future.
2. In Exodus, unexplained miracles.
3. The closest thing to a parlor trick (Ex. 7:11). Obviously not the same.
4. Nobody did anything supernatural that God didn’t give them the power to do.
EVEN THE DEVIL AND DEMONS!
C. SAMPLING OF RELATED WORDS IN THE ASV. (Deut. 18:10-12; 2 Kings 21:5-7).
1. Divination. Knowledge of secrets = to Magic 4. Sorcery.
2. Enchantments. 5. Necromancer.
3. Augury. 6. Wizard/Witch.
D. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
1. Association with Idols (2 Kings 21:5-7).
2. Failure to trust God (Jer. 2:13). The false prophet (5:30-31; Jer 14:14)
3. Caused the people to forget God (Jer 23:25-27).
4. Encouraged them in their abominations (Lam 2:14).
5. Opposed God and is opposed by God (Isa 44:24-26).
6. Commanded against (Lev. 20:27).
LIST AND COMMENTS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE.
A. Acts 8:9-11. SIMON MAGUS.
1. He used sorcery – supposed magic.
2. He “bewitched” the people – literally “amazed” (Vine)
3. The condemnation was in the motive and result What do they think? (vs. 10).
B. Acts 13:6-12. ELYMAS BAR-JESUS.
1. A false prophet. ... perverted the right ways of the Lord.
2. Interfered with Paul’s effort.
C. Acts 19:13-20. THE STROLLING JEWS – FAKE EXORSICTS.
1. Falsely claimed Jesus’ name.
2. Couldn’t deliver – they got beat up.
3. Their brand of power discredited (vs. 18-20)
D. Gal. 5:19-21. A WORK OF THE FLESH (Rev. 21:8).
1. A work of the flesh where appetites control.
2. It will keep us out of heaven.
E. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS LESSON IS
SOMETHINGS CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN, THAT IS: "the
science or practice of evoking spirits, or educing the occult powers of nature to produce
effects apparently supernatural." (Smith's Bible Dictionary)
A. LET’S GO TO THE DICTIONARY:
1 a: the use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over
natural forces b: magic rites or incantations
2 a: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source b: something
that seems to cast a spell : enchantment
3: the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand. (Merriam Webster)
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1. conjuring tricks: conjuring tricks and illusions that make apparently
impossible things seem to happen, usually performed as entertainment
2. inexplicable things: a special, mysterious, or inexplicable quality, talent, or
skill
watched the dancer's feet work their magic
3. supposed supernatural power: a supposed supernatural power that makes impossible things
happen or gives somebody control over the forces of nature. Magic is used in many
cultures for healing, keeping away evil, seeking the truth, and for vengeful purposes.
4. practice of magic: the use of supposed supernatural power to make impossible things
happen. (MSN Encarta)
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1 the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
2 conjuring tricks performed to entertain.
3 mysterious and enchanting quality.
4 informal exceptional skill or talent.
(Oxford Compact Dictionary)
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2 the skill of performing tricks to entertain people, such as
making things appear and disappear and pretending to cut someone in half:
. (Cambridge Dictionary)
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B. CAN WE NOT SEE THERE ARE DIFFERENT USES OF THE WORD “MAGIC?”
1. These dictionaries note the difference in meaning, but also nature of those uses.
2. In these meanings, there is no relation to the magic of the Bible or its purpose..
3. It is not the same thing.
4. Sometimes the difference is clouded by Superstition. Are you superstitious?
(1 Cor. 8:5-7; Rom. 13:1).
A. OUR SALVATION NOT COUCHED IN HUMAN WISDOM OR MYSTIC POWERS.
B. IT RESTS IN SIMPLE TRUSTING FAITH IN THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS.
C. THERE WERE MIRACLES, BUT GOD’S GREATES POWER IS IN THE GOSPEL
MESSAGE (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:22-24).
