In our fast-paced, crazy world, we need to contemplate the whisper of the wind, the stillness of forests, the song of birds, the peace of moonlight, the dance of spring. One rapidly growing movement highlighting appreciation for nature with its seasons and cycles is called “Wicca,” a spiritual path that uses Witchcraft. Many young people are now exploring Wicca because organized religions often leave their souls unsatisfied. Others get “turned off” by so-called “Christians” who make Christianity nauseating.

                    Wicca is a nature-based religion offering its followers a connection with “Mother Earth,” which they often call “the Goddess.” It claims that by “tapping” into Earth’s energies and “nature spirits” people can cast wholesome “spells,” perform “white magic,” and improve their lives. Obviously, we all need improvement, but is connecting with nature spirits the right way to do it?

   Pam Bolton (Oregon) was a practicing witch for many years. Her heart had longed to belong to a spiritual group, and she liked the idea of experiencing magickal power. Witchcraft seemed perfect—designed just for her. Pam had the books, athame, cauldron, candles, altar, jewelry, and runes: everything she needed. Yet as time went on, what had promised fulfillment turned frightening. Unexpectedly, dark troubles entered her soul. According to Wiccan teaching, “Satan” and “demons” don’t exist. So what were those voices inside her head? Negative energies? Her own thoughts? Pam was clueless. “Protective” spells didn’t help either. Eventually, this quiet and devoted young lady entered a nightmare filled with hostile spirits trying to destroy her.

                    Pam later met a Christian man who was different. He wasn’t a witch-basher, yet he showed her what the Bible plainly says about evil. “Satan is real,” Pam was kindly informed, not just a figment of “Christian imagination.” She was also told that what she thought were friendly forces of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, where really sneaky and malicious “spirits of devils” (Revelation 16:14) in disguise. This was not what she wanted to hear. But the seed was planted—and it wouldn’t go away. As time went on, Pam read for herself what the Bible teaches about God, creation, the entrance of evil, tricky fallen angels, and being “saved” from sin and death through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

   As Pam’s internal conflicts deepened, in desperation, she began praying to Jesus asking Him to rescue her from dangerous supernatural forces. After many struggles, something miraculous happened inside her heart—she found peace! What Pam had sought in Witchcraft, she found in One who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

                    If you are searching for deeper insights about the Creator of life, consider what the Bible teaches about God, sin, and salvation. Instead of promoting evolutionary theory, this ancient Book contends: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Dancing from the Creator’s hand, our entire universe—from distant stars to complex living cells—sprang into existence. Everything was beautiful. The crowning act of this cosmic burst came when the Supreme Intelligence created two perfect human beings named Adam and Eve “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27).

                    Adam and Eve were given freedom to eat from every tree inside an exotic Garden called Eden (see Genesis 2:8). Yet in His infinite wisdom, Earth’s Maker created one tree—“the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”—which He commanded Adam and Eve to avoid as a test of their love for Him. Earnestly, He warned that if they tasted its forbidden flavors, they would “surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

                    In the branches of this forbidden tree an invisible entity named “Satan” (a malevolent fallen angel) spoke soothingly to Eve through a serpent (see Genesis 3:1-4). Mocking God’s Word and replacing truth with lies, this subtle spirit promised Eve enlightenment and godhood. “You will be like god” (Genesis 3:5), the deceiver whispered. Foolishly, Eve took the bait. That very act of trying to become a little god is what the Bible calls “sin” (see Romans 5:12); and it plunged Adam, Eve, and their descendants—including you and me—into an ongoing battle between the forces of light and those of darkness.

                    In mercy and love, the Infinite Creator responded unselfishly by sending His Eternal Son, Jesus Christ, to be incarnated as a God-Man and to live among us nearly two thousand years ago (see Micah 5:2). He saw humanity’s loneliness, pain, and confusion, and in fulfillment of mysterious biblical prophecies, this God-Man suffered the horror of sin’s death penalty when He died on a splintery cross outside Jerusalem. “Christ died for our sins…He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). After dying, He rose to life.

                    In contrast to the delusive muttering of nature spirits (who are really fallen angels in disguise), the Resurrected God-Man extends His personal invitation to each of us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). While some Christians may fear you, or not understand you, Jesus Christ knows you fully. He loves you just as you are, and offers you forgiveness no matter what you’ve done. He gave peace to Pam. He wants to give you peace too, but He waits for your permission.

                    We invite you to thoughtfully consider the Son of the living God. The Bible says that He loves you with an eternal love, died for your sins, and opened the door to peace forever with Him.                    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

If you are a Witch, Wiccan, or Pagan, and would like to learn more about your Creator and His Son, we recommend

www.exwitch.org, bornagainpagan.multiservers.com, and Steve Wohlberg’s insightful book, Hour of the Witch

(see www.hourofthewitch.com).

Adapted from Hour of the Witch by Steve Wohlberg, copyright ©2005

Published by Destiny Image. Used by permission.