Who Hath Bewitched You?

When Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia about his concerns he described the people as being "foolish." He also questioned whether they had been bewitched. It is not far-fetched to sometimes describe a person’s action or decision as being foolish. It is a fact that people make decisions in life that can be regarded as lacking rationale. It is also not unusual at one time or another for a man or woman to make a judgment that is viewed as unwise, absurd or even ridiculous. Intelligent people also make foolish choices.

There is a difference between a person that is bewitched and a person exhibiting folly. If a person is under bewitchment, such a person is under a powerful influence or strong fascination as in the case of a spell or a charm. Sadly, a person under this influence has already been led astray by this charming misrepresentation.

Paul found it astonishing that the Galatians, even though before them Jesus Christ died and rose up from the dead, they still believed in Jewish traditions such as circumcision. They had turned their focus back to Jewish values instead of following Christ.

Paul also found it difficult to understand why these people were swaying in their new identity in Christ and therefore concluded that they were behaving foolishly because somebody or someone had bewitched them. Paul said:

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you”?

(Galatians 3:1)

The essence of this message is bewitchment. Is bewitchment real? Is it possible for someone to "bewitch" and "befool" us by sorcery or witchcraft?

In a town not too far from where I grew up, there was a local cobbler. He was good at his job which was mending shoes. This man was not only ugly, but very short and with a humpback. As a shoemaker, he was not making a lot of money. He was a poor man and nobody could really explain why this dwarf had a wife that was fair, tall and very pretty. A much closed source to this man eventually disclosed that this man’s wife was indeed one of his customers.

It was rumoured that this cobbler fell in love with his beautiful customer. Unfortunately for this man, the feeling was not mutual. The shoemaker, supposedly, then sought witchcraft as an aid. He obtained a charm which he put into her shoes that he was repairing for her. The rest is history. She was instantly bewitched and married her shoe maker.

Many people are under the influence of evil charms and incantations. They have been affected injuriously by witchcraft. The enemies have cast spells over many, thereby bringing evil upon them; it is a terrible thing for someone to be subjected to the power of witchcraft. A lot of people cannot explain their situations and some of their actions; however, they are under the domination and hypnotism of evil forces.

Unfortunately, those that are misled and enslaved through demonic influences hardly realise their predicament. There are also a lot of people who are hindered from progressing or advancing by the enemy. Regrettably, some of these individuals have accepted their fate as the will of God.

There is an interesting story of an encounter in the bible between the power of Almighty God and the power of sorcery and bewitchment. An apostles of Jesus Christ called Phillip was in the city named Samaria preaching the gospel. The power of God accompanied his ministrations and many captives were set free. There was a certain man in this city, for whom the people had great regard. This was because this man had for a long time, bewitched them with sorceries. In fact it was believed that his power was from God! Read this scripture:

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.