OVERCOMING NEW TESTAMENT IDOLATRY AND WITCHCRAFT
(week 07/17)
OLUBI JOHNSON
New Testament idolatry is defined as covetousness:
Colossians 3:5 KJV: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Ephesians 5:5 KJV: For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Covetous Christians who do not repent will not inherit the Kingdom of God: the TOTAL dominion of God’s character and power in the spirits, souls and bodies (1 Thessalonians 5.23) and the consequent release and manifestation of the power of the Spirit without measure that the Lord Jesus had (John 3.34, 14.12).
God says rebellion of heart is as witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry:
1Samuel 15:23 KJV: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Why?
Satan uses rebellious and stubborn hearts as an avenue or portal or platform through which to release His power into the earth to counterfeit and distort God’s purpose.
In particular, the Word of God says we should prosper EVEN AS our souls prosper, but rebellious and stubborn Christians want to prosper irrespective of the prosperity of their souls; then Satan can release his power through the soul (mind, will and emotions) and words of that Christian to cause him/her to prosper physically without God’s approval:
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This truth is further confirmed by the following scriptures:
3John 1:2 KJV: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Here, the scripture tells us that we should prosper financially and materially to the same degree our souls are prospering. The soul is the will, mind and emotions: a prosperous soul has a humble will: submitted to the will of God; a mind renewed with revelation knowledge (Ephesians 1.17-23); and emotions controlled and tempered by the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5.22)!
Psalms 73:3-6 KJV: For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (4) For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. (5) They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. (6) Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
The wicked spoken of here are not just sinners; they also include Christians who despise and ignore instructions:
Psalms 50:16-17 KJV: But unto the wicked God saith, what hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? (17) Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Matthew 15:8 KJV: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
God defines the wicked as those who speak God’s Word but hate and ignore instruction stubbornly!
Here the scripture shows that the wicked can and do prosper.
Furthermore, it says that are not in trouble like other men; why?
This is so because Satan who is giving them the prosperity does not attack them, as they are useful to him.
In our article next week, we will see in more detail why and how to overcome this very subtle idolatry and passive witchcraft Satan is using to thwart God’s purpose in the church for us to grow into the perfection and fulness of Christ by keeping us as spiritual children through the distraction of a distorted prosperity message:
Ephesians 4:11-15 KJV: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
