SUFFER NOT A WITCH TO LIVE

Witches are portrayed as ugly, evil looking beings, commonly dressed in tattered black clothes, flying on broomsticks, scouting for the downfall of innocent beings. Witchcraft is generally referred to as the art of using the demonic realm to control and manipulate people and their circumstances.
Under Jewish theocracy, the punishment for being a witch is death. The title of this message is taken from Exodus 22:18. It is one of the instructions in the Old Testament.
Today, in line with the above Biblical passage, we usually pray that any witch around us, either flying, resting or about to take off, should die! It is a very good prayer because the act of witchcraft is wickedness in the extreme. It's ultimate desire is the destruction of life.
But as we pray to kill all the witches around us, have we stopped to ponder who actually are those that practice witchcraft, so that when they eventually die, we would be able to recognise them?
Since, as Christians we believe that we should not suffer a which to live, it is also good as Christians, to turn to the Bible to tell us what witchcraft is all about.
When Phrophet Samuel was reprimanding King Saul for not carrying out God's instruction in totally destroying the Amalekites, he (ProphetSamuel) said, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. "(1 Samuel 15:23).
From the above it is very clear and glaring that one does not need to wear black clothes, look ugly and fly on a broomstick to be seen as engaged in witchcraft. All that qualifies one to practice witchcraft is to be rebellious or disobedient to God. Disobedience to God is witchcraft. Idolatry is witchcraft. Blasphemy is witchcraft.
Whenever we go against any of the commandments of God, we have engaged in witchcraft.
Whenever a public officer embezzles public fund, the person has engaged in witchcraft.
Whenever a pastor uses the name of God to manipulate, intimidate and coerce people to part with their money, the pastor is practising witchcraft.
Whenever we tell lies against our neighbour, try to intimidate them in any way or use our power against them, we are practising witchcraft.
Whenever we try to take undue advantage of anyone, anywhere we are engaged in witchcraft.
Whenever we participate in or take any decision that will negatively impact on others, that is witchcraft.
So, before we suffer not a witch to die, let us first kill the witchcraft in us by first asking God for forgiveness. If we fail to ask for forgiveness, and go ahead to pray that all witches/wizards must die, we should remember that God answers all prayers. We must be careful of what we are asking for.
Written by: Chux Ubani