MAGIC – is it real?
For clarification; no, we are not discussing stage magic, or illusions.
What we are discussing is the effecting of one’s surroundings by other than physical means.
From my own perspective and my own history, I will say that Yes, magic is real.
Let’s face it though, most of you reading these words don’t know me from Adam. So, rather than ask you to take my word for it, or telling you of things done when I was on the magic paths; Let us look to the Bible instead. We will start out in the book of Exodus. You will note that when Aaron cast down his rod as the Lord had instructed it became a serpent. At this juncture, the Egyptian magicians did likewise using magic.
Exodus 7
8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. Looking at this passage, Christians, you should first realize that this did not take God by surprise that the magicians involved here had those enchantments. This was a direct power to power confrontation, and Aaron’s rod overcame all the others. We see this theme played out in the plagues that were sent upon Egypt. Where the magicians were able to reproduce the effects that our Lord had caused as He kept increasing the difficulty and power required.
In Exodus 7again;
19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. Eventually, it came to pass that the Magicians serving Pharaoh could no longer duplicate what God had done, and they then recognized what was going on, even though Pharaoh did not.
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. The Lord has spoken rather strongly about His people needing to avoid using magic.. example:
Deuteronomy 18
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Moving forwards in time to the Acts of the Apostles….
We see Simon, The Sorcerer.
Acts chapter 8
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 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.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
So, from the Bible, the apparent verdict is in…. magic is real.
I grant you that it is a pale shadow compared to the power of God,as Simon came to realize,but it is a real force.