Paul's Warning Against Witchcraft to the Galatians
Paul's words to the Galatians serve as a reminder to all of us that we must stay focused on the things of the Spirit and not be swayed by false teachers or our own desires. We must contend for the faith and not be overcome by the schemes of the enemy. We must stand firm in the truth of the gospel and not be bewitched by the lies of the enemy.
The Galatian church was overcome by witchcraft. Let's examine what happened. Paul wrote, "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). This verse is an expression of astonishment and exasperation on the part of Paul toward the Galatians. He is questioning how they could have been so deceived and led astray from the truth of the gospel that Jesus Christ had taught them.
He reminds them of how clearly the truth was presented to them, even to the point of Jesus being crucified among them, yet they have chosen to follow a different path. It's amazing to see an entire church fall under a spell of witchcraft. The Galatians could have been misled by false teachers who were preaching a different gospel than the one that Jesus taught. These false teachers likely presented their message in a convincing way that the Galatians could not resist. They may also have had a strong presence in the community and used their influence to persuade others to share their beliefs. This happened when Phiip went down to Samaria. Additionally, the Galatians may have been easily swayed by their own desires rather than standing firm in the truth of the gospel.
The apostle Paul taught about walking in the Spirit. He wrote, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be. As a result, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8).
Paul is teaching that our minds and actions should be focused on the things of the Spirit, not on our own desires or the desires of the world. He warns that if we are carnally minded, our minds will be in opposition to God and His laws, and we will not be able to please God. He is reminding the Galatians of the importance of being spiritually minded and not allowing themselves to be led astray by false teachers or by their own desires.
Paul had seen the dangers of a carnal man opening doors of opportunity for demonic spirits to attack. He wrote, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
All of us should remember that the Church must contend for the faith. The Galatians were probably deceived by false teachers and their own carnal desires, leading them astray from the truth of the gospel. The apostle Paul spoke out against this deception, reminding them of the importance of remaining spiritual and not being led astray by legalism or the flesh. He also warned that if they were carnally minded, they would not be able to please God and that they must contend for the faith.
© Your partner,
Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com
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