But he that doeth truth cometh to the light
Dear Brother Jean-Luc
I just read your testimony (long version).
Is God faithful or what!
I was trying to figure out how The Bible treats the word witchcraft and I believe your use of 1 Samuel is right on the money!
{The only thing that does matter is this... "Rebellion [against God] is as the sin of Witchcraft..." (1 Samuel 15:33 - KJV)}
"And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger." (2 Chronicles 33:6) KJV
"And he hath caused his sons to pass over through fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and observed clouds and used enchantments and witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and a wizard; he hath multiplied to do the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger." (2 Chronicles 33:6) YLT
I'm surly not well versed in this subject but here is my very limited knowledge of the word witchcraft. I think in the past, witchcraft was used in the English language for the knowledge and use of plants for healing like a modern pharmacist or medical doctor would do today. Also, I think at one time the word witch was used interchangeably with the word poisoner.
Anyway, The Harry Potter books are a pure hoot and, I believe, should not drive people away from Jesus any more than any other modern fantasies like the daily newspaper or political campaigns or sporting events or how to be happy through wealth building! The Holy Word of God and the fervent prayers of Godly men and women will trump the world every time! God Rules!
Just a thought or two
Meet you on the boards.
Meet you in the air!
Love, Joe
PS:
{but what made you reconvert to Christianity}
Jesus never left him!
In fact, no one can come to God unless God calls first!
God does call all but not all will except!
Man can not "convert" to the new birth!
The new birth is God's Work only!
John 3
5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
[9] Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
[10] Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
[11] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
[12] If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
[13] And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13)