Most folks have never met a witch doctor, I have met several. Really I have. In the bush of a thousand African villages, the most powerful person in town is the witch doctor. However, this is not the time in history to choose “witching” as a vocation. Those shamans I have met, have also met their match in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let me explain. As the Gospel goes from village to village, a new “boss” comes to town. The Lord (boss) Jesus is the Gospel, and His power disperses, dismisses, and destroys the powers of darkness. Where His light shines, darkness disappears.
In about 2003, Peter Silvanus (BWM staff) identified an area of NW Tanzania where his people, the Sukuma, lived in demonic darkness. 15,000 Sukuma, living under the rule and reign of witch doctors, became Peter’s mission. He and a friend went on prayer walks around several Sukuma villages, claiming them as territory belonging to Christ.
Make no mistake about it, evil is real and in Africa witch doctors hold power over the people.
However, as Peter and others of the BWM staff have preached the Gospel in these villages, there are nine churches in the territory they claimed for Christ. More than a thousand have been baptized. Why? Because it is a bad time to be a witch doctor.
I do have a point to be made here. Old ideas, traditions, and evil models for living will always yield to the Gospel. Witch doctors are burning their talismans, and joining the army that has the power-the church of the living God. This is the Hour of the Nations coming to Christ. The Gospel is dispelling the darkness on all continents. I’m telling you-it is not the time to intern or apprenticeship for witching. That day is over, the kingdoms of this world are becoming the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.
Can you apply this to your life, or to your culture? I hope so. America may look like it is going to hell in a hand basket, but if we too can believe the time of witching is over, then we can “prayer walk” our villages and see the light dispel the darkness.
Luther said it it best in his great hymn, “His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate. yet, we tremble not for him (Satan); one little Word shall fell him.”
Believe it, act like it, know it is a bad day to be a witch doctor….but a very good day to be a Christ follower! We have dominion. Live it out today, and witches will step aside making room for you.
