Bewitched?
When I was a kid, a TV show went by this name. It involved a witch marrying an ordinary man. It was meant to be comedic with a twist.
In the show, the witch’s family members were unapproving of her marriage to an ordinary man, and thus they brought mischief with them whenever they came around. They would cast spells and cause chaos that had to be fixed before the show’s episode ended.
You see, the Bible uses the word bewitched in the New Testament, and it is not referring to psychics or any of the types of images the show Bewitched sought to portray.
Some believers are very concerned with the activity of those engaged in satanic and demonic things and how it might affect them personally or the church. But there is a more dangerous type of bewitching that is subtle and seemingly good and affects far more people than the types that would be obvious to most.
Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?
The bewitching occurring here in Galatians is one of how the Law is being used among believers in Christ who began well in faith in Christ alone but were being seduced by arguments for keeping the Law to prove their devotion and salvation and gain momentum spiritually.
Many bewitching the church with Law observance and devotion are well-intentioned in their efforts but are bewitching nonetheless.
Someone might ask, what is the danger of telling believers to live according to the works of the law?
The answer is simple. It is contrary to the true gospel of faith in Christ. It is a robber of faith.
Galatians 3:5 So again, I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
Many still today link the absence of miracles, signs, and wonders in the church to disobedience in some areas of the Law. They credit the failure to obey some clear command as the reason for God’s unwillingness to work supernaturally. But this is wrong thinking. Our best obedience is rooted in our faith in Christ alone for righteousness and justification.
Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. 11 Clearly, no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
To go under the Law for spiritual confidence is to put yourself under a curse. To trust in the Law is to trust your ability to become or maintain righteousness with God. That is against the Gospel and the New Covenant Jesus established with His blood.
It is this curse that the church should be most concerned with. It is the most prevailing curse at work, and it is subtle, and it is dangerous. It is robbing the faith of many. To be freed from such a curse, one must look to Christ alone through faith alone.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
I encourage you to be very deliberate about putting all your confidence in the finished work of Christ on your behalf. Miracles, signs, and wonders are not rooted in our performance. They are grounded in His promise in Christ. Jesus is the one who deserves all the credit. Jesus is the One who deserves all the praise because He is the One who did the work that makes us righteous with God’s own righteousness. Let’s be thankful for Him today and always.
