Should I fear witchcraft?
Question:
Hi,
I'm 17 years old. I have been struggling for months with this fear that is sometimes crippling and causes me to stay up all night.
For starters, I am terrified of anything that has to do with witchcraft or the supernatural. I try to stay as far away as I can. The problem is I still fear being attacked by some kind of spirit or harmed in my sleep, or, worse, harming someone I love.
What started the fear was when I heard about something called the witching hour that happens at 3 am when witches and demons are supposedly strong and powerful. I'm shaking just writing this. I know it sounds silly, but it's been taking my sleep away for some time. I'd like to believe God would never let something harm me like that. While part of me doesn't believe in all that stuff about the witching hour, another part of me does because people talk about it on the Internet so much, including my friends. I probably sound so ridiculous rambling on! Especially being that I can honestly say I haven't gotten hurt or hurt anyone. But the fear is still there.
I guess my main question is: is this really something I should be alarmed about?
Answer:
The Bible refers to witchcraft in terms that indicate that it is based on lies and deceit. See: Is Witchcraft Real? People's imagination is powerful because we imagine things as being stronger than they really are. After all, imagination is not limited by physics and other real-world limitations. Your fears are from your imagination, not reality. Don't be gullible to Satan's tricks. "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (II Thessalonians 2:9-10).
People are fascinated by witchcraft for various reasons. Some want power over other people, whether it is real or imagined. Others love a good scare. No matter the reason, none means that witchcraft is real.
