13/06/2025
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." — Exodus 22:18 (KJV)
This command was given to ancient Israel as part of God's covenant law.
In the Hebrew context, the word translated "witch" ("mekhashephah") referred to a practitioner of sorcery, magic, or divination, often associated with rebellion against God and leading people into idolatry or demonic practices.
It was a theocratic society (God-ruled), where sin could be punishable by death because it directly threatened the spiritual and communal purity of God's chosen people.
The New Testament and Born-Again Believers
In Christ, the covenant changed. Born-again believers live under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, not the Mosaic Law. Let’s look at how this impacts our understanding:
1. We’re under grace, not the law
Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
John 1:17 – “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
2. Jesus calls us to love, not execute
Nowhere did Jesus instruct His followers to kill sinners or witches.
Jesus dealt with those possessed or under demonic influence with deliverance and compassion (see Mark 5:1–20 with the demon-possessed man).
Luke 9:54-56: When His disciples wanted to call down fire on unbelievers, Jesus rebuked them, saying: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
3. The battle has moved to the spiritual realm
Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness...”
Christians are called to discern and cast out spirits, not harm people (see Mark 16:17).
So What’s the Place of a Born Again Christian in Relation to This Verse?
A born-again Christian:
Does not seek to harm or kill anyone, even those involved in witchcraft.
Engages in spiritual warfare through prayer, the Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Loves the sinner but stands against the sin.
May pray for deliverance for those involved in witchcraft, and intercede that they come to know Christ.
Understands that the Old Testament law was a shadow of things fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 10:1).
Summary
> As a born-again believer, your place is not to enforce Exodus 22:18 literally, but to stand in the authority of Jesus to rebuke the spirit behind witchcraft, love the individual, and bring light where there is darkness.
If you're in ministry or planning deliverance services, it's important to approach such passages with the New Testament lens of Christ's love, power, and mission.
