The CANA article on Wicca and Witchcraft does not address the question of whether casting spells work, and since I am often asked this question, I decided to answer it and make it a stand-alone article.
The short answer is that nobody, including those practicing witchcraft, can cast spells that actually have an effect. The sad truth is that the person casting spells is in bondage to darkness and is subject to demonic influence and harm, not the person/s having a spell cast on or against them.
Why It Appears to Work
It may seem the spell has an effect for different reasons:
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- It could be coincidence
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- It could be that the outcome was already planned, known, or inherent in the situation and so there is nothing supernatural about what happens; the causes are natural.
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- There is also the fallacy of the false cause, or the fallacy of believing that because b happens after a, then a caused b. Example:
Someone casts a spell for a person’s car to break down. The car breaks down but would have broken down anyway since there was a problem with it; it just happens to break down after the spell.
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- It can be a false claim; that is, someone can claim they cast a spell for something to happen or to get something after there is a positive outcome when they actually did not do such a spell.
- In some cases it could be demonic. What seems to be supernatural is actually due to a demonic source. Example:
One time when I speaking to some teens about the occult, one girl told me that at her school a girl who said she was a witch cast a spell on a teacher she didn’t like. I don’t know what the spell consisted of, but later the teacher got cancer. A lot of the students thought this was from the spell, and I was asked if this was possible. I told her no, that nobody has power like that. My thinking, based on the slim information I was given, is that when the girl cast the spell, demons knew the teacher was already sick — maybe she had had some medical tests. Later, when it came out that she had cancer, it appeared as though it came from the spell.
Or it could be the girl calling herself a witch claimed she cast a spell on the teacher after the news of the teacher’s cancer was known, which would mean she was just making a false claim.
Due to their involvement in occult practices, which is denounced by God, and worship of false gods (Goddess, and/or gods), those in witchcraft have spirit guides (just as those practicing New Age and other occult activities do), so it is not surprising they would get some information or assistance from these fallen angels. This writer experienced it as an astrologer and knows firsthand of multiple cases with others with spirit guides who seemed to have supernatural knowledge or special powers while she was in the New Age and since becoming a Christian.
Witches usually state they do not cast spells to do intentional harm and have guidelines such as the Wiccan (or Witches’) Rede, “An it harm none, do what thou wilt,” or that whatever type of spell one casts, it comes back to you threefold. However, some involved in witchcraft may do so anyway.
No Power, No Fear
The bottom line is that nobody has power to cast a spell. It is similar to the idea that nobody has power to curse anyone or anything. Please see CANA articles on curses and on the evil eye and supposed amulets against it.
It is also good to remember that God does not tell Christians to fear Satan or demons. Christians are to be sober-minded, prayerful, and watchful, not afraid. If one’s confidence is in God and one is trusting him, then there is no need to fear. This is what spiritual warfare is: it is about trusting God and standing firm on the truth. It is not actions that are ironically similar to witchcraft, such as pouring “holy water” on places or objects, repeating formulaic prayers that supposedly “cleanse” a place to keep demons out, actions that allegedlly “break” curses or spells, or anything similar. Those methods do nothing and, furthermore, they are as occultic as casting a spell.
A witch or Wiccan is foremost a person made in the image of God who needs Christ; they need Christians willing to share Christ with them, not someone who fears or avoids them. See published CANA article in the Christian Research Journal on witnessing to those in the occult.
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” Isiah 26:3
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