"Is This Black Magic?" (Ephesians 6:12)

My wife and I enjoy watching magicians. One particularly talented magician was performing on the streets of Las Vegas. He deftly moved from simple card tricks to incredible illusions such as levitating and walking through an apparent glass window. As my wife and I scrutinized his performance, we were dumbfounded over how he could do all of this. We were wise to the usual tricks of deception and misdirection and yet, we were mystified. I turned to my wife and jocularly asked, “Is this black magic?”

We both laughed but there was still a lingering doubt. The next morning, I found one of my colleagues, who was also an excellent amateur magician. He was familiar with this Las Vegas magician and after I described some of his tricks, I nervously laughed and said, “We were wondering if this is black magic?”

My colleague smiled and said, “If you have enough money, there is almost nothing you can’t make appear like magic!” He went on to explain how elaborate sets are constructed to give the illusion of magic. Combined with very skillful misdirection, many magicians have become high-tech technicians. The street magicians and performers do not channel Satan’s powers but they are extremely clever.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

It was only mentioned in jest, but black magic, the occult world, and the power of Satan and his demons are very real. In the 21st century, the world dismisses the notion of Satan and demons as mythology, akin to believing that gods and goddesses live on Mt. Olympus. But the Bible is very clear and blunt about the reality of this dark world. Jesus Christ has already defeated them by His death and resurrection on the Cross. Satan his demons are powerless against the Word of God.

Confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior will grant us eternal salvation. Through God’s Holy Spirit, a believer will alway prevail over the occult power of Satan. There is nothing to fear when God is on our side.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.