By Marsha West — Christian Research Network
Most Christians understand that witchcraft has its roots in paganism and that God admonishes His chosen ones to resist the temptation to participate in pagan practices. It’s imperative for Christians who hold a biblical worldview to do what God says. But sadly, numerous professing Christians are unfamiliar with what a biblical worldview is. They’re clueless that Scripture is the breathed-out Word of God. (2 Tim 3:16-17) All that matters is that they’re saved. What is willfully ignored is that the Bible is the absolute authority, the “only rule for faith and practice” Christians live by. So, it only makes sense that God’s people commit to read and study the scriptures; likewise, it’s imperative that the Bible comes to be a Christian’s final court of arbitration for making life decisions.
And yet so-called Jesus followers choose to ignore His very words, which are clearly stated in Scripture. Instead, they go through life rarely looking to the Lord for guidance. What they’ve created for themselves is “Have it your way Christianity.” These people see nothing wrong with cooking up a batch of Syncretism Stew that contains ingredients for a plethora of religious beliefs and refer to the odious concoction as “Christianity” or “Evangelicalism.” When a tried-and-true Christian attempts to steer them away from the mess they’ve made of their lives and point them to the Word of God, they become defensive. Since most of these people are unteachable, instead of going to the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures for wholesome ingredients to make a batch of Authentic Christianity, they create a stew lacking spiritual nourishment instead of heart-healthy Truth that sticks to the ribs and virtually guarantees to make believers strong in the Lord.
Which brings me to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift who’s a professing Christian. I admit that I’m not a “Swifty” fan. And I’m not inclined to listen to her music or follow her on social media (nor do I follow any entertainer). However, a friend insisted that her recent songs contain satanic and witchcraft themes. Hearing this drove me to YouTube where I discovered “Willow.” While I watched the production, I paid close attention to the lyrics so that I could discern whether or not Taylor Swift promotes witchcraft. After viewing that video several times I agree with my friend that “Willow” is teaming with witchcraft themes. Don’t take my word for it. Go to the link *below* and judge for yourself.
Popular Pagans
A few years ago, Taylor Swift posted the following on her Instagram account and had received 2,850,794 likes (by 12/15/2020):
Witches be like “Sometimes I just want to listen to music while pining away/sulking/staring out a window.” It’s me. I’m witches. Never fear, the “willow lonely witch remix” is here”.
Influencer and fan Freya Parker remarked about the song:
It is clear that “Willow” is dedicated to those of us who are lonely (and dramatic!) and love to zone out while we immerse ourselves in weepy, sad tunes. And it’s great to hear that Taylor is just like us!
This wouldn’t be the first time that Swift gets “witchy,” Taytay’s entire 2020 album evermore is chock-full of witch motifs and fully embraced the vibe of wooden cabins and special fairies. In fact, both evermore and folklore invoke imagery of the woods, wispy details, and feminine mystery. (Source)
Emily McFarland Miller of Religion News Service reveals what Swift posted about the “moonlit witch” remix:
Ever find yourself waiting for the signal & meeting someone after dark & happening upon a majestic coven in the woods? Me neither but do you want your (music) to make you FEEL like that?”
Ahead of the winter solstice, Swift also released several YouTube videos pairing those remixes with video of a burning Yule log. Many witches and pagans burn a Yule log on the winter solstice to brighten the longest night of the year.
McFarland Miller continues:
Ed Hubbard of Witch School, who welcomed Swift from its Twitter account, told Religion News Service after listening to “Evermore” he believes Swift has declared herself a witch.
That’s evident to Hubbard in the whimsy, the mournful sound and the themes of her latest album: self-forgiveness, self-healing, caring for one’s self and one’s own soul.
“All magic works very simply. It’s a matter of what’s in your will, your imagination, what you want to have in the world inside your head come out of your head and exist in the world,” he said. As recently as two years ago, Swift identified as a Christian.
More…
Interest in and identification as witches has soared in recent years, fueled by politics and female empowerment, Hubbard said, and Swift appears to have made that transformation as an artist. (Source)
Witchcraft, a.k.a. Wicca, is an occult tool. In Deuteronomy 18:9-14 the Lord declares that His people are not allowed to partake in the abominable pagan practices of other nations. To disobey is rebellion against God.
Listen Up Taytay!
If Taylor Swift is a born again Christian as she claims, then she must take her marching orders from King Jesus. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul lays the groundwork:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Those who practice the magic arts are out of God’s will. However, many professing Evangelicals take their marching orders from the god of this world, namely Satan. “Satan is the major influence on the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His influence also encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations, and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.”
Because Taylor has been dabbling in witchcraft it appears that she’s under the spell of the god of this world. What’s even worse is that this superstar could very well be guiding her adoring fans to the doorstep of the enemy of God where they very well could become possessed by evil forces.
David Wheaton, host of The Christian Worldview, said in a promotion of Alex Newman’s Behind The Deep State:
Diabolical evil has infested every cultural sector imaginable including the music industry, Hollywood, and even sports, explains The New American magazine’s Alex Newman. In fact, numerous leading figures in these industries have even spoken publicly about how they made a literal deal with the devil in exchange for success, fame, money, and more. It’s in the Super Bowl, the Grammies, and even in the music that is played endlessly on TV and radio. The impact of this evil on Americans and humanity is enormous.
No Laughing Matter
I’m not suggesting that Taylor is possessed by evil forces, i.e. demons, or that she has made a deal with the devil. But at the very least the music she writes seems to have been influenced by demons, likewise her videos and stage shows. When a Christian participates in occult practices such as witchcraft (Wicca), spell casting, fortune telling, crystals, astrology/horoscopes, contacting spirit guides (angels, ascended masters, entities), Lectio Divina (contemplative or centering prayer), numerology, the Ouija board, the Enneagram or any tool of the occult that God expressly forbids, they become a target for demonic oppression. Got Questions explains:
Demon oppression involves a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior. Notice that in all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer (Ephesians 6:10-18). Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out….Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Surely the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. It is unthinkable that God would allow one of His children, whom He purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to be possessed and controlled by a demon. Yes, as believers, we wage war with Satan and his demons, but not from within ourselves. The apostle John declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Who is the One in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one in the world? Satan and his demons. Therefore, the believer has overcome the world of demons, and the case for demon possession of a believer cannot be made scripturally. (Source)
The Bible teaches that believers were once damaged goods. We were lost in our trespasses and sins — and many of us were guilty of egregious sins. But none of the sins we committed is a hindrance to receiving God’s saving grace. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul applies the term “new creation” to those who are regenerate. “The New Testament has little to say about any of these but demands the new creature—a new creation. Nothing is sufficient except a definite change in the spirit of the man—a change that is so complete and radical that it must be spoken of as a creation, an act of supernatural Divine grace, which makes the creature new, and all life new with it. 2 Corinthians 5:17 In Christ a New Creation (biblehub.com)
But there are those who hate God and love evil, such as Mike Nichols, a proud Wiccan, who heralded, “I will continue to proclaim that I am a Witch, and I am Wiccan, for it means the same thing. It is my religion, and it is my craft. It is my life.”
What do modern day Wiccans practice and believe?
Wicca is a faith system that has no central organization or theological belief system defined for all of its adherents. It may be best understood through its typical practices, which include performing magic and sorcery, casting spells and engaging in Witchcraft. It is a ritualistic faith based on a loose set of pagan beliefs that are generally pantheistic in nature. Those who are involved commonly go through initiation rites for membership, teaching and leadership. Contrary to a widespread assumption, however, Wicca is not synonymous with Satan worship. Wiccans most frequently worship gods and goddesses that are found in nature. Wicca generally embraces the notions of karma and reincarnation and promotes a laissez faire form of morality.” (Source)
Wiccans celebrate eight season-based festivals. Typically, Wiccans worship the horned god and the triple goddess. “A key belief in Wicca is that the Goddess and the God (or the goddesses and gods) are able to manifest in personal form, most importantly through the bodies of Priestesses and Priests via the rituals of Drawing down the Moon or Drawing down the Sun.” (Source)
ReligionLink reports: “Wiccans are smashing stereotypes as their movement matures. Throughout the country Wiccans are organizing congregations and youth groups, training clergy, pursuing charity work, sharing pagan parenting tips, and fighting for their civil rights.” (Source)
Wiccan’s are fighting those who follow traditional mainstream religions. Pagan priestess Wendy Hunter Roberts offered this prayer: “I call out for protection of the Goddess’s people from the wrath of right-wing fundamentalists and their God.”
The media, including advertisers and book and magazine publishers, are lending their support to Wicca and Witchcraft. As one would expect, book sales have jumped dramatically since the late 1980s.
I’m Just Wild About Harry
The Harry Potter (HP) books, probably the best-known books on Witchcraft, have cast a spell on children. The Potter books fly off the shelves like broomsticks and have made the author, J.K. Rowling, a wealthy woman. Young and old alike read HP books and flock to theaters to watch the movies. When the books were popular parents purchased all the latest HP collectables for their youngsters. Not surprisingly on Halloween kids dressed up like the Potter characters. Rowling was masterful at promoting the idea that Harry and his friends are “good” wizards and witches who battle the forces of evil. As a result of HP’s popularity, youngsters became enchanted by Witchcraft and all things pagan.
If teens and tweens wish to learn about Witchcraft they’ll get their fill of it on social media, where they’ll be exposed to nature worship, magic potions, become schooled in casting unfriendly spells (hexes, curses, jinxes) and how to use incantations (words spoken to cast a spell). Is your child tired of being the victim and wants to fight back? “A Master in Black Magic can cast a spell to help you even the score!”
The above-mentioned occult practices supposedly influence circumstances and/or people. One site offers the Get Even Spell with this promise: “If you’re certain that a specific person has done you harm or wishes for your unhappiness, this is your chance to get even!
Hellywood Gets In On The Action
Hollywood has used its movie magic to promote Witchcraft and alter the public perception of witches for years. The 1930s classic “The Wizard of Oz” hit the silver screen to favorable reviews. The movie made a huge impact on the way people perceive witches. Today when you think of a witch, who springs to mind but Margaret Hamilton, the actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West. You remember her green face, pointy black hat, hooked nose with a wart on the end of it, and of course the broomstick she straddled as she streaked through the sky. Naturally there was a “good” witch, Glenda, who resembled a beautiful fairy princess.
Normalizing witchcraft has been going on for decades. In the 1950s “Bell Book and Candle” starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak was a big hit with audiences. In the 1960s “Rosemary’s Baby” scared the stuffing out of movie-goers. The 60s also ushered in one of the most popular television sitcoms of all time, Bewitched about an adorable witch married to a mortal. Bewitched aired for 8 seasons. The 1980s conjured up “The Witches of Eastwick.” That same year “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” won an Oscar for its visual effects. In the 1990s Tinseltown gave us “Practical Magic,” “The Craft” and “The Blair Witch Project.” Do you see where I’m going with this?
What’s The Big Deal?
It’s important to know about all the supernatural hullabaloo that has become such a huge temptation for the TikTok generation because God condemns such activities. Sure, it’s a bummer since playing around with potions and charms and spells can be fun. But the Lord keeps us from such things for our own good, not because He’s a party pooper who ruins the fun. The Father knows what’s best for His children. The Bible could not make it more clear sorcery is dangerous. Surprisingly, many folks aren’t concerned about the things God condemns. In the not-too-distant past, society frowned on dabbling in Witchcraft. Most Christians didn’t play around in it because they had a healthy fear of the Lord.
Why is it wrong to participate in a séance? I mean, what’s the big deal about contacting your deceased brother, or having an astrologer calculate the astrological compatibility between you and another person? Because the god of the underworld and his legions lurk on the other side of the protective guardrail put up by God. Once a person becomes ensnared by evil forces, it’s difficult to break free! In Ephesians 6:12 Paul alerted the Church who the real enemy is:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
To be fair, perhaps some people who fiddle around in the occult are babes in Christ and lack discernment which is not surprising as many believers are immature in their faith. Moreover, they’re not interested in studying God’s Word even though it’s the only way they’ll understand God and His ways. But it’s a fact that in our post Christian culture, those who say they love Jesus do not love the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures that contain His very words and teaching.
Why the Christian community chooses to remain on milk instead of graduating to solid food is a mystery to me. Hebrews 5:12-13 reminds: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.”
**Watch Taylor Swift’s “Willow”.
Related
Christians Have A Choice To Make: Paul Of Tarsus Or Taurus The Bull. Which Will It Be? by Marsha West
Does Taylor Swift CAST SPELLS On Her Listeners?!
Taylor Swift’s Dangerous Descent into Witchcraft Sorcery & Casting Spells — Doreen Virtue interviews Joe Schimmel
SWIFT WITCH — Slide the bar to the beginning and watch the video to the end.