The Reality of Magic | January 18, 2026

The Setup: A Magician Meets True Power

Sermon number twenty-one took a turn many did not expect, and Pastor Justin walked us through Acts 8:9-13 to address the reality of the demonic and the occult, something Scripture takes far more seriously than modern culture does. The passage introduces Simon, a magician who had amazed all of Samaria for years, so much so that people called him the power of God that is called Great, until Philip arrived preaching the gospel and even Simon himself believed and was baptized.

Pastor Justin was direct that what Scripture calls magic here is not sleight of hand or stage illusion, it is real spiritual power drawn from a source other than God. He brought that reality into the present day, describing the popular artist Skrilla's public devotion to Santeria, a syncretic religion blending Yoruba beliefs with occult ritual, and noting how openly some contemporary musicians credit demonic practices for their success and influence.

Ephesians 6:10-20 gave the sermon its theological center, reminding us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil, and calling believers to put on the full armor of God rather than dabble in anything claiming supernatural power apart from Christ. 1 Peter 5:8 and Leviticus 19:31 reinforced the warning to stay far from mediums and sorcery, since our adversary prowls like a roaring lion looking for an opening.

Pastor Justin also pointed to Matthew 8:16 and the account of the demon possessed man in Mark 5:1-20, whom Jesus delivered from a legion of unclean spirits, to show that Jesus' authority over the demonic has never changed. He addressed a common question directly, explaining that a genuine Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since the Holy Spirit already indwells them, but that believers can still be oppressed when they harden their hearts and flirt with occult practices like tarot cards, crystals, or Ouija boards.

He named a specific modern danger as well, warning the congregation about teachings from Bethel Church around practices like grave soaking and reclaiming spiritual anointings from the dead, calling these ideas dangerously close to occult concepts dressed up in Christian language. 2 Chronicles 30:8-9 called listeners not to be stiff necked but to yield themselves fully to the Lord.

Pastor Justin was personally transparent, confessing his own ongoing struggle with cursing after years of clean speech, admitting that reintroducing something he thought was harmless has become a genuine battle that his own children now have to call out in him.

He closed by reminding the congregation that whatever power the enemy claims, it is nothing compared to the gospel, and that Simon's amazing tricks could not compete with the real power of God at work through ordinary, Spirit filled believers.

This Week's Application

So this week, is there anything in your life, entertainment, curiosity, or otherwise, that flirts with spiritual power outside of Christ? We would love for you to join us this Sunday as we continue walking through Acts together.