If responding to the spirits and the use of charms is wrong for the Christian, then we may naturally ask the question, "What protection is there for the Christian?" What protection is there for my crops in the fields? When my neighbors find out that I have nothing to do with the spirits, they will not be afraid to come to my fields and take my crops. What protection will I have if someone puts a spell on me? Let us look at what the Scriptures have to say about this subject.
First of all, we must make the point that seeking power is wrong. When we try to get power for ourselves, whether it is for protection, health, or success, it puts us at the center. True Christianity puts Christ at the center and makes nothing of us. Seeking power for personal advantage is therefore wrong and opposed to the Christian life. It is of Satan and he is the one that tries to get both believers and unbelievers occupied with it in order to rob God of His glory, for all true power rightly belongs to Him.
In Luke 4:6, Satan speaking to the Lord Jesus said, "All this power will I give thee... for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it." Even though all power belongs to God (Psa. 62:1111God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. (Psalm 62:11)), the Lord Jesus, the Creator and rightful owner of everything, never disputed Satan's claim for in his rebellion he is permitted to wield power in the world at this time. He is called the "prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" in Eph. 2:22Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2). So, we see that Satan uses power for his own advantage and this power is real in the world. In Luke 4, he offered power to the Lord Jesus if He would worship Satan this is what is behind his use of power. He seeks his own glory and wants to rob God of His rightful glory. And the pride of man is forever causing him to seek power for his own glory. We see an example of this in Acts 8:1919Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:19), where a man named Simon, who was a sorcerer, offered money to the apostles in order to obtain the power to lay hands on people and give the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was denounced as wickedness and iniquity. There are some who seek to use the Bible or other "holy" things in this way as an object of power today. Others claim that the Spirit of God is a force or power that can be used to personal advantage. Witchcraft and sorcery are used to wield power in many parts of the world. But this is all wrong and the Christian is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it. In 1 Sam. 4, we are told how the Children of Israel tried to use the ark of God as an object of power. They believed that it, not the Lord, would save them out of the hand of their enemies. But they were wrong and many were slain and their enemies captured the ark of the Lord.
But what is the Christian's position to be with regard to power? To answer this, let us look and see what the Scripture says about the work of our Savior on Calvary's cross. Upon completion of that work and after His resurrection, He said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:1818And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)). Thus, all rightful power today is delivered into the hand of the one who loved us so much that He died for us. In Col. 1:1313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13), we are told that God has "delivered us from the power of darkness" and in Acts 26:1818To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18) we learn that we are turned "from the power of Satan unto God... by faith." In 1 John 4:44Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4), we are told, "greater is he that is in you [the Holy Spirit], than he that is in the world [Satan]." So, we learn from these verses that Satan and his demons have no further power over us once we are saved. But, what about threats from our fellow man? What does Scripture say about protection in this world?
We will take up this subject in greater detail in the chapter on Faith versus Fear, however, it is absolutely necessary that we begin by understanding what the Scripture says about the Christian's relationship to power. Simply put, we have no power of our own. This is the Christian's strength, for we are called to rely completely upon the Lord, and His power is limitless. As believers, we have the unimaginable gift of a new life that is the undying, perfect life of Christ Himself. However, we are told that this treasure is kept in these bodies, referred to as earthen vessels, "that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:77But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)). To God be all the glory and all the power it is His by right! The Lord Jesus told his disciples in John 15:55I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5), "without me ye can do nothing." The apostle Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:1010Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10), "when I am weak, then am I strong."
Scripture is everywhere consistent on this point. We have no power of our own. But does that mean the Christian is defenseless? No, it doesn't! All the power of God is for us and He cares for us. In Ephesians 1:18-2018The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:18‑20) we are told, "that ye may know... what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." Was there ever power like that power that raised Christ from the dead? No, it was the greatest power this world has ever known, greater even than the power that called the world and universe into existence. And it is that same mighty and exceeding great power that God now has for us and wants us to know. We learn further that it is according to that same divine power that He has, "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:33According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)). There is nothing required, either for living in this world, or for our spiritual lives as Christians that His power will not supply. If that is true, then what can man do to us if God does not directly allow it? Absolutely nothing! Notice the language in Rom. 8:31, 3231What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31‑32), "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Can we ever doubt the God who gave so much to bring us to Himself? Is He unable to preserve us from those who would harm us? To doubt Him is either ignorance of what He Himself has promised in these verses from His Word, or else it is unbelief of the worst kind!
We will come back to personal deliverance we must get our focus and trust off ourselves and onto the Lord.
Summary: Man and demons are occupied with power for personal advantage including protection, health and success. This quest for power is absolutely wrong for the believer-it is self-centered and we must be Christ-centered.