By REV. DR. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Witchcraft thrives in Fayette/Clayton Counties. Now, don't go looking for an old woman scattering some bones on the ground with incantations. Believe me. You can see that sort of thing in many third world countries. Our witchcraft, however, subtly operates almost legitimately.

First, get hold of what God's Word says about the matter in Fayette County. The Prophet Samuel, in reproving King Saul for disobedience, declared: “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). King Saul had simply tried to usurp the authority of God. God told Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. Saul thought he had a better idea: he would keep some of the spoil of battle and spare the life of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. Bad idea. It's the idea that cost Saul his throne.

Why would the God-inspired prophet say that Saul's rebellion against God's authority was as the sin of witchcraft? Because witchcraft or divination attempts to control a set of circumstances rather than submit to established, legitimate authority.

The good news in all this mess in which Saul found himself was that he did not question the Prophet Samuel's authority to rebuke him. Listen to Saul's confession: “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice” (V. 24).

Do you know what's happening in church after church after church in our community and its environs? God called and God appointed pastors are being forced to listen to the people and conjure up “church” the way the people want it or be forced out of town. I know! There is a systemic rebellion that's pervasive in our community. This witchcraft-like rebellion has silenced pastors from speaking on controversial subjects; it has limited many churches to smallness due to control of a few; it has hindered the progress of unity by keeping members inside the four walls of the church hut.

Mark Rutland, now president of Southeaster College in Lakeland, Fla., served as missionary in Africa. When asked if he was afraid because of all the witches and warlords, he responded, “It's more frightening to pastor an American church because in Africa you can tell the witches by their feathers but in America it's not as easy to identify them.”

Yet, many believers in the south metro are discovering the blessedness of unity in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. More and more churches are also honoring the God-called leader and are moving mightily into the devil's territory.

There's no doubt in my mind, influenced by the Word, that one of the chief strongholds that must be uncovered and defeated in our community is rebellion. Let's unite more to cast down this mighty stronghold.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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