Can a Christian practice Magic?

[evangelist6589]

Today while I was out witnessing after I had passed out several hundreds tracts I did some open air preaching. A man was doing a magic show and he claimed to be a Christian and so I confronted him and his so called magic in my preaching. He then started to heckle and really antagonize me. I probably should have then ignored him and focused on my audience whom left after me and this man started to debate. A security guard had to come and break it up. What amazed me is that a professing believer claimed to do magic and he really heckled me which indicated devils may have been at work in this man. Devils hate the gospel and those that preach it, so this man hated me. I think a reading of Revelation 22 will indicate that those that practice magic will not be in heaven. However the NIV may be wrong on this interpretation.

Rev 22:15 (ESV)-Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Rev 22:15(NIV)- Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

The ESV is more literal, however I wonder if the NIV is correct to a degree here. Can anyone whom has a familiarity with the Greek clue me in on this one? Thanks..


John

 

[jbh28]

Was he doing magic, or just illusions? Most "magic" shows are just illusions.

 

[Revmitchell]

Or maybe you should have never "confronted" him. Maybe he saw your "confrontation" as antagonizing him. There are consequences to our confrontation.

 

[annsni]

"Magic" is not magic at all but sleight of hand. It's a great thing to learn and certainly has nothing to do with sorcery or anything like that unless he was casting spells or something!! Honestly, I think you were a bit too judgmental in your assessment of him.

 

[evangelist6589]

"Magic" is not magic at all but sleight of hand. It's a great thing to learn and certainly has nothing to do with sorcery or anything like that unless he was casting spells or something!! Honestly, I think you were a bit too judgmental in your assessment of him.

I at first thought he was dabbling with the occult, but it appears he was not and so I left him alone. But he was ticked because I broke up his show and he was calling me names, which indicated he may have been a false convert given his strong reaction to my preaching. After the security guard came and broke it up and I had finished preaching (some 10 minutes later) he asked if I would be back the next day and I said I do not come out that often he said "darn" as he wanted to heckle me even more and when security was not around. I truly think that devils may have been at work in this man.

 

[evangelist6589]

Was he doing magic, or just illusions? Most "magic" shows are just illusions.

Illusions. But seriously what does a Christian belong doing that?

 

[annsni]

Illusions. But seriously what does a Christian belong doing that?

What's the problem? It's entertainment. No different than performing music or acting or any other performing art.

 

[evangelist6589]

What's the problem? It's entertainment. No different than performing music or acting or any other performing art.

What of the appearance of evil even though it may have not been real magic?

 

[annsni]

What of the appearance of evil even though it may have not been real magic?

What appearance of evil? Making a quarter appear out of an ear? I don't see that as too evil.

 

[evangelist6589]

What appearance of evil? Making a quarter appear out of an ear? I don't see that as too evil.

Read what the Bible says...

Magic in the ESV

Magic in the NIV

 

[annsni]

Read what the Bible says...

Magic in the ESV

Magic in the NIV

And is that the art of illusion that is being talked about - or sorcery? Modern "magic" is the art of illusion - quite different than sorcery and I believe most everyone knows that. I don't see a connection between the two at all.

 

[Revmitchell]

And is that the art of illusion that is being talked about - or sorcery? Modern "magic" is the art of illusion - quite different than sorcery and I believe most everyone knows that. I don't see a connection between the two at all.

Unless you have a legalist confrontational mentality

 

[evangelist6589]

And is that the art of illusion that is being talked about - or sorcery? Modern "magic" is the art of illusion - quite different than sorcery and I believe most everyone knows that. I don't see a connection between the two at all.

The appearance of evil! Come on both the ESV and NIV speak and condemn magic! Why make excuses for it? Its the appearance of evil, even if its not real.

 

[Revmitchell]

Being legalistic is evil

 

[Gorship]

What appearance of evil? Making a quarter appear out of an ear? I don't see that as too evil.

Gives illusion of quarter coming from ear
takes quarter invests in stocks
gets rich
claims he doesnt need faith

This is a "slippery slope"

/sarcasm

I think if your upfront that your doing tricks and not claiming to have any mystical abilities your not appearing to be evil.

if you drape yourself in black and pretend that you have some mystical gift to deceive people. Yes, your appearing to be evil.

.02 in the bucket.

 

[Revmitchell]

Some people are just looking for a problem to confront where there is none.

 

[Herald]

The appearance of evil! Come on both the ESV and NIV speak and condemn magic! Why make excuses for it? Its the appearance of evil, even if its not real.

Illusion is not magic or sorcery. The sorcery mentioned in the Bible appeals to Satan for its power. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is not magic. People may call it magic, but it is not magic. Now if he was casting spells, that is a different matter. But he wasn't doing that, was he?

 

[Gorship]

I think the NIV & ESV use magic cause its missing verses like they just up and vanished... you should use a KJV

just a little ribbing sorry. are we still friends?

 

[evangelist6589]

Some people are just looking for a problem to confront where there is none.

Like you? No I clearly stated in my open air sermon that I am not preaching a hate gospel, not unlike some that preach against Homosexuals and target them. Homosexuals will not be in heaven, but there is no reason for a believer to show hate towards them.

 

[evangelist6589]

Illusion is not magic or sorcery. The sorcery mentioned in the Bible appeals to Satan for its power. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is not magic. People may call it magic, but it is not magic. Now if he was casting spells, that is a different matter. But he wasn't doing that, was he?

No that I know of. However after having a long chat with my fiancé just know about the whole incident, she says I should not have argues with him like I did which turned some away whom had sat down to hear me preach. She also said he was way out of line in his attacking and reaction to my preaching, even after I apologized for calling him in league with satan. I did so after he told me he was doing tricks and not real magic.