Sorcery
Definition
The act of seeking supernatural help, intervention, or support outside of God, God’s will, God’s word, or God’s power.
There is a real danger of Sorcery. And for those of us that enjoy the fantasy magic found in fairy tale stories, especially in popular fiction, we must be able to clearly express the difference between harmless fantasy, and Real World Sorcery.
For warnings against Sorcery are found in scripture. Two examples are in Malachi 3:5 and Revelation 22:15. The Bible does not dismiss Sorcery as simply middle ages mumbo jumbo, but rather addresses it as a real danger to those seeking entry to God’s Kingdom.
So we must take Sorcery seriously as a sin to be avoided. And at the same time help to prevent to confusion between fairy world magic, with comic book sorcerers in pointed hats. Separating fantasy from true Sorcerers that may appear very normal, sophisticated, and might even carry Bibles, as they seek to gain control over the mind and will of those that they wish to make into slaves to serve them.
Examples
Seances: this involves seeking out spirits for information, or simply to contact spirit beings. This would clearly fall under the banner of Sorcery.
Ouija Boards: this involves seeking supernatural help for answers outside of God.
Hypnotism: while some might not agree that this falls under the banner of Sorcery and Witchcraft, the key to Hypnotism is to be under the Will and Control of the mind and will of another, that is a dangerous practice. Self-Hypnotism is a somewhat different practice. But a good rule of thumb is that anything that opens the control of your will, up to the direct influence and control by the will of another—this is Sorcery, or something that skates very close to it.
Talismans: a talisman can be almost anything. They key to it being a Talisman is that you have given an inanimate object the qualities of an animate object, acting, thinking that it has a power or will that can aid or guide or bring you luck in some fashion. I’m not talking four leaf clovers, or rabbits foot "good luck charms", at least not if you are able to discern that these are truly inanimate objects. What I have in mind are items like crystals used by New Age groups. And skulls, bones, or other animal parts that are thought to bring power to an individual. Basically any object that is held to be able to bring power, luck, etc., outside of God. Again, we are talking about strong linkage to Idolatry.
Sources
http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/youngeagle/SORCERY.htm
