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All (10) Mike Winger (10)
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-17

Old Testament law assigns different penalties to different sins, which itself demonstrates that God does not treat all sin the same.

Mike begins his Old Testament survey by pointing to the differentiated penal codes in the Mosaic law.

Exodus 22 sin Old Testament law penalty
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Praying to the dead is forbidden — the 1 Samuel 28 (Saul/Samuel) incident is a divine rebuke, not a model; this applies to Catholic prayers to saints

Question from Elizabeth about 1 Samuel 28 (Saul consulting the medium to contact Samuel) and Catholic prayers to Mary and saints.

1 Samuel 28 1 Thessalonians 4 Mary Roman Catholicism Samuel
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Fantasy magic vs. actual witchcraft: the distinction matters for whether a video game element is spiritually dangerous

Applying principles to the specific RPG magic question

Christian ethics video games witchcraft
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Putting out a fleece (asking God for a sign) is not inherently wrong but carries dangers of presumption and heart projection.

Question 5 from AZF Stories about whether Christians should ask for signs like Gideon's fleece.

Judges 6 Gideon signs Judges 6
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What powers do demons have? From Scripture: possession (even multiple demons), controlling actions, causing insanity (Mark 5), influencing thoughts (Satan put it in Judas's heart to betray Jesus — before possession), inspiring false doctrines ("doctrines of demons"), receiving worship through false religions and idol worship.

Q&A — demonic powers and abilities

1 Timothy 4:1 demon possession 1 Timothy 4:1 demonic powers
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

First-century magic (witchcraft) forced the gods' will to obey the practitioner. A distorted Mark 11 teaching that sources miracles in MY will rather than God's will moves into the realm of magic, not prayer.

Historical context: prayer vs. magic in the first century

Word of Faith Word of Faith magic vs prayer
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?: What do you say to people who claim that the name Jesus really means “hail Zeus”? They say one is unknowingly doing witchcraft by using the name Jesus. Why didn’t His name just continue as Yeshua?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-01

Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?: My friend of 15 years started practicing witchcraft. I ended our friendship because I felt unsafe. Was I wrong to do that? Can I still be close friends with her? What Scripture can I take to her?

Q&A question: Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?

occult
Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

DND, Harry Potter, etc.: The Bible is clear about its stance on sorcery and witchcraft. My husband and I play DND and some people were having an issue with this and potentially also with books containing magic. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: DND, Harry Potter, etc.

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?: Galatians 5: 20 uses “witchcraft.” The word is only used 2 times in the Bible, with the origin word being where we get pharmacy/medicine. Can you clarify? I grew up learning this was literal and still applies.

Q&A question: Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?

Galatians 5 Galatians 5