Acts 19:11-20

Magic is not real, but “magical thinking” is. “Magical thinking” refers to the belief that an event will occur because of another event, without any proven cause or effect relationship.  Believing that our thoughts or actions, including spoken words or the use of symbols, can alter reality without a causal link is “magical thinking.”

The people of Ephesus believed in magic.  Magical thinking was a natural way for them to view everything happening in their lives.  Their magical thinking and superstition had them in bondage to wickedness, and evil.  It caused them to believe a cloth touched by Paul would have healing power.  God in his mercy took pity on them; He healed many at the same time setting them free from evil spirits.

When seven Jewish brothers tried to use the name of Paul and Jesus like magic to drive out evil spirits, they learned a painful lesson.  The name of Jesus is not magic.  Just saying the name does not give anyone the power to drive out evil.  The evil spirit beat the men up and they ran from the house naked and bleeding.  The people of Ephesus learned that the power of Paul’s ministry did not come from a magical use of the name Jesus; it came from a righteous relationship with Jesus.  The source of power was not a name; it was a person.

Many of those who came to believe in Jesus, recognized the sinfulness of their magical thinking, and they confessed their sins.  They burned their sorcery scrolls, worth millions, publicly, just as a drug dealer becoming a Christian would destroy his drugs instead of selling them.

Magical thinking is unrighteous.  Believing we can use certain words, names, spoken prayers, special anointing oil, money, or prayed over objects, to affect reality, cure sickness or gain wealth, is magical thinking.  God may have mercy on superstitious, magical thinking people for a while, but not forever.  We cannot manipulate God like magic. A relationship with God is our only access to God’s power.