Since the Middle Ages, witchcraft has inhabited the margins of myth and fairy tale, often depicted as a craft bound to the devil—a dark emissary of Satan. Yet even stripped of its mythological trappings, the concept lingers, not in folklore, but in the behavior of the oppressive people. Witches were historically cast as enemies of the living, and biblical references suggest they were viewed not merely as superstitious figures but as manifestations of one of humanity’s many destructive vices.
Like other sins, witchcraft was considered one of the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19–21), implying that its seeds might exist in everyone. Identifying a witch was thought to require divine insight. But if witchcraft is fundamentally anti-life—if it seeks to suppress, undermine, and destroy—then anyone who acts against life, particularly through oppression, shares in its spirit. Whether aware of it or not, all who suppress others ought to be regarded with the same gravity as those once accused of witchcraft.
At its core, witchcraft has always been about control. Throughout history, two opposing personality types have emerged. In ancient times, when sorcery and divination were widespread, these tendencies surfaced in both witchcraft and the healing arts. Communities oriented toward survival and the common good—dedicated to healing and elevation—tended to reject oppression just as they rejected sorcery.
Those who practice witchcraft, in spirit if not in name, often seek to diminish others and keep them in a state of subjugation. This impulse is rooted in jealousy, and jealousy is rooted in pride. By observing human behavior closely, one can detect the traits of the would-be wizard. They exist in every race and class. Astonishingly, they are even found within Christian congregations. Sometimes they are celebrated as trendsetters, praised for virtues they do not possess.
Look closely at any society, and you will find those who frown at progress and quietly savor failure. Share any good tidings of a promotion, and it may cost them sleep—or even their health. The only thing that restores their spirits is the misfortune of another. They are harbingers of bad news, not bearers of hope. While it may be understandable to wish harm on those who inflict great suffering, others harbor such desires out of mere envy. Some people feel threatened by the success of others and find solace only in their downfall.
These individuals are often masters of hypocrisy, skilled at gaining the trust of the unsuspecting. Outwardly, they may appear virtuous, even celebrating your achievements and posing as true friends. But behind closed smiles simmers resentment, and quietly, they scheme. This behavior is rooted in a tendency to rank human worth—some elevated, others diminished. At its heart lies pride: the belief that only they deserve to rise.
This mindset is surprisingly common, even among Christians, making true suppressors difficult to identify. Ironically, some who loudly condemn oppression are known to practice it themselves. It becomes nearly impossible to point fingers, for nearly everyone bears some trace of this tendency. In a fallen world, there are no pure heroes or an absolute villain—only shades between, regardless of which pole we lean toward.
People are capable of both tenderness and tyranny. The spirit of cruelty can coexist with the spirit of love. The more one seeks to pull others down, the more wicked they appear; the more kindness they extend, the more virtuous they seem. One may care for a few but harm the many; another may be strict with some while benefiting the majority. While the former should be condemned, the latter should be praised. This lens can help anyone reflect on their own actions, though it is a revelation that rarely appeals to the oppressive people themselves.
Suppressors often excel at wearing masks. They appear helpful while offering little of substance. They win the trust of the naïve and the uneducated, sustaining themselves on the loyalty of those they mislead. Truly compassionate people, by contrast, do not seek the spotlight, although many withdraw when challenged by those with power. Only a handful, steadfast in courage, stand their ground, ready to risk it all in the fight for justice, which isn’t always guaranteed within the legal world. This was the way of Jesus. Yet most cannot relate, distracted by the spectacle of the oppressive people with power.
Progressive ideals are often buried beneath distorted expressions of Christianity. Many who claim the faith struggle to embody genuine compassion, swept along by those who appear righteous but behave otherwise. Prosperity is frequently mistaken for proof of virtue, though it is often in affluent circles that oppressive tendencies flourish.
This is not to romanticize poverty. True compassion transcends material conditions. A genuinely kind person is never truly poor, for their commitment to others gives them immeasurable worth. Human value is not measured in possessions, but in the good one brings to others. Some acquire wealth by exploiting those around them. Many, in their ignorance, fail to see that a human life is worth more than any possession. This blindness often stems from life under suppression—an existence that erodes self-worth and, in turn, breeds oppressive behavior in others.
Under such weight, success is mistaken for material accumulation. Unaware of the trap, some may appear secure in wealth but remain bound by the same oppressive spirit. In this view, success is measured by gain, not by giving, as exemplified by Christ. And that is when a false gospel begins to creep in.
The apostle Paul warned Timothy of this very distortion:
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:3–10, ESV).
Sinfulness is not confined to the unchurched. It often thrives within religious circles—especially when faith is used to control and manipulate. In places like Zimbabwe, where poverty is widespread, many of the faithful are among the poor. Those most vulnerable to exploitation are the impoverished and uneducated. This is not to condemn them, but to sound an alarm. God’s truth is not found in material acquisitions.
What is urgently needed is the recognition that people matter more than commodities. Being poor or unschooled does not lessen one’s inherent worth. Money, provisions of land, and possessions—however valuable they seem—cannot compare to the value of a human soul. Every person is created in God’s image, yet few live as though they believe it. Confusion has clouded this truth.
Tragically, those in power have convinced many that some lives matter less than others. This is a lie. It is a worldview sustained by oppressive individuals who feed on the vulnerability of the poor and uneducated. The success of one should lift those who struggle; the burdens of the vulnerable should be borne by the fortunate. Those who understand this bear a sacred responsibility, even while ignorance remains widespread.
The gospel, at its heart, is about ending oppression and restoring dignity to the marginalized. Suppressive people resist this work, although appearing to be at the forefront of supporting it. They thrive on admiration rooted in the disparity of others, knowing that equality would strip them of their pedestal. Their influence feeds on the suffering of others.
And often, out of envy, the oppressed themselves admire the very figures who profit from their suppression. Flashiness is mistaken for success. But true success is measured not by attention drawn, but by lives lifted—not by handouts, but by the empowerment of others. No one is born superior or inferior. People flourish when they use their diverse gifts to raise one another, not to compete for status. Yet today, guarding positions by holding others back is too often the rule.
Those with privilege withhold their knowledge to avoid leveling the field with those who have less. This is far from the example of Jesus, whose name has long been co-opted by the oppressive, yet He died to reverse the oppressive mindset. Even in education, professors may chase admiration rather than labor for the common good.
Life among the elite can feel rewarding, but the instinct to protect that status often breeds suppression. Efforts toward equality often get overlooked because success is viewed as outshining others rather than lifting up those who are oppressed. Access to knowledge is restricted. Society remains stratified, reinforcing the myth that some are born superior—a notion Jesus came to dismantle.
The media often serve the interests of the powerful rather than the flourishing of the ordinary. Headlines amplify despair; stories that inspire peace and hope are sidelined. Those who tell uplifting truths are ignored or maligned, for control is preferred over freedom. Progress among the oppressed is perceived as a threat by the powerful.
This mindset has even infiltrated the field of medicine. Some treatments appear designed not to heal, but to maintain dependency. Out of ignorance, many of the oppressed people trust these systems without question. Like all professionals, doctors appreciate esteem and feel they deserve fair reward for their work, especially in a society that scorns the poor. But when the pursuit of status eclipses the call to serve, the system becomes oppressive. Few seem to care about the true worth of humanity.
The simple truth is that all people are born equal, fashioned in the image of God. To reject this truth is to invite the grave injustices that plague our world. Pride—disconnected from the Creator—fuels this resistance. Yet today, it is widely accepted that the educated are superior to the uneducated. In striving to maintain respect, many educators leave little room for truly transformative teaching.
What is often overlooked is that the educated bear a greater burden: the responsibility to teach others. Those who gain knowledge must remain humble. True teachers, as servants, carry the weight of guiding the uneducated. In doing so, they may face mockery, criticism, or mistreatment for introducing unfamiliar ideas to those viewed as not yet ready to receive them.
Jesus was mocked and killed for standing with the lowly, though He possessed all wisdom. He did not cling to status or condescend to those He taught. He demonstrated that those with knowledge bear a greater weight of responsibility (Matthew 7:1–4). The gravest error in doing God’s work is arrogance—the forgetting that no person is more or less deserving of respect than another.
A person becomes oppressive when they elevate themselves above others, regardless of the level of their learning. It’s just like someone practicing witchcraft, motivated by the urge to hold back anyone with the potential to surpass them. Similarly, it’s not right to entertain the notion of putting some people above others. No one is greater than Jesus, who bore the cross. All are equal, even if they may be unequal in knowledge and abilities.
Oppressive hearts still fail to see the value in those they consider beneath them, or in those who gain wisdom from them. This is why Jesus and the apostles were killed. Nothing has changed. The sin of humanity remains the belief that people are created unequal. This lie is the root of witchcraft and every evil in the world.
In the end, the two opposing characters will be separated, just as Jesus describes in Matthew 25:32–46. Learning to recognize them allows true Christianity to shine—guiding ordinary people to see clearly and respond with wisdom. Those who strive to bring about such change are called children of God, even if their path seems unattractive to a world that tends to side with the oppressors. Everyone is invited to share in this meaningful mission.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the string of unworkable solutions that have led to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99