3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.- Galatians 3:1

The strong words were well deserved. One translation even translates this to, “O you dear idiots of Galatia.” In calling the Galatians foolish, Paul did not mean they were morally or mentally deficient (the ancient Greek word moros had that idea and was used by Jesus in parables such as in Matthew 7:26 and 25:1-13). Instead, Paul used the ancient Greek word anoetos, which had the idea of someone who can think but fails to use their power of critical thought. The principles Paul is upset about the Galatians knew. They were taught these things. The knowledge and understanding were there, but they were not using them.

Paul didn’t mean the Galatians were under a spell literally, but their thinking was so clouded – and so unbiblical – that it seemed that some kind of spell had been cast over them. The ancient Greeks (hence the Galatians) were accustomed to and afraid of the idea that a spell could be cast upon them. The spell was thought to work in the way a serpent could hypnotize its prey with its eyes. Once the victim looked into the “spell”, a spell could be cast. Therefore, the way to overcome the evil eye was simply not to look at it. Paul encouraged the Galatians to keep their eyes always and steadfastly upon Jesus.

We do not speak of spells in witches much in our culture, but as Halloween nears, I am reminded that we too struggle with “spells.” One spell that was cast in my life at a young age was professional sports. Once you become a fan, there is no going back. The problem occurs when you begin to choose the spell (in my case, sports) over God. This is what the Galatians were doing.

We have many “spells” that tempt us today. There is entertainment, career growth, money, and much more that cast a cloud over our spiritual judgement. This is why I like the translation, “you dear idiots.” Sometimes we are idiotic in our priorities. It is SO EASY to put God last. In many cases, it makes sense. It makes sense to pay our bills before we give. It makes sense to work on Sundays if it means career growth. But Paul reminds us that what makes sense to us is “foolish” to God.

So the question is: is there a spell cast over you right now? Where can you submit your life to God and rightfully place him as first in your life?