Witchcraft, divination, and sorcery. These mysterious practices seem like relics from medieval fairy tales. Yet the Holy Bible confirms that the spiritual forces of darkness are very real.
What does God say about witchcraft and related arts in His Word? Can practices like horoscopes, fortune-telling, or vision boards be harmless?
Below I unpack Bible verses on witchcraft to separate fantasy from spiritual truth.
Witchcraft and Sorcery Have Been Real Powers Since Ancient Times
The supernatural confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh’s sorcerers were not fiction.
With demonic aid, Egypt’s magicians turned their rods into serpents (Exodus 7:10-11), turned water into blood (Exodus 7:20-22), and replicated the plague of frogs through occult arts (Exodus 8:6-7).
The New Testament records that a slave girl in Philippi had a “spirit of divination” that enabled fortune-telling.
When the Apostle Paul cast out this spirit in Jesus’ name, her furious masters dragged Paul before authorities (Acts 16:16-21).
Indeed, sorcerers and witches still practice black magic arts today. Through mediumship, spell-casting, and altars, occult arts invoke spiritual forces.
The Bible confirms that God’s people wrestle with invisible powers (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
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All Witchcraft Originates from Demonic Sources
Moses’ confrontation in Egypt proves that evil spirits are behind all sorcery and magic. Though mystical practices seem alluring, the true source is darker than you may realize.
The Book of Deuteronomy reveals that practitioners of divination and witchcraft get their power from satan and his demons.
Whether white or black rituals, all occult arts originate from deceitful spirits seeking to harm us.
In fact, Scripture links the forbidden arts of fortune-telling, astrology, casting spells, and mediumship explicitly to “consulting the dead”.
While packaged positively today, these practices rely on interaction with deceiving demons – a grievous sin against our Maker.
“10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV)
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Dangers of Practicing and Seeking Witchcraft
Besides displeasing God, pursuing witchcraft and sorcery carries grave personal risks. Those engaging with deceitful spiritual forces open their lives to demonic oppression.
The book of 1 Samuel reveals how King Saul fell from God’s grace. Out of desperation to hear from the spirit world, Saul solicited a medium to conjure the spirit of the deceased Prophet Samuel.
Rather than find answers, this grievous sin cost Saul both his kingdom and his life.
In rebelling against God’s commands not to engage with darkness, the tragic example of King Saul serves as a sober warning.
When we place faith in occult rituals and guidance from demonic sources, we sacrifice God’s blessing and protection.
“Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV)
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Furthermore, Scripture warns the unrepentant practice of witchcraft jeopardizes your soul.
Through Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit asserts that sorcerers “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
If a person does not reconcile to Jesus Christ and instead commits their destiny to the occult they secure eternal separation from God.
Only through Jesus Christ can freedom from the darkness of the occult occur.
God Forbids All Forms of Witchcraft Regardless of Intent
In contemporary culture, public perception of mystic arts is deceptive. Practices like horoscopes, vision boards, or healing crystals are presented as recreational at best and self-empowering at worst.
However, Scripture makes clear that God defines all magical arts, white or black, as detestable sins.
Whether you realize it or not, dabbling in any practice God’s Word defines as occultism constitutes dangerous rebellion against Him.
In fact, under Mosaic Law practicing any form of witchcraft even warranted the death penalty.
“18 You shall not permit a sorceress to live.”
Exodus 22:18 (ESV)
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Later in Israel’s history, an outbreak of witchcraft evoked God’s righteous anger towards idolatrous rebellion.
“20 Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem…. 24 Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the Lord.”
2 Kings 23:20, 24 (NIV)
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With such severe judgments against magical arts in Scripture, no faithful believer can dismiss occult practices as trivial.
God is uncompromisingly opposed to all forms of sorcery and hidden arts.
Walking in God’s Light Safeguards Against Darkness
Despite mystical falsehoods promising secret knowledge, no real power exists apart from Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, striving against evil requires us to embrace genuine faith in Jesus.
The protection and victory Christ secures for believers surpass any Satanic imitation peddled within witchcraft. Through intimacy with God, Christians righteously gain access to the supernatural.
In fact, Scripture charges the Holy Spirit and God’s Word as the only reliable guides for believers. Rather than chase darkness disguised as light, humbly walk with Jesus day by day to equip you to overcome the deception of the devil.
“11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”
Ephesians 5:11-13 (NIV)
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Through an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, His Light overpowers witchcraft and exposes the fruitless vanity of all occult practices.
As you seek God concerning witchcraft and the supernatural realm, determine today to place your trust in Jesus alone. Only through Christ can you have victory over the powers of darkness.
Will you choose to walk in the Light?
Key Bible Verses on Witchcraft and Divination
For further study concerning witchcraft from a biblical perspective, explore the passages below. May reading God’s authoritative Word equip each of us to reject darkness and pursue Christ’s Kingdom of Light:
“10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you.”
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NKJV)
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“19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)
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“I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.”
Leviticus 20:6 (NIV)
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“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:31 (NIV)
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Final Thoughts
Through studying Bible verses on witchcraft, may we thoughtfully consider God’s position on all forbidden arts.
During Halloween witchcraft may seem fun and fantasy, but we must fear God’s warnings against genuine forces of spiritual darkness.
As you reflect on God’s Word, determine today to renounce any occult activities. May we each find power, purpose, and protection through a relationship with Jesus Christ alone.
By His Holy Spirit, Christ alone can empower believers to walk in freedom and authority against deception.
Frequently Asked Questions on Witchcraft and the Bible
Below find answers to common questions concerning biblical teachings on witchcraft and related topics:
Q. Is witchcraft real according to the Bible?
A. Yes. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture confirms the tangible existence of magical arts and evil spirits.
Examples include Moses vs. Egyptian sorcerers, the fortune-telling slave in Acts 16, and Revelation’s reference to Babylon’s widespread ‘sorcery’ (Revelation 18:21-24).
Q. Can Christians practice witchcraft like Wicca?
A. No. God’s Word expressly forbids all occult practices like casting spells, divination, consulting mediums, making potions, etc.
Regardless of intent, dabbling in any custom God labels ‘detestable’ or ‘occult’ violates His standards for holy living.
Q. What’s the difference between magic, sorcery, divination, and witchcraft?
A. Scripture uses these terms interchangeably to refer to any mystical practice. Specific occult arts that God forbid include astrology, horoscopes, fortune-telling, interpreting omens, potion mixing, casting spells, crystal healing, vision boards, some eastern meditation/yoga practices, and any mediumship attempting to consult spirits or prophesy through demonic sources.
Q. What does the Bible say about symbols and rituals associated with witchcraft?
A. Scripture commands God’s people to avoid every practice and symbol associated with forbidden occult arts. The Israelites were to show no tolerance towards any witch, warlock, or sorcerer.
Even remade ‘white magic’ derivatives like Wicca and modern witchcraft similarly stand opposed to God’s standards revealed in Scripture.
Q. What is a biblical way to gain protection from curses and witchcraft?
A. Scripture charges believers to walk closely with Jesus Christ each day through prayer, reading God’s Word, right living, and fellowship with other Christians. Abiding in Christ provides infinitely greater spiritual protection according to the Bible.
As we dwell in God’s presence, no hex can overcome the covering the blood of Jesus provides to faithful followers.
