Dowsing is often seen as mysterious, but what does the Bible say about seeking guidance in this way? Today, we’ll examine Scripture’s perspective on this practice.
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What Does The Bible Say About Dowsing
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“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 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
This verse highlights the prohibition of divination and fortune-telling in the practices of dowsing. God clearly condemns these activities and considers them detestable. As Christians, we should avoid engaging in any form of occult practices, including dowsing, as it goes against God’s commands and is opposed to the true faith in God.
Leviticus 19:26
“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.”
God instructs His people not to interpret omens or tell fortunes, which includes the act of dowsing. This verse serves as a reminder that believers should put their trust in God alone and seek His guidance through prayer and the reading of His Word, rather than relying on divination or other occult practices.
Isaiah 47:13-14
“All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely, they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up.”
This passage condemns the reliance on astrologers and stargazers for guidance and protection. Similarly, dowsing falls into the category of seeking supernatural revelation outside of God’s Word. Instead, we should put our trust in the God of the universe who is the only true source of wisdom and guidance.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage recounts Paul’s encounter with a fortune-telling slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination. Although she appeared to speak the truth, Paul recognized that her supernatural abilities were not from God. This serves as a reminder that we should be cautious of any supernatural practices that claim to offer guidance or revelation apart from God’s Word.
2 Kings 17:17
“They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing His anger.”
This verse highlights the connection between divination and evil practices. Dowsing, as a form of divination, can lead individuals down a path of seeking guidance apart from God and even engaging in harmful or sinful actions. As believers, we should strive to honor God and His commands, avoiding any form of divination or occult practices that provoke His anger.
Jeremiah 29:8-9
“Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in My name. I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.”
God warns against being deceived by false prophets and diviners who claim to speak on His behalf but are actually spreading lies. This admonition extends to any practice, such as dowsing, that seeks supernatural knowledge or guidance apart from God’s Word. We must be discerning and rely on the truth of Scripture rather than placing our trust in human or occult practices.
Leviticus 20:6
“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.”
God expresses His strong disapproval of those who turn to mediums and spiritists instead of seeking Him. Dowsing, as a practice rooted in seeking supernatural knowledge or guidance outside of God, falls into this category. As followers of Christ, we should be mindful of God’s warning and avoid any involvement with occult practices.
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as the iniquity of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.”
This verse reveals that rebellion against God is equated with the sin of divination. Dowsing, being a form of seeking supernatural knowledge or guidance apart from God, can be seen as an act of rebellion against His authority. It is essential for believers to remain obedient to God’s Word and resist the temptation to engage in practices that go against His commands.
Deuteronomy 18:14
“The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so.”
God explicitly forbids His people from engaging in sorcery or divination, practices that dowsing can be associated with. As followers of Christ, we should not seek guidance from supernatural sources that stand in opposition to the will of God. Instead, we should trust in Him alone and seek His wisdom through prayer and the study of His Word.
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
This verse mentions those who practice magic arts, which includes various forms of divination like dowsing. Those who persist in such practices without repentance are among those who will face eternal punishment. As believers, we are called to steer clear of these occult practices and instead cling to the truth and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
Exodus 22:18
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.”
God’s command to not permit a sorceress to live demonstrates the severity of His stance against occult practices. Dowsing, as a form of divination, falls into this category and should be avoided by believers. As followers of Christ, we are called to separate ourselves from practices that promote darkness and instead align our hearts and minds with the truth of God’s Word.
Acts 19:19
“Also, many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
This passage recounts the actions of new believers who recognized the sinfulness of their past involvement in magic arts, including divination practices. They willingly confessed their wrongs and destroyed their books of occult knowledge. As Christians, we can learn from their example and renounce any involvement in dowsing or other occult practices in favor of wholeheartedly following Christ.
Leviticus 20:27
“A man or woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
In this verse, God declares that individuals who engage in mediumship or necromancy should be put to death. These practices are closely related to divination, including dowsing, and are considered grave offenses in God’s eyes. As believers, we must distance ourselves from such practices and instead seek to honor God in all aspects of our lives.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 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.”
This passage addresses various sinful behaviors, including sorcery. Dowsing, as a form of divination, can be categorized as sorcery and falls under the warning given in this verse. As believers, we should strive to live in accordance with God’s Word and avoid practices that are contrary to His teachings, trusting in His grace and forgiveness when we fall short.
1 Timothy 4:1
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
This verse warns of the dangers of following deceitful spirits and demonic teachings. Dowsing, as a form of seeking supernatural knowledge or guidance outside of God, opens the door to deception by these spirits. Believers should be vigilant and discerning, guarding themselves against any practices or teachings that do not align with the truth found in God’s Word.
Daniel 2:27-28
“Daniel answered the king and said, ‘No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.’”
Daniel’s response to King Nebuchadnezzar emphasizes that only God possesses the ability to reveal mysteries and set the course of events. He contrasts the limitations of human wisdom and supernatural practices such as astrology, divination, and magic arts. As believers, we should place our trust in God’s wisdom and seek His guidance rather than relying on occult practices like dowsing.
Isaiah 44:25
“Who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish.”
This verse speaks to God’s power to frustrate the signs of liars and make foolish the knowledge of diviners. God’s wisdom far surpasses any human or supernatural understanding, and He exposes the futility of relying on practices like dowsing. Our faith should be grounded in the unwavering truth of God’s Word, trusting His guidance above any form of divination or occult practices.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse highlights a range of behaviors that are contrary to God and will hinder individuals from inheriting His kingdom. Among them is the practice of divination, which includes dowsing. Believers should strive to live in obedience to God’s Word, avoiding practices that are rooted in sin and instead pursuing a life of holiness and righteousness.
Ezekiel 13:9
“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.”
This verse serves as a warning from God against prophets who provide false visions and lying divinations. Dowsing, as a form of divination, falls into this category. As Christians, our trust should be in the true visions and teachings of God’s Word, rejecting any form of false prophecy or occult practices.
Isaiah 8:19-20
“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.”
This passage urges people to seek God rather than turning to mediums and necromancers for guidance. Likewise, dowsing, as a form of divination seeking supernatural knowledge outside of God, should not be practiced by believers. Our primary source of guidance and truth is the Word of God, and it is through Scripture that we can discern His will and follow His teachings.
Jeremiah 27:9
“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’”
This verse warns against listening to prophets, diviners, and fortune-tellers who speak contrary to God’s instructions. Dowsing, as a form of divination, falls under this admonition. As believers, we should remain grounded in God’s truth and not allow ourselves to be swayed or deceived by false prophecies or occult practices.
Isaiah 19:3
“The spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out, and I will confound their counsel; and they will inquire of the idols and the sorcerers, and the mediums and the necromancers.”
This verse describes the futile search for wisdom and understanding apart from God, leading people to turn to idols, sorcerers, mediums, and necromancers. Dowsing, as a practice seeking supernatural guidance outside of God’s Word, aligns with this pursuit of wisdom apart from the true source of knowledge. As believers, we should rely solely on God and the wisdom He imparts through His Word.