Rebellion and witchcraft are strongly condemned in the Bible, as they go against God’s authority. Today, we’ll explore how these practices are described in Scripture and why obedience to God is crucial.
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What Does The Bible Say About Rebellion And Witchcraft
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
This verse emphasizes that rebellion is sinful and equates it to the sin of witchcraft or divination. It warns against the dangers of arrogance and idolatry, highlighting the consequences that come from rejecting God’s word.
Rebellion and witchcraft both involve seeking power and control outside of God’s authority. They lead to a distorted and disobedient lifestyle, ultimately separating individuals from God’s blessings and rightful leadership. This verse serves as a reminder to humbly submit to God’s commands, avoiding rebellion and the sinful practices associated with it.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD”
This passage lists various practices of witchcraft and divination that are detestable to the Lord. It specifically mentions the sacrifice of children, divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, engaging in witchcraft, casting spells, being a medium or spiritist, and consulting the dead.
God’s people are cautioned against participating in these practices, as they involve seeking supernatural guidance and power through sinful means. These acts are contrary to the worship and obedience God desires from His people. Believers are called to trust in and seek God alone, avoiding any involvement with witchcraft or occult practices.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage lists several sinful acts, including witchcraft, as works of the flesh. It highlights that those who habitually engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Witchcraft, like other works of the flesh, is identified as a sin that stems from a sinful nature. It involves seeking supernatural power and control outside of God’s realm. The verse serves as a strong warning to those who persistently engage in witchcraft or any other sinful practices, reminding them of the eternal consequences they may face if they do not turn away from these behaviors.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”
This passage recounts the downfall of King Saul, who sought guidance from a medium rather than relying on the Lord. Saul’s disobedience and reliance on witchcraft led to his demise.
God had explicitly commanded His people to avoid consulting mediums, as it undermines their trust in His divine guidance. Saul’s actions of seeking supernatural guidance from a forbidden source demonstrate his lack of faith and obedience to the Lord. This passage serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of indulging in witchcraft and the importance of seeking God’s direction and will.
Acts 19:19
“A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.”
This verse depicts a significant act of repentance by those who practiced sorcery. They publicly burned their scrolls, which held spells and incantations, symbolizing their renunciation of witchcraft.
These individuals recognized the emptiness and sinfulness of their former practices and chose to rid themselves of anything associated with witchcraft. Their actions demonstrate the transformative power of encountering the truth of Christ and the desire to turn away from sinful practices. This verse invites believers to follow their example by openly renouncing and distancing themselves from anything related to witchcraft or occult practices.
Exodus 22:18
“Do not allow a sorceress to live.”
This verse is a clear command from God to the people of Israel to not allow sorcerers or witches to live among them. While the verse may sound harsh, it underscores the seriousness with which God regards witchcraft and occult practices.
God’s people were called to be set apart, following His laws and commandments. The presence of sorcery and witchcraft among them endangered their relationship with God and the integrity of their community. By prohibiting the existence of sorceresses, God sought to protect His people from the spiritual and moral corruption that accompanies such practices.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
This verse gives a direct command from God to His people to refrain from seeking spiritual guidance from mediums or spiritists. God warns that engaging with such practices will defile them.
God’s people were called to honor and worship Him alone, seeking divine guidance through prayer and obedience to His word. Turning to mediums or spiritists indicated a lack of trust and faith in God’s ability to provide guidance and direction. This verse serves as a reminder that believers should rely solely on God and His revealed truth, avoiding any form of divination or occult practices.
Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah challenges the people of God concerning their inclination to consult mediums and spiritists. He questions the necessity and wisdom of seeking guidance from the dead when they have access to the living God.
Isaiah highlights the futility of consulting the dead and the deceptive nature of spiritual practices that do not align with God’s revealed truth. Believers are urged to seek the Lord, who is the true source of wisdom and guidance, rather than turning to forbidden practices associated with witchcraft and divination.
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.”
This verse portrays God’s strong disapproval of those who turn to mediums and spiritists for guidance. He promises to set His face against those who engage in these practices, severing them from their community and people.
God’s people were meant to be a holy nation, dedicated to worshipping and obeying Him alone. Seeking supernatural guidance outside of God’s ordained means not only defiles the individuals involved, but it also has a negative impact on the community as a whole. This verse serves as a solemn warning against involvement with witchcraft and emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commands.
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 includes those who practice magic arts among the list of individuals who will be condemned to the lake of fire in the final judgment. It is a reminder of the eternal consequences associated with indulging in witchcraft and occult practices.
God’s holiness and justice demand that those who persist in practicing magic arts or engaging in any form of rebellion against Him will face judgment. This verse underscores the seriousness of witchcraft as a sin and highlights the urgency to repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
Deuteronomy 18:10
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery”
This verse warns against the practice of sorcery and divination, specifically mentioning the abhorrent act of child sacrifice. It serves as a call to the people of God to reject any involvement with witchcraft and its associated rituals.
Child sacrifice, divination, and sorcery were prevalent practices among the pagan nations around Israel. God’s people were instructed to separate themselves from such practices, firmly establish their worship of the one true God, and trust in His guidance rather than seeking supernatural power through illicit means.
Isaiah 19:3
“The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.”
This verse depicts the futile efforts of the Egyptians in seeking guidance from idols, spirits of the dead, mediums, and spiritists. Even in their desperation, these practices will prove empty and ineffectual.
Isaiah highlights the inability of witchcraft and divination to offer genuine solutions or provide true wisdom. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in the Lord, who is able to direct their steps and provide them with the wisdom needed to navigate life’s challenges.
Acts 8:9-11
“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’
This passage introduces a man named Simon, who had been practicing sorcery and had gained a following. He deceived the people with his impressive acts and claimed to be someone of great power, even calling himself the Great Power of God.
This account serves as a warning against false prophets and deceivers who use supernatural practices to manipulate and exploit others. Simon’s boasts and actions highlight the dangers of placing trust in those who claim to possess supernatural abilities apart from the true power of God. Believers are called to discern the authenticity of spiritual claims and test them against the truth of God’s word.
2 Chronicles 33:6
“He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.”
This verse describes the wickedness of Manasseh, the king of Judah, who promoted idolatry, witchcraft, and divination. His actions provoked God’s anger due to his child sacrifice, engagement in witchcraft practices, seeking of omens, and consulting with mediums and spiritists.
This account serves as a severe cautionary example of the destructive consequences that come from embracing and participating in witchcraft and occult practices. It is a sober reminder of the displeasure and judgment of God that awaits those who pursue such sinful paths.
Revelation 22:15
“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
In the context of describing the new Jerusalem, this verse mentions those who practice magic arts as being condemned to remain outside. It includes them among those who engage in various sinful behaviors, highlighting the exclusion of those who persist in involvement with witchcraft.
By mentioning those who practice magic arts alongside other immoral actions, this verse emphasizes the severity of this sin. It underscores the incompatibility of witchcraft with the holiness of God’s kingdom. Believers are encouraged to turn away from any involvement with witchcraft, seeking instead to live in alignment with God’s righteous standards.
Acts 13:6-11
“They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.’ Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”
This account narrates an encounter between Paul, Barnabas, and a sorcerer named Elymas (also known as Bar-Jesus), who sought to oppose and distort the message of the Gospel. In response, Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas, causing him to be temporarily blinded.
This passage affirms the authority and power of God over all forms of darkness and witchcraft. It serves as a reminder that God’s truth and light will prevail over deceit and trickery. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in the face of spiritual opposition, relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power to overcome the works of the enemy.
Revelation 9:21
“Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
Amidst descriptions of the judgments and plagues during the end times, this verse reveals that people will continue to engage in magic arts without repentance. Alongside murders, sexual immorality, and theft, witchcraft is included as a sinful practice that remains unrepented of.
This verse portrays the unwillingness of those entrenched in unrighteousness to turn away from their sinful ways, even in the face of divine judgment. It underscores the importance of repentance and the need for believers to remain faithful to God, avoiding the pitfalls of engaging in witchcraft practices prevalent in society.
Isaiah 47:9
“Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.”
This verse depicts the impending judgment on Babylon, symbolizing the destruction that will come upon those who practice sorcery and employ potent spells. It showcases the futility and powerlessness of such practices before the wrath of God.
God’s judgment is portrayed as overpowering even the most powerful sorceries and spells. This verse serves as a reminder that the true power and authority rest with God alone, and any reliance on witchcraft or occult practices stands in direct opposition to His sovereign will.
Isaiah 47:12-13
“Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. 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.”
Continuing the depiction of Babylon’s downfall, these verses mock the futility of the sorcery and astrological practices in which they placed their trust. Despite their efforts, these practices would ultimately be unable to save them from imminent destruction.
Isaiah emphasizes that placing faith in witchcraft and divination is futile and offers false hope. The true source of salvation and deliverance is found in God alone. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in Him, seeking His guidance and protection, rather than resorting to practices that lead to destruction.
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 the incident where Paul and his companions encountered a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The girl’s owners exploited her abilities for profit, but Paul, filled with annoyance, cast out the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s actions demonstrate the authority and power of Jesus over any form of witchcraft or demonic oppression. This event also illustrates the importance of discerning between true and false sources of spiritual guidance, as the girl’s initial words were accurate but delivered through a demonic spirit. Believers are encouraged to test all spiritual claims against the truth of God’s word and rely on Jesus alone for salvation and deliverance.
Exodus 7:11
“Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts.”
In the context of Moses and Aaron’s confrontation with Pharaoh, this verse describes how Pharaoh’s wise men, sorcerers, and magicians used their secret arts in an attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron.
Here, witchcraft is presented as a counterfeit power that seeks to imitate the work of God. While the magicians were able to perform some of the signs Moses and Aaron demonstrated, they were ultimately outmatched by the true power of God. This verse serves as a reminder that God’s power is supreme and that any occult practices pale in comparison to His authority.