Family relationships can be complicated, and sometimes, it might feel necessary to cut ties for emotional or physical well-being. While the Bible encourages family unity, it also speaks about setting boundaries when necessary. Let’s see what Scripture says about balancing family loyalty with personal health and spiritual growth.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Symbolism
What Does The Bible Say About Spells
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 verse is a clear commandment from God to abstain from practicing spells and all forms of witchcraft. God considers these practices detestable and warns his people against engaging in them.
By forbidding spells, God is protecting believers from falling into deceptive and harmful practices that can lead them away from Him. It emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and power solely from God and not relying on supernatural forces outside of His control.
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.”
Spellcasting falls under the category of “witchcraft” as listed in this verse. It is regarded as one of the acts of the flesh, which are contrary to the way of life that Christians are called to follow.
This passage serves as a warning to believers that engaging in witchcraft and spells is incompatible with a life devoted to God. It highlights the importance of aligning one’s actions and choices with the teachings of Scripture, and the consequences of persisting in such practices.
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 describes the consequences that await those who rely on sorceries and spells. Even though people may place their trust in these practices, they ultimately fail to provide true protection and deliverance.
God reminds His people through this verse that He alone is the source of true power and protection. Relying on spells and sorceries is futile and will ultimately bring about destruction rather than the desired outcome.
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 recounts the actions of King Manasseh, who engaged in various forms of witchcraft and sorcery. It serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences that come from practicing spells and seeking supernatural guidance outside of God’s commands.
By including this account in Scripture, God warns His people against following in the footsteps of those who dabble in harmful and forbidden practices. It highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God alone and avoiding the allure of magical arts.
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.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.”
This passage tells the story of Simon, a sorcerer who had gained considerable influence and following through his magical abilities. However, when Philip preaches the gospel and performs miracles in the name of Jesus, Simon realizes the true power that comes from God and abandons his sorcery.
Through this account, we see that spells and sorcery may captivate people’s attention and elicit temporary awe, but they are ultimately insignificant compared to the power of God. It serves as a reminder that true power and salvation are found in Jesus Christ alone, not in the practice of spells.
Exodus 22:18
“Do not allow a sorceress to live.”
This verse reflects God’s strong stance against sorcery and witchcraft. It demonstrates the seriousness with which God views these practices and the importance of purging them from the community of believers.
God’s command to Israel to eliminate sorcery underscores the fact that His people are to be set apart and live according to His holy standards. Spells and sorceries are contrary to God’s plan and are to be eradicated from their midst.
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 reveals God’s strong disapproval of seeking guidance from mediums and spiritists. It emphasizes the severity of turning away from God and seeking supernatural guidance from sources other than Him.
By stating that He will “cut them off from their people,” God makes it clear that such practices lead to spiritual separation and ultimately distance individuals from the community of believers. It serves as a stern warning against the dangers of relying on spells and seeking guidance from practitioners of the occult.
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.”
Within the list of wickedness that will be judged, the practice of magic arts, including spells, is highlighted. This verse highlights that those who persist in such practices will face eternal consequences.
It underscores the seriousness with which God views the engagement in spells and all forms of witchcraft. God desires His people to turn away from such practices and instead lead lives that are characterized by faith, purity, and truth.
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.”
In this verse, former practitioners of sorcery demonstrate a tangible act of repentance by publicly burning their scrolls containing spells and incantations. It reflects their acknowledgment of the abomination of their previous practices.
This account serves as an encouragement for believers who have engaged in spells or any form of witchcraft to fully renounce and distance themselves from these practices. It exemplifies the transformative power of the gospel, which leads individuals to turn away from their old ways and embrace the truth of God’s Word.
Leviticus 19:26
“‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
God’s commandments to the Israelites included a prohibition against practicing divination and seeking omens. This verse emphasizes the importance of relying solely on God for guidance and eschewing any form of supernatural practices.
By including this commandment within the laws given to the Israelites, God reaffirms the significance of obedience and the rejection of any practices, such as spells, that rely on supernatural forces apart from Him.
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, Isaiah challenges the practice of seeking guidance from mediums and spiritists. He points believers back to God, reminding them of the futility and folly of seeking guidance from any source other than the living God.
This verse serves as a reminder that spells and the seeking of supernatural knowledge through illicit means are not only unnecessary but also counterproductive. God desires His people to seek His wisdom and guidance directly, without dependence on those who dabble in magic.
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?'”
This account in Acts demonstrates a confrontation between the apostles and a sorcerer named Elymas. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls out the sorcerer’s deceitfulness and attempts to hinder the faith of the proconsul.
By highlighting this encounter, God shows His disapproval of sorcery and spells, which can lead people astray from the truth of the Gospel. It also highlights the authority and power that believers possess through the Holy Spirit to confront and challenge those who promote false practices.
Daniel 2:27-28
“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:
“God’s power and wisdom are beyond the capabilities of enchanters, magicians, and diviners.”
These verses present Daniel’s response to King Nebuchadnezzar’s demand to interpret his dream. Daniel acknowledges the limitations of human magic and divination, attributing true revelation to God alone.
This verse serves as a reminder that spells and sorcery are ultimately futile attempts to grasp the mysteries of the future or manipulate supernatural forces. True wisdom and understanding can only come from God, who sovereignly reveals His plans to those who seek Him in faith.
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.”
In this verse, Samuel confronts King Saul for his disobedience to God’s commands. He equates rebellion with the sin of divination and arrogance with the evil of idolatry.
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of engaging in forbidden practices, such as spells, and how it is akin to directly disobeying God’s Word. It demonstrates that rebellion against God’s commands has severe consequences and can lead to a loss of His favor and blessing.
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.”
In this account, Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. Although her ability to predict the future may have seemed impressive, Paul recognizes the demonic nature behind her powers and commands the spirit to leave her.
Through this passage, we see that spells and divination, even if they appear to be accurate or useful, are often fueled by demonic forces. It serves as a reminder to be discerning and to rely solely on the power and authority of Jesus Christ to confront and reject any supernatural influences.
Isaiah 47:12-14
“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. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame.”
In this passage, Isaiah condemns the practice of magic spells and sorceries, mocking those who rely on such practices for protection and guidance. He emphasizes the futility and powerlessness of these practices in comparison to God.
This verse serves as a warning that those who put their trust in spells and seek supernatural knowledge apart from God will ultimately find themselves disappointed and defenseless. It affirms that true salvation and deliverance can only be found in God and not in the illusions of magic.
Acts 19:13-16
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”
This passage recounts an incident where the sons of Sceva try to cast out demons in the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with Him. The evil spirit acknowledges their lack of authority and violently attacks them.
Through this account, we see that spells and attempts to manipulate spiritual forces without a personal connection to Christ are ineffective and can even lead to spiritual harm. It affirms the need for true faith and relationship with Jesus as the source of power over demonic forces.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4
“If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’ (gods you have not known) ‘and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere.”
This verse warns against following false prophets who may perform signs or wonders and encourage worship of other gods. It cautions believers not to be deceived by supernatural displays that divert their allegiance away from God.
By including this commandment, God underscores the importance of remaining loyal to Him and rejecting any practices, such as spells, that may lead believers astray. It emphasizes the need to rely on God alone, rather than seeking guidance from alternative spiritual sources.
2 Kings 21:6
“He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
This verse describes the evil actions of King Manasseh, who engaged in divination, omens, and sought guidance from mediums and spiritists. It conveys how such practices are offensive to God and ignite His anger.
By recording Manasseh’s sins, God warns His people about the destructive consequences of dabbling in spells and other occult practices. It serves as a reminder that God detests such actions and desires His people to turn away from them.
Leviticus 20:27
“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.”
This verse establishes the severity of engaging in the practice of being a medium or spiritist. It pronounces the death penalty upon those involved, highlighting the gravity with which God views this offense.
While this specific verse relates to the Old Testament laws for Israel, it demonstrates God’s absolute disapproval of such practices. It serves as a strong deterrent against participating in spells or seeking supernatural guidance through intermediaries.
Micah 5:12
“I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.”
In this verse, God speaks against the practices of witchcraft and casting spells. He promises to bring destruction upon those who engage in such activities.
God’s declaration underscores His authority over all supernatural powers and His determination to remove any influence of witchcraft in people’s lives. It emphasizes His desire for His people to find their strength and security solely in Him.
Genesis 30:27
“But Laban said to him, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.’
“Laban’s mention of using divination highlights an example of seeking supernatural knowledge and guidance through illegitimate means. Although God was blessing Jacob, divination was an inappropriate means of acknowledging and understanding those blessings.
This verse serves as a reminder that true blessings and divine favor come from God alone, not from the manipulation of supernatural forces. It reveals the folly and emptiness of relying on spells or divination for insight, especially when God’s presence and blessing are already evident.
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 reaffirms God’s command to His people to avoid seeking the counsel or services of mediums or spiritists. It emphasizes the defiling nature of engaging in such practices, as it draws individuals away from a pure and uncompromised devotion to God.
By declaring Himself as the Lord their God, God reminds His people of His supreme authority and desire for them to turn to Him alone for guidance, wisdom, and protection. Spells and consultation with spiritists are a direct violation of that divine sovereignty.