Witchcraft and curses might seem like old stories, but the Bible talks about them seriously. Today, we’ll look at what God’s Word says about these practices, focusing on His power and protection. With His help, we don’t need to fear anything dark.
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What Does The Bible Say About Witchcraft And Curses
Exodus 22:18
“You shall not allow a witch to live.”
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of the sin of witchcraft in God’s eyes. It reveals God’s command to the Israelites not to tolerate the existence of witches among them, prescribing the penalty of death. It highlights the importance of avoiding involvement in occult practices and seeking God’s protection against the influence of dark forces.
Leviticus 19:26
“You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.”
This verse prohibits the Israelites from engaging in divination or soothsaying. It warns against seeking supernatural guidance and knowledge from sources other than God. By emphasizing the importance of obeying this command, the verse underscores the need for reliance on God’s wisdom rather than resorting to occult practices.
Leviticus 20:6
“And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.”
This verse emphasizes God’s strong stance against those who seek guidance from mediums and familiar spirits. It warns of severe consequences for those who engage in such practices, including being cut off from the community. It serves as a deterrent against dabbling in witchcraft and highlights God’s desire for His people to trust and rely on Him alone.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“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, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”
This passage provides an extensive list of occult practices that are condemned in the eyes of God. It categorizes witchcraft, divination, sorcery, and communication with the dead as abominations. By listing these practices, it emphasizes God’s desire for His people to steer clear of such activities and maintain a pure and holy relationship with Him.
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
This verse draws a parallel between rebellion and witchcraft, connecting disobedience to God’s commands with the practice of witchcraft. It underscores the seriousness of rebellion and the need for obedience to God’s will. It serves as a reminder that any form of rebellion against God is akin to engaging in occult practices and should be avoided.
2 Kings 9:22
“So it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, ‘Is it peace, Jehu?’ And he answered, ‘What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?'”
In this verse, Jehu refers to the sinful actions of Jezebel, including her involvement in witchcraft and immorality. It highlights the negative consequences and lack of peace that arise from engaging in such practices. The verse reminds us of the destructive nature of witchcraft and serves as a cautionary example from biblical history.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord because he did not keep the word of the Lord and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore, He killed him and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”
This passage recounts the tragic end of Saul’s reign. It highlights the consequences of his disobedience and his decision to seek guidance from a medium instead of consulting God. It serves as a warning against turning away from God’s Word and relying on occult practices, reminding us of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all matters.
Isaiah 47:12-13
“Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth— perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail. You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you.”
This passage portrays a judgment against Babylon, condemning its reliance on witchcraft, sorcery, and divination. It ridicules their futile attempts to gain insight and control by seeking guidance from astrologers and stargazers. It serves as a reminder of the vanity of relying on magical practices rather than trusting in God’s sovereignty and providence.
Jeremiah 27:9-10
“Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and I will drive you out, and you will perish.”
In this verse, Jeremiah warns the people not to heed the false prophecies and divinations of those who claim to speak on behalf of God. He warns against trusting in sorcerers and soothsayers who promote falsehoods. The verse emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to rely on God’s true prophets rather than being deceived by the manipulations of occult practices.
Micah 5:12
“I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no soothsayers.”
This verse speaks of God’s promise to remove sorcery and divination from the hands of the people. It highlights God’s desire for His people to turn away from occult practices and rely solely on Him for guidance and protection. It serves as a reminder of the futility of seeking supernatural aid from sources outside of God’s control.
Nahum 3:4
“Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries.”
This verse depicts the destruction that comes upon a city due to its involvement in sorcery and idolatry. It portrays the seductive nature of witchcraft and its ability to lead astray individuals and nations. The verse serves as a warning against being enticed by the allure of witchcraft and emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment to avoid its harmful effects.
Acts 8:9-11
“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.”
This passage recounts the story of Simon the sorcerer and his deceptive practices. It reveals how the people of Samaria were captivated by his sorceries and believed him to possess a divine power. It serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the danger of being deceived by false miracles and the need to discern the source of supernatural phenomena.
Acts 19:19
“Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
This verse portrays the repentance and renunciation of those who had once practiced magic in Ephesus. It demonstrates their realization of the wickedness of their former ways and their desire to cleanse themselves from the influence of witchcraft. The verse highlights the significance of publicly denouncing and destroying any objects associated with occult practices as a step towards genuine repentance.
Galatians 5:19-20
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies…”
In this verse, witchcraft is listed among the works of the flesh, portraying it as a manifestation of a sinful nature. It warns against engaging in such practices and highlights the importance of living according to the Spirit rather than indulging in the desires of the flesh. The verse emphasizes the need to reject witchcraft as part of a transformed and righteous life in Christ.
Revelation 9:21
“And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
This verse depicts an unrepentant humanity during the end times, engaging in sorcery among other sinful activities. It characterizes sorcery as a wicked practice that individuals will stubbornly cling to, even in the face of God’s judgment. The verse serves as a warning of the dangers of being entangled in witchcraft and the urgency of turning to God in repentance.
Revelation 18:23
“The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.”
This verse describes the fall of Babylon, attributing its destruction to sorcery and its deceptive influence on the nations. It emphasizes the powerful sway that witchcraft can have on individuals and societies, leading them astray. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and the need to resist the allure of deceptive practices.
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
In this verse, sorcerers are mentioned as one of the groups of people who will face eternal punishment. It highlights the severity of engaging in witchcraft and its inclusion among other grave sins. The verse serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and turning to Christ for salvation, breaking free from the bondage of sorcery and its consequences.
Revelation 22:15
“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
This verse describes those who will be excluded from the New Jerusalem, including sorcerers. It emphasizes that those who persist in the practice of witchcraft will not inherit eternal life. The verse underscores the importance of turning away from sorcery and embracing the truth of God’s salvation, which leads to true life in Him.
In summary, these Bible verses provide a clear message against the practice of witchcraft and engaging in occult practices. They highlight God’s strict commandments, severe warnings, and examples of judgment on those who participate in witchcraft. The verses underscore the importance of relying solely on God for guidance and protection, avoiding involvement in activities that seek supernatural power outside of Him. They emphasize the need for discernment, repentance, and a commitment to living in obedience to God’s Word. Ultimately, these verses serve as a reminder of the dangers and consequences of witchcraft, urging believers to seek a relationship with God based on faith, trust, and submission to His will.