What Does the Bible Say About Sorcery?

The Bible is pretty clear on sorcery: it’s a no-go. Throughout its pages, sorcery is consistently condemned. This stance isn’t just about the acts themselves. It’s about trust and faith. The Bible urges us to rely on God, not on supernatural practices.

Curious about what the ancient texts say about magic and why it’s frowned upon? There’s more to this story than just “don’t do it.” Read on to discover the deeper reasons behind this biblical stance.

What Does the Bible Say About Sorcery?

Sorcery in the Bible is a complex topic, going beyond just the act of practicing magic. It’s tied to the broader themes of faith, obedience, and the nature of power.

First off, the Bible categorically rejects sorcery. This stance is rooted in God’s view of power and where it should come from. Sorcery, in biblical terms, represents a reliance on powers other than God. It’s seen as a form of idolatry, placing trust in something other than the divine.

But why such a strong stance? The Bible frames it as a matter of spiritual fidelity. Sorcery is often linked with false gods and misleading spirits. It’s not just about the magic; it’s about the source and intention behind it. The Bible encourages trust in God’s power and wisdom, rather than seeking shortcuts through sorcery.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings and actions emphasize God’s power over any other. His miracles and teachings steer people away from sorcery, guiding them towards faith in God alone. This shift doesn’t make sorcery less of a sin, but it highlights the availability of God’s power as a righteous alternative.

The Bible’s message is clear: real power and guidance come from God, not sorcery. It encourages a reliance on faith, prayer, and divine guidance, rather than seeking answers through forbidden practices. This guidance is as much about protecting people from spiritual harm as it is about maintaining a faithful relationship with God.

In summary, the Bible’s take on sorcery is part of a larger narrative about where we place our trust and how we seek guidance and power. It’s a call to turn away from practices that lead us astray and to embrace a life of faith and obedience to God.

Bible Verses About Sorcery

1. Exodus 22:18 – “Do not allow a sorceress to live.” This verse, stark in its directness, reflects the serious view of sorcery in the Old Testament. It underlines the idea that sorcery was not just frowned upon but was considered a grave sin.
2. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “Let no one be found among you 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 associated with sorcery, categorizing them all as detestable in God’s sight. It emphasizes the importance of staying away from these practices.
3. 2 Kings 21:6 – “[King Manasseh] 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 illustrates the consequences of engaging in sorcery, showing how it is linked with other serious sins and evokes God’s anger.
4. Acts 8:9-13 – “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… But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized.” This New Testament account shows a sorcerer turning away from his practices to embrace the teachings of Jesus, illustrating the transformative power of faith.
5. 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.” In this verse, Paul includes sorcery (referred to as ‘witchcraft’) in a list of behaviors that are contrary to living in the Spirit. It’s an explicit warning against such practices and their spiritual consequences.
6. 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 from Revelation emphasizes the gravity of practicing sorcery, listing it among serious sins that lead to eternal separation from God.
7. 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 links sorcery (divination) with rebellion against God, illustrating how such practices are seen as a direct affront to God’s authority.
8. 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 commandment from Leviticus warns against engaging with mediums and spiritists, emphasizing that such actions lead to spiritual defilement.
9. 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.” Similar to Exodus 22:18, this verse shows the Old Testament’s strict stance against sorcery, prescribing the harshest of punishments for those who engage in it.
10. 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 passage describes new believers in Ephesus who abandoned their sorcerous practices, symbolically burning their scrolls as a sign of their new faith in Jesus. It shows the transformative power of the Gospel and the renunciation of former sinful practices.

In conclusion, the Bible’s stance on sorcery is clear and consistent across both the Old and New Testaments. It’s viewed not just as a forbidden practice but as a serious sin, indicative of a deeper spiritual issue – the turning away from God and reliance on other powers. The scriptures associate sorcery with idolatry, rebellion, and spiritual infidelity, emphasizing the importance of placing trust and faith solely in God.