The Bible strongly condemns involvement with the occult, categorizing it as a sin against God. It warns against practices such as witchcraft, sorcery, divination, consulting with spirits, and engaging in magic, viewing them as contrary to faith in God and His sovereignty. The Scriptures emphasize that seeking guidance or power from occult sources is a breach of trust in God and His provision and commandments. Instead, believers are encouraged to seek guidance, wisdom, and understanding directly from God through prayer, study of His Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The Bible’s stance is rooted in the desire to protect God’s people from deception and spiritual harm, guiding them to live lives that are holy and pleasing to Him.
Curious about what the Bible says regarding the occult? Let’s explore its teachings and guidance.
What Does the Bible Say About the Occult?
The Bible’s message regarding the occult is unequivocal—practices associated with the occult are forbidden, as they lead individuals away from reliance on God and entangle them in spiritual darkness. This prohibition is consistent across both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God’s view that such practices are in direct opposition to a life lived under His lordship.
God’s commands against the occult are grounded in His desire for His people to trust Him alone for guidance and deliverance. The occult represents a realm that opposes God’s sovereignty, involving sources of power and knowledge that challenge the rightful place of God in the lives of His people. Throughout Scripture, involvement with the occult is associated with rebellion against God, leading to spiritual, emotional, and sometimes physical consequences.
The Bible also reveals God’s protective stance towards His people. By prohibiting involvement with the occult, God aims to shield His people from deception, harm, and the influence of evil spirits. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the dangers of the occult and the importance of turning to God for all needs, questions, and guidance.
In the New Testament, the apostles confront occult practices directly, emphasizing repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the path to true spiritual power and freedom. The message is clear: the power of God, accessed through faith in Christ, far exceeds any power promised by the occult, and freedom from sin and darkness is found in Him alone.
Bible Verses About the Occult
- 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 explicitly forbids various 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.” Paul includes witchcraft among the deeds that are contrary to living by the Spirit.
- 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 shows new believers turning away from occult 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.” God warns against seeking occult guidance.
- 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.” John lists those who practice magic arts among those facing judgment.
- 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 describes the sinful practices of King Manasseh.
- 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?” Isaiah challenges the folly of consulting the dead instead of God.
- Micah 5:12 – “I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.” God’s promise to eliminate occult practices among His people.
- 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…” This account shows the confrontation between the power of God and occult practices.
- 1 Samuel 28:7 – “Then Saul said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.’” Saul’s consultation of the Witch of Endor is presented as an act of disobedience against God.
The Bible’s stance on the occult is one of strict prohibition, rooted in God’s desire to protect His people from spiritual harm and to guide them towards reliance on Him alone. Through its teachings, believers are encouraged to seek God for guidance, strength, and protection, and to live lives that are marked by faith, obedience, and the pursuit of holiness. The Scriptures provide both warning and wisdom, steering us away from the darkness of occult practices and towards the light of God’s truth and love.