Background
Throughout history, practitioners of witchcraft have endured scrutiny and persecution, accused of invoking demons and consorting with evil. Still today, the topic of witchcraft is heavily debated, and Bible teachers are divided when it comes to the morality of such practices. Witchcraft has been viewed throughout the ages as a form of black magic and many people consider it to be a taboo activity associated with demonic influences. With all of this in mind, many Christians are left wondering: what does the Bible really say about witchcraft?
Witchcraft Forbidden By Law
The Bible speaks plainly and clearly on the topic of witchcraft, labeling it as an abomination and explicitly stating that practitioners should not be allowed to live. In Exodus 22:19-20, itreads,”Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.He that maketh a consul t with familiar spirits, or with wizards, shall surely be put to death, they shall stone them with stones.” In addition, Leviticus 19:31 says, “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them,”– a clear indication that the practice is strongly discouraged.
Condemnation of Occult Practices
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 also addresses those who practice witchcraft, along with those who engage in other occult practices, such as necromancy and divination. It states, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” Together, these verses make it very clear that witchcraft is not to be tolerated, and that God-fearing individuals should shun any engagement in it or participation in its rituals.
Examples of Witchcraft
Witchcraft is a broad term that encompasses a variety of practices, from casting spells to divination to communicating with spirits. Examples of occult practices that are typically considered to fall under the umbrella of witchcraft include tarot card reading, crystal gazing, astrology, and séances. These activities are all clearly forbidden in the Bible and are considered to be spiritually dangerous and morally objectionable.
Power of Witchcraft
Many people believe that witchcraft has the power to influence and even change our lives for the better. In some cases, this might involve the invocation of a deity or spirit for protection or good luck. However, in the Bible, it is clear that powerful forces are at work in the spiritual world, and none of these forces can be trusted. Isaiah 8:19 says, “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” This verse reveals that God does not condone the practice of consulting with spirits, as it not only distances us from Him, but also renders us vulnerable to dangerous influences.
Unholy Alliance
Beyond just avoiding such practices, we must actively oppose them.Galatians 5:20 says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft…” This puts witchcraft in the same specific category as idolatry and other forms of spiritual wickedness. Practitioners of witchcraft are uniting in an unholy alliance with the devil, and thus are helping to spread evil in the world instead of goodness. God warns of those who do this and says explicitly in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21,”But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”
No Compromise
Our position should be one of uncompromising opposition to all forms of witchcraft. The Bible makes it clear that God is fiercely opposed to magical practices and all forms of idolatry. God’s wrath towards those who practice witchcraft is strong and unwavering, and those who partake in such activities risk eternal punishment. We must remain vigilant and live in the fear of the Lord, avoiding any and all contact with witchcraft and any enchantments and spiritual wickedness associated with it.
God is Powerful
God is all-powerful and can protect us with His mighty hand. Isaiah 11:2 says, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” God is our strength and our defense and He will help us to stand strong against the temptation of witchcraft. We need to keep our hearts fixed on Him and reject any forms of occult practices.
Intercessory Prayer
For those who know someone who is involved in witchcraft, we can take comfort in knowing that God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, and pray for him or her. In Luke 18:1, Jesus encourages us to pray continuously and never give up, saying, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” We can pray that God will deliver the one we are interceding for and turn their hearts to Him.
Avoid Temptations
We should be aware of any temptation to dabble in the occult and make sure that we remain firmly rooted in the commandments of God. The Bible makes it clear that divination, ritual magic, and summoning of supernatural forces are all prohibited. The best way to keep ourselves safe is by staying far away from any influence by witchcraft. We should also take care to protect ourselves from the lures of false prophets and fortune tellers and seek God’s truth instead.
Worship God only
Deuteronomy 6:14-15 reminds us that we must worship only the one true God. It says, “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; For the LORD thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God, lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.” Witchcraft is a form of idolatry and so it denies the power of an all-powerful God. We should not take such a risk, as it is an offense to God’s holiness and glory.
Run from Temptations
When faced with a temptation to practice witchcraft, we should run from it. James 4:7-8 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” We need to strive to keep our relationship with God at the center of our lives, and trust in His power to protect us and guide us away from witchcraft.
Believing in Supernatural
We may be tempted to think that practicing witchcraft can do us some sort of good, but the Bible tells us otherwise. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul reminds us that we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers, principalities and rulers of darkness. Believing in supernatural powers is not the same as believing in God’s power, and can be dangerous as it can lead us away from Him. We should be wary of spiritual practices and teachings that are not from the Bible as they are likely to be centered around false gods.
God’s Word Prevails
God’s word is the ultimate truth and we are encouraged to trust it. In Isaiah 55:11 God declares, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s word is the only sure guide in our lives, and we must never compromise on it or doubt its power or authority. We should always seek God’s wisdom and guidance, and rest assured that His will will prevail.
Prayers and Commitment
It is important that we take the Bible’s warnings against witchcraft seriously and commit to living a life of holiness and purity that is pleasing to God. We can ask God to protect us from any and all influences from the occult, and to fill our hearts with His love and grace. Even if we are tempted to experiment with witchcraft, we need to remember that our relationship with God must always come first.
Stay Cautious and Alert
It is essential that we stay alert to the many variations of occult practices in the world today, and do our best to remain far from them. We must be willing to call out those we encounter who are promoting or practicing any kind of witchcraft, whether publicly or privately.God will protect us from harm if we remain vigilant and obedient to His commands.
