Witchcraft is a practice that involves the use of spells, incantations, special objects, symbols, and ceremonies to manipulate the spiritual realm in order to gain knowledge, power, and influence in this realm. The Bible condemns witchcraft as a great sin and warns of the severe consequences for those who practice it. Witchcraft can take many forms, such as divination, sorcery, familiar spirits, necromancy, interpreting omens, fortune-telling, mediumship, idolatry, and magic. Some examples of witchcraft in the Bible are:
- The sorceress who was put to death by the command of God (Exodus 22:18)
- The wicked who use divination, omens, spells, and mediums (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
- The king of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24)
- The witch of Endor who summoned the spirit of Samuel for Saul (1 Samuel 28)
- The evil king Manasseh who sacrificed his sons and consulted mediums and spiritists (2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 33:6)
- The magicians and sorcerers who opposed Moses and Aaron in Egypt and in Babylon (Exodus 7-8; Daniel 2)
- The false prophetess Jezebel who led Israel into idolatry and witchcraft (1 Kings 16:31; 2 Kings 9:22)
- The sorcerer Simon who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-24)
- The sorcerer Elymas who tried to hinder the gospel (Acts 13:6-12)
- The fortune-telling slave girl who was freed by Paul (Acts 16:16-18)
- The books of magic that were burned by the converts in Ephesus (Acts 19:19)
Witchcraft is a rebellion against God, a rejection of His word, and a denial of His provision through His providential grace. It is also a deception from the demonic forces that imitate dead relatives (familiar spirits) that provide otherwise unknowable information along with influence. It leads people into bondage. Those who practice witchcraft, and its various forms, are under the influence of Satan and his demons.
The good news
The Bible reveals that God is more powerful than any form of witchcraft. In fact, all who repent and turn to Him will be forgiven of the occult practice. God is greater than any demonic force or spiritual deception. His grace is sufficient for anyone who seeks His forgiveness and cleansing.
If you have been involved in witchcraft in the past, you can be forgiven. But you must trust Jesus, who is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), to forgive you of all of your sins. Then, turn from the witchcraft, divination, sorcery, Ouija boards, tarot cards, or whatever else you’ve used to contact demonic forces. Confess that all is sin and ask Him to forgive you. Pray to Him and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Get rid of the demonic objects and abandon occultic practices. After all, you cannot serve two masters. You either serve Jesus, or you serve the enemy.
Article Summary
- Witchcraft is a practice that involves the use of spells, incantations, special objects, symbols, and ceremonies
- Witchcraft can take many forms
- Witchcraft is a rebellion against God, a rejection of His word, and a denial of His provision through His providential grace
- The Bible condemns witchcraft in all of its forms
- You can be forgiven of your past witchcraft by turning to Jesus.
