# What does the Bible say about witchcraft / witches?
The Bible has a lot to say about witchcraft and those who practice it. Witchcraft is defined as the practice of magic, especially black magic, and encompasses various practices and rituals that aim to harness supernatural or occult forces to produce desired effects. The Bible condemns all forms of witchcraft and considers it sinful, detestable, and an abomination to God.
## Old Testament View of Witchcraft
In the Old Testament, witchcraft is explicitly condemned. The Hebrew word translated as “witchcraft” or “sorcery” is “keshafim”, which refers to psychic abilities, divination, and attempts to contact the spirit world. Practitioners of witchcraft were put to death under Mosaic Law:
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” (Exodus 22:18)
“A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:27)
God warned the Israelites against partaking in any occult practices as they entered the Promised Land:
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
The punishment for witchcraft under God’s law was severe because witchcraft was seen as a grievous sin against God, as well as a threat to Israelite society. The prohibition against witchcraft applied to both men and women. The motives behind the practice, whether for power, financial gain, or occult knowledge, were irrelevant. All witchcraft was seen as dangerous and evil in God’s sight.
Several accounts in 1 Samuel describe Saul’s attempt to seek guidance through a medium, which was strictly forbidden. This demonstrated Saul’s unfaithfulness to God. (1 Samuel 28) King Manasseh was also condemned for practicing various forms of witchcraft and leading the people astray. (2 Chronicles 33:6)
## Witchcraft and Magic in the New Testament
The New Testament likewise condemns witchcraft and sorcery. The Greek word translated as “sorcery” is “pharmakeia”, referring to the use of drugs, spells, and potions. Simon the Sorcerer practiced occult magic and tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. Peter strongly rebuked him for his wickedness. (Acts 8:9-24)
Paul lists witchcraft as one of the sins that indicates rebellion against God:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
The book of Revelation also associates witchcraft and sorcery with immorality and idolatry:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
“…by your sorcery all the nations were led astray.” (Revelation 18:23)
Witchcraft was viewed as deceptive, dangerous, and inspired by demonic forces. The practice reflects a desire for control, power, and false knowledge apart from God. The miracles of Jesus and the apostles were contrasted with magic as displays of true divine power and authority.
## Why is witchcraft sinful?
The Bible provides several reasons why witchcraft is considered sinful:
1. **It seeks knowledge and power apart from God.** Witchcraft attempts to gain secret knowledge and harness spiritual forces separate from God’s power and revelation. This rejects God’s warnings against pursuing the occult. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
2. **It denies God’s sole sovereignty.** Witchcraft seeks to utilize forces outside of God’s control and authority. This fails to acknowledge that God alone is omnipotent and the rightful ruler of all. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
3. **It shows lack of trust in God.** By turning to magic, mediums, and divination, one displays a lack of faith and trust in God’s ability and willingness to guide, provide, and protect. (Psalms 37:5)
4. **It substitutes God’s power for counterfeits.** Rather than relying on the Holy Spirit and God’s provision, witchcraft uses artificial means and demonic sources of power. (Acts 19:17-19)
5. **It often exploits others for gain.** Throughout history, witchcraft and the occult have frequently been used to steal from, control, influence, or deceive others for personal gain and profit. (Acts 16:16-18)
6. **It opens one to demonic deception.** The power behind witchcraft and sorcery ultimately stems from demonic sources. Those who practice witchcraft may become oppressed, influenced, or possessed. (Deuteronomy 32:17)
7. **It distorts one’s perception of reality.** Witchcraft alters one’s sense of reality by promoting beliefs in astrology, divination, communication with spirits, and other occult phenomena as sources of truth and guidance. (1 Timothy 4:1)
In summary, the dangers and sins of witchcraft ultimately stem from its turning away from God as the source of wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and power. Scripture implores us to avoid all occult practices and remain fully reliant upon the Lord.
## What practices are considered witchcraft?
The Bible condemns all forms of magic, sorcery, divination, spells, and spiritual manipulation as witchcraft. Here are some examples of forbidden practices:
– Casting spells, curses, or hexes
– Using voodoo dolls or poppets
– Consulting spiritual mediums or channeling spirits
– Attempting to summon the dead (necromancy)
– Interpreting omens or astrological signs
– Potions, elixirs, or hallucinogens used to induce trances or visions
– Divination through tarot cards, runes, tea leaves, or crystal balls
– Casting magic circles to invoke spirits or demons
Any method of trying to obtain supernatural power or knowledge through supernatural means, rather than directly from God, would fall under the biblical prohibition of witchcraft. Occult practices such as palm-reading, fortune-telling, and séances are all condemned. Communication with ghosts, spirits, or deities from other religions is forbidden as well.
Witchcraft extends to ancient pagan practices that God prohibited, such as child sacrifice, worshiping false idols, divination, and spiritism. In modern times, Wicca, voodoo, Santeria, and various forms of paganism include witchcraft elements. The Bible warns against all sorcery, spell-casting, and trafficking with mediums or spirits.
## Perspectives on magic in fantasy fiction
Many popular fantasy fiction works today, both classic and modern, contain characters and plot elements involving magic and wizardry. Series such as Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter portray wizards and witches as protagonists. How should a Christian interpret these?
Some Christians take issue with all fictional depictions of magic and sorcery, even in fantasy settings. They view this as promoting dangerous ideas and possibly opening one’s mind to the occult. However, many other Christians discern that fictional magic in novels and myths (as opposed to real-world occult practices) may be morally acceptable in fantasy storytelling. Several factors help provide this distinction:
– The magic is imaginary, not actually possible in the real world.
– The author’s intent is for creative storytelling, not promoting the occult.
– Good magic is ascribed as a gift from God/gods or innate ability.
– Magic helps defeat clearly evil characters and forces.
– The work contains allegory conveying biblical themes and morals.
From this perspective, as long as fantasy magic is treated merely as artistic license for storytelling, not as a guide for real behavior, it may not contradict biblical principles. Discernment is still needed. Parents should guide children in separating reality from imaginary worlds. Overall focus should remain on Christ and building one’s biblical worldview.
## Modern revival of witchcraft and Wicca
In the 20th century, interest revived in witchcraft and ancient pagan nature religions such as Wicca. This Neopagan movement views witchcraft as a positive, nature-based practice and rejects its negative stereotypes. However, a biblical view cannot endorse modern witchcraft movements for several reasons:
– Wicca and witchcraft still involve casting spells, worshiping deities other than God, and attempting to harness spiritual forces apart from God. These practices are clearly condemned in Scripture.
– Wiccans reject sin and the need for salvation, seeing divinity as inherent in nature and humanity. This contradicts the Bible’s teaching that all have sinned and need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23, Acts 4:12)
– Wiccans worship both male and female deities, contrasting God’s revelation in Scripture as a loving Father.
– Elements of witchcraft and Wiccan traditions have roots in ancient pagan rituals that God declared evil and detestable. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
– The use of magic, spells, and divination in Wicca opens one to deception and demonic influence. (1 Timothy 4:1)
From a biblical perspective, contemporary witchcraft and Wiccan beliefs cannot be blended with Christian teachings. Even though modern practitioners may have noble ideals of harmony with nature, the roots of Neopagan witchcraft remain incompatible with God’s revelation and instructions in Scripture.
## Instructions for Christians
Based on the Bible’s clear condemnation of witchcraft and the occult, Christians should avoid any involvement with these practices:
– Have nothing to do with occult objects, symbols, rituals, or spell books. Do not bring them into one’s home. (Deuteronomy 7:25-26)
– Avoid books, movies, or entertainment that portray the occult as harmless or promote its worldview in opposition to biblical principles.
– Do not consult palm readers, psychics, astrologers, mediums, or anyone claiming to have special powers or hidden knowledge. Seek God’s wisdom through prayer instead. (James 1:5)
– Be alert to occult influences in the culture, especially where children and youth are involved. Teach discernment between creative fantasy and harmful reality of the demonic realm. (1 John 4:1)
– If troubled by nightmares, hearing voices, objects moving, or suspected curses, seek help from Christian leaders rather than witch doctors. Pray for protection and deliverance by Christ’s authority. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
– Lead others to find freedom from fear and occult bondage through faith in Jesus Christ and His word. (John 8:31-32)
– Trust God’s sovereignty over all powers and principalities. Resist the devil by drawing near to God. (James 4:7-8)
The Bible affirms that no occult practice can overpower the position and authority believers have through their relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone is the victor over all spiritual forces of evil. (Colossians 2:15)
## Conclusion
The Bible strongly opposes all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and magic as dangerous demonic deceptions. God’s prohibition against these practices remains in place. Christians must avoid any involvement, influence, or temptation toward witchcraft. While artistic magic in fiction may serve literary purposes, in reality all magic stems from demonic sources. Our focus should remain on pursuing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and relying solely on Him as the source of truth, wisdom, and power. Through faith in Christ, we find freedom from any occult bondage or deception.
