What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft and the Occult?
What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft and the Occult? The Bible strongly condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and occult practices as abominations before God.
Key verse: Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (KJV)
The Bible strongly condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and occult practices as abominations before God.
The Bible strongly condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and occult practices as abominations before God.
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his 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. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD." — Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Scripture is unambiguous about the occult. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists practices God considers abominations: divination, observing times (astrology), enchantment, witchcraft, consulting familiar spirits, wizardry, and necromancy (communicating with the dead). King Saul's visit to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28) demonstrated the danger of turning to the occult instead of God. In the New Testament, Paul encountered sorcerers (Acts 13:6-12) and new believers in Ephesus burned their magic books worth fifty thousand pieces of silver (Acts 19:19). Galatians 5:20 lists witchcraft among the works of the flesh. The Bible's prohibition extends to any practice that seeks spiritual knowledge or power apart from God — including horoscopes, psychics, and spiritual mediums.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft & the Occult?
What the Bible teaches about witchcraft, sorcery, and dabbling in the occult.
Key Scripture References
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his 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. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD."
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Demons?
Demons are fallen angels who rebelled with Satan against God, who seek to deceive, oppress, and destroy humanity but are subject to God's authority and Christ's power.
Who Is Satan (the Devil)?
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
What Is the Unforgivable Sin?
The unforgivable sin, or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is the persistent, willful rejection of the Spirit's testimony about Jesus Christ.
Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin and reconcile humanity to God.
How Are You Saved According to the Bible?
Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ — not by works or human effort.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Deuteronomy. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Deuteronomy on day 49 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft and the Occult?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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