What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft and the Occult — Meaning Explained
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)
What "What Does the Bible Say About Witchcraft and the Occult?" Actually Means
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.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
"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."
Galatians 5:19-20
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Witchcraft & the Occult
What the Bible teaches about witchcraft, sorcery, and dabbling in the occult.
What Is the Unforgivable Sin?
Sin & Salvation
Can God Forgive Any Sin?
Sin & Salvation
Can You Lose Your Salvation?
Sin & Salvation
God Promises Victory Over Sin
Bible promises that you can overcome sin through Christ's power.
God Promises to Forgive Your Sins
Bible promises about complete forgiveness, cleansing, and the removal of guilt t
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.