Witchcraft appears in Scripture as a serious matter, contrasting sharply with reliance on God’s power. When you look for a bible verse about witchcraft, you find clear warnings and direct commands to avoid such practices. The Bible treats witchcraft not as a myth but as a real spiritual danger that leads people away from God.
Many Christians wonder what the Bible actually says about witchcraft. Some verses forbid it outright, while others show the consequences of engaging in it. This article will walk you through the key passages, explain their context, and help you understand how they apply today.
Let’s start with the most direct commands and then move to the stories that illustrate why God takes this so seriously.
Key Bible Verses About Witchcraft
The Bible mentions witchcraft in both the Old and New Testaments. Each passage reinforces the same message: witchcraft is incompatible with faith in God. Here are the most important ones to know.
Old Testament Commands Against Witchcraft
The Old Testament law is very clear. God gave Israel specific rules to keep them separate from pagan nations. Witchcraft was a capital offense under the Mosaic law.
- Exodus 22:18 – “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” This is a direct command to the nation of Israel. It shows how seriously God viewed this sin.
- Leviticus 19:26 – “Do not practice divination or sorcery.” This is part of a list of holy living instructions. God wanted His people to trust Him, not occult methods.
- Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” This connects witchcraft to spiritual defilement.
- Leviticus 20:6 – “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them.” God personally opposes those who engage in these practices.
- Leviticus 20:27 – “A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist must be put to death.” The penalty shows the severity of the offense.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.” This is the most comprehensive list in the Old Testament.
These verses establish a clear boundary. God’s people were not to seek supernatural guidance from any source other than Him.
New Testament Warnings
The New Testament continues the same theme. Witchcraft is listed among sins that exclude people from God’s kingdom.
- Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul puts witchcraft right next to idolatry.
- Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” This is the final judgment for unrepentant practitioners.
- Revelation 22:15 – “Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Heaven excludes those who persist in witchcraft.
- Acts 8:9-24 – The story of Simon the Sorcerer shows that even those who practice magic can be saved, but they must repent and turn to Christ.
- Acts 13:6-12 – Paul confronts Elymas the sorcerer, striking him blind for opposing the gospel. This shows God’s power over witchcraft.
- Acts 19:18-19 – Many Ephesian believers who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them publicly. This is a model of repentance.
The New Testament does not soften the Old Testament stance. If anything, it makes the spiritual stakes even clearer.
Bible Verse About Witchcraft
Now let’s focus on the single most referenced passage. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 is the foundational bible verse about witchcraft that every Christian should know. It lists multiple forbidden practices and gives the reason why God hates them.
Here is the passage in full:
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.”
Notice the pattern. God lists eight specific practices. Each one involves seeking supernatural knowledge or power from a source other than Him. The reason is practical: these practices led the Canaanite nations into terrible evil, including child sacrifice.
God did not want Israel to learn these ways. He wanted them to trust His prophets and His Word. The same applies to you today. When you seek guidance from horoscopes, tarot cards, or mediums, you are doing the same thing the Bible forbids.
What Does “Witchcraft” Mean In The Original Language?
The Hebrew word for witchcraft in Deuteronomy 18 is “kashaph.” It means to practice magic or sorcery. The Greek word in the New Testament is “pharmakeia,” which originally referred to drug use but came to mean sorcery and magic spells.
This connection is important. In ancient times, sorcerers often used drugs to alter consciousness and create mystical experiences. The word “pharmacy” comes from this same root. The Bible associates witchcraft with manipulation, deception, and rebellion against God.
Understanding the original words helps you see that witchcraft is not just about spells and curses. It includes any attempt to control spiritual forces outside of God’s will.
Stories That Illustrate The Danger Of Witchcraft
The Bible does not just give commands. It also tells stories that show the real-world consequences of witchcraft. These narratives make the warnings concrete.
King Saul And The Medium Of Endor
The most famous story is in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul had outlawed mediums and spiritists in Israel. But when God stopped answering him through prophets or dreams, Saul panicked. He disguised himself and visited a medium at Endor.
He asked her to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The medium cried out when Samuel actually appeared. Samuel told Saul that God had torn the kingdom from him because of his disobedience. Saul died the next day in battle.
This story teaches several lessons:
- Even a king cannot bypass God’s commands safely
- Desperation leads people to seek forbidden sources
- God’s judgment on witchcraft is final
- Repentance must happen before seeking God, not after trying other options
Saul’s story is a tragic example of what happens when you turn to witchcraft instead of trusting God.
The Witch Of Endor’s Role
The medium herself is often misunderstood. She was surprised when Samuel actually appeared. This suggests that her normal practice involved deception or demonic impersonation, not actually contacting the dead. God allowed Samuel to appear for His own purposes, not because the medium had power.
This shows that witchcraft is ultimately powerless against God’s sovereignty. The medium could not control what happened. God used the situation to deliver His message of judgment.
Simon The Sorcerer In Acts
Simon had amazed the people of Samaria with his magic. When Philip preached the gospel, Simon believed and was baptized. But later he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter.
Peter rebuked him sharply: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” Simon repented and asked for prayer.
This story shows that even genuine believers can struggle with old mindsets. Simon had been used to controlling spiritual power for profit. He had to learn that God’s gifts cannot be manipulated.
The Ephesian Believers
Acts 19 records a powerful revival in Ephesus. Many people who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them publicly. The value of those scrolls was fifty thousand drachmas, which is about 50,000 days’ wages.
This was not a small thing. These people made a costly public break with their past. They did not try to keep one foot in the occult and one foot in Christianity. They destroyed their tools of witchcraft completely.
This is the model for you if you have any involvement with witchcraft. Repentance means getting rid of everything connected to it.
How To Apply These Verses Today
You might be reading this and wondering if you have any connection to witchcraft. Modern culture often disguises occult practices in harmless-looking packages. Here is how to apply the Bible’s teaching to your life.
Recognize Modern Forms Of Witchcraft
Witchcraft today takes many forms. Some are obvious, others are subtle. Here are common examples:
- Tarot card readings and psychic consultations
- Horoscopes and astrology for daily guidance
- Ouija boards and spirit communication
- Wicca and neopagan practices
- Spell casting or love charms
- Crystal healing for spiritual purposes
- Mediumship and contacting the dead
- Divination through runes, pendulums, or I Ching
- Yoga when practiced as a spiritual discipline to connect with Hindu deities
- New Age practices like channeling or energy work
Not every use of these things is witchcraft. For example, some people use crystals as decoration without spiritual meaning. But when you use them to seek guidance, power, or connection with spirits, you cross into forbidden territory.
Steps To Break Free From Witchcraft
If you have been involved in any form of witchcraft, here is a practical path to freedom:
- Confess it as sin. Admit to God that you have disobeyed His commands. Use 1 John 1:9 as your promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Repent and turn away. Repentance means changing your mind and your actions. Decide that you will no longer seek guidance or power from any source other than God.
- Destroy all occult objects. Follow the example of the Ephesian believers. Get rid of tarot cards, crystals, spell books, amulets, and anything else connected to witchcraft. Do not sell them or give them away. Destroy them.
- Renounce any spiritual ties. If you made vows or covenants through witchcraft, renounce them out loud in prayer. Ask God to break any spiritual bondages.
- Seek Christian community. Do not try to walk this path alone. Find a Bible-believing church where you can get support and accountability.
- Fill your mind with Scripture. Replace the lies of witchcraft with God’s truth. Memorize verses that speak about God’s power and guidance.
- Pray for protection. Ask God to guard you from deception. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the spiritual armor you need.
These steps are not a formula. They are a pattern found in Scripture. God is faithful to meet you when you turn to Him.
What About Cultural Practices?
Some people come from cultures where witchcraft is woven into traditions. For example, some African and Caribbean communities have practices involving ancestors, charms, or spirit consultation. If this is your background, you may feel torn between family loyalty and your faith.
The Bible is clear: no cultural tradition justifies disobedience to God. You can honor your family while refusing to participate in practices that violate Scripture. Explain your faith gently but firmly. Your witness may lead others to Christ.
Remember that God’s commands are for your protection. He is not trying to rob you of something good. He is keeping you from something dangerous.
Common Misunderstandings About Witchcraft In The Bible
Many people have questions about what the Bible really teaches. Here are some common misunderstandings clarified.
Is All Magic Wrong?
The Bible distinguishes between different kinds of supernatural power. God’s miracles come from Him and point people to His glory. Witchcraft involves human attempts to manipulate spiritual forces for personal gain.
Moses performed miracles by God’s power. The magicians of Egypt imitated some of them through their secret arts. But they could not duplicate all of them, and their power was limited. God’s power always surpasses witchcraft.
Magic tricks and illusions for entertainment are not the same as witchcraft. The problem is not sleight of hand. The problem is seeking spiritual power from forbidden sources.
Can Christians Be Cursed By Witchcraft?
This is a common fear. Some Christians worry that witches can put curses on them. The Bible gives a clear answer: no one can curse what God has blessed.
Numbers 23:23 says, “There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel.” Balaam was hired to curse Israel, but he could only bless them. God’s protection is stronger than any curse.
This does not mean Christians are immune to attacks. But the attacks come from spiritual forces, not from human witches. Your protection is in Christ. No spell or curse can separate you from God’s love.
What About Dreams And Visions?
God sometimes speaks through dreams and visions in the Bible. But He also warns against false prophets who claim to have dreams. The test is whether the dream aligns with Scripture.
If you have a dream that contradicts God’s Word, reject it. If you seek dreams as a primary source of guidance, you may open yourself to deception. The Bible is your sufficient guide.
Practical Steps For Everyday Discernment
How do you avoid witchcraft in a culture that normalizes it? Here are practical habits to develop.
- Test everything by Scripture. Before accepting any spiritual practice, ask: Does the Bible explicitly forbid this? Does it contradict biblical principles? When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
- Be careful with entertainment. Many movies, TV shows, and games glamorize witchcraft. Harry Potter, for example, presents magic as neutral or good. While you can enjoy fiction, be aware of what it normalizes.
- Watch your curiosity. It is natural to be curious about the supernatural. But the Bible warns against seeking forbidden knowledge. Stick to what God has revealed.
- Pray for discernment. Ask God to help you recognize deception. James 1:5 says God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
- Stay connected to your church. Isolation makes you vulnerable. Other believers can help you stay on track.
These habits will protect you from drifting into practices that dishonor God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about what the Bible says on this topic.
What is the strongest Bible verse about witchcraft?
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 is the most comprehensive. It lists multiple forbidden practices and calls them detestable to God. Galatians 5:19-21 is the strongest New Testament passage, listing witchcraft among sins that exclude people from God’s kingdom.
Does the Bible say witches are real?
Yes. The Bible treats witchcraft as a real practice that real people engaged in. It does not dismiss it as superstition. But it consistently shows that witchcraft is powerless compared to God.
Can a Christian practice yoga?
This depends on the intent. If yoga is purely physical exercise, it is not necessarily witchcraft. But traditional yoga is rooted in Hindu spirituality and involves invoking deities. Many Christians choose to avoid it or use alternative forms of exercise.
What should I do if I think someone put a curse on me?
Pray and trust God’s protection. Read Romans 8:31-39, which says nothing can separate you from God’s love. Do not try to counter the curse with another curse. That would be witchcraft itself. Instead, bless those who curse you and trust God to handle it.
Is reading horoscopes a sin?
Yes, if you read them for guidance or believe they have power over your life. Horoscopes are a form of divination, which the Bible forbids.