What does the Bible say about witchcraft? That’s a great question. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
He (King Manasseh of Judah) made his sons pass through the fire … and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
2 Chronicles 33:6
Personal and Evil Forces
Consult the Dead?
What does the Bible say about witchcraft? The Bible doesn’t shy away from discussing sorcery and other occult practices. These practices can produce results, mixed results. However, God warns against them, forbidding them for his people. Manasseh also worshiped the heavens, practicing astrology, along with the rituals listed above. People open themselves up to perilous consequences; often, they’re approached with fascination. The forces behind these practices are personal and evil.
“When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living (Isaiah 8:19)?
Consult God Instead
If there’s anything anyone needs to know, God says to ask Him, not the dead. Fortunetellers and other occult practitioners are frauds, but some produce some results. Some of these forbidden incidents are recorded in Scripture. But first, let’s repeat how God feels about these rituals:
“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire… uses divination…practices witchcraft…interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD (Exodus 22:10-12).”
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King Saul and the Witch of Endor
What does the Bible say about witchcraft? The best-known Bible story about a medium involves King Saul and the Witch of Endor:
Witches Removed
“Now Samuel (who recently died, was a longtime prophet in Israel and advisor to King Saul …and Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists (1 Samuel 28:3).”
God’s Silence to the Disobedient King
The Philistines, Israel’s enemy, was threatening them with war. So, Saul inquired of the LORD, seeking military advice and His blessing in battle, but God didn’t answer.
The King Consults a Witch
“Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium (to) inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor. Then Saul disguised himself…and came to the woman by night; and he said, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you (1 Samuel 28:7-8).”
But the woman objected, saying Saul had removed all the spiritists from the land. But the still disguised Saul promised her no harm would come to her.
Bring Up the Prophet Samuel
“Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul (1 Samuel 28:11-12).”
The woman told Saul she saw “a divine being coming up out of the earth (1 Samuel 12:13). ”Apparently this “being” really was the recently deceased Samuel. God may have allowed this for a lesson for His people. The witch didn’t expect the real Samuel to appear.
Saul Condemned
Saul asked her to describe the being, and Saul recognized Samuel. When Samuel asked Saul why he called him up, Saul told him that God wouldn’t answer his summons. Samuel responded, saying that if God wouldn’t answer him, Saul shouldn’t ask Samuel either.
God condemned Saul and took the kingdom away from him while allowing the enemy to defeat Israel.
Samuel’s Appearance was Unexpected
This being the medium “called up” was Samuel. But the medium was surprised that he appeared. So, we aren’t told if a medium really could call up the dead or if this was a one-time exception that God allowed because of the circumstances. We don’t known for sure but it’s unlikely a medium can call anyone back from the dead. The activity that accompanies their spells is either faked or demonic.
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God’s Continuing Wrath Against Sorcerers and Diviners
Practitioners Lose Their Inheritance
The Apostle Paul said, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are…idolatry and sorcery…of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).”
The prophet Samuel said, “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you (1 Sam 15:22-33).”
God Calls Practitioners Out
God Sends Them Plagues
God Calls When God pours out His wrath in the future seven-year time called the tribulation, He will send many plagues on the unbelievers on earth. Yet they refuse to repent of their evil. God specifically calls out people involved in demonic activity and sorceries:
“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent (to stop worshiping) demons… nor of their sorceries (Revelation 9:20-21).”
God Condemns Them to Eternal Fire
And the Bible tells us this is the fate of all sorcerers, enchanters, and the like: But for the…unbelieving and…sorcerers and idolaters…their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).”
Ask God, Not the Dead
What does the Bible say about witchcraft? The Bible has stories and references about sorcery and other occult practices. God condemns them all! God seeks those who seek Him. If we want to know anything about the future, He encourages us to ask Him and trust Him. He will tell us what we need to know.
