What does the Bible say about black magic?

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The Bible forbids all attempts to seek supernatural power, guidance, or control apart from the living God, calling his people to trust him alone. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 rejects divination, sorcery, mediums, and consulting the dead as practices opposed to the Lord. Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6 likewise warn that turning to mediums defiles a person and invites God’s judgment, while Exodus 22:18 shows the seriousness of such rebellion in Israel’s civil law. Revelation 21:8 includes sorcerers among those facing final judgment. Christians should neither fear occult power excessively nor treat it lightly, but resist the devil in faith, repent of sinful involvement, and seek God through prayer, Scripture, and Christ alone.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Deuteronomy 18:9-14

    [9] When you are come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [10] There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, [11] or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. [12] For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you. [13] You shall be perfect with Yahweh your God. [14] For these nations, that you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice sorcery, and to diviners; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you so to do.

  • Revelation 21:8

    But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

  • Exodus 22:18

    "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

  • Leviticus 19:31

    "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.

  • Isaiah 8:19

    When they shall tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? on behalf of the living [should they consult] with the dead?

  • Galatians 5:19-21

    [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • Leviticus 20:6

    "'The person that turns to those who are mediums, and to the wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • Leviticus 19:26

    "'You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it; neither shall you use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.

  • Matthew 21:22

    All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

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