What does the Bible say about fortune?
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The Bible forbids seeking hidden knowledge or guidance through fortune-telling, mediums, spirits, or occult practices, calling God’s people to trust and seek Him alone. Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6 warn that consulting mediums defiles and turns the heart from the Lord, while Deuteronomy 18:10-12 names divination and sorcery among practices detestable to God. Saul’s tragic consultation of a medium, recorded in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, illustrates the spiritual danger of refusing God’s word and seeking forbidden counsel. Isaiah 8:19 directs believers to inquire of their God rather than the dead. In Christ, God has given His sufficient Word and calls us to faithful prayer, wise counsel, and humble dependence on His providence.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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.
- 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.
- Leviticus 20:27
"'A man or a woman that is a medium, or is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them.'"
- 2 Kings 21:6
He made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger.
- 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?
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
[13] So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn't keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire [thereby], [14] and didn't inquire of Yahweh: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12
[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.
- Revelation 22:15
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
- Micah 5:12
I will destroy witchcraft from your hand; And you shall have no soothsayers.
- 2 Chronicles 33:6
He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and practiced sorcery, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger.
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