What does the Bible say about psychics and witchcraft?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible forbids seeking spiritual guidance or power through psychics, mediums, witchcraft, divination, or other occult practices, calling God’s people to seek him alone. Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6 warn that turning to mediums defiles and betrays the Lord, while Deuteronomy 18:10-13 commands Israel to avoid such practices and to be blameless before God. Isaiah 8:19 directs believers to inquire of their God rather than the dead. These acts are works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and reflect rebellion, as seen in Saul’s sin (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Christians should test spiritual claims by God’s Word (1 John 4:1), repent of occult involvement, and trust Christ’s saving grace.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 19:31 6 votes
"'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 6 votes
"'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.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-13 4 votes
[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.
- Revelation 21:8 4 votes
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."
- Leviticus 20:27 3 votes
"'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.'"
- Isaiah 8:19 3 votes
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 John 4:1 3 votes
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 3 votes
[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.
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 3 votes
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.
- Galatians 5:19-21 2 votes
[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.
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