Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about sorcery?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible clearly forbids sorcery and every attempt to seek spiritual power, guidance, or control apart from the living God. Leviticus 19:31 and Isaiah 8:19 call God’s people away from mediums and spirits of the dead and toward seeking the Lord. Exodus 22:18 and Leviticus 20:6, 27 show the seriousness with which such practices were judged under the old covenant. Galatians 5:19-21 includes sorcery among the works of the flesh that exclude the unrepentant from God’s kingdom. Scripture also warns that false signs may deceive, as seen in Ezekiel 13:6-9 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Christians are therefore to renounce occult practices, trust Christ alone, and seek wisdom through God’s Word and prayer.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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.

  • Exodus 22:18

    "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Galatians 5:20

    idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,

  • 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.'"

  • Ezekiel 13:6-9

    [6] They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Yahweh says; but Yahweh has not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed. [7] Haven't you seen a false vision, and haven't you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, Yahweh says; but I have not spoken? [8] Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord Yahweh. [9] My hand shall be against the prophets who see false visions, and who divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh.

  • Acts 8:9

    But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about sorcery and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about sorcery