Sorcery and magic

The attempt to discover or influence the future by means forbidden by God, including the use of divination, astrology or witchcraft. Such practices are strongly condemned in Scripture.

Examples of magic and sorcery

Magic practices

Revelation 18:23 Babylon, here, represents the world as the centre of seduction.

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”

Divination

Zechariah 10:2

For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Spiritism

Isaiah 8:19–20 See also 2 Chronicles 33:6

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Astrology

2 Chronicles 33:3–5 parallel 2 Kings 21:3–5

For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

Examples of those who practised sorcery

Egyptian magicians: Exodus 7:11, Exodus 8:18; Numbers 22:6, Numbers 23:23; 2 Kings 21:6 Manasseh, king of Judah; Isaiah 47:9–13 the Babylonians; Acts 8:9–11 Simon of Samaria; Acts 13:6–8 Bar-Jesus of Cyprus; Acts 19:19 people in Ephesus

All sorcery and magic is strongly forbidden

Deuteronomy 18:9–12 See also Leviticus 19:26, Leviticus 19:31; Jeremiah 27:9–10; Ezekiel 13:18, Ezekiel 13:20

When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.