Misplaced credulity concerning the supernatural, which leads to irrational fear, misdirected reverence, false religion and magic, and which brings God's judgment. Scripture warns against and condemns such things.
Superstition causing irrational fear
Jeremiah 10:2 See also Job 15:20–24, Job 18:11
This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.
Fear of Jesus Christ or his disciples
Matthew 14:26–27 parallel Mark 6:49–50 See also Matthew 14:2 parallel Mark 6:14; Acts 5:13
When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Fear of other gods
1 Kings 20:23 See also 1 Kings 18:28, 1 Kings 20:28; Acts 17:23
Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.
Misunderstanding God's work
Acts 8:18–19 See also Luke 24:36–37; Acts 12:15, Acts 19:13 invoking the name of Jesus Christ for exorcism as though it were a magic formula; Acts 28:3–4
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Superstition leading to misdirected reverence
Acts 14:11–13 See also Acts 28:5–6; Revelation 22:8–9
When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds.
False religion
Judges 10:6–7 See also 1 Samuel 7:3–4; 1 Kings 13:33, 1 Kings 14:15–16, 1 Kings 14:22–24; 2 Chronicles 28:2–4 parallel 2 Kings 16:3–4; Jeremiah 9:14, Jeremiah 44:17–18; Hosea 11:2
And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
Unhelpful speculations
1 Timothy 1:3–4 See also Isaiah 65:2–3, Isaiah 66:17–18; Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:17; 1 Timothy 6:3–4
As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
The true demonic source of superstition
1 Timothy 4:1 See also Revelation 9:20–21
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.