HOW PEOPLE FALL INTO SUPERSTITION AND WITCHCRAFT

What Is Witchcraft According to the Bible?

The Bible strongly condemns all forms of witchcraft. This includes divination, fortune-telling, casting spells, interpreting omens, consulting mediums or spirits, necromancy (seeking guidance from the dead), sorcery, and other occult practices. All these fall under one broad category: witchcraft, which is rebellion against God’s authority.

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.

(1 Samuel 15:23, ESV)

Witchcraft began with Satan himself. He saw that God had hidden certain knowledge for humanity’s good—that people were not meant to know or control the future apart from God. But because humans longed to know these hidden things, Satan introduced witchcraft as a counterfeit source of wisdom. It is a deadly trap that promises insight but leads only to destruction.

Just as a well is dug in a village because of water scarcity, witchcraft arose because of humanity’s craving for hidden knowledge—a craving that was never meant to be satisfied apart from God. God’s design was for humanity to depend wholly on Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Where Did Witchcraft Begin?

Witchcraft’s roots go back to the Garden of Eden. God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that death would be the result of disobedience (Genesis 2:17). But Satan, speaking through the serpent, introduced the first lie:

But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

(Genesis 3:4-5, ESV)

This was the birth of occult deception—promising divine knowledge and independence from God. Satan tempted Eve with the idea of being like God, of determining right and wrong without God’s guidance. This is the same spirit behind witchcraft today: the desire to control one’s destiny apart from submission to God.

How Satan Traps People

From Eden onward, Satan has used people’s desire to know the future or gain power to lure them into occult practices. Astrology, palm reading, charms, spells, and other such practices are tools Satan uses to draw people away from the true God.

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.

(Deuteronomy 18:10-12, ESV)

Many fall for Satan’s lies. For example, a person might be told to wear certain colors or follow rituals to “activate” their destiny. When something positive happens, they believe the charm worked. But in reality, Satan and his demons manipulate circumstances to strengthen the person’s trust in these lies. Each step leads deeper into bondage—first small rituals, then greater sacrifices, even human ones, all designed to enslave and destroy.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

(John 10:10, ESV)

The Danger of Modern Occultism

Today, the occult hides in plain sight—in horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age teachings, spiritism, and entertainment that glorifies witchcraft. Even reading horoscopes or consulting psychics opens a door to demonic deception.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.

(1 Timothy 4:1, ESV)

Do not be deceived! Even if these practices seem harmless or beneficial, their end is destruction.

Where Is the Truth of Our Lives Found?

The truth about our lives is not in the stars, charms, or hidden knowledge. It is found in the Lord alone.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! … In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psalm 139:1,16, ESV)

If you want to know about your life or future, seek God through prayer and His Word. If He reveals something, give thanks. If He does not, trust Him still—He is good, and His plans are perfect.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.

(Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)

God’s Judgment Against Witchcraft

God’s Word is clear: those who practice witchcraft and consult occult powers are under His judgment.

Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers…

(Malachi 3:5, ESV)

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:8, ESV)

The Call to Repentance

If you have ever taken part in any occult practice, no matter how small, turn to God today. Repent, ask for His forgiveness, and place your hope in Christ alone. His grace is greater than all sin.