Does the Bible say anything about black magic?

what does the bible say?

God commanded the Israelites to have nothing to do with those who practice dark arts and clearly condemned the practice (Deuteronomy 18:10–14, Exodus 22:18, Leviticus 19:26; 31). In the New Testament, Paul stands against black magic when he casts a demon out of a girl who was practicing divination (Acts 16:16–19). We also see in Acts 19 a group of itinerant Jewish exorcists who misuse God’s name when interacting with a demon, after which the demon violently attacks them. After this event, some people who formerly practiced the dark arts became Christians and burned their books of magic arts (Acts 19:19–20). As new creations in Christ, we are to live in godliness—not participate in old, sinful practices like black magic (2 Peter 1:3; Galatians 5:19–21). Moreover, we must stay alert to the enemy’s deception and live as children of the light.

from the old testament

• Sorcery was such a serious sin issue to God that anyone who was found out to be a sorceress was to be killed (Exodus 22:18).
• In Leviticus 19:26 God makes it clear that His people should not participate in interpreting omens or telling fortunes. Verse 31 specifically says: “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
• In Deuteronomy 18:10–14 God commands that there must be no Israelite who follows the heinous practices of surrounding nations, such as sacrificing children to gods, practicing divination, fortune telling, interpreting of omens, and specifically mentions sorcerers, charmers, mediums, necromancers, and those who inquire of the dead as those who are an abomination to Him.

from the new testament

• In Acts 16:16–19 Paul, Silas, and Luke encountered a girl in Philippi who had certain spiritual abilities and was known as a diviner. She was used by her owner to make money. Paul recognized that her abilities were the result of a demon and he cast the demon out of her causing her owners to become upset.
• Acts 19 tells of an encounter some spiritual people had with an evil spirit. These people in Ephesus practiced the dark arts and learned that Paul and others had access to spiritual power through the name of Jesus Christ. They started using His name and an evil spirit called them on their lack of relationship with Jesus, then physically beat them. As a result, the Ephesians sought out the truth about Jesus and many were saved (Acts 19:19–20).
• Sorcery and such practices are prohibited as well in the New Testament. Galatians 5:19–21 names sorcery in a litany of works of the flesh.
• We must have no part in black magic, but rather put on our spiritual armor as we st and firm in Christ amidst spiritual deception and warfare (Ephesians 6:10–18).
• The spiritual world is real. Satan and his demons are deceptive. Christians are not to dabble in black magic, but instead to stay alert to Satan’s schemes (1 Peter 5:8–9).
• Black magic is opposed by God and not something we should have any part in. When we receive salvation through Jesus, we become children of God and we rely on Him and His power for our lives (2 Peter 1:3).
• Today, some people dabble in black magic, or the dark arts, by consulting psychics, fortune tellers, astrology, and such. Others learn to read tarot cards or consult books of spells or incantations in an attempt to contact the spiritual world. Revelation 18 talks about the fall of Babylon in the end times; in part, God will judge them for their sorcery, by which the nations were deceived (Revelation 18:23).

implications for today

The Bible condemns sorcery, divination, fortune-telling and all types of black magic. Any skill, instrument, practice, or art that someone uses to contact the spirit world without the guidance of the Holy Spirit through a relationship with Jesus Christ is sin and is dangerous. While it might be tempting to try to justify in our hearts how just a “taste” of these practices is okay, we must rid ourselves of such a thought. We are to walk as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8), living lives that are completely set apart from this world (Romans 12:2). And our conduct should be holy—just as Christ is holy (1 Peter 1:15). If practicing black magic used to be a part of our lifestyle before we came to Christ and we are struggling with being tempted to participate in it again, or we are struggling with shame over it, we do well to remind ourselves of Paul’s words to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. In this passage he reminds the Corinthian believers of the old, sinful identities they used to have but then assures them: “…But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). If you are a child of God, black magic has no ruling over you. You are set free in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2) and He will aid you as you wage war against all temptation: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Recap

understand

• Black magic is explicitly condemned by God throughout Scripture.
• Black magic opens the door to deception and spiritual harm through demonic influence.
• Christians are called to reject black magic completely and live set apart as children of light.

reflect

• What influences, habits, or curiosities might be competing with your trust in Christ’s power and truth?
• How does understanding the spiritual danger of black magic shape the way you guard your heart and mind?
• How are you seeking to intentionally live as a child of the light?

engage

• How do we discern the difference between cultural curiosity and practices that God clearly condemns?
• What does it look like for us to rely on Christ’s authority rather than seeking spiritual power elsewhere?
• How can we support each other in rejecting deceptive practices and standing firm in spiritual warfare together?