The Bible uses harsh language and explicit warnings about witchcraft, demonstrating God’s concern for His people to abstain from actions that are based on deceit and darkness. Scripture continuously denounces divination, sorcery, and attempts to control spiritual power outside of God’s jurisdiction, both in the Old and New Testaments.
According to the Bible, witchcraft is a perilous phony of God’s truth that drives people away from Him rather than being harmless. These passages serve as a reminder that we should put all of our faith and confidence in the Lord, who is the source of all knowledge, strength, and protection.
Although witchcraft is frequently romanticized or portrayed as entertainment in many cultures today, the spiritual ramifications are nonetheless grave. According to the Bible, engaging in occult activities, consulting mediums, or trying to manipulate results through spells or rituals can lead to spiritual bondage.
God calls His people to walk in faith, prayer, and obedience to His Word rather than depending on these dishonest tactics. The light of Christ, who has already vanquished the powers of evil, is where true strength and freedom can be found, not in the shadow of witchcraft.
Examining Bible passages regarding witchcraft helps us understand how God feels about such behavior and how we as Christians ought to react. These verses exhort us to accept God’s truth and protection in addition to cautioning against practicing witchcraft. Based on the conviction that the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to fight evil, they act as a manual for leading a life free from deceit and fear. I pray that these verses will serve as a reminder to you of the significance of seeking God’s direction above all else and being steadfast in His authority over all forms of evil.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About Witchcraft (2025)
1. Exodus 22:18
“Do not allow a sorceress to live.”
This direct command reveals how seriously God regarded witchcraft among His people. It was not a trivial matter but a dangerous rebellion against His authority. By prohibiting sorcery, God was protecting Israel from deception, idolatry, and demonic influence. This verse underscores the incompatibility of witchcraft with God’s holiness and highlights the need for believers to separate from practices that oppose Him.
2. Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
God warns His people against seeking supernatural guidance from mediums or spiritists. Such practices defile the soul because they involve reliance on dark powers instead of the living God. This verse shows us that true direction, comfort, and wisdom are found only in God’s presence. Turning to witchcraft or occult practices opens doors to spiritual bondage, while turning to God brings purity and life.
3. Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Here, God makes it clear that witchcraft and all related practices are detestable to Him. These acts are rooted in rebellion, deception, and reliance on powers outside of God’s authority. By forbidding such practices, God is calling His people to holiness and reminding them to depend solely on Him. This passage is a comprehensive warning that witchcraft, in any form, stands against the will of God.
4. Galatians 5:19-20
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.”
In this New Testament passage, witchcraft is listed among the works of the flesh—behaviors that separate us from God. Paul makes it clear that engaging in sorcery or occult practices is not just a cultural issue but a spiritual one that opposes the Spirit of God. This warning shows us that witchcraft is not compatible with the life of a believer who is called to walk in the Spirit and bear the fruit of righteousness.
5. Acts 19:19
“A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.”
This verse highlights the transformation of new believers in Ephesus who renounced witchcraft and burned their sorcery scrolls. Their act of public repentance showed a decisive break from darkness and a full surrender to Christ. The great cost of the books demonstrated their seriousness, but the freedom they found in Christ far outweighed any financial loss. This passage teaches that true repentance involves not only confessing sin but also cutting ties with anything connected to it.
6. Micah 5:12
“I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.”
This prophetic declaration shows God’s determination to cleanse His people from witchcraft. Spells and sorcery were sources of bondage, leading hearts away from Him. God promises not just to forgive but to break the stronghold of witchcraft completely. This verse reminds us that no dark power is stronger than God’s authority, and He is faithful to deliver His people from every spiritual chain.
7. 2 Kings 21:6
“He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
This verse describes King Manasseh’s rebellion, where witchcraft and idolatry went hand in hand. His actions not only dishonored God but also corrupted the nation spiritually. By engaging in sorcery, Manasseh directly provoked God’s anger, showing how serious these sins are in His sight. It reminds us that witchcraft leads to spiritual corruption and draws God’s judgment upon those who practice it.
8. Isaiah 47:12-14
“Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up.”
Through the prophet Isaiah, God confronts Babylon for relying on witchcraft, astrology, and sorcery. Despite their efforts, these practices could not save them from God’s coming judgment. This passage reveals the futility of trusting in occult powers—they offer false promises and cannot withstand God’s truth. It teaches us that only God can save, and every other source of spiritual power is powerless before Him.
9. Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
In this sobering passage, witchcraft—referred to as “magic arts”—is included among the sins that lead to eternal separation from God. The seriousness of this warning shows that sorcery is not a harmless practice but one with eternal consequences. It emphasizes that those who refuse to repent from witchcraft will face God’s final judgment. Yet, it also points to the hope of redemption for those who turn away and choose Christ.
10. Revelation 22:15
“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
Here, the book of Revelation contrasts the destiny of the righteous with that of those who cling to sin, including witchcraft. Those who practice sorcery are excluded from the blessings of eternal life with God. This verse reminds us that witchcraft is not compatible with the kingdom of God, and no one can walk in both light and darkness. Only through repentance and faith in Christ can anyone find forgiveness and enter into His eternal presence.
11. 1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Here, Samuel equates rebellion with witchcraft (divination), showing that both are acts of rejecting God’s authority. King Saul’s disobedience is treated as seriously as sorcery, reminding us that any rejection of God’s word is a step into dangerous spiritual territory. This verse warns that disobedience is not a small matter—it is spiritual rebellion.
12. 2 Chronicles 33:6
“He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
This passage again highlights King Manasseh’s involvement in witchcraft. His sins were not only personal but influenced an entire nation, leading Israel into corruption. It shows how witchcraft is often connected with idolatry and destructive practices. God’s anger against these acts reveals His holiness and desire for His people to walk in truth, not deception.
13. Nahum 3:4
“All because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.”
The prophet Nahum describes Nineveh’s downfall, linking its destruction to sorcery and idolatry. Witchcraft is portrayed as a seductive force that enslaves entire nations. This verse reminds us that witchcraft is not harmless—it has the power to entrap people and lead them away from God. But no matter how strong its influence, God’s justice prevails.
14. Ezekiel 13:18
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?”
God condemns false prophetesses who used charms and sorcery to deceive His people. These practices ensnared lives and pulled people away from His truth. The verse highlights the destructive nature of witchcraft—it manipulates, entraps, and destroys. God’s warning shows His deep care for His people and His judgment against those who mislead them.
15. Malachi 3:5
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
In this passage, sorcerers are grouped with other evildoers who exploit and oppress others. Witchcraft is not only spiritual rebellion but also a societal evil. God promises judgment against those who practice such things, reminding us that His justice is thorough. This verse underscores the seriousness of witchcraft and the importance of fearing the Lord.
16. Acts 8:9-11
“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.”
Simon the Sorcerer shows how witchcraft can deceive and captivate entire communities. People believed he had divine power because of his magical practices. But his influence was built on deception, not truth. This passage reminds us that sorcery often disguises itself as something good or powerful, but only God’s Spirit brings true power and transformation.
17. Acts 8:20-21
“Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.’”
When Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter rebuked him strongly. This shows the corrupting influence of a heart shaped by sorcery and greed. The Spirit of God cannot be purchased or manipulated—it is a gift given freely by God. This passage highlights the incompatibility of witchcraft’s desire for control with the humility required to receive God’s power.
18. Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
Here, God challenges His people not to turn to mediums and spiritists for guidance. Consulting the dead is contrasted with seeking the living God. This verse highlights the futility of witchcraft practices and points us back to God as the only true source of wisdom, comfort, and direction. It asks a piercing question: why turn to darkness when we can seek the Creator of life?
19. Jeremiah 27:9
“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’”
Through Jeremiah, God warns His people not to be deceived by sorcerers and false prophets who offered false hope. Witchcraft often appeals to human desires, promising what people want to hear. But God’s truth, even when difficult, is the only reliable guide. This verse shows that trusting in witchcraft leads to falsehood and destruction, while trusting God leads to life.
20. Daniel 2:27-28
“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.’”
When King Nebuchadnezzar sought answers from magicians and sorcerers, they failed. Only God could reveal the mysteries hidden from man. Daniel’s response reveals the superiority of God’s wisdom over all occult practices. This verse teaches us that witchcraft has no real power compared to the sovereignty of God, who alone knows the future and gives true revelation.
21. 2 Kings 9:22
“When Joram saw Jehu he asked, ‘Have you come in peace, Jehu?’ ‘How can there be peace,’ Jehu replied, ‘as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?’”
Jehu’s words reveal that witchcraft and idolatry destroy peace in a nation. Queen Jezebel was infamous for her sorcery, which corrupted Israel. This verse shows how witchcraft is linked with rebellion against God and the breakdown of righteousness in society. True peace only comes when God is honored, not when sorcery abounds.
22. Isaiah 44:25
“Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.”
God declares His power to frustrate the plans of diviners and false prophets. No matter how convincing sorcery or occult wisdom may appear, it cannot stand against the Lord. This verse reminds us that human and demonic schemes are weak compared to God’s sovereignty. He alone exposes falsehood and brings lasting truth.
23. Ezekiel 21:21
“For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: he will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.”
This passage illustrates how pagan kings depended on witchcraft to make decisions. The king of Babylon used divination rituals to seek direction. Yet, God’s purposes prevailed regardless of their sorcery. The verse demonstrates the futility of occult practices in shaping destiny—only God’s will determines the outcome of history.
24. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”
King Saul’s tragic end was directly linked to his disobedience and reliance on witchcraft. By consulting a medium, he turned from God and sealed his downfall. This verse is a sober reminder that seeking guidance through sorcery leads to destruction. True wisdom comes only from God, not from occult sources.
25. Deuteronomy 17:2-5
“If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant, and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky, and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.”
This law reveals the seriousness with which God views witchcraft and idolatry. Turning to other spiritual powers was seen as covenant-breaking and detestable in His sight. The command highlights the holiness of God and His demand for purity among His people. It reinforces that witchcraft is not compatible with worship of the one true God.
26. Zechariah 10:2
“The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”
God exposes the emptiness of diviners and false visions. Witchcraft promises guidance but delivers only lies and confusion. This verse shows how sorcery misleads people and leaves them spiritually lost. In contrast, God is the true Shepherd who guides His people with truth and love.
27. Revelation 9:21
“Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
In Revelation’s vision of judgment, people refused to repent of their sins, including witchcraft (magic arts). This verse reveals the hardness of heart that sorcery can create. Instead of turning to God, they clung to sin. It is a warning that witchcraft blinds people from repentance and keeps them bound in rebellion.
28. Micah 3:7
“The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.”
God declares that false diviners will be left ashamed and powerless when their lies are exposed. Their inability to provide true guidance highlights the emptiness of witchcraft. This verse reassures us that God will always expose darkness and confirm His truth. Only His Word brings light and certainty.
29. Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
Though not mentioning witchcraft directly, this verse warns against being deceived by spiritual forces opposed to Christ. Sorcery falls into this category of deceptive practices rooted in dark powers. Paul calls believers to stand firm in Christ, who is greater than all earthly and demonic influences.
30. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”
Paul warns of the deception that will come through satanic signs and wonders. These counterfeit miracles resemble sorcery, intended to mislead people into rejecting the truth of Christ. This passage reminds us that not all supernatural power is from God. Discernment is needed, and believers must cling to God’s truth to avoid deception.
31. Isaiah 2:6
“You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.”
God rebukes His people for adopting sorcery and pagan practices from surrounding nations. This verse shows how easily God’s people can be influenced by culture when they fail to guard their hearts. It reminds us that witchcraft is not just ancient but still creeps into modern life through subtle cultural practices. God calls His people to holiness, not compromise.
32. Jeremiah 14:14
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.’”
God exposes false prophets who mixed divination with His name. This blending of truth with witchcraft was dangerous, misleading many. The verse shows how witchcraft can disguise itself in religious clothing. It teaches believers to test every prophecy and spiritual word against God’s truth.
33. Ezekiel 12:24
“For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel.”
Through Ezekiel, God promises to put an end to false visions and witchcraft among His people. This verse reflects God’s determination to cleanse His people from spiritual deception. It reassures us that sorcery has no lasting power before God’s truth, which always prevails.
34. Ezekiel 13:23
“Therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.”
God’s judgment on diviners brings freedom to His people. This verse highlights His role as deliverer from witchcraft’s grip. It reveals God’s desire not just to condemn sorcery but to rescue His people from its deception. True freedom is always found in knowing the Lord.
35. Isaiah 57:3
“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!”
Isaiah confronts the people for their corruption, calling them descendants of sorcery and immorality. The strong language reflects how deeply witchcraft had defiled the nation. This verse shows that sorcery is not just a practice but a generational curse when unrepented. Yet it also points to the need for repentance and God’s mercy.
36. Malachi 3:2-3
“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”
Though not mentioning witchcraft directly, this passage points to God’s purifying power, which burns away all impurities—including sorcery. The imagery of fire and cleansing highlights God’s desire to refine His people into holiness. Witchcraft cannot stand in His presence; only righteousness remains.
37. Galatians 3:1
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.”
Paul rebukes the Galatians for being spiritually deceived, using the word “bewitched.” This shows how witchcraft can also represent deception that blinds people from the truth of the Gospel. The verse warns against spiritual manipulation and calls believers to keep their focus on Christ crucified.
38. Revelation 18:23
“The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.”
This prophecy against Babylon reveals how witchcraft (“magic spell”) deceived entire nations. Sorcery here is portrayed as a tool of global deception, luring people away from God. The verse reminds us that in the end, all witchcraft will be judged and destroyed by God’s power.
39. Acts 13:8-10
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?’”
Elymas the sorcerer opposed Paul and Barnabas, attempting to block the Gospel. Paul’s rebuke exposes the true nature of witchcraft—it is deception, opposition to righteousness, and perversion of God’s ways. The passage shows that the Holy Spirit’s power is far greater than any sorcery.
40. Psalm 106:37-38
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
This psalm recalls Israel’s tragic involvement with pagan worship, including sacrifices tied to sorcery and idolatry. Such acts defiled the land and grieved God. The verse shows that witchcraft often leads to destruction and violence. It is a reminder of how far sin can take people when they abandon the Lord, but also a call to return to Him in repentance.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible makes it very evident that all occult practices, including witchcraft and sorcery, are in direct opposition to God’s will. These behaviors, which seek spiritual power outside of Him, result in deceit, slavery, and a disconnection from reality. Since the Lord alone is in charge of the spiritual world, Christians are urged to put all of their faith and trust in him rather than in spells, divination, or mediums. According to God’s Word, people who stay in Him don’t have to be afraid of the enemy’s plans since His power surpasses all forms of darkness.
In the end, learning Bible passages about witchcraft deepens our comprehension of spiritual conflict and the significance of maintaining our foundation in God’s Word. In addition to alerting us to the perils of occult practices, these scriptures also direct us to Christ, who offers us freedom, hope, and protection. We may overcome the devil’s temptations and live victorious lives when we walk in obedience to God, protected by His Spirit and led by His truth. Witchcraft is not the source of true serenity and spiritual strength; rather, it is the authority and saving love of Jesus Christ.
