Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (KJV)
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD…”
Introduction
Throughout Scripture, God draws a sharp and unmistakable line between the worship of the true and living God and the practices of the occult. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God warns His people not only to avoid the occult but to utterly reject and oppose it. In these last days—when deception, spiritual confusion, and false power are increasing—the Church must proclaim with clarity what the occult truly is and why God condemns it. The occult is not entertainment. It is not harmless curiosity. It is rebellion against God, a counterfeit spiritual system energized by demonic powers, designed to draw souls away from truth.
Understanding the Occult
The word “occult” means hidden, secret, or concealed. It refers to practices that seek supernatural knowledge or power outside of God’s revealed truth. Scripture shows that these practices are empowered not by neutral forces but by demonic spirits who imitate light while bringing bondage.
Core Components of the Occult
- Seeking hidden knowledge apart from God
- The first occult act in Scripture is Satan offering Eve “secret knowledge” (Genesis 3:5).
- All occult practices follow the same lie: knowledge apart from God leads to freedom.
- Attempting to manipulate spiritual forces
- Sorcery, spells, rituals, and enchantments attempt to control unseen powers.
- This is spiritual trespassing into realms God forbids.
- Communicating with spirits
- God identifies these spirits as familiar spirits, unclean spirits, and demons (Leviticus 19:31; Mark 1:23).
- Attempting to predict or control the future
- Astrology, divination, omens, tarot, and mediumship are all condemned practices because God alone declares the future.
- Offering oneself to alternate spiritual authority
- Any spiritual pursuit not submitted to the authority of Christ becomes an open door for deception.
Biblical Categories of the Occult
God, through His Word, lists the occult with exact precision so His people cannot mistake it.
Divination
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…” (1 Samuel 15:23)
Divination seeks supernatural revelation by forbidden means—omens, astrology, tarot, crystal reading, spirit-channeling, or modern psychic practices.
Witchcraft
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22:18)
Witchcraft involves spells, rituals, incantations, and attempts to harness spiritual power. Whether ancient or modern, all witchcraft is condemned.
Consulting Familiar Spirits
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits…” (Leviticus 19:31)
God identifies familiar spirits as demonic impersonators, often masquerading as deceased loved ones.
Necromancy
Seeking to communicate with the dead (Deuteronomy 18:11).
The dead do not return; demons imitate the dead to deceive.
Sorcery and Magic
“…the works of the flesh… witchcraft…” (Galatians 5:19–20)
Sorcery includes magical arts, potions, charms, and occult rituals. In Revelation, sorcery (pharmakeia) is spiritually linked to deception in the last days (Revelation 18:23).
Why God Condemns the Occult
1. It replaces dependence on God
Occult practice seeks spiritual truth, power, or control outside of God’s authority. It is spiritual adultery.
2. It opens the soul to demonic influence
The occult is never neutral.
“The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.” (1 Corinthians 10:20)
3. It destroys discernment
Occult involvement darkens spiritual understanding and blinds the heart (2 Corinthians 4:4).
4. It leads to judgment
God warned Israel that the occult was one of the sins that caused Him to drive heathen nations out of the land (Deuteronomy 18:12).
5. It defiles a person
Occult practice corrupts the conscience, alters the spirit, and separates the soul from fellowship with God (Isaiah 8:19–22).
The Occult in the Last Days
Scripture prophesies that occult deception will increase as the return of Christ draws near.
- Signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9)
- Doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1)
- False prophets and false christs (Matthew 24:24)
- End-time sorceries deceiving the nations (Revelation 18:23)
This is a prophetic warning: The world is moving deeper into occultism—New Age practices, manifesting, energy healing, astrology, witchcraft revival, spiritualism, and even supernatural counterfeit signs. The Church must stand anchored in the Word.
God’s Call to Separation
The command is clear:
“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
God does not call His people to curiosity or experimentation—He calls them to holiness and discernment.
True Christians must:
- Reject all forms of occult involvement
- Renounce any past occult practice (Acts 19:18–19)
- Cleanse their homes of occult materials
- Walk in the light, guided by the Holy Spirit
- Test every spirit by the Word of God (1 John 4:1)
Deliverance from the Occult
Where the occult brings bondage, Christ brings freedom.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Believers must repent, renounce all occult ties in Jesus’ name, and stand on the authority of the cross. The blood of Christ breaks every dark influence, and the Holy Spirit restores peace, clarity, and spiritual strength.
Conclusion
The occult is not a harmless pursuit. It is a direct rebellion against God’s order, an imitation of true spirituality, and a doorway to demonic influence. Scripture leaves no ambiguity—God’s people must avoid all occult practices and cling to the Lord alone.
In these prophetic days, when deception multiplies and false power imitates truth, the Church must stand boldly on the Word, expose the works of darkness, and proclaim the authority of Christ. God calls His people to holiness, discernment, and uncompromising devotion. The occult belongs to the kingdom of darkness—but the children of God walk in the light of truth.