The practice of magic is constantly depicted in Scripture as a spiritual counterfeit—a dishonest attempt to gain power independent of God. The Bible verses about magic makes a clear distinction between God’s holy power and the manipulative, frequently sinister energies that underlie sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, despite the fact that magic may be glamorized in many cultures and entertainment today. These customs are spiritual tricks that discourage people from putting their faith in the Lord; they are not just harmless beliefs.
Biblical stories demonstrate that magical methods are frequently employed to mimic or counteract God’s actual power, from the magicians of Pharaoh’s court to the sorcerers chastised by the apostles in the New Testament. These imitations, nevertheless, are always restricted and eventually revealed. The Bible cautions believers against seeking wisdom, authority, or direction from occult-based sources since doing so exposes them to spiritual peril and rebellion against God.
Not out of fear but out of loyalty to the only real God, the Bible verses about magic exhorts His people to reject magic in all of its manifestations. God directs His people to be pure and set aside throughout both the Old and New Testaments, relying solely on His Word, His Spirit, and His omnipotent will. Using magic or sorcery shows a lack of faith in God’s protection and provision, which might result in spiritual enslavement and punishment.
These biblical passages about magic are both wise and cautionary. They show us the gravity of participating in prohibited spiritual activities and direct us to God, the one real source of power. Believers are called to discernment in a world where the paranormal is all the rage, protecting their hearts and minds by remaining grounded in Scripture and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Magic in 2025
1. Deuteronomy 18:10–12
“Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft… Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
These verses clearly warn against participating in any form of magic or occult practices. God’s people are called to be separate from pagan traditions that rely on supernatural forces outside of His will. The passage emphasizes that such practices are not merely discouraged—they are detestable to the Lord, indicating their spiritual danger and incompatibility with faith in God.
2. 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.”
Simon the Sorcerer gained a following through magical acts, deceiving many with his power. However, his story later contrasts the power of God with the illusions of magic. This account illustrates how the awe generated by magic can mislead people and blind them to true divine authority. It also sets the stage for a deeper confrontation between God’s Spirit and counterfeit powers.
3. 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 Israel against consulting mediums and spiritists—those who claim to access hidden knowledge through supernatural means. Engaging in such acts brings spiritual defilement, showing that these are not harmless curiosities but serious offenses that separate us from God’s holiness. The verse stresses God’s exclusive right to guide and speak to His people.
4. Galatians 5:19–21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious… witchcraft… and those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In this list of sinful behaviors, witchcraft is named as one of the “acts of the flesh” that disqualify a person from inheriting the kingdom. Paul makes it clear that sorcery is not just morally wrong but spiritually lethal. This passage connects magical practices to a broader pattern of rebellion against God’s Spirit, urging believers to walk in the light rather than in occult darkness.
5. Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile… those who practice magic arts… they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
This sobering verse places those who practice magic arts among the list of the condemned. It reveals the eternal consequence of engaging in sorcery and emphasizes that it is incompatible with the life of faith. The Bible does not treat magic lightly—it is grouped with unbelief, murder, and idolatry as actions that lead to judgment.
6. Exodus 22:18
“Do not allow a sorceress to live.”
This Old Testament command underscores how seriously God viewed sorcery under the Law. Sorcery was not merely seen as deception or trickery but as a direct rebellion against God’s authority. This verse shows the spiritual and societal danger Israel associated with magical practices, which were often tied to idolatry and pagan religion.
7. Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists… should not a people inquire of their God?”
The prophet Isaiah challenges Israel to seek divine counsel from the Lord rather than turning to occult practitioners. This verse exposes the futility of magical or necromantic guidance and points to the sufficiency of God as the ultimate source of wisdom and truth. It warns against replacing divine revelation with demonic consultation.
8. 2 Chronicles 33:6
“He practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord.”
King Manasseh’s reign was marked by a deep descent into magical and occult practices. His actions are recorded as some of the most evil ever done by a king of Judah. This verse demonstrates how involvement in magic leads a nation away from God and brings judgment, while also illustrating the destructive leadership that can result from such influence.
9. Micah 5:12
“I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.”
God declares His intention to purge Israel of magical practices. This prophecy shows that God desires purity and devotion from His people and promises to remove the occult influences that have polluted them. Magic, no matter how normalized it may become in a culture, stands as an enemy to God’s rule.
10. Acts 13:6–10
“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!… Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”
Paul confronts Elymas the sorcerer, whose magical deception opposes the spread of the Gospel. Paul’s rebuke is strong and unambiguous, labeling Elymas as an enemy of righteousness. This passage is a powerful reminder that magic often directly opposes God’s mission and must be actively resisted by believers.
11. Daniel 2:27–28
“No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain… but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.”
When King Nebuchadnezzar sought an interpretation for his dream, none of the magicians or enchanters could provide an answer. Only Daniel, through the wisdom of God, could reveal it. This verse shows the clear contrast between the limited power of magic and the true omniscience of God. It elevates God as the only source of real revelation.
12. Jeremiah 27:9–10
“Do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers… They prophesy lies to you.”
Jeremiah warns the people against listening to those who use divination and false prophecy. These individuals present a deceptive form of spirituality that leads people away from God’s truth. The passage stresses discernment, urging believers to distinguish between true prophecy and magical deceit masked as divine messages.
13. Revelation 22:15
“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral… and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
In this final chapter of Revelation, the exclusion of those practicing magic from the heavenly city is a stark warning. It signals a final separation between God’s people and those who persist in unrepentant sin. Magic is portrayed not as harmless entertainment but as a serious transgression incompatible with eternal life in God’s kingdom.
14. Ezekiel 13:18–20
“Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists… I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people.”
God denounces the women who use occult methods to manipulate and control others. These magical practices are described as snares that deceive and harm souls. This passage shows that God sees through outward appearances and will judge those who use magic to exploit or destroy others.
15. Isaiah 47:12–14
“Keep on, then, with your magic spells… perhaps you will succeed… Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up.”
In a scathing rebuke of Babylon’s trust in magic, Isaiah mocks their reliance on spells and sorcery. Despite their confidence, these magical acts are powerless to save them from judgment. This verse underscores the futility of magic in the face of divine justice and portrays it as a false refuge that will ultimately lead to destruction.
16. Acts 19:18–19
“Many of those who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly.”
After witnessing the power of Jesus, many former magicians in Ephesus repented and destroyed their occult books. Their actions demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel, leading them to renounce dark practices completely. This powerful moment illustrates that true conversion requires forsaking all ties to the occult.
17. 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.”
Nineveh is condemned for its spiritual corruption, which includes seduction through witchcraft. The imagery of prostitution and sorcery reveals how sin can entrap entire nations. Magic here is not merely personal rebellion—it’s a societal force of corruption and spiritual bondage.
18. Malachi 3:5
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers…”
God announces His judgment against various forms of wickedness, explicitly naming sorcerers. This verse affirms that those who use magic will face divine accountability. God’s justice is not abstract; it includes real consequences for those who manipulate spiritual forces for evil.
19. 1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”
Samuel equates rebellion against God with divination, showing that seeking power outside of God’s will is deeply offensive to Him. This verse emphasizes the spiritual root of magic—pride and defiance—and serves as a strong warning against trusting in one’s own ways instead of God’s commands.
20. 1 Chronicles 10:13
“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord… and consulted a medium for guidance.”
King Saul’s tragic end is partly attributed to his involvement with a medium. Instead of seeking God’s counsel, he turned to the occult, which was an act of unfaithfulness. His story is a cautionary tale of how even a chosen leader can fall when they seek answers apart from God’s direction.
21. Zechariah 10:2
“The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain.”
This verse exposes the falsehood behind magical and idolatrous practices. Diviners and false prophets offer illusions instead of truth, leading people astray with counterfeit comfort. It reminds us that only God’s Word brings lasting hope and that seeking direction from magical or mystical sources results in deception and spiritual emptiness.
22. Deuteronomy 13:1–3
“If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces a sign or wonder… you must not listen… The Lord your God is testing you.”
This warning shows that even supernatural signs can come from false sources. God tests His people to see if they will remain faithful. Magic and false prophecy are not always obvious—they can appear convincing. Discernment is essential to stay rooted in God’s truth rather than being led away by dramatic displays or counterfeit miracles.
23. 2 Kings 21:6
“He sacrificed his son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord.”
This description of King Manasseh’s reign reveals the deep depravity of embracing magic and idolatry. His sins included child sacrifice and occult practices, which were explicitly forbidden. This verse connects the practice of magic to a complete moral collapse, illustrating how such actions can lead to extreme forms of rebellion.
24. Isaiah 2:6
“You have abandoned your people… They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines.”
God rebukes Israel for adopting foreign superstitions and magical customs. Their desire to imitate pagan nations led them away from God. This verse reminds us that blending magical beliefs with faith in God results in spiritual compromise. God calls His people to be distinct and holy, not imitators of occult traditions.
25. 1 Samuel 28:7–8
“Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”
King Saul seeks out the Witch of Endor after God stops answering him. This act of desperation shows the danger of forsaking God and turning to forbidden spiritual channels. Even though the medium appears to bring a revelation, the entire episode is shrouded in disobedience and judgment, highlighting the dangers of consulting the dead.
26. Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them.”
This verse exposes false prophets who, like many involved in occult practices, claim divine insight without God’s authority. Whether through magic or false revelation, attributing lies to God is a serious offense. It shows that the root issue is often about power and control, not truth or faithfulness.
27. Ezekiel 21:21
“For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road… He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.”
The king of Babylon uses divination to make military decisions, relying on pagan rituals instead of divine guidance. This verse illustrates how leaders can be deceived by magical practices, which appear to offer clarity but ultimately oppose God’s will. Such divination only deepens rebellion and brings judgment.
28. Isaiah 44:25
“[I am the Lord] who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners.”
God declares His power to expose and nullify the works of magicians and diviners. Their signs and predictions are rendered void before the true God. This verse reassures believers that no magic or deception can prevail against God’s sovereignty. His truth always triumphs over falsehood.
29. Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy… rather than on Christ.”
Though not about magic directly, this verse applies to the spiritual deception that often underlies magical thinking. The philosophies and practices of the world, including the occult, draw people away from Christ. Paul’s warning urges believers to stay rooted in the truth of the Gospel and not be swayed by mystical or occult ideologies.
30. Matthew 24:24
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Jesus warns that the end times will be marked by deceptive miracles and signs—many of which resemble magic. These acts are intended to lure people away from God. This verse highlights the danger of being impressed by supernatural displays without testing their source, and the need for spiritual vigilance.
Conclusion
Throughout the Bible, we have seen that divination, magic, and sorcery are always condemned because they divert people from a proper connection with God. These behaviors frequently entail the use of dark or hidden forces, which might be a risky replacement for belief in the real God. Any spiritual endeavor that aims to achieve authority, wisdom, or control outside of God’s will is discouraged by the Bible. Such actions can expose people to deceit and spiritual harm in addition to dishonoring God.
Instead of turning to the mysteries of the occult, God urges His people to be set apart—to walk in the light of His truth and to put their trust in His guidance. The Bible makes it very evident that only God’s power is clean, holy, and life-giving, even though the supernatural does exist. The Holy Spirit is the source of true spiritual knowledge and authority, not witchcraft, spells, or fortune tellers. The pursuit of holiness and complete dependence on God’s Word for guidance, serenity, and spiritual fortitude are exhorted to believers.
These Bible passages work as a warning and a call to faithfulness in a society that is becoming more and more enthralled with magic and mysterious rituals. Not only is God superior to all supernatural abilities, but He is also the sole source of safety, truth, and eternal life. We are called to hold to the real and reject the counterfeit as followers of Christ. May these verses fortify your determination to pursue God with all of your heart and to live in the liberty and security of His truth.
