When occasions such as Halloween roll around, there is pressure to go along with school and neighborhood activities. This often prompts Christians to look for what the Bible has to say about how God views the occult.
Bible Verses that Discourage Occultism
Autumn decorations or cartoon characters of scarecrows, pumpkins and cornstalks do not pose a problem. However, for Christians, some activities, decorations and costumes promote an occult theme, which conflicts with biblical beliefs.
The following is a list of Bible verses (NKJV) demonstrating God’s disapproval of occultism that may help Christians who look for biblical guidance on these types of activities:
The Bible Forbids Divination, Soothsaying and Mediums in Leviticus
The following three verses taken from The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus are part of God's instructions given to His people through Moses.
- Leviticus 19:26 – “You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.”
- Leviticus 19:31 – “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
- Leviticus 20:6 – “And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.”
God used Moses to give His children of Israel instructions on how to live a pure and holy life that would keep them in a holy relationship with Him. This is part of the covenant between God and Israel after He brought the people out of Egypt and made them into a nation.
Interpreting Omens, Sorcery and Conjuring Spells are Forbidden in Deuteronomy
The following passage taken from The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy is part of Moses' review of the covenant between God and the Israelites as they are about to enter Canaan.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”
Moses is speaking to the second generation of the people of Israel to remind them of the necessity of following a holy life that will keep them in a holy relationship with God when they enter and live in the Promised Land.
Witchcraft and Passing Through the Fire Anger God in 2 Kings
The following verse taken from The Second Book of The Kings is part of a list of things that Manasseh did in rebellion against God during his reign as king in Judah. At this point in history Israel has divided into two nations known as Israel and Judah. Some kings worked to restore the people to a holy way of life, while others, like Manasseh, did terrible deeds that angered God.
- 2 Kings 21:6 – “Also he made his son to pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.”
The above verses are useful for Christians in making decisions on how to treat occasions such as Halloween that include the occult as a theme.
Commentary on Bible Verses that Discourage Occultism
According to the Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible the following points can be made about the practices of divination, soothsaying, consulting mediums and familiar spirits, witchcraft, interpreting omens, sorcery, conjuring spells, calling up the dead, and passing through fire:
- Many of the practices listed in these verses were practiced by the pagan cultures of the time.
- These practices were believed to demonstrate a lack of trust and faith in God to direct the future, and as such, were a form of rebellion.
- These pagan practices were considered an abomination to God because they were an attempt to bypass His revelation. God prohibited any attempts to know the future outside of His revelation.
Christians who are concerned about occasions such as Halloween, which often has an occult theme, can look to the Bible for scriptures that give direction on how God views these practices.
Sources:
- Radmacher, Earl D. (General Editor). Nelson's New King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997.
- Rhodes, Ron. Find It Fast in the Bible. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2000.
Stella Walsh - Stella Walsh is a Christian writer, student of theology, elementary school teacher, committed church volunteer and photography ...
