Where In The Bible Does It Talk About Witchcraft

So, a friend of mine—let’s call her Jen—texted me the other day, totally freaked out. She’d just seen a TikTok about “Bible verses against witches” and was convinced her neighbor’s new cat statue was some kind of hex. I laughed, but honestly, I got it. When you hear the word “witchcraft,” your brain immediately jumps to bubbling cauldrons and pointy hats, right?

But here’s the thing: the Bible talks about witchcraft a lot more than you’d think—and way less dramatically than pop culture suggests. So, let’s cut the fear and grab some curiosity. Where does the Bible actually mention this stuff? Spoiler: it’s less about wands and more about trusting the wrong source.

Old Testament: The Real “No-No” Zone

First stop: Exodus 22:18. You’ve probably heard this one: “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (That’s the King James Version—kinda intense, huh?) But here’s the crucial catch: in the original Hebrew, the word is mekhashephah, which more accurately means “one who practices sorcery or divination.” It’s not about modern Wicca; it’s about ancient people trying to manipulate gods or spirits for power. (Side note: if this verse makes you nervous, remember the context—it’s part of a legal code for a specific ancient society, not a command for your Halloween party.)

Then there’s Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which is like the Bible’s official “nope” list. It calls out anyone who “uses divination, practices sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells.” Basically, anything that seeks supernatural knowledge outside of God. Think fortune-tellers, Ouija boards, and that creepy psychic hotline your aunt called in the 90s. The irony? The Bible itself uses dreams and prophets for divine messages—so it’s not anti-magic, it’s pro-which source you trust.

The Witch of Endor: A Ghost Story (Literally)

Now for my favorite Bible drama: 1 Samuel 28. King Saul, desperate and scared, goes to a medium—the Witch of Endor—to summon the ghost of the prophet Samuel. She actually pulls it off. (Yeah, the Bible kinda validates that magic works, which is wild.) But Samuel’s ghost basically says, “You’re doomed because you refused to listen to God.” The lesson? Witchcraft isn’t scary because it’s fake; it’s dangerous because it can tap into something real—but it’s not the right something.

A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook by Kristina Benson

New Testament: Magic Gets a Makeover

Fast forward to Jesus and Paul. Acts 8:9 tells us about Simon the Sorcerer, a guy who wowed crowds with “magical arts” until he saw the Holy Spirit. He tries to buy the power of the Spirit—and Peter shuts him down hard. The twist? Simon’s magic was showy, but it lacked the one thing: humility. The New Testament doesn’t obsess over witches; it focuses on motives. Are you seeking power for yourself, or are you open to God’s way?

And Acts 19:18-19 drops a mic moment: new believers in Ephesus publicly burn their magic scrolls, worth a fortune. That’s not “fear of witches”—it’s a conscious choice to ditch control and embrace trust. (Imagine your friend burning their tarot deck and all their “manifesting” journals. Pretty metal, right?)

The Go-To Verse You Actually Need

If you only remember one thing, let it be Galatians 5:20, where Paul lists “witchcraft” (or pharmakeia in Greek) among the “works of the flesh.” Pharmakeia—yes, that’s where we get “pharmacy.” It originally meant drug-induced sorcery or poisonings. So, the Bible’s beef isn’t with herbs or spells; it’s with using substances or rituals to manipulate reality instead of surrendering to God. (Ironic side thought: modern Christians sometimes use this verse to condemn Halloween candy. Relax, it’s about intent, not chocolate.)

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So, Should You Be Worried?

Honestly? No. The Bible’s anti-witchcraft stance is less about banning fun and more about protecting your trust. It’s saying: Don’t try to hack the universe with quick-fix spells or spooky secrets. Instead, lean into the messy, day-to-day relationship with God—even when He’s quiet. (That’s way harder than buying a crystal, right?)

And that story about Jen and her neighbor’s cat statue? I told her the Bible doesn’t mention cat statues. Then I sent her Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.” Her reaction? “So I can’t even ask my cat what he wants for dinner?” (See, that’s the spirit—ironic, curious, and not scared.)

At the end of the day, the Bible talks about witchcraft because it’s a metaphor for our deepest craving: control. But the Bible says true power doesn’t come from spells—it comes from surrender. So next time you see a witchy meme or a “spell jar” on Etsy, don’t panic. Just ask yourself: “Where am I putting my trust today?” And maybe skip the hexes. They’re bad for your Wi-Fi signal anyway.