Fortunetellers, Witchcraft, And Magic

Over the course of your life, you probably have been exposed to discussions on white or black magic. White magic is often considered and described as “good” magic. This is in contrast to black magic, which is a power or phenomenon evoked by evil spirits. Some people believe both variants exist. Others deny both types. Secular sentiments often vary as to the distinctions between black and white magic. These range from the notion that they are two titles for the exact same thing, to the belief that they are diametrically different—especially within their intent and consequences.

The Bible does not differentiate between “good” and “bad” magic. Magic is magic as far as the Bible is concerned. Scripture doesn’t distinguish whether the magic is supposed to be used for good or for bad; it’s forbidden when and if it appears from a source other than God's powers or implementations. The Bible provides examples of sorcery throughout the Old and New Testaments. One can read about the numerous times when sorcery, witchcraft, or pagan rituals were called upon or invoked. Wherever and whenever magic was used, it remained as an abomination to God.

2 Kings 17:17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They used magic and witchcraft to try to learn the future. They sold themselves to do what the Lord said was evil. They did this to make him angry.

Deuteronomy 18:14 You will force the other nations out of your land. They listen to people who use magic and try to tell the future. But the Lord your God will not let you do these things.

1 Samuel 15:23 The sin of black magic is rebellion. Wickedness and idolatry are arrogance. Because you rejected the word of the LORD, he rejects you as king.

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.

Sometimes the Bible relates accounts of incidents that may seem “magical” to the uninformed. A good example would be the first time a non-human spoke in the Bible. In Genesis, the viper is an actual living creature. It is not to be understood as a fable or as a misrepresentation of some other type of creature. This was an actual living animal, if not Satan himself in a disguised form, who was with Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent was not a supernatural being. Somehow, the devil entered into the body of the serpent?

Therefore, Satan himself is the personage behind the serpent. Scripture nowhere gives any indication for this incident to be understood symbolically. The talking snake was not magic, it was a manifestation of the devil's power, therefore an evil sin.

Have you ever wondered how Eve heard and understood the language of the serpent? Nowhere is it written that she found this strange, unusual, or miraculous. Nor was the snake's linguistic ability explained. To me, it is amazing that there was no indication that she was shocked to discover this creature could speak. This lack of definitive explanation has caused laypersons and even biblical scholars to speculate that before the Fall, all creatures had an ability to speak. But it is not necessary that anyone hold on hard and fast to that view.

In the Book of Numbers, we find God speaking to the prophet Balaam through a donkey. Was that magic? What happened when Saul consulted with the Medium at Endor? Did the dead Samuel appear to talk to him? We will learn more about what the Bible says on each of these questions.

1 Samuel gives us the background that prompted Saul to visit the witch. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul as the king of Israel. After Samuel died, Saul was facing danger because the powerful army of the Philistines was bearing down on Israel. When Saul saw the vast army of the Philistine, he was fearful, and terror filled his heart. He sought the LORD, but the LORD would not answer him. In frustration, he asked his attendants to find a soothsayer so that he could inquire what would happen in the approaching days. They found one—a lady residing and practicing black arts in Endor. Saul had already driven out all the mediums and spiritualists in the land. Understanding he would not get an answer from God, he went out at night in disguise to consult with the spirit world. He felt he needed to talk to Samuel, the prophet who had already died.

King Saul was frustrated and highly stressed. He felt a strong need to know the future because he worried about what would happen? He decided to find out about the future by visiting a fortuneteller—even though he knew the practice that was strongly admonished by the LORD. Those such practices were certainly sinful.