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.
Our Bible warns, in Leviticus 19:31, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritualists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” In Leviticus 20:6 our Lord says, “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.” There are many other passages in the Bible, but I'll refrain from going into too much detail by listing all the germane passages.
Whether the purpose is to exalt or worship mother earth or mystical powers, even if the intent is only to do good, the reality is there is no distinction between white or black sorcery. Both idolize something or someone other than God. It’s frightening to think that the followers of any form of magic, white or otherwise, are unknowingly praying to and beckoning demons to risk their own eternal damnation.
Moreover, the “magic” may be a showing of God's powers. Numbers 22:22-35 relate the actions of God using a donkey to get the attention of Balaam. Balaam was riding on his donkey. Two of his servants were with him. While Balaam was traveling, God became angry. So the Lord’s angel stood in the road in front of Balaam to stop him.
When Balaam’s donkey saw the Lord’s angel standing in the road with a sword in his hand, the donkey turned from the road and went into the field. Balaam could not see the angel, so he was very angry at the donkey. He hit the donkey and forced it to go back on the road.
Later, the Lord’s angel stood at a place where the road became narrow. This was between two vineyards. There were walls on both sides of the road. Again the donkey saw the Lord’s angel. So the donkey walked very close to one wall. This crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam hit his donkey again.
Later, the Lord’s angel stood at another place where the road became narrow. There was no place where the donkey could go around him. It could not turn to the left or to the right. The donkey saw the Lord’s angel. So the donkey lay down with Balaam sitting on top of it. Balaam was very angry at the donkey. So he hit it with his walking stick.
Then the Lord caused the donkey to speak. The donkey said to Balaam, “Why are you angry at me? What have I done to you? You have hit me three times!”
Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made me look foolish. If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”
But the donkey said to Balaam, “Look, I am your donkey. You have ridden me for so many years. And you know that I have never done this to you before!”
“That is true,” Balaam said.
Then the Lord allowed Balaam to see the angel. The Lord’s angel was standing in the road, holding a sword in his hand. Balaam bowed low to the ground.
Then the Lord’s angel asked Balaam, “Why did you hit your donkey three times? I am the one who came to stop you. But just in time, your donkey saw me and turned away from me. That happened three times. If the donkey had not turned away, I probably would have killed you already. And I would have let your donkey live.”
Then Balaam said to the Lord’s angel, “I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road. If I am doing wrong, I will go back home.”
Then the Lord’s angel said to Balaam, “No, you can go with these men. But be careful. Speak only the words that I will tell you to say.” So Balaam went with the leaders that Balak had sent.
The talking donkey was not a case where witchcraft or sorcery had been displayed. Nor in the previous example relating to Saul's misadventure with the female fortuneteller.
As we just read, God may have used an unusual method to show that God can use extraordinary sources to accomplish His plan and purposes.
Some people voice the opinion that, although the Bible condemns consulting with witches/mediums, the incident of Saul’s visit to the Medium at Endor justifies this practice. This is a fatally wrong assumption. The first king of Israel, Saul was incessantly disobedient to God. His rebellion and disobedience against the commandments of the LORD resulted in God’s Spirit departing from him and He loosened an evil spirit to harass Saul. Yes, you read that correctly; God, himself can dispatch evil spirits if He chooses to do so.
1 Samuel 16:14 says: The Lord’s Spirit left Saul. Then the Lord sent an evil spirit to Saul that caused him much trouble. In other words, God and his Spirit left him due to his disobedient and unrepentant lifestyle. You see, all created things are under God’s control, even the devil and the demons. Using an evil spirit to disturb and torment Saul was God’s judgment upon Saul’s unrepentant life.
Even under this duress, Saul made the mistake of going to a Medium to find out what was causing his trouble and where his future path might lead.
Saul said to the medium, “bring up Samuel.” However, when the medium saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me, you are Saul.” He disguised himself when he visited the medium. Then she said, “I see a spirit coming out of the ground.” She also said, “he is an old man wearing a robe.”
King Saul bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul said he was in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called you to tell me what to do.” The Bible says, “Samuel said, why do you consult me, now that the LORD has departed from you and became your enemy? The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today. The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”
Did Samuel really appear? The open-ended answer still remains as a continuing controversy. Some people think Samuel did not appear. That reasoning is based on: What was the need for the deceased prophet Samuel to speak to Saul via medium? If God condemned the practice of Spiritualism and witchcraft, then why should that be allowed to happen? Doesn't the Bible teach that once a person died, they would not return to us? 2 Samuel 12:23 says, But now the baby is dead, so why should I refuse to eat? Can I bring the baby back to life? No. Some day I will go to him, but he cannot come back to me. Luke 16:26 adds, Also, there is a big pit between you and us. No one can cross over to help you, and no one can come here from there.
Based on those verses, it can be argued it was not Samuel who appeared, but just another spirit whom the medium called. It may have dressed like Samuel but was not actually Samuel. It can also be said the medium was actually deceiving Saul. With Saul laying face down on the ground, he might not have seen the aberration but heard only the voice when he asked questions. In other words, the witch may have been tricking Saul. Wrong!
There are problems in accepting the previous views above. The Bible passage systematically says, “Samuel said,” evidencing it was Samuel himself who actually appeared. If one reads the verses without preconceptions, the literal reading establishes that it was Samuel who talked to Saul. It did not speak of a spirit of Samuel, it plainly states, “Samuel.” The biblical manuscript relates a direct, one-on-one, conversation between Saul and Samuel. When the passage says when the medium ‘saw Samuel’ and ‘Samuel said’ repeatedly, this confirms it was Samuel who appeared. Secondly, what Samuel predicted to happen the very next day, did come about. It was the judgmental word of God that was announced by Samuel. Samuel truthfully delivered God's message to Saul and the message was fulfilled exactly as Samuel said. Once again, this was not sorcery or witches' magic, it was a demonstration of the almighty power of God.
Some people argue it was not Samuel who appeared because this is not the usual way God performed his actions in the pages of the Bible. Also, they worry that if it was Samuel, that may indicate an approval of practicing Spiritualism. We need to understand that God can accomplish His plans and purposes even by using evil spirits—including demons and even Satan. God is all-powerful. Devil and demons are not. God used unusual methods in other incidents as well, although such events are not frequent. Chapter 22 of Numbers records God using a donkey to gain Balaam's attention.
But getting back to Saul episode with the “Teller-of-the-future” Saul was disobedient and rebellious to God for an extended period in his life, and then God may have used an unusual method to bestow judgment on him. The lesson is that God can use even evil sources to accomplish his plans and purposes. The book of Job illustrates how God used Satan’s evil plans to prove the faithfulness of Job.
Does that incident merit condoning the practice of witchcraft? If Samuel appeared as the result of demonic power, that would suggest the approval of witchcraft and Spiritualism and its power. This is not true because the Bible clearly says people should never attempt the practice of witchcraft or consult with evil powers. Saul’s consultation with the medium, along with his rebellious and disobedient lifestyle, resulted in the severest punishment, death, for him and his family, Plus the total defeat of his nation in the war. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 says, “Saul died because he was not faithful to the Lord. He did not obey the Lord’s word. Saul also went to a medium and asked her for advice instead of asking the Lord.” That is why the Lord killed Saul and gave the kingdom to David.” Going and asking the counsel of Samuel through the fortuneteller contributed to Saul's sudden demise. God’s judgment fell upon him.
We need to keep in mind that Satan has power, although he does not possess supreme or omnipotent power. Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, “When that Man of Evil comes, it will be the work of Satan. He will come with great power, and he will do all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders. The Man of Evil will use every kind of evil to fool those who are lost. They are lost because they refused to love the truth and be saved.”
This brings forth the fact that the devil's demonic power is real. He and his minions can do signs and magic. Such signs and wonders deceive non-believers who are beginning the process of perishing. They will arrive in hell because they do not want to obey the true Word of God. Saul did not want to obey God's Word, so he was progressively going down the road of destruction towards damnation. Ultimately, he disobeyed God by consulting the medium, which resulted in his final death and judgment.
So what happened in this incident of Saul and the medium? It had to be the work of God, for the devil does not know the future in order to make those kinds of predictions. Yes, the medium frequently used demonic power. However, it was God who allowed Samuel to appear. It was not because the devil's power could bring a dead person to life. God allowed it to happen. Bible says in Revelation chapter 1, Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. He was the One who lived, then was dead. But lived again to announce “I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Not Satan, for God’s powerfullness supersedes all other powers. Sometimes God sees fit to do things we consider strange and allows unpleasant events to unfold. Things like Job’s misfortune and sufferings by the devil's hand. However, these are not His usual ways or actions.
Satan could not have fed the future information to the medium. The devil does not know the future except what he has read in the Bible that God Himself foretold. You better believe Lucifer knows that God’s written word prophesies that he and the other fallen angels will lose the second war in heaven. Why does the devil continue to forge ahead with his evil ways? I don't know because I can't read the mind of Satan—nor would I ever wish to. Doesn't the devil seem foolish? If you knew for certain that all you were planning was destined to fail, wouldn’t you forego your doomed plans? Why can't Satan show that same amount of common sense?
Obviously, Satan does know what the Bible declares about his future. That’s indisputable, as he’s had plenty of time to study the scriptures, and there’s no doubt that Satan definitely knows what the Bible teaches.
But as for the question of whether or not he knows specific future events that aren’t mentioned in the Bible, it can be categorically stated he to say that he doesn’t have that knowledge. Simply put, his knowledge of the future isn’t limitless. Does the devil know that you are going to swear when you stub your toe? Probably.
Only God has perfect foreknowledge of all events. Past or present. Isaiah 42:9 reported, In the past, I told you what would happen, and it happened! Now I am telling you something new, and I am telling you now, before it happens. Isaiah told us God's Word, In the beginning, I told you what would happen in the end. A long time ago, I told you things that have not happened yet. When I plan something, it happens. I do whatever I want to do.
That’s just one of the things that make our God unique. Sure, Satan has been around a long time and has been observing human tendencies for thousands of years. This makes him very good at predicting our behavior and he knows our susceptibility to what he can conjure up that appears miraculous or magical.
He also has real-time access to all human actions through his immense network of fallen angels. He has access to incredible amounts of our supposedly secret or private information. This explains how clairvoyants, fortune tellers, psychics, and seers can on occasion foretell future events with seemingly unbelievable accuracy. These people have honed their skills to channel into your current and personal bins of information. But this future predicting information is based upon acts, conversations, or writings we have engaged in. You see, it is not only God who watches over us? But His reasons and his reasons are based on entirely different motives.
That is why God’s Word strongly discourages dabbling in the dark arts. Leviticus 19:31 warns us, “Do not go to mediums or wizards for advice—they will only make you unclean. I am the Lord your God.” and Leviticus 20:6; says, “I will be against anyone who goes to mediums and wizards for advice. Whoever does this is being unfaithful to me. So I will separate them from their people.”
Did you know that in ancient Israel, being a soothsayer, psychic, or interpreter of omens was actually an offense subject to the penalty of death? Leviticus 20:27 recounts, “A man or a woman who is a medium or a wizard must be put to death. The people must kill them with stones. They are responsible for their own death.”
Deuteronomy 18:9-13, “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, don’t learn to do the terrible things the people of the other nations there do. Don’t sacrifice your sons or daughters in the fires on your altars. Don’t try to learn what will happen in the future by talking to a fortuneteller or by going to a magician, a witch, or a sorcerer. Don’t let anyone try to put magic spells on other people. Don’t let any of your people become a medium or a wizard. And no one should try to talk with someone who has died. The Lord hates anyone who does these things. And because these other nations do these terrible things, the Lord your God will force them out of the land as you enter it. You must be faithful to the Lord your God, never doing anything he considers wrong.”
Could it not be any more clearer than to stay away from those who purport to do magic or foretell the future? Though scribed on stones and papyrus many centuries ago, God’s commands still stand. People must not consult or consort with seance-holding mediums, fortunetellers, evil spirits, or those that have departed this earthly plane. Never do what Saul did and try to contact the dead. We can all see where that took him. If a person disobeys, he or she will have to suffer severely, as God commands.
