The word “occult” refers to secret or hidden knowledge. In the context of Christianity, the occult involves mystical, supernatural or magical beliefs, practices or phenomena that are contrary to biblical teachings. The Bible strongly warns against any involvement in the occult. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about the occult:
Practices and Beliefs
There are many different occult practices and beliefs, here are some of the major ones:
- Astrology – Using stars and planets to predict the future and gain hidden knowledge (Isaiah 47:13-14)
- Fortune telling – Predicting the future through various techniques like palm reading, tarot cards, crystal balls, etc. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
- Magic and sorcery – Attempting to harness supernatural powers and manipulate reality (Deuteronomy 18:10, Galatians 5:20)
- Spiritism and mediumship – Communicating with the dead and spirit world (Leviticus 19:31, 20:27)
- Witchcraft and Wicca – Casting spells and curses through occult rituals (Exodus 22:18, Galatians 5:20)
- Divination – Gaining insight through omens, dreams or other supernatural means (Deuteronomy 18:10, Ezekiel 13:23)
- Necromancy – Conjuring or seeking to control the dead (Deuteronomy 18:11)
- Omens and charms – Objects or patterns believed to have supernatural significance (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
Additionally, many occultic practices involve summoning dark spirits and demonic entities. The occult is associated with doctrines like Gnosticism, Theosophy, Satanism and New Age beliefs. It includes mystical practices like astral projection, soul travel, psychokinesis and various forms of meditation. Secret organizations like the Freemasons are also linked to occult rites and symbols.
Occult Origins
Much of today’s occultism has roots in ancient pagan religions and idolatrous cultures that worshipped false gods. For example:
- Ancient Egyptian religion had magic rituals and belief in life after death.
- Celtic Druid traditions involved nature worship, human sacrifice and divination.
- Babylonian and Canaanite religions included astrology, child sacrifice and consulting the dead.
- Greek and Roman mythology was tied to demon worship, mystical rituals and predictions.
- Many occult symbols and artifacts like crystal balls originated from these idolatrous cultures.
So the modern occult revival draws from ancient customs and AMALTE practices started by pagan cultures. However, the origins go back even further to the primal deception in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 shows how Satan tempted Eve to seek hidden knowledge by eating the forbidden fruit so that she could be “like God” – which is essentially the root of all occult pursuits.
Occult Dangers
Why does the Bible strongly warn against any form of occult involvement? Here are some of the core dangers:
- Occult practices are extremely dangerous – They involve dealing with evil spirits and demonic forces that are very real and malicious (Deuteronomy 32:17, Psalm 106:37-38).
- The occult is deceptive – It promises secret knowledge and hidden truths but actually promotes lies and spiritual blindness (Acts 13:6-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
- The occult leads people astray – It introduces ideas and doctrines that can shipwreck faith and lead people to abandon God (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 6:20-21).
- The occult promotes idolatry – It focuses people’s attention on created things instead of the Creator and leads to worshipping false gods (Romans 1:25, Revelation 9:20-21).
- The occult fosters demonic influence – It grants demons a legal right to harass and oppress those who open doors to the demonic realm (Deuteronomy 32:16-17).
- The occult provokes God’s judgment – Those who pursue the occult open themselves up to spiritual curses and judgment from God (Leviticus 20:6, Jeremiah 27:9-10).
In summary, the occult is extremely dangerous and diabolically deceptive. It gives demons a foothold that can wreak havoc and leads people into false beliefs, idolatry and divine judgment.
What the Bible Says
Scripture repeatedly and forcefully condemns all forms of occultism. Here are some clear verses showing what God says about the occult:
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (2 Kings 21:6)
You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. (Isaiah 47:13-14)
As these and many other verses demonstrate, the occult is repeatedly condemned throughout Scripture. God views all forms of occultism as detestable and strongly warns His people against having anything to do with such dark practices.
Jesus and the Occult
How did Jesus Himself deal with the occult when He walked on earth? Here are some examples:
- Jesus rejected the occult practices of His day that were popular among the religious leaders of Israel (Matthew 16:1-4).
- Jesus refused to listen to demonic revelations from occult sources, unlike pagan magicians of His time (Mark 1:34).
- Jesus cast out demons who enabled occult activities like fortune telling and divination (Acts 16:16-18).
- Jesus healed people who had been afflicted by sorcerers and demonic forces (Matthew 9:32-33).
- Jesus displayed complete power and authority over satanic and occultic powers (Luke 4:33-36, Luke 8:26-39).
Jesus made it clear that He is greater than any sorcerer, spiritist or occult practitioner. His miracles confirmed His power over all spiritual forces and proved that He came to demolish the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Avoiding the Occult
The Bible makes it clear that occult practices are dangerous doorways into the demonic realm. Here are some practical tips for avoiding the occult:
- Have nothing to do with books, websites or any media promoting the occult, even if it seems harmless.
- Avoid fortune telling activities like horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal gazing, palm reading, etc.
- Stay away from supernatural and paranormal games, entertainment and activities.
- Be discerning about certain holidays that involve occult roots or symbolism.
- Avoid occult charms, amulets, astrology jewelry and other objects that open doors to the demonic realm.
- Do not seek guidance from mediums, spiritists, psychics or any other occult practitioners.
- Stay away from occult secret societies, rituals and organizations.
- Avoid pagan practices that incorporate mysticism, magic or spiritualism.
- Test anything questionable in light of Scripture and pray for discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
The safest approach is to completely avoid the occult in any shape or form. The only source of truth and revelation we need is God’s Word.
Overcoming the Occult
For those already involved in the occult, here are some steps to finding freedom in Christ:
- Confess and repent of all occult involvement and ask for God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
- Renounce all occult practices, rituals, objects and secret ties.
- Destroy any occult objects, books, charms, artifacts or anything linked to the occult.
- Cancel any soul ties and break free from all demonic influence.
- Receive deliverance prayer and inner healing from someone biblically qualified.
- Fill your life with God’s Word, prayer, praise and positive Christian fellowship.
- Walk in continuous humility, obedience and faith in Christ.
With Jesus, there is freedom and deliverance from any occult bondage. His truth and Spirit will lead people into light from the darkest occult deceptions.
Occult in End Times
The Bible predicts a rise in occultism and satanic influence in the end times before Christ’s return. Here are some passages showing this:
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
These verses warn that the end times will see a marked rise in counterfeit miracles, demonic activity, apostasy, hedonism and people denying God’s power while maintaining a facade of religion. Currently, we are seeing an upsurge in occultism and paganism even in modern secular culture. This will pave the way for the lawless one (the Antichrist) to be welcomed with his satanic signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). But Christians who cling to Jesus Christ and His Word will not be deceived.
Victory in Christ
For believers in Jesus, we have this assurance from Scripture:
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)
Jesus Christ paid the price for us to have full authority over every demonic force. His protection shields those who take refuge in Him. By relying on Jesus and His Word, we can resist the enemy so that he must flee from us (James 4:7). Through faith, prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians have supernatural victory over all the schemes of the devil – including the occult.
Conclusion
The Bible expressly condemns any and all forms of the occult as dangerous demonic deceptions. Occult practices originate from pagan idolatry, oppose God’s truth and provoke His judgment. Jesus Christ demonstrated His complete power and authority over demonic and occultic powers. The safest course is to avoid the occult entirely and find truth, wisdom and guidance only in God’s Word.