What Does the Bible Say About Sorcerers?
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Myrna: My name is Myrna Dacosta from Kilburn, London. My question is what does the Bible say about sorcerers?
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Brother Philip Velasquez: Thank you, Ms. Myrna, for your question. Now, sorcery is the use of spells or black magic, speaking to spirits, and divination. According to Deuteronomy 18:9-12, sorcery and similar works is an abomination or disgusting in the sight of Our Almighty God.
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Sorcery and similar works is an abomination or disgusting in the sight of God
Brother Philip: We can read this here as I mentioned earlier, Deuteronomy 18:9-12:
“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 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.”
[Deuteronomy 18:9-12 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: God hates sorcery, and any works like it because they are evil in His sight.
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Sorcery is evil in God’s sight
Brother Philip: This we can read here in 2 Chronicles 33:6:
“… he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.”
[2 Chronicles 33:6 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: And because of how evil it is, God is angry at those who perform such acts.
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Question: What is God’s judgment upon those who involve themselves in such practices?
Brother Philip: This is what we can read in Malachi 3:5. It says here:
And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, …
[Malachi 3:5 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: And what is this judgment? We can read here in Revelation 21:8:
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
[Revelation 21:8 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: Those who practice sorcery and the like, such as witchcraft, claiming to consult with spirits of the dead, or fortune-telling, will not be saved come the Day of Judgment. Why is it so evil in the sight of Our Almighty God to practice such things, or even seek help from those who would perform them?
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Question: Why is it so evil in God’s sight to practice such things or even seek help from those who perform them?
Brother Philip: Prophet Isaiah tells us here in Isaiah 8:19-20:
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
[Isaiah 8:19-20 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: The Almighty God’s people must go to Him for help and for advice.
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We must put our hope and trust in what God can do for us.
Brother Philip: We don’t run to or put our trust in that which is not the law and testimony. But what if what they said and foretold came true? What if what they did through their rituals, symbols, incantations would benefit us? For example, the power of healing. Does it mean that they are from God? Should we put our trust in them and then follow them? Let’s get the answer from Deuteronomy 13, 1 to 4:
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’ – which you have not known – ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
[Deuteronomy 13:1-4 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: Even if what they say would come to pass or even benefit us, God said we shouldn’t listen to or follow them. Don’t forget, dear friends, the devil, too, has [the] power to perform what seems to be miracles and wonders, but that’s not what it’s all about. It’s all about remaining loyal to our Almighty God, and remaining and trusting in Him. It’s a test, as the Bible teaches, and we can pass His tests by remaining obedient to His commandments.
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We can pass His tests by remaining obedient to His commandments.
Brother Philip: Even when times get tough, we have to stick to what is right. Even when there is an easier way out, we stick with our Almighty God. If we have to endure, if we have to suffer, we don’t give in to what is wrong. That’s what being a Christian is all about, isn’t it?
What is God’s promise to those who are loyal to Him, who place their complete trust only in Him? We get the answer, Psalm 125:1:
Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
[Psalm 125:1 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: According to the Holy Scriptures, those who trust in our Almighty God will abide forever. They are the ones who will inherit the everlasting life in His glorious kingdom. Now, that is something that no one else can give.
Now, since we’re on the topic, we got a question from James Parker in London, and he asked:
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“How about video games based on magic and sorcery? Are we as Christians prohibited to play?”
James Parker
London, United Kingdom
Brother Philip: This is what our Almighty God says to His servants in the Church Of Christ in 1 John 2:12-14:
I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
[1 John 2:12-14 New King James Version]
Brother Philip: We as members of the Church Of Christ already know the commandments of our Almighty God. We know what is true and false, what is fact and fiction, real and virtual. Many stories that entertain [us] today are based on fantasy that takes us away to other worlds, that exercise our imaginations. That is fiction. It’s not real, and we know that. That’s why reading stories, watching movies, and playing video games, based on fantasy, magic, and superpowers isn’t wrong.
So, in conclusion, we keep in our hearts and our minds the words of our Almighty God that we have been taught inside the Church Of Christ. Remember the difference between what is right and wrong, but more importantly, we follow what is right in the way we live and conduct ourselves. This proves that we put our full trust in what our Almighty God can do in our lives.
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Do you have questions about the Bible?
Send us your videos to: answers@incmedia.orgBrother Philip: Thanks for your questions. If you’d like to know more about the fundamental teachings found inside the Church Of Christ, please visit incmedia.org. There you’ll find various series of programs dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you again the next time.
