You have to avoid those things. Here’s why.
Satan is a real spirit being, and he rules over the invisible kingdom of evil. Sometimes he manifests this kingdom to our human spirits, minds, and eyes. There is a way to protect yourself.
Let’s learn now.
First, the Bible lists these things to avoid (Deut. 18:10-11):
Divination (using dark ways to guess about the future and your life);
Sorcery (using spells and oaths to control);
Interpreting omens (reading strange objects like animal entrails or bird flights or bird songs);
Witchcraft (much like sorcery, these are generalists who occupy a hierarchy and practice all the dark arts);
Casting spells (speaking out verbal formulas to exert power over nature and people’s minds);
Mediums and spiritists (they stand between the spirit world and the human and contacts evil spirits, which they are deceased relatives);
Consulting the dead (necromancy);
Dark magic (using signs and wonders to maintain a lie that deceives people);
The Bible also says no to these arts too (Is. 47:12-13):
Magic spells
Astrology (reading signs in the nighttime stars and planets)
Stargazing (reading stars)
In each case Isaiah the holy prophet said that they ultimately cause terror, but they are destined to burn like stubble in the fire.
Second, the Bible exposes the purposes of these satanic, dark arts.
They are calculated to determine the future (Gen. 44:15; 1 Sam. 38:5-7; Dan. 2:27; Dan 2:27). They are supposed to control the future (Gen. 30:14; Num. 23:23).
But the ultimate goal is for Satan to exercise as much power over people’s minds and souls as possible. Satan is referred to as a god (2 Cor. 4:4).
In the post Bible Basics about Satan and Demons and Victory Over Them, I wrote of these activities of Satan:
He afflicts people with illness (Job 2:7; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38).
He steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10).
He is the father of lies (John 8:44).
He does evil to people (Job 2:6-8; Matt. 13:38-39; Luke 13:11; Luke 13:16).
He tempts believers to sin (1 Chron. 21:1; Matt. 16:33; Acts 5:3; 1 Thess. 3:5; 1 Pet. 5:8).
He tries to keep people from true worship (Matt. 13:19; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
He thwarts the spread of the gospel (Matt. 13:19; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 2:18).
He wants people to worship him (Matt. 4:9; Luke 4:5-7).
He masquerades as an angel of light to deceive people (2 Cor. 11:14).
He uses many schemes (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11).
He persecutes the church (Rev. 2:10; Rev. 12:13-17).
He works through false teachers (2 Thess. 2:9-10; 1 Tim. 4:1-2).
He tries to separate believers from Christ (Rom. 8:38-39).
He does evil to people (Job 2:6-8; Matt. 13:38-39; Luke 13:11; Luke 13:16).
He holds the power over death (Heb. 2:14-15).
He can work false signs and wonder to empower a lie, which deceives people (2 Thess. 2:9-10).
From these activities, it is clear that Satan is in a battle between God and his people on the one side, and Satan and his demons and their followers on the other side. They are fighting for the souls of everyone in between.
Third, the Bible warns against these things.
God says not to seek divination and omens (Lev. 19:26).
God says not to seek out mediums or spiritists (Lev. 19:31).
God says he will cut people off (kick them out) of his people, if they seek mediums and spiritists who are in league with the god Molech (a bloodthirsty satanic spirit).
God says not to practice divination, which is connected with superstitions (Is. 2:6).
God says not to listen to the false prophets, diviners, false interpreters of dreams, mediums, and sorcerers (Jer. 27:9). They serve the king of Babylon, and Babylon represents the headquarters of evil.
God promises to destroy Israel’s witchcraft and the casting of spells (Mic. 5:12).
God promises to testify against sorcerers (Mal. 3:5).
Yes, the Old Covenant Scriptures (Old Testament) says to put these practioners of the dark arts to death (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 20:27), but this penalty is designed to teach us how seriously God takes these issues and opposes these practices.
Fourth, the New Covenant Scriptures (New Testament) provide a better solution than the death penalty. Here is how the New Testament deals with evil.
Simon the sorcerer was saved and rescued from the dark arts, when Peter the apostle told him to repent or perish. At that strong word, Simon asked for prayer (Acts 8:9-24). If you are into the dark arts, you too can pray for repentance of all your bad practices. Renounce them, in Jesus’s name.
A certain Jewish magician named Bar-Jesus used to deceive people, but Paul proclaimed a divine punishment on him. Bar-Jesus was to be blinded by darkness. When you today are in the dark arts and magic, you are under spiritual blindness. But in Christ, the light can shine and clarify.
An unnamed female fortuneteller used to tell people about their lives, but she actually had an evil spirit speaking through her. In Jesus’s name Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of the girl, and it left (Acts 16:16-18). You too can be set free in the name of Jesus.
In the city of Ephesus, seven sons of a Jewish man named Scaeva used to rebuke evil spirits in Jesus’s name. They did this to one client in particular who was controlled by a demon. The human was empowered by the evil spirit and overpowered the seven sons—one man against seven beat the seven. That’s the power of the evil spirit (Acts 19:13-19).
This beatdown became known throughout Ephesus and the region. The people realized how wrong and powerful the dark arts were, so they brought all their books and scrolls of incantations and spells and burned them in an act of repentance (Acts 19:17-20). You too need to get rid of your magic and sorcery books. Throw them in the dumpster. Don’t give them away.
How does this post help me grow in Christ?
If you are into some or all those things described above, you can be free from evil spirits. Always have hope.
You need to follow these steps.
First, you need to repent. Pray this prayer: “Father, in Jesus’s name, I renounce and repent of my involvement in darkness and spirits and occultic practices.”
Second, you need to receive Jesus Christ into your heart. Pray this prayer: “Father, in Jesus’s name, I repent of all my sins. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead. He has all authority. He has all authority in my life. I surrender my entire life to his Lordship. I now choose the light of Jesus and oppose the darkness of Satan.”
Third, you must tell Satan and his demons to leave. Pray this prayer: “In Jesus’s name I rebuke Satan and evil spirits plaguing my mind. I command them to leave. In Jesus’s name, go!
Fourth, pray to receive the power of the Spirit (Luke 11:11-13), even receiving God’s prayer language (Acts 2:1-4). Pray this prayer: “Father, in Jesus’s name I receive the fullness and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Fill my heart and give me the gift of your prayer language.”
Fifth, memorize some key Scriptures. Start with this one, and pray it out loud: “Father, I lift up over my mind ‘the shield of faith, which quenches the fiery arrow of the enemy’” (Eph. 6:16).
Sixth, now go out and share what God has done for you to a mature believer, like a pastor or Bible study leader.
Seventh, go to a good Spirit-filled church that preaches the Word of God. Attend regularly.
RELATED
Bible Basics about Satan and Demons and Victory Over Them
Bible Basics about Deliverance
Magic, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Fortunetelling
SOURCES
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 