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Contending for the Word Q&A
The Biblical Warning Against Magic, Spells, and Charms
Show Summary
In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains what Scripture teaches about magic, spells, charms, sorcery, divination, and other occult practices. Drawing from both the Old and New Testaments, this episode highlights why these practices are condemned in Scripture and why true freedom is found in Christ alone.
Audio
Video
Episode Notes
Scripture consistently warns against occult practices because they dishonor God and lead to spiritual deception and bondage. Rather than trusting the Lord, practices such as divination, spell-casting, astrology, mediumship, and sorcery seek power apart from God.
God’s commands are not cultural preferences, but loving protections given for the good of His people. Deuteronomy 18:9–14 explicitly forbids these practices, while Acts 19:18–19 shows that genuine repentance leads believers to renounce occult practices completely rather than attempting to redeem or sanitize them.
True freedom is not found in self-directed spiritual power, but in Jesus Christ alone, who delivers believers from darkness and brings them into the light of truth and grace (Colossians 1:13).
Key Scriptures
- Deuteronomy 18:9–14
- Acts 19:18–19
- Colossians 1:13
Call to Action
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Doreen Virtue holds a Master’s degree in Biblical & Theological Studies with highest honors from Western Seminary (56 units / 2021), and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. Prior to being saved by God‘s grace and mercy in 2017, Doreen was a psychotherapist specializing in women’s issues, rated in the top 15 most influential living spiritual teachers by Watkins, and the top selling new age author in the world. She was born and raised in new thought churches which she attended for 33 years, before segueing to new age and Wicca in 1991 while touring with a mind-body-spirit conference organization. Before her salvation, Doreen frequently appeared on Oprah, CNN, The View, Coast to Coast and other liberal secular media. After the Holy Spirit convicted her of her sins, while she read Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Doreen repented and gave her life to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Doreen has been helping professing Christians to identify and avoid new age and new thought deception. Doreen volunteers in discipling women who’ve been saved out of New Age in a private Facebook group. Doreen was a speaker at the Answers in Genesis 2025 women’s conference at the Ark Encounter. She has been featured on American Gospel 3, American Gospel TV, Daily Wire, Moody Radio, Spillover, Christianity Today, Cultish, New York Magazine, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, Servants of Grace, and other Christian media.
