⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
What the Bible Really Says About Magic, Spells, and Divination
By Doreen Virtue | Contending for the Word Q&A | Servants of Grace
Show Summary
What does Scripture clearly teach about magic spells, divination, charms, and sorcery—and why are these practices still spiritually dangerous today? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dr. Doreen Virtue answers a listener’s question by walking through key passages in both the Old and New Testaments. You’ll see why God forbids occult practices, how these deceptions still appear in modern “New Age” spirituality, and why true freedom and peace are found only in Christ.
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Episode Notes
1) The Old Testament Warning Is Clear
God explicitly warned Israel not to imitate the pagan practices of the nations—especially divination, fortune-telling, mediumship/necromancy, interpreting omens, and sorcery. Scripture calls these practices detestable to the Lord and forbidden among God’s people.
2) This Isn’t “Old Covenant Only”
The New Testament continues to warn against occult practices. Christians are not free to pursue spiritual power outside of Christ. We reject both lawlessness and legalism: we do not earn salvation by obedience, but we obey because God has saved us by grace and calls His people to holiness.
3) A New Testament Example: Acts 16
In Acts 16, a slave girl’s fortune-telling was empowered by a demonic spirit, and her owners profited from it. When the spirit was cast out, the ability—and the money-making scheme—ended. This shows the spiritual reality behind divination and the earthly profit motives that often accompany it.
4) Repentance Looks Like Burning the Old Life: Acts 19
In Acts 19, those who believed the gospel publicly renounced their occult practices by bringing their magic books and burning them. Genuine repentance turns away from spiritual counterfeits and clings to Christ.
5) The Final Warning: Revelation 21–22
Revelation warns that sorcery and unrepentant occult practices are incompatible with the kingdom of God. These sins are not “harmless spirituality.” They enslave, deceive, and oppose the truth of the gospel.
Key Scriptures
- Deuteronomy 18:10–12
- Acts 16:16–18
- Acts 19:18–20
- Revelation 21–22
- Isaiah 64:6
Takeaways
- Occult practices are not neutral—they are spiritually dangerous and forbidden by God.
- The Bible’s warnings against divination and sorcery are consistent from Old to New Testament.
- Repentance is real and visible: believers turn away from spiritual counterfeits and renounce them.
- True peace, truth, and freedom are found only in Jesus Christ and His Word.
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.
