Topical Bible: Sorcery: Messages of, False

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Sorcery, as depicted in the Bible, is consistently associated with falsehood and deception. It is often linked to practices that attempt to manipulate spiritual forces or gain forbidden knowledge through supernatural means, contrary to the will and word of God. The Bible explicitly condemns sorcery and warns against the false messages it propagates.

In the Old Testament, sorcery is frequently mentioned alongside other forms of divination and idolatry. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." This passage underscores the severity with which God views sorcery and its associated practices, categorizing them as abominations.

The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28) serves as a poignant example of the dangers and falsehoods associated with sorcery. In desperation, Saul seeks guidance from a medium, despite having previously expelled such practitioners from the land. The encounter results in a message of doom, illustrating the futility and peril of seeking truth through forbidden means.

In the New Testament, sorcery continues to be condemned. Acts 8:9-24 recounts the account of Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced sorcery in Samaria and amazed the people, claiming to be someone great. However, upon witnessing the true power of the Holy Spirit through the apostles, Simon attempts to buy this power, revealing his misunderstanding and the false nature of his previous practices. Peter rebukes him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20).

The book of Revelation also addresses sorcery, associating it with the end times and the ultimate judgment of God. Revelation 21:8 lists sorcerers among those who will face the second death: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." This passage highlights the eternal consequences of engaging in sorcery and spreading its false messages.

Throughout Scripture, sorcery is consistently portrayed as a counterfeit to the truth and power of God. It is a practice rooted in deception, leading people away from the divine truth and into spiritual peril. The Bible's clear denunciation of sorcery serves as a warning to remain steadfast in faith and to seek guidance solely from God, who is the source of all truth and wisdom.

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Ezekiel 21:29
Whiles they see vanity to you, whiles they divine a lie to you, to bring you on the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
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Zechariah 10:2
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
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