Sorcery, often associated with the practice of magic and the invocation of supernatural powers, is consistently condemned in the Bible as a form of wickedness. The term "sorcery" encompasses a range of activities, including witchcraft, divination, and the use of spells or charms, all of which are seen as attempts to manipulate spiritual forces contrary to the will of God.

The Old Testament explicitly prohibits sorcery and related practices. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are warned: "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." This passage underscores the severity with which God views such practices, categorizing them as detestable and abominable.

The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28) further illustrates the wickedness of sorcery. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's desperation leads him to seek guidance from a medium, an act that ultimately contributes to his downfall. This account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers and spiritual consequences of engaging in sorcery.

In the New Testament, sorcery is similarly condemned. The Apostle Paul lists sorcery among the "works of the flesh" in Galatians 5:19-21 , warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This inclusion highlights the incompatibility of sorcery with a life led by the Spirit and the pursuit of holiness.

The Book of Acts provides further examples of the wickedness of sorcery. In Acts 8:9-24, Simon the Sorcerer attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, revealing his corrupt heart and misunderstanding of God's gifts. 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). This incident emphasizes the futility and moral corruption inherent in sorcery.

Additionally, Acts 19:19 describes the conversion of former practitioners of magic in Ephesus, who publicly burn their scrolls of sorcery as a demonstration of their repentance and rejection of their past wickedness. This act signifies a turning away from darkness and a commitment to the truth of the Gospel.

The Book of Revelation also addresses the fate of sorcerers, placing them among those who will face judgment. Revelation 21:8 states, "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 serves as a stark warning of the eternal consequences of persisting in such wickedness.

Throughout Scripture, sorcery is consistently portrayed as a rebellion against God, an attempt to usurp divine authority, and a manifestation of human pride and sinfulness. It is a practice that leads individuals away from the truth and into spiritual darkness, ultimately resulting in divine judgment.1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.
Nave's Topical Index

And for a Very Long While Wickedness Extended and Spread...
... And the angels brought as presents to their wives teachings of wickedness, [110]
in ... constraints of love, spells of bewitchment, and all sorcery and idolatry ...
/.../irenaeus/the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 18 and for a.htm

Celsus, Indeed, Evinced a Slight Knowledge of Scripture when He ...
... For wickedness and sorcery would not have led a whole nation to rise not only above
idols and images erected by men, but also above all created things, and to ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter li celsus indeed evinced.htm

Addition to Acts of Philip.
... him, that his venom may not be poured out upon you: if his venom be poured out upon
your body, you walk in his wickedness. ... Perhaps you will find their sorcery. ...
/.../unknown/the acts of philip/addition to acts of philip.htm

But Let us See the Manner in which this Celsus...
... all about Christianity and Judaism; and let him show also how sorcery can exist ... one
were to succeed in delivering souls from a flood of wickedness, and excesses ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxvi but let us.htm

Whether the Validity of a Sacrament Requires a Good Intention in ...
... But the wickedness of the minister does not annul the sacrament: neither, therefore,
does his ... or to consecrate the Body of Christ, so as to use it for sorcery. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the validity of a.htm

Magic Arts of Maxentius against Constantine; and Famine at Rome.
... But the crowning point of the tyrant's wickedness was his having recourse to sorcery:
sometimes for magic purposes ripping up women with child, at other times ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxvi magic arts of maxentius.htm

Matt. xxi. 12, 13
... For it is an easy thing to rise up out of the very abysses of wickedness. ... ruin, and
many orphans did she overthrow; and many accused her of sorcery also, as ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxvii matt xxi 12.htm

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache
... do not fornicate; "do not steal"; do not practice magic; do not go in for sorcery;
do not ... 3 My child, flee from all wickedness and from everything of that sort ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the teaching of the twelve.htm

The Destruction of Babylon.
... thy merchants were the nobles of the earth; for by thy sorcery all nations ... The
punishment of Babylon is proportioned to her wickedness, and is to be inflicted ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

Thyatira
... And sorcery and magic increased, and divination and auguration and fornication and
the ... and cause them to be separated from the abounding wickedness around them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/thyatira.htm

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