What does the bible say about witchcraft and witches?

The Bible is clear in its condemnation of witchcraft and the practice of magic. In the Old Testament, the practice of witchcraft is explicitly forbidden in several passages. For example, in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, it says, “There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”

Similarly, in the New Testament, the practice of witchcraft is also condemned. In Galatians 5:19-20, it says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies.”

Moreover, the Bible also speaks of witches, who are often described as individuals who practice witchcraft or magic. In the Old Testament, witches are often depicted as evil or wicked individuals. For example, in 1 Samuel 28, the witch of Endor is depicted as a practitioner of magic who is able to conjure the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel. In the New Testament, witches are not explicitly mentioned, but the practice of sorcery is condemned.

It is important to note that the Bible’s condemnation of witchcraft and the practice of magic is based on the belief that these practices are a form of idolatry. The Bible teaches that there is only one true God, and that the practice of witchcraft or magic is an attempt to manipulate spiritual or supernatural forces for selfish purposes.

However, it is worth noting that the term “witch” has been used in a variety of ways throughout history, and not all individuals who have been labeled as witches have practiced witchcraft or magic. In some cases, the term “witch” has been used to describe individuals who are seen as different or deviant from societal norms.