How does Malachi 3:5 warn against practices like "sorcery" and "perjury"? Setting the scene in Malachi Israel has questioned God’s justice. The Lord replies that He Himself will draw near as Judge, exposing sin that had been allowed to hide behind religious routine. Verse in focus “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, against those who defraud the hired worker of his wages, who oppress the widow and the fatherless, and who deprive the foreigner of justice, but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. (Malachi 3:5) Divine charges listed • Sorcery • Adultery • Perjury • Economic exploitation • Oppression of the vulnerable • Injustice toward foreigners • Lack of fear of God The sweeping list shows that occult practices and courtroom lies are not minor missteps; they sit beside every form of social and spiritual corruption that provokes divine judgment. Why sorcery and perjury matter Sorcery • Occurs when people seek supernatural power apart from God (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). • Breaks the first commandment by giving allegiance to other “powers” (Exodus 20:3). • Is called “rebellion” comparable to idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). • Leads to eternal exclusion from God’s kingdom (Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Perjury • Violates the ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16). • Perverts justice and destroys community trust (Leviticus 19:12). • Is one of the seven things God hates: “a lying tongue” and “a false witness” (Proverbs 6:16-19). • Carries divine judgment just as surely as sorcery (Proverbs 19:5). The heart issue behind these sins • Both sins manipulate words—incantations that summon forbidden power or oaths that distort the truth. • Both signal “no fear of Me,” the root indictment at the close of the verse. • They reject God’s sovereignty: sorcery turns to other spirits; perjury pretends God is not listening (Psalm 139:4). Implications for believers today • Reject every form of occult curiosity—horoscopes, charms, séances, occult games. They invite spiritual ruin and divine displeasure. • Embrace absolute truthfulness. Words must align with reality, contracts must be honored, testimony must be reliable. • Remember that hidden sins will meet a “swift witness.” God’s judgment is certain and personal. • Cultivate the fear of the Lord—the healthy awe that keeps sorcery, perjury, and every other listed offense unthinkable. Related Scriptures • Exodus 22:18—“Do not allow a sorceress to live.” • Deuteronomy 18:10-12—occult practices called “detestable.” • Leviticus 19:12—“You shall not swear falsely by My name.” • Proverbs 12:22—“Lying lips are detestable to the LORD.” • Revelation 22:15—sorcerers and liars barred from the New Jerusalem. Malachi 3:5 stands as a clear, urgent warning: God will personally confront sorcery and perjury, holding every individual accountable. The only safe response is repentance, wholehearted obedience, and reverent fear of the Lord. |
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