What New Testament verses reinforce Deuteronomy 18:10's stance on occult practices? Foundational Old Testament Prohibition “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, consults a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquires of the dead.” — Deuteronomy 18:10–11 New Testament Continuity: Core Passages • Acts 8:9-11, 13 — “Now a man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.” His repentance under the gospel shows the practice is incompatible with faith. • Acts 16:16-18 — “A slave girl with a spirit of divination… kept crying out… Paul greatly annoyed turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ ” Divination is exposed and expelled. • Acts 19:18-19 — “Many who had practiced magic arts brought their scrolls together and burned them in front of everyone.” The gospel produces renunciation, not accommodation, of occult tools. • Galatians 5:19-21 — “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality… sorcery… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” • Revelation 21:8 — “The cowardly, unbelieving… sorcerers… will have their place in the lake that burns with fire.” • Revelation 22:15 — “Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Divination, Sorcery, and Magic Clearly Forbidden • Galatians 5:20 labels “φαρμακεία” (sorcery) as a fleshly work. • Revelation 9:20-21 shows unrepentant humanity clinging to “sorceries.” • 2 Thessalonians 2:9 warns of “false signs and wonders” energized by Satan. Spiritism and Necromancy Denounced • 1 Timothy 4:1 — “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” • 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 — “What pagans sacrifice they sacrifice to demons… You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” • 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 — “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? … ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord.” Jesus’ Complete Authority over the Occult • Luke 4:40-41; 8:27-35 — Demons recognize and submit to Him instantly. • Colossians 2:15 — “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” • Luke 10:19 — “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.” Practical Takeaways for Believers • Ephesians 5:11 — “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” • Romans 12:9 — “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” • James 4:7 — “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The New Testament consistently mirrors and strengthens Deuteronomy 18:10’s rejection of occult practices, calling followers of Christ to decisive separation from every form of sorcery, divination, and communion with demonic powers. |
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