Fortune-telling, the practice of predicting information about a person's life, often involves various methods such as astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, and other forms of divination. Within the context of the Bible, fortune-telling is consistently portrayed as contrary to the will of God and is associated with pagan practices and idolatry.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several explicit prohibitions against fortune-telling 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, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

This passage highlights the seriousness with which God views such practices, categorizing them alongside other abominations that led to the judgment of the Canaanite nations. The Israelites were called to be distinct from surrounding cultures, relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom.

In Leviticus 19:26 , the command is reiterated: "You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery." This further underscores the prohibition against seeking knowledge or power through means outside of God's provision.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to affirm the rejection of fortune-telling. In Acts 16:16-18 , the Apostle Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination: "One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.' She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' And the spirit left her at that very moment."

This account demonstrates the power of Christ over demonic forces and the incompatibility of fortune-telling with the Christian faith. The spirit of divination is depicted as an evil influence, and its expulsion by Paul signifies the triumph of the Gospel over such practices.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, fortune-telling is seen as an attempt to gain knowledge or control over the future, which is reserved for God alone. Isaiah 8:19 warns, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility and danger of seeking guidance from sources other than God.

The practice of fortune-telling is often linked with idolatry, as it involves placing trust in created things or spiritual entities rather than the Creator. This is a violation of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive devotion to God (Exodus 20:3: "You shall have no other gods before Me").

Moral and Ethical Considerations

Engaging in fortune-telling is considered a moral and ethical issue within the Christian tradition. It is viewed as a form of spiritual adultery, diverting trust and reliance away from God. Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit, rather than through occult practices.

The Bible's consistent message is that God is sovereign over the future, and believers are called to trust in His providence and timing. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage encapsulates the biblical approach to seeking guidance, contrasting sharply with the reliance on fortune-telling.3132. manteuomai -- to divine
... in the practice. Word Origin from mantis (a seer) Definition to divine
NASB Word Usage fortune-telling (1). soothsaying. From a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3132.htm - 6k

Whether Observances Directed to the Purpose of Fortune-Telling are ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether observances directed
to the purpose of fortune-telling are unlawful? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observances directed to the 2.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... himself, the woman would force him to eat, begging this of him as a favor on account
of her concern in that dangerous instance of fortune-telling, which it was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

Paul and Silas in Macedonia
... of prayer, a slave girl met us who was under the control of a spirit that made her
clairvoyant, so that she brought great gain to her owners by fortune-telling ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/paul and silas in macedonia.htm

And be not Deceived or Deluded with Vain Hopes by that which is ...
... st. p. 364, where Glaucon speaks of certain fortune-telling vagrant seers, who persuade
the rich that they have power with the gods, by means of charms and ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/62 and be not deceived.htm

Of Superstition in Observances (Four Articles)
... (2) Of observances for causing alterations in certain bodies; (3) Of observances
practiced in fortune-telling; (4) Of wearing sacred words at the neck. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of superstition in observances four.htm

Summa Theologica
Summa Theologica. <. Summa Theologica Saint Thomas Aquinas. Table
of Contents. Title Page. Whether, besides philosophy, any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/

Fortune-telling (1 Occurrence)
Fortune-telling. Fortune-tellers, Fortune-telling. Forty .
Multi-Version Concordance Fortune-telling (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/fortune-telling.htm - 6k

Girl (71 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/g/girl.htm - 28k

Fortune (7 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/f/fortune.htm - 9k

Fortune-tellers (1 Occurrence)
Fortune-tellers. Fortunes, Fortune-tellers. Fortune-telling . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See NAS). Fortunes, Fortune-tellers. Fortune-telling . ...
/f/fortune-tellers.htm - 6k

Earned (6 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/e/earned.htm - 7k

Masters (59 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/m/masters.htm - 26k

Predicted (10 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/p/predicted.htm - 9k

Slave-girl (6 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/s/slave-girl.htm - 8k

Met (118 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/m/met.htm - 37k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortunetelling. ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

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