Sorcery
Sorcery in the Bible is often associated with the use of supernatural powers or magic, typically through the assistance of evil spirits, to manipulate or control events and people. The practice is condemned throughout Scripture as an abomination to God. In the Old Testament, sorcery is explicitly prohibited. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , it is written: "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."

The New Testament continues this condemnation. In Galatians 5:19-21 , sorcery is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the Spirit: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Divination
Divination refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. Like sorcery, divination is strictly forbidden in the Bible. The practice is often associated with pagan religions and is seen as a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and omniscience. In Leviticus 19:26 , the Israelites are commanded: "You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery."

The account of King Saul consulting the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28 is a notable biblical account of divination. Saul, having lost favor with God, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of desperation is met with condemnation and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God to seek forbidden knowledge.

Witchcraft
Witchcraft, often synonymous with sorcery in biblical texts, involves the use of spells, incantations, and the invocation of spirits to achieve certain ends. The Bible consistently portrays witchcraft as a sinful practice that leads people away from God. In Exodus 22:18 , the law is clear: "You must not allow a sorceress to live."

The severity of this command underscores the threat that witchcraft posed to the spiritual purity and faithfulness of the Israelite community. In the New Testament, witchcraft is similarly condemned. Acts 19:19 describes the response of new believers in Ephesus who had practiced magic: "And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, it came to fifty thousand drachmas."

Throughout Scripture, sorcery, divination, and witchcraft are depicted as practices that lead individuals away from the truth of God and into spiritual darkness. They are consistently condemned as acts that are incompatible with a life devoted to the worship and service of the one true God.