Spirits, Witchcraft, Mediums, Ancestors & Generational Curses

Condemnation of Occult Practices

Confessional Text

Witchcraft, divination, sorcery, casting spells, consulting mediums, and consulting the dead, are detestable to the Lord¹⁵⁸. Those who profess faith in Christ should not be involved in such occult practices, as it is a friendship with and dependence on Satan, rather than God.

Scriptural References

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Deuteronomy 18:10-12

There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one 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, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you.

Galatians 5:19-21

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, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Leviticus 20:27

A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.

Exodus 22:18

You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Throughout Scripture and church history, occult practices have been strictly forbidden. They represent rebellion against God, trafficking with demons, and attempting to manipulate spiritual forces apart from God. The early church confronted pagan sorcery and magic. The Reformers rejected Catholic practices that bordered on magic (relics, indulgences). Occultism in any form is incompatible with Christianity.

African Contextual Commentary

Witchcraft, divination, and consulting spirits are widespread in Africa, and tragically, some professing Christians participate in these practices, believing they can maintain one foot in Christ and one foot in traditional spirituality. This is impossible. Occult practices are detestable to God—full stop. They are not neutral cultural practices or harmless traditions; they are demonic and condemned. African Christians must completely renounce all involvement in witchcraft, consulting mediums, traditional healers who use occult methods, charms, curses, and spirit appeasement. There is no "Christian" version of these practices. We serve Christ alone, not Christ plus traditional spirits. Those who truly belong to Christ will forsake all occult involvement.