Are Witches Real According to the Bible? Witchcraft Vs Spiritual Gifts

Witches have long captured the imagination of people across cultures—depicted in folklore, movies, and history as mysterious figures with supernatural powers. But beyond the fiction, what does the Bible actually say about witches? Are they portrayed as real individuals with spiritual power, or are they simply metaphors or misunderstood people?

This article explores what the Bible teaches about the existence of witches, the nature of their power, and how believers are instructed to respond. Through examining key Scriptures and historical context, we’ll discover that the Bible treats witchcraft not as myth or legend, but as a real and serious spiritual threat.

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The Biblical View of Witchcraft and Witches

The Bible doesn't approach witchcraft as fantasy or superstition. Instead, it refers to it as a genuine spiritual practice that is condemned because of its connection to demonic influence and rebellion against God.

In biblical texts, those who practice witchcraft—sometimes translated as sorcery, divination, or magic—are portrayed as real people who engage with spiritual forces that oppose God.

Key Hebrew and Greek Terms:

• Hebrew:

  • Kashaph – usually translated as “sorcerer” or “witch.”

  • Qesem – divination.

• Greek:

  • Pharmakeia – sorcery, often involving potions or enchantments, sometimes linked to drug use.

These terms aren’t symbolic—they describe active spiritual practices that were common among Israel’s neighboring cultures and considered dangerous and defiling.

Witches in the Old Testament: Real and Forbidden

The Old Testament explicitly mentions witchcraft and those who practice it, not as fantasy characters, but as individuals whose activities were banned in ancient Israel.

1. Exodus 22:18 (KJV)

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

This is one of the most direct verses in the Bible. The word “witch” here is translated from mekhashepha, referring to someone who engages in forbidden magical practices. The strong punishment indicates that witches were viewed as real threats to the moral and spiritual health of the community.

2. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (NIV)

“Let no one be found among you who... practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft... Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

This passage warns Israel not to imitate the practices of surrounding nations. It clearly lists witchcraft among practices considered real and dangerous. The warning is not against imaginary beings but against real people involved in real spiritual activity.

The Witch of Endor: A Real Person with Spiritual Influence

One of the most vivid examples of a witch in the Bible is the witch (or medium) of Endor, found in 1 Samuel 28.

The Story:

King Saul, abandoned by God and desperate for guidance, seeks out a medium to summon the deceased prophet Samuel. Although Saul had previously outlawed witchcraft, he visits the woman in secret.

“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” (1 Samuel 28:7)

The medium succeeds in summoning a spirit who gives Saul a grim prophecy. While scholars debate whether it was truly Samuel or a demonic impersonation, what’s important is that the Bible presents the medium as a real person with actual spiritual contact, not a fraud or fictional character.

Witches and Sorcerers in the New Testament

The New Testament also affirms that people engaged in magical and occult practices were real. Several encounters show that such individuals existed and were considered spiritually dangerous.

1. Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–24)

Simon was a well-known figure in Samaria who amazed people with his magic. He later believed in Jesus but offered money to receive the Holy Spirit's power.

Peter rebuked him harshly:

“Your heart is not right before God... repent of this wickedness!” (Acts 8:21–22)

Simon is not depicted as a fraud. His sorcery had impressed many, but it was rooted in pride and manipulation, not God’s truth.

2. Elymas the Sorcerer (Acts 13:6–11)

Elymas, also called Bar-Jesus, was a false prophet and magician who opposed the apostle Paul.

“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!” (Acts 13:10)

Paul rebukes him and strikes him blind. The story again confirms that sorcerers existed and were spiritually active, working in opposition to the gospel.

3. Revelation 21:8 and 22:15

In these prophetic visions, sorcerers are listed among those excluded from God’s eternal kingdom:

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving... and those who practice magic arts... will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” (Revelation 21:8)

This refers not to mythological beings but real people who engage in magic as part of their rejection of God.

Are Witches Evil in the Bible?

According to the Bible, witches are not evil because of personal flaws but because of the spiritual source they align with. Witchcraft is repeatedly associated with:

• Rebellion against God’s will (1 Samuel 15:23)

• Idolatry and the worship of false gods (2 Kings 17:17)

• Deception and manipulation (Acts 8, Acts 13)

• Defilement of the soul (Leviticus 19:31)

Rather than describing witches as cartoon villains, the Bible views them as spiritual rebels, often sincere in their beliefs, but aligned with powers that oppose God.

Witchcraft vs. Spiritual Gifts: How to Discern

It’s important to distinguish between witchcraft and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, both of which involve supernatural activity but originate from different sources.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

• Come from God (1 Corinthians 12)

• Glorify Jesus and build up others

• Require submission to God’s will

Witchcraft and Sorcery:

• Seek power apart from God

• Often involve rituals, spells, or spirit contact

• Promote control, self-will, and spiritual deception

According to the Bible, the source matters most. Even if results seem positive or impressive, spiritual practices not grounded in God’s truth are dangerous.

What About Today? Are Witches Still Real?

Modern witchcraft has taken many forms—Wicca, New Age rituals, energy healing, astrology, and even “white magic.” While these practices are often marketed as peaceful or empowering, many of them reflect the same core elements condemned in Scripture: contacting spirits, manipulating energy, and seeking knowledge or power apart from God.

The Bible suggests that these practices are spiritually real, not imagined. They may not always involve stereotypical “witches,” but the principles of divination, enchantment, and spiritual manipulation are alive today, often under new names.

“For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Many who engage in these practices are sincere but unaware of the spiritual consequences.

Final Thoughts: The Bible's Message on Witches

To answer the question directly: Yes, the Bible presents witches and witchcraft as real. Not fictional. Not merely symbolic. Real people engaging in real spiritual practices, often with real (though deceptive) power.

However, Scripture consistently warns against these practices, not out of superstition, but because they draw people away from God’s truth and expose them to spiritual harm.

God's desire is not to punish curiosity but to protect hearts from being deceived by counterfeit spiritual power. True spiritual authority and insight come from a relationship with God, not rituals, spells, or spirit contact.

Hope for Those Involved in Witchcraft

One of the most powerful messages in the Bible is the possibility of redemption. In Acts 19:19, many former practitioners of magic in Ephesus brought their scrolls and burned them publicly after hearing the gospel.

“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:20)

No matter your past or what you’ve practiced, God offers forgiveness and freedom. The Bible’s warning is matched by a loving invitation: turn from deception, and walk in truth.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.