What Does the New Testament Say About Tarot Cards? THE TRUTH

Tarot cards are a modern spiritual tool often used for divination, guidance, and insight into one’s personal life or future. While tarot has roots in European card games, its modern usage is closely tied to the occult, mysticism, and spiritual exploration. For Christians, particularly those seeking biblical truth, an important question arises: What does the New Testament say about tarot cards?

Though the term “tarot cards” does not appear in Scripture, the New Testament offers clear teachings on spiritual discernment, divination, sorcery, and seeking truth outside of God. This article explores what the New Testament reveals about the spiritual nature of practices like tarot reading and how Christians are called to respond.

Panaprium ist unabhängig und wird vom Leser unterstützt. Wenn Sie über unseren Link etwas kaufen, erhalten wir möglicherweise eine Provision. Wenn Sie können, unterstützen Sie uns bitte monatlich. Die Einrichtung dauert weniger als eine Minute und Sie werden jeden Monat einen großen Beitrag leisten. Danke schön!

1. Tarot Cards and Divination

Tarot cards fall under the broader biblical category of divination. In the ancient world, divination referred to any attempt to gain knowledge of the unknown or the future through supernatural means. This could include astrology, omens, spirit consultations, or magical practices. Tarot reading today often blends many of these elements.

While the Old Testament explicitly condemns divination (Deuteronomy 18:10–12), the New Testament continues this concern, especially in the Book of Acts and the letters of Paul, where the early church confronts false spiritual practices.

2. The Fortune-Telling Slave Girl (Acts 16:16–18)

One of the most direct New Testament passages relating to divination comes from Acts 16:16–18, where the Apostle Paul encounters a slave girl who could predict the future:

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us… which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God…
But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (KJV)

This woman was using a demonic spirit to tell fortunes, and Paul cast the spirit out. The original Greek word translated “spirit of divination” is python, associated with the ancient Greek oracle of Delphi and considered a symbol of demonic inspiration.

The New Testament lesson is clear: any supernatural insight that doesn’t come from God is dangerous. Even when the girl spoke truth, Paul rejected the source — a spirit not from God.

3. Seeking Wisdom From the Wrong Source

Many people turn to tarot cards for clarity or emotional comfort — but the Bible urges believers to seek wisdom from God alone, not from symbols or spiritual tools.

James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally… and it shall be given him.”

The early church believed that true wisdom is not hidden or mysterious, but freely available from God to those who ask in faith. The New Testament repeatedly warns against turning to false teachers, deceiving spirits, or alternative forms of knowledge.

4. False Spiritual Practices and the End Times

The New Testament anticipates the rise of spiritual deception, especially in the last days. People would increasingly turn to false sources of truth, including occult practices disguised as spiritual enlightenment.

1 Timothy 4:1

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

This warning shows that not all spiritual practices are good, even if they seem helpful or harmless. Practices like tarot readings often claim to offer peace or insight, but according to the New Testament, these sources can be influenced by demonic deception.

5. The Danger of Mixing Truth With Lies

One of the reasons tarot can seem appealing is because it often speaks to common human experiences — relationships, decisions, identity, etc. The problem lies in where that insight comes from. The Bible consistently warns against mixing the things of God with the things of the occult.

2 Corinthians 6:14–17

“What communion hath light with darkness? … Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”

Paul calls believers to separate themselves from spiritual darkness. Using tools like tarot cards, which are often rooted in occult philosophies, brings the risk of inviting confusion and spiritual harm — even if the intention is innocent.

6. Spiritual Fruit: The Test of All Practices

The New Testament encourages believers to test everything by its fruit. What does it produce? Does it lead people closer to God, or into spiritual dependency, confusion, or fear?

Galatians 5:22–23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…”

In contrast, many who have left tarot reading behind describe feelings of fear, anxiety, confusion, and a sense of spiritual oppression. These are not the fruits of the Holy Spirit. If a practice does not align with the Spirit’s fruit, it likely draws from a different source.

7. The Power of the Holy Spirit vs. Occult Power

In the New Testament, the power of the Holy Spirit is always life-giving, truthful, and focused on glorifying Christ. Occult power, by contrast, often leads to self-glorification, hidden knowledge, and spiritual pride — themes common in tarot practices.

Acts 8:18–20

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power…
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

Simon tried to commercialize spiritual power — a mistake seen today in those who sell spiritual readings. Peter rebuked him harshly because God’s power is not a product — and it must not be confused with the supernatural counterfeits of the occult.

8. Repentance From Occult Practices

When people in the early church realized the truth of the gospel, they turned away from magic and occult objects.

Acts 19:18–19

“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.”

Tarot cards, crystals, spell books — these all fall under “curious arts” in this context. New Testament believers didn’t just stop using these items; they destroyed them, publicly declaring a complete break with their old spiritual lives.

This example highlights an important truth: genuine faith in Christ involves forsaking all spiritual tools that compete with or replace the authority of God.

9. Jesus Christ Is the Only True Source of Light

Tarot cards and other mystical tools offer "light" and "guidance," but Scripture says that true light comes from Christ alone.

John 8:12

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness…”

Following Christ means rejecting other spiritual paths. Tarot cards may present themselves as a harmless source of insight, but if they draw people away from the light of Christ, they ultimately lead into darkness.

10. What Should Christians Do?

If you’re a follower of Christ and you’ve used tarot cards in the past — or are tempted to use them now — the New Testament invites you to:

1. Repent — Acknowledge that seeking spiritual insight outside of God is sin.

2. Renounce — Verbally reject and cut ties with all forms of occult or divinatory practice.

3. Remove — Get rid of tarot cards, books, and anything connected to false spiritual systems.

4. Renew — Spend time in Scripture, prayer, and Christian community to grow in truth.

5. Rely — Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

Conclusion: What Does the New Testament Say About Tarot?

While the New Testament doesn’t directly mention tarot cards, it speaks clearly on the spiritual dangers of divination and occult practices. Tarot cards represent an attempt to gain spiritual insight outside of God — and that is a path the New Testament warns against repeatedly.

• Acts 16 shows us that fortune-telling is linked to demonic spirits.

• 1 Timothy 4 warns of spiritual deception in the last days.

• 2 Corinthians 6 urges separation from spiritual darkness.

• James 1 promises true wisdom to those who ask God.

• Acts 19 gives an example of public repentance from magic.

For the follower of Jesus, the choice is clear: turn away from all forms of occult practice — including tarot cards — and seek the light, truth, and peace that only Christ can give.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…” — James 1:5

War dieser Artikel hilfreich für Sie? Bitte teilen Sie uns in den Kommentaren unten mit, was Ihnen gefallen oder nicht gefallen hat.

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.