Scroll through TikTok for five minutes today and you’ll find it – spell-casting tutorials, tarot card readings, crystal charging rituals, astrology charts, and manifestation guides wrapped in aesthetically pleasing content delivered by relatable, charismatic creators who make witchcraft look as harmless as a makeup tutorial.
This isn’t fringe anymore. Moreover, this is mainstream. Indeed, according to a Pew Research Center report released in May 2025, nearly one-third of American adults—30%—consult occult practices such as astrology, tarot cards, or fortune tellers at least once a year. Furthermore, the #WitchTok hashtag on TikTok has amassed a staggering 69 billion views. Additionally, the psychic services industry generated an estimated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, employing over 105,000 people.
The occult has gone mainstream, and it’s coming for your children, your social media feed, and increasingly—your church.
So what does the Bible actually say about this? Furthermore, why does it matter so much? And if someone you love is already involved, what do you do? Higher Praise is committed to giving you biblical answers to the questions your culture is asking right now—and this one is urgent.
Let’s get into it.
What Is the Occult? Understanding What We’re Dealing With
Before diving into what the Bible says, we need to understand what we’re talking about. Indeed, “the occult” covers a broader range of practices than most people realize.
The word “occult” simply means “hidden” or “secret,” referring to supernatural practices and powers beyond the natural world that operate outside of God. Specifically, the occult includes:
- Astrology – Consulting the stars and planets to guide decisions and predict the future
- Tarot cards – Using card readings to gain insight, direction, or knowledge of future events
- Divination – Any method of seeking hidden knowledge or predicting the future through supernatural means
- Witchcraft and Wicca – Practicing spells, rituals, and magic to influence events or people
- Mediums and spiritists – Communicating with or consulting the spirits of the dead
- Fortune telling – Claiming to reveal future events through supernatural knowledge
- Crystal healing – Using crystals as spiritual conduits or sources of power
- Manifestation – Using ritualistic thought and spiritual energy to bring desired outcomes
- Ouija boards – Attempting to contact spiritual entities through a board game
- Horoscopes – Following astrological signs to guide daily decisions and predictions
- Séances – Attempting to contact and communicate with the dead
- Necromancy – Consulting the dead for guidance or information
Here’s something important to understand: many of these practices are presented as harmless, cultural, or even empowering. However, the Bible makes no distinction between “serious” occult practices and “casual” ones. Moreover, it addresses all of them with equal clarity—and equal warning.
Why Is the Occult So Appealing in 2026?
Before we look at what Scripture says, it’s worth understanding why so many people—including young Christians—are drawn to occult practices. Indeed, dismissing it as mere rebellion misses the deeper reasons:
The Search for Control
In a world that feels increasingly chaotic—rising costs, global instability, political turmoil, and social anxiety—people desperately want control over something. Furthermore, occult practices specifically promise that control. Tarot cards promise insight into what’s coming. Spells promise the ability to influence outcomes. Manifestation promises the power to shape your reality.
One WitchTok creator put it plainly: “Witchcraft gives you a bit of control back. You can live your life how you want.” Moreover, that appeal is understandable—even if the promise is completely false.
The Search for Community
WitchTok doesn’t just offer practices—it offers belonging. Specifically, young people can form digital covens, find others who share their beliefs, encourage each other, and feel genuinely connected. Additionally, this community asks nothing of you doctrinally. You can believe whatever you want, and you’re still welcome.
The tragic irony is that this is exactly what the church is supposed to offer. However, too many churches have failed to provide genuine community, honest answers, and an environment where questions are welcomed. Consequently, people are finding that sense of belonging in places that are spiritually dangerous.
The Search for Spiritual Experience
Here’s something fascinating: people are not becoming more secular—they’re becoming more spiritually hungry. Indeed, the Evangelical Alliance noted in early 2026 that “belief is back,” with increasing openness to spiritual experience across the board. However, that spiritual hunger is being channeled in all directions, including the occult.
People want to encounter something real, something beyond the material world. Furthermore, they want to experience the supernatural. Additionally, they want mystery, wonder, and transcendence. The occult packages all of this attractively. Nevertheless, it’s delivering a counterfeit spiritual experience that leads away from the only true source of genuine supernatural power—God Himself.
The Slow Normalization
Pop culture has spent decades softening the public perception of witchcraft. Moreover, from Harry Potter to Sabrina the Teenage Witch, from Charmed to The Craft, witchcraft has been presented as either harmless fun or heroic power. Furthermore, social media has accelerated this normalization dramatically. Consequently, what was once considered fringe and dangerous now feels mainstream and acceptable.
However, cultural acceptance doesn’t change spiritual reality.
What the Bible Says: Old Testament
God’s position on occult practices was established clearly from the very beginning of Scripture and has never changed. Let’s look at what He says:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – The Definitive Prohibition
This is the clearest and most comprehensive statement God makes about occult practices:
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.”
Notice the specificity here. Indeed, God doesn’t give a vague warning—He lists specific practices by name: divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, mediums, spiritists, consulting the dead. Moreover, He uses the word “detestable”—the same word used for things that are fundamentally incompatible with His holiness. Furthermore, this prohibition applies to everyone: “no one be found among you.”
Additionally, this passage is remarkable because God explains why these things are prohibited: they were the practices of the nations being driven out of Canaan. Indeed, God was saying clearly—these things belong to a world that is in rebellion against Me. Don’t go near them.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
Notice the result: defilement. Moreover, consulting mediums and spiritists doesn’t just break a rule—it defiles you spiritually. Indeed, it creates a spiritual contamination that affects your relationship with God. Furthermore, the reminder “I am the LORD your God” is significant—it’s God asserting His authority and His exclusive right to be the source of guidance and truth.
1 Samuel 15:23 – Rebellion and Witchcraft
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”
Here, God connects witchcraft directly to rebellion. Indeed, at its core, occult practice is an act of rebellion—it’s saying “I will seek power and knowledge from sources other than God.” Moreover, it’s essentially telling God: “I don’t trust You to guide me. Furthermore, I’ll find my own way.” That’s not just a spiritual mistake—it’s spiritual rebellion.
The Story of King Saul – A Warning
The life of King Saul provides one of Scripture’s most sobering warnings about consulting the occult. Indeed, Saul had been given everything—anointed king, blessed by God, given victory over his enemies. However, when he stopped listening to God, he began making increasingly desperate decisions.
Eventually, facing the Philistine army and receiving no answer from God, Saul disguised himself and went to the witch of Endor to consult the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 28). Moreover, this was a direct violation of the very laws he himself had enforced. Furthermore, the consequences were devastating.
Scripture records the outcome plainly in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14: “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.”
Saul went to the occult because God felt silent. However, the answer to God’s silence is never to seek forbidden sources. Rather, the answer is repentance, patience, and continued seeking of God. Indeed, Saul’s story demonstrates that consulting the occult doesn’t solve your problems—it ends you.
Queen Jezebel – The Destructive Power of Witchcraft
2 Kings 9:22 records that Queen Jezebel practiced witchcraft, and her story illustrates the catastrophic consequences. Moreover, her influence brought wickedness, corruption, and judgment upon the entire nation of Israel. Furthermore, her end was as violent and undignified as her spiritual rebellion had been brazen.
What the Bible Says: New Testament
Some people assume that the New Testament has little to say about witchcraft—that perhaps it’s an Old Testament concern. However, that assumption is completely wrong.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Witchcraft in the Works of the Flesh
The Apostle Paul is unambiguous:
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul places witchcraft directly alongside sexual immorality, idolatry, and drunkenness as works of the flesh. Moreover, his warning is explicit: those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Furthermore, notice the Greek word Paul uses for witchcraft here is “pharmakeia”—from which we get our word “pharmacy.” Indeed, this word covered the use of drugs in occult rituals, as well as magic and sorcery broadly. Additionally, this tells us that the New Testament’s prohibition is just as comprehensive as the Old Testament’s.
Revelation 21:8 – The Eternal Consequence
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
This isn’t a mild warning. Rather, it’s the most serious possible consequence—eternal separation from God. Moreover, those who practice magic arts are specifically included in this list. Furthermore, this isn’t about people who dabbled casually in their youth and repented. Rather, it refers to unrepentant practice as a pattern of life.
Acts 19:19 – What Genuine Repentance Looks Like
When the gospel came to Ephesus with power, the response of new believers was remarkable:
“A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.”
Fifty thousand drachmas. Moreover, that was roughly 50,000 days’ wages—an enormous sum. Nevertheless, genuine repentance didn’t ask “Can I keep some of it?” Rather, it demanded complete abandonment of the old practices. Furthermore, the public nature of the burning was significant—it was a declaration that there was no going back.
If you’re involved in occult practices and coming to faith, Acts 19:19 is your model. Indeed, get rid of everything. Tarot cards, crystals, astrology apps, spell books—all of it. Moreover, don’t negotiate with what God has called detestable.
Acts 16:16-18 – Real Power Over the Occult
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage is significant for several reasons. Indeed, it confirms that spirit powers behind occult practices are real—not imaginary or merely psychological. However, it also demonstrates that Jesus Christ has absolute authority over every spiritual power. Furthermore, His name carries power that no spell, crystal, or tarot deck can match. Indeed, the spirit left “at that moment”—instantly, completely, and without resistance.
Isaiah 8:19 – The Diagnostic Question
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
This verse cuts to the heart of the issue with a devastating question. Moreover, it exposes the fundamental absurdity of occult practice: Why would you consult the dead when you have access to the living God? Furthermore, why seek uncertain, potentially deceptive spiritual sources when you have a God who promises wisdom to all who ask (James 1:5)?
Why Is God So Serious About This?
People sometimes wonder why God takes such a strong stance against practices that seem relatively harmless. Indeed, isn’t reading a horoscope just a bit of fun? Furthermore, isn’t checking your tarot cards just entertainment? Moreover, aren’t crystals just pretty rocks?
Here’s why God is serious—and why we should be too:
1. It Opens Doors That Are Hard to Close
What begins as curiosity frequently leads deeper. Moreover, the WitchTok phenomenon demonstrates this clearly—young people start with aesthetically pleasing content about crystals and tarot cards, then find themselves forming communities, deepening practices, and eventually entering genuinely spiritual territory they weren’t prepared for.
Indeed, there are countless testimonies from former occult practitioners who confirm that what seemed like harmless exploration eventually opened spiritual doors that caused real damage. Furthermore, the Bible doesn’t warn about the occult because God is uptight about rules. Rather, He warns because He knows where these paths lead.
2. It Invites Deception
“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-14
The occult operates in spiritual deception. Indeed, spirits encountered through mediums, ouija boards, or other practices may present themselves as helpful, comforting, or enlightened guides. However, Scripture is clear that the spiritual realm contains powers that actively deceive and destroy. Moreover, you cannot distinguish between benevolent and malevolent spirits through tarot cards or crystal balls—regardless of what the practitioner claims.
3. It Replaces God With Counterfeits
At its core, occult practice is a rejection of God’s guidance in favor of alternative sources. Indeed, every time someone consults a tarot card instead of praying, reads their horoscope instead of seeking Scripture, or turns to manifestation instead of trusting God, they’re choosing a counterfeit over the real thing. Furthermore, God doesn’t compete for your trust—He demands it exclusively.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3
4. It Operates in Satan’s Domain
The Bible teaches that behind occult practices lies real spiritual power—but not from God. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 10:21 states plainly: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” Furthermore, the spirit world that occult practices tap into is a domain that Scripture consistently associates with the enemy of your soul. Moreover, every occult practice is, at minimum, an invitation for demonic influence into your life and home.
5. It Creates False Assurance
Perhaps most dangerously, occult practices create false confidence and guidance. Indeed, a tarot reading that says “good things are coming” may comfort someone who needs to be warned. Furthermore, a horoscope that says “today is a good day to take a risk” may encourage someone toward a destructive decision. Moreover, these sources of “guidance” have no connection to truth, goodness, or genuine knowledge of your future.
Only God knows the future. Furthermore, only He can guide you in it faithfully.
What About Christians Who Are “Just Curious”?
Here’s where it gets personal. Indeed, Christians are not immune to the pull of occult curiosity. Moreover, given the cultural normalization of these practices, many believers have dabbled—checking horoscopes, getting tarot readings “for fun,” using manifestation techniques, or reading about astrology.
What does the Bible say to them?
It says: Stop.
Not because God is harsh and joyless. Rather, because He loves you and knows what you’re inviting. Furthermore, 1 John 4:1 warns: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Additionally, Ephesians 5:11 commands: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
The standard isn’t “Did it feel harmful?” Moreover, the standard isn’t “Was it just for fun?” Rather, the standard is: “Is this something God has called detestable?” If the answer is yes—and it clearly is for all occult practices—then Christian obedience requires walking away from it, regardless of how harmless it seems.
What If You or Someone You Love Is Deeply Involved?
If you or someone you love has gone beyond curiosity into genuine involvement with occult practices, here’s the honest biblical response:
Step 1: Recognize It As Sin
Don’t minimize it. Moreover, don’t call it a cultural interest or a spiritual exploration. Rather, bring it before God and call it what Scripture calls it: sin. Furthermore, genuine repentance begins with honest acknowledgment.
Step 2: Confess and Renounce
Bring your involvement before God in prayer. Specifically, confess each practice by name. Moreover, renounce it—declare that you’re breaking any connection to it and surrendering fully to God’s authority. Additionally, ask God to close any spiritual doors that were opened through occult involvement.
Step 3: Remove Everything
Following the Acts 19 model, get rid of every physical connection to occult practices. Indeed, tarot cards, astrology apps, crystals used for spiritual purposes, spell books, ouija boards—all of it. Moreover, don’t sell them to pass the influence on to others. Rather, destroy them.
Step 4: Seek Spiritual Support
Talk to spiritually mature Christians, church leaders, or a biblical counselor. Indeed, deep occult involvement may require spiritual support and prayer from others to find complete freedom. Furthermore, isolation makes recovery harder—you need community.
Step 5: Fill the Void With God
The occult often meets real needs for community, guidance, and spiritual experience. Consequently, you need to fill those spaces with what God genuinely offers: His Word for guidance, the Holy Spirit for supernatural experience, the church for community, and prayer for direct access to the God who actually knows and controls your future.
What the Occult Promises vs. What God Actually Offers
Here’s the truth that the Higher Praise community needs to understand: the occult isn’t just dangerous—it’s an inferior counterfeit of what God genuinely offers.
| What the Occult Promises | What God Actually Delivers |
|---|---|
| Knowledge of the future | Wisdom for today (James 1:5) |
| Control over circumstances | Peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7) |
| Community and belonging | The body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) |
| Spiritual experience | The Holy Spirit living within you (John 14:17) |
| Personal empowerment | Strength through Christ (Philippians 4:13) |
| Guidance for decisions | God’s Word as a lamp to your feet (Psalm 119:105) |
| Connection to the supernatural | Direct access to the Creator of the universe (Hebrews 4:16) |
The occult offers shadowy imitations of real things. However, God offers the genuine articles. Moreover, every spiritual need that drives someone toward the occult can be genuinely and permanently met in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Furthermore, unlike the occult, God’s guidance is trustworthy, His community is eternal, and His power is without limit.
A Word of Hope: Kat Von D’s Story
One of the most powerful testimonies in recent years comes from celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. Known for her extensive tattoos and her open involvement in the occult and witchcraft, Von D renounced occult practices and was publicly baptized, declaring her faith in Jesus Christ.
Her story reflects what Higher Praise believes deeply: no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Moreover, no level of occult involvement places you beyond the reach of Christ. Furthermore, just as the early believers in Acts 19 walked away from decades of sorcery into freedom, anyone can walk away from the occult into the genuine supernatural power of God.
Indeed, God’s call is always the same: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Furthermore, the same power that raises the dead, heals the sick, and commands the storm is available to those who come to Him in faith.
The occult cannot offer that. Only Jesus can.
Protecting Your Children in the WitchTok Era
If you have children or teenagers, the WitchTok phenomenon demands your attention. Indeed, #BabyWitch has 2.7 billion views and #TeenageWitch has over one million views—meaning the occult is actively recruiting the next generation through their phones.
Here’s practical guidance:
Have honest conversations. Don’t just ban the content—explain why. Moreover, teach them what the Bible says and why God prohibits these practices. Furthermore, help them understand the spiritual reality behind the aesthetic appeal.
Build genuine faith. Young people who have a living, authentic faith relationship with Jesus are far more resilient to occult temptation. Additionally, make sure your home and church environment offer real answers to real questions.
Create a safe space for questions. Young people are curious about the supernatural—that’s actually good. However, make sure they can bring those questions to you rather than to TikTok. Indeed, curiosity about the spiritual world is something the church should welcome and direct toward God.
Monitor without suffocating. Know what your children are consuming online. Moreover, address occult content when you see it. However, heavy-handed control without explanation often drives behavior underground rather than addressing the heart.
Model authentic faith. The best defense against the occult is a genuine encounter with the living God. Furthermore, children who see real faith in their parents—not just rules, but relationship—are far better equipped to discern and resist spiritual deception.
The Armor of God: Your Defense
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:10-11
Paul’s prescription for spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18 remains the definitive Christian response to the spiritual battle around the occult:
- Belt of Truth – Know God’s Word and what it clearly teaches
- Breastplate of Righteousness – Live in obedience and integrity before God
- Gospel of Peace – Stand firm in the good news of Christ’s victory
- Shield of Faith – Trust God’s character and promises in every circumstance
- Helmet of Salvation – Know and rest in your secure identity in Christ
- Sword of the Spirit – Use Scripture actively against spiritual deception
Indeed, the Christian doesn’t fight the occult with fear. Rather, they stand against it with the authority of Christ, the truth of Scripture, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, from that position of strength, we can reach those caught in occult deception with compassion and truth.
The Bottom Line
The Bible’s position on witchcraft and the occult is not ambiguous, not cultural, and not outdated. Indeed, from Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word consistently prohibits all occult practices, identifies them as spiritually dangerous, and calls His people to exclusive dependence on Him.
The reason isn’t arbitrary rule-making. Rather, it’s because God knows what these practices invite, what doors they open, and where they lead. Moreover, He knows that the real needs driving people toward the occult—for control, community, guidance, and spiritual experience—can only be genuinely met in a relationship with Him.
The world will keep glamorizing the occult. Furthermore, TikTok will keep serving it to your children in aesthetically pleasing packages. Additionally, culture will keep telling you it’s harmless and empowering.
Nevertheless, God’s truth doesn’t change with the algorithm. Indeed, what He called detestable in Deuteronomy, He still calls detestable today. Furthermore, what He offers—genuine power, real community, true guidance, and direct access to the God of the universe—still infinitely surpasses everything the occult promises.
Choose the real thing.
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” – Isaiah 8:19
FAQ: Common Questions About Witchcraft and the Bible
Q: Is reading my horoscope really that big a deal? A: According to Scripture, yes. Astrology falls under divination, which God explicitly prohibits in Deuteronomy 18. Moreover, even “casual” horoscope reading trains your heart to seek guidance from sources other than God. Furthermore, what begins casually rarely stays casual.
Q: What if I was involved in witchcraft before becoming a Christian? A: Past occult involvement doesn’t disqualify you from God’s grace. However, genuine repentance requires renouncing it completely, removing all connected materials, and potentially seeking prayer and support from mature believers to ensure complete spiritual freedom.
Q: Can a Christian be under spiritual attack from someone practicing witchcraft against them? A: While the Bible acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare, it also declares clearly that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17) and that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Moreover, the blood of Jesus and the authority of His name provide complete protection for the believer.
Q: What’s the difference between witchcraft and prayer? A: Prayer is direct communication with the God of the universe, who loves you and has authority over all things. Conversely, witchcraft seeks to manipulate spiritual forces or access knowledge/power through means God has forbidden. Moreover, prayer submits to God’s will; witchcraft attempts to impose your own will through forbidden means.
Q: My teenager is into WitchTok. How do I approach it without pushing them away? A: Start with curiosity, not condemnation. Ask what appeals to them about it. Moreover, listen genuinely before responding. Then share what Scripture says, not as a list of rules but as truth from a God who loves them. Furthermore, the goal is their heart, not just their behavior. Additionally, examine whether your home and church are offering the genuine community, spiritual experience, and honest answers they’re seeking elsewhere.