MAGIC
God expressly prohibits people from having any contact with occult practices in any form. These include, among other things, sorcery or magic, fortune telling and sign reading, necromancy, horoscopes, etc. The same applies to people who present themselves on television and the Internet as a "medium" and give other people access to them - usually for money offer these things, even if in most cases they are fraudsters who only deceive gullible people in order to enrich themselves financially.
Real magic is not a harmless trick, but a serious danger to people, as it is associated with demons (= fallen angels), whose only goal is to harm people and them keep away from God. The New Testament reports on several people who were under demonic influence and describes the effects of their possession. People who are possessed by demons or evil spirits often no longer have self-control over their bodies or their actions. They behave abnormally and do things that harm themselves and others and in some cases can even be life-threatening.
By dealing with occult things or practicing them themselves, people open themselves up to the influences of demons, who penetrate them in this way, manipulate their thoughts and behavior and abuse them for their evil purposes. Children are also at risk of coming into contact with demons through films, music and stories that are about witches, wizards, fairies and that are usually presented to them uncritically by their parents or teachers. Festivals such as "Halloween", where people dress up as witches, wizards or even devils, can also open the door to these dark forces.
Today there are various "Christian denominations" in which signs and wonders are performed that are similar to the miracles attested to in the Bible. However, upon closer inspection, these turn out to be either fake or - as in quite a few cases - demonic. Unnatural behavior can often be observed on the part of preachers and visitors, which can in no way be justified biblically. In addition, such events are often more like a magic or entertainment show than a serious church service.... One of the best-known events in this context is the so-called "Toronto Blessing". Such and similar practices are particularly widespread in charismatic or Pentecostal churches. There are now countless movements worldwide that have grown out of the so-called charismatic wave, which began in Los Angeles in 1906. In many of these gatherings there are deeply degrading conditions that not only dishonor the name of God, but also give people a completely wrong understanding of the Christian faith, which in turn damages the reputation of the church as such. Although these appearances are attributed to the work of God, they actually indicate demonic activity.
The best-known representatives of this movement today include Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Bill Johnson, Todd White, Heidi Baker, Joyce Meyer and many others, who propagate their teachings and practices disguised as biblical in front of a huge audience Manipulate people in subtle ways, seducing especially young and inexperienced believers.... The Bible seriously warns all believers against such people. For the majority of them, faith is primarily a business through which they make huge sums of money to finance their luxurious and lavish lifestyle, which in turn has nothing to do with what Jesus taught and exemplified.
The New Testament describes how people who had previously practiced sorcery and then converted to God burned their occult books, which had very high material value at the time, in the fire. With this they wanted to make it clear that they wanted to separate themselves from any occult or spiritualistic ties.
Christians are called upon to consistently avoid everything that is in any way related to sorcery or spiritualism and at the same time to point out these real dangers to others in order to protect them from negative consequences for their lives, their health and, above all, their relationship with God.
Eine Zauberin sollst du nicht am Leben lassen.
Ihr sollt euch nicht den Totenbeschwörern und Wahrsagern zuwenden, dass ihr nicht durch sie unrein werdet; ich bin der HERR, euer Gott.
Wenn du in das Land kommst, das dir der HERR, dein Gott, geben wird, so sollst du nicht lernen, die Gräuel dieser Völker zu tun, dass nicht jemand unter dir gefunden werde, der seinen Sohn oder seine Tochter durchs Feuer gehen lässt oder Wahrsagerei, Hellseherei, geheime Künste oder Zauberei treibt oder Bannungen oder Geisterbeschwörungen oder Zeichendeuterei vornimmt oder die Toten befragt. Denn wer das tut, der ist dem HERRN ein Gräuel, und um solcher Gräuel willen vertreibt der HERR, dein Gott, die Völker vor dir. Du aber sollst untadelig sein vor dem HERRN, deinem Gott. Denn diese Völker, deren Land du einnehmen wirst, hören auf Zeichendeuter und Wahrsager; dir aber hat der HERR, dein Gott, so etwas verwehrt.
Und er ließ seine Söhne durchs Feuer gehen im Tal Ben-Hinnom und trieb Zeichendeuterei und Wahrsagerei und Zauberei und beschwor Tote und weissagte.
So hört doch nicht auf eure Propheten, Wahrsager, Traumdeuter, Zeichendeuter und Zauberer, die euch sagen: Ihr werdet nicht untertan sein müssen dem König von Babel.
Und ich will zu euch kommen zum Gericht und will ein schneller Zeuge sein gegen die Zauberer, Ehebrecher, Meineidigen und gegen die, die Gewalt und Unrecht tun den Tagelöhnern, Witwen und Waisen und die den Fremdling drücken und mich nicht fürchten, spricht der HERR Zebaoth.
Viele aber, die Zauberei getrieben hatten, brachten die Bücher zusammen und verbrannten sie öffentlich und berechneten, was sie wert waren, und kamen auf fünfzigtausend Silbergroschen.
Offenkundig sind aber die Werke des Fleisches, als da sind: Unzucht, Unreinheit, Ausschweifung, Götzendienst, Zauberei, Feindschaft, Hader, Eifersucht, Zorn, Zank, Zwietracht, Spaltungen, Neid, Saufen, Fressen und dergleichen.
(...) und sie bekehrten sich auch nicht von ihren Morden, ihrer Zauberei, ihrer Unzucht und ihrer Dieberei.
Die Feigen aber und Ungläubigen und Frevler und Mörder und Hurer und Zauberer und Götzendiener und alle Lügner, deren Teil wird in dem Pfuhl sein, der mit Feuer und Schwefel brennt; das ist der zweite Tod.
Draußen sind die Hunde und die Zauberer und die Hurer und die Mörder und die Götzendiener und alle, die die Lüge lieben und tun.