“The Bible offers clear guidance on the practice of divination, including the use of tarot cards”.
In today’s world, tarot cards and other forms of divination often capture people’s curiosity as they seek insight into their futures. However, the Bible provides specific guidance on such practices, offering clear instruction on how to approach them. Understanding what scripture says about divination can help believers make informed choices about their spiritual and personal lives.
This article will explore various Bible verses related to divination and tarot cards, providing insights into why these practices are cautioned against in scripture. By examining these verses, we aim to offer a thorough understanding of the biblical perspective on seeking guidance through methods such as tarot reading.
We will also include real-life examples to illustrate how these teachings apply today, helping you to see how the Bible’s wisdom can be applied in practical situations.
1. Biblical Prohibition of Divination
Verses:
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “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; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”
- Leviticus 19:26 – “Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
- Isaiah 47:13-14 – “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out. Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame.”
- Micah 5:12 – “I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.”
- Acts 16:16-18 – “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 annoyed 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.”
- 2 Kings 21:6 – “He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
Real-Life Example:
A person struggling with uncertainty about their future might be tempted to seek answers through tarot cards. However, understanding that scripture warns against divination helps them to choose prayer and faith in God’s guidance instead, leading to spiritual growth and a stronger reliance on divine wisdom.
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2. The Dangers of Seeking Guidance from Non-Godly Sources
Verses:
- Jeremiah 14:14 – “Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds.’”
- Ezekiel 13:6 – “They see false visions and their divinations are a lie. They say, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.”
- Zechariah 10:2 – “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”
- Matthew 24:24 – “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
- 1 John 4:1 – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
Real-Life Example:
A person seeking comfort and direction through a psychic reading may find temporary reassurance but is often misled by false promises. By turning to biblical teachings, they can seek genuine guidance from God and avoid the pitfalls of deception.
3. God’s Guidance vs. Divination
Verses:
- Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
- Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
- Isaiah 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
Real-Life Example:
Someone contemplating a major life decision might consider consulting a tarot reader. Instead, by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and scripture, they can receive clearer direction and reassurance, knowing they are relying on divine wisdom rather than uncertain practices.
4. The Role of Faith in Decision-Making
Verses:
- Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
- Romans 14:23 – “But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
- Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Matthew 17:20 – “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Real-Life Example:
An individual facing uncertainty might be tempted to rely on tarot cards for answers. By choosing to place their faith in God and His promises, they can find the confidence to make decisions based on spiritual assurance, rather than the unreliable nature of divination.
5. Understanding and Avoiding Deception
Verses:
- Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’ (gods you have not known) ‘and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
- Galatians 1:8 – “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
- Revelation 13:14 – “Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”
- Matthew 7:15 – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
- 1 Timothy 4:1 – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Real-Life Example:
A person might be drawn to the excitement of predictive readings but finds themselves misled by false promises. By focusing on biblical teachings and remaining vigilant against deception, they can avoid falling prey to misleading practices and find genuine truth in God’s Word.
6. God’s Sovereignty Over the Future
Verses:
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Psalm 139:16 – “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
- Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
- Isaiah 46:10 – “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
- Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Real-Life Example:
A person anxious about future uncertainties may find comfort in knowing that God is in control of all aspects of life. Trusting in God’s sovereignty can help them face challenges with faith, rather than relying on divination methods like tarot cards.
7. The Biblical Approach to Seeking Guidance
Verses:
- Psalm 25:4-5 – “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
- Proverbs 11:14 – “A nation falls for lack of guidance, but many advisers win victory.
- Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
- Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- James 1:5 -When you feel uncertain or confused, seek guidance from God. Who freely offers wisdom to everyone without judgment, and He will provide it to you.
- Isaiah 48:17 – “This is what the Lord says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’”
Real-Life Example:
When someone is at a crossroads in their life and seeks clarity, turning to God for guidance through prayer. And reading the Bible provides a more reliable path than consulting tarot cards. Scripture teaches that God offers clear direction and wisdom to those who earnestly seek it. Individuals can confidently navigate their decisions with faith by following biblical counsel. Knowing that God’s truth and wisdom illuminate their path.
Why Should I Avoid Tarot Cards and Divination Practices?
The Bible cautions against tarot cards and divination because these practices conflict with the belief in God’s sovereignty and guidance. Divination often involves seeking answers from sources other than God, which can lead to deception and spiritual confusion.
We encourage believers to trust in God’s plan , seek wisdom through prayer and scripture instead of turning to these practices. Engaging in divination can divert attention away from the clear guidance. And peace offered by faith in God, leading to a reliance on unreliable and potentially harmful methods.
Real-Life Example:
A person facing decisions about their career might feel tempted to consult a tarot card reader. When they choose to pray for guidance and read scripture instead.They align themselves with God’s will. They ensure that they root their decisions in faith and divine wisdom rather than in uncertain predictions.
ANSWERS TO KEY QUESTION
1. What does the Bible say about using tarot cards for guidance?
The Bible clearly warns against using tarot cards or engaging in divination. Verses like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and Leviticus 19:26 describe such practices as detestable to the Lord. And caution against seeking guidance from sources other than God.The Bible emphasizes that believers should seek God’s guidance through prayer and scripture, not through divinatory methods.
2. Why is divination considered problematic according to scripture?
Divination is problematic because it involves seeking knowledge or guidance from sources other than God. Which can lead to deception and spiritual harm. Scriptures like Jeremiah 14:14 and Ezekiel 13:6 describe divination as false and misleading. Contrasting it with the truth and wisdom offered by God. Engaging in these practices can divert one’s faith away from God’s sovereignty.
3. How can I seek guidance if I am tempted to use tarot cards?
If tempted to use tarot cards, believers should seek guidance through prayer and scripture instead.
4. What are the risks of relying on tarot cards and similar practices?
Relying on tarot cards and similar practices can lead to spiritual confusion and deception. Matthew 24:24 and 1 Timothy 4:1 highlight the risks of following false teachings and deceitful spirits. These practices can also divert you from trusting in God’s sovereign plan and seeking His wisdom.
5. How can I apply biblical teachings to overcome worry about the future?
To overcome worry about the future, turn to the Bible for comfort and guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages trusting in the Lord rather than relying on your own understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 advises bringing your anxieties to God in prayer, promising peace that surpasses all understanding. By focusing on God’s promises and sovereignty, you can find peace and confidence in facing the future.
Conclusion
The Bible’s stance on tarot cards and divination is clear. These practices are discouraged as they lead away from trusting in God’s guidance. Scripture offers reassurance that God is sovereign over the future. His wisdom is available to those who seek it through prayer and study of His Word.
Believers can find true peace and direction by focusing on biblical teachings and avoiding divination. Knowing that a divine purpose guides their lives rather than uncertain predictions.
Hi! I’m Isabel, a passionate writer who loves exploring the beauty of everyday life through heartfelt stories and vibrant poetry.