Is Engaging with Tarot Cards Against Biblical Teachings?
Are Tarot Cards Forbidden by the Bible?
The allure of knowing the future has led many to seek answers through various means, including tarot cards. However, the Bible provides clear guidance on practices that involve divination and occult activities.
What Are Tarot Cards? Tarot cards, originally derived from a medieval Italian deck, were initially used for games. Over time, their purpose shifted towards fortune-telling in the 19th century, becoming a tool for divination. Each card carries symbolic imagery, interpreted differently based on its position and the reader's understanding.
Biblical Stance on Divination and Occult Practices The Bible does not mention tarot cards explicitly, but it addresses the underlying principles of divination and sorcery:
- Leviticus 19:31 warns against mediums and familiar spirits, stating that seeking them defiles one before the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists divination, sorcery, and consulting the dead as abominations to God, practices that led to the expulsion of nations from the Promised Land.
- Acts 8:9-24 recounts Simon the Sorcerer, who attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, illustrating the condemnation of sorcery.
- Galatians 5:19-21 includes sorcery among the works of the flesh, warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Spiritual Danger of Tarot Cards Engaging with tarot cards can open doors to spiritual deception:
- Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
- 1 John 1:5 declares that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all, suggesting that practices like tarot reading, which delve into darkness, are contrary to His nature.
Why Christians Should Avoid Occult Practices For Christians, the use of tarot cards or any form of divination is not only against biblical teachings but also spiritually hazardous:
- 1 Corinthians 2:16 states that believers have the mind of Christ, implying a divine discernment that should guide us away from occult practices.
- 2 Timothy 3:13 warns that evil men and impostors will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived, highlighting the ongoing danger of such practices.
Conclusion While tarot cards themselves are inanimate objects, their use for divination is considered sinful by biblical standards. Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance from God through prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit, rather than through practices that invite darkness into their lives.