What does the Bible say about superstitions?

Answer 1

Superstition is based on the ignorant faith of an object having magical powers. Another word for superstition is idolatry. The Bible does not support the idea of things occurring by chance, but nothing is done outside of God's sovereign control. Either He causes or allows everything in keeping with His divine plan (Acts 4:28, Ephesians 1:10).

There are many types of superstitions in the world, ranging from the benign-such as not walking under a ladder-to the occult practices of Astrology, black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19), magic, divination and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because they open the minds of the practitioners to the influence of the devil. First Peter 5:8 warns us to "be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

We should get our faith not from objects or rituals of man-made origin, but from the one true God who gives eternal life. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority" (Colossians 2:8-10).

Answer 2

The King James Version only uses the word "superstition" once:

"...'Therefore, when they had come hither, without delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against who when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: but had certain questions against him of their own SUPERSTITION, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." (Acts 26:17-19 KJV)

The inspired word in the Literal Bible that the KJV translates "superstition" is "deisidamonia" (pronounced - dice-ee-dahee-mon-ee'-ah) -- which simply means "religion."

As attested in other translations:

(verse 19 WEY Weymouth's New Testament): "But they quarreled with him about certain matters connected with their own RELIGION, and about one Jesus who had died, but -so Paul persistently maintained - is now alive."

(same verse; NLT New Living Translation): "It was something about their RELIGION and about someone called Jesus who died, but whom Paul insists is alive."