Are spells real and do they come from the devil?

Answer 1

That's a good question and we need to go to God's Word for the answer.

In the Old Testament spells first show up when Moses was trying to get the Jews out of the land. You remember the Pharaoh's magicians? God empowered Moses with legitimate divine signs which proved God was with Moses to lead the Jews out of slavery. You may remember some of the real "super-natural" things Moses did like making his staff turn into a snake in front of Pharaoh. Well, the magicians using evil spells duplicated Moses staff-to-snake miracle but Moses snake ate them up! God's real power was better than their evil power (from demons who are from the devil/Satan).

Moses proved God was mightier than Pharaoh and the evil magicians several times. You can read about it around Exodus 10 or so.

So, the earliest record of spells in The Bible is about 1550 BC (that's when Moses was around.)

Now, fast forward to the New Testament when Jesus walked the earth and his apostles. In the Book of Acts (shortly after Jesus went back up to Heaven) some honest to goodness witches (apparently men and woman both) repented of their sin (magic) and burned their books when they heard about Jesus! They were serious converts and gave up all that black magic for Jesus.

Today, you usually have to look pretty hard to find people who think the devil is more powerful than God and His Son Jesus and practice spells. But, sad for them, they exist. But thank God, some get converted and do the same thing and burn their books, too (if they have any)

But, here's the good news: The worst of witches, the worst of men, the worst of women, the worst of boys, and the worst of girls all need Jesus. In fact the best of witches, men, women boys and girls need Jesus. Without Him God must treat us all as evil and pitch us into the pit of Hell. That's why Jesus came. To make a way of escape. He paid the price for everyone who trusts Him. If they don't trust Jesus they all will be sent to Hell (witches or not).

So, the short answer is "yes" the devil is behind magic of all sorts even today. But the ultimate answer is: If you have repented of your sin and believe in Him as your Savior no one's evil spells can touch you because God becomes your Father and no one is bigger than God.

A Pagan PerspectiveNow that you have heard from the Christian perspective (those who believe in the Devil and his powers - spells), it is only fair to hear from the other side.

I have been a practicing Pagan for more than 45 years, and the High Priestess of an eclectic Pagan Circle (of 35+ souls) for the last 10 years.

I am an ethical, generous, loving and caring human being with strong spiritual beliefs. I give of my time, my energies, my income and my talents to better the lives of my community, my friends, my Circle, my family and myself. And I strive to live in harmony with Nature and the Universe around me.

As part of my daily devotions, and regular spiritual practice I research, create and perform magic and spells for the benefit of those within my sphere of influence.

I do not use magic or spells without the express knowledge and permission of those I am working for. I do not use these spells to harm others or myself and I hold myself to the highest moral and ethical standards.

My spiritual path does not recognise the existence of the devil. We do acknowledge the existence of evil and work hard to thwart it in our everyday lives.

As part of that path I take time each day to examine my actions, to recognise where and when I have been unkind, less than helpful or uncaring and make the effort to correct my behaviour in future. This is an ongoing process and it leads me towards being the best person I possibly can.

The use of magic and spells is the manipulation of naturally occurring energies to create an outcome of my desire.

I do not take that power from anyone (specifically the devil), I take it from Nature and the Universe use it and release it back to the Universal whole.

I find it hard to believe Nature and the Universe are evil in any way. Therefore what I do is not evil.

It does work if your heart and mind are "in the right place" and no "book" no matter how sacred it is to some, can tell me what I do is "damned".

The Bible's perspectiveWhether our motives are good or bad, the Bible says

Such spiritistic practices were among "the detestable things" that Jehovah forbade his people to indulge in. (De 18:9-11)

9 "When you are entered into the land that Jehovah your God is giving you, you must not learn to do according to the detestable things of those nations. 10 There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, 11 or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. 12 For everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable things Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you.

The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, and others were notorious for their trust in charms and the casting of spells.---Isa 19:3; 47:9, 12. Thus you can see it is not something which pleases God. So it obviously comes from his opposer Satan the Devil.

Answer 2

Spells are beliefs or practices that attempt to influence the supernatural, but there is no scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Beliefs about spells vary among different cultures and religions. In some belief systems, spells are associated with the devil, but not all beliefs view them this way.