A piece of printed paper or cardstock is, in and of itself, harmless. But the use of such an article for sinful intent is therefore evil. Because of their use in a sinful manner, it’s best to have no association with them, no matter how innocent the investigation.
Everyone, it seems, wants to know what the future holds, both personally and for their loved (or hated) ones. To that end, libraries, brick and mortar stores, and internet sites abound with occult books, movies, games, music, clubs, and devices which promise to help a questioner find answers to their questions. Many children and adults dabble in practices which involve such items as Ouija boards and tarot cards “just for fun,” thinking they are harmless. But they’re not, either for Christians or those who aren’t.
Pray, buckle your seatbelts, and put on your full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-28), for this is about to get bumpy as we delve into the wiles of the devil and how he manipulates things of the world for his purposes. The devil can and does use things such as Ouija boards and tarot cards to seduce and entrap unsuspecting “players.” He then imprisons them in his deceit (John 8:34). One who willfully practices such sin and entices others is a “child of hell” and “Satan is their father” (John 8:44).
What of Christians who experiment with such sinful actions?
Don’t. (See the final subtopic of this article below.)
But God.
He smooths all the bumps as He teaches us through His Word and comforts us with His Holy Spirit. We are involved in serious kingdom business. The devil seeks to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). He is so sure of his own power, he attempted to destroy the Lord Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 4).
But God.
Those who love Jesus Christ have spiritual discernment (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:10) and the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:16, we “have the mind of Christ.” God made sure we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11, 16, 37-39; Ephesians 1:13); no one and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35, 39).
What Are Tarot Cards?
Tarot cards actually began as regular playing cards and were based on a Medieval Italian deck of cards. Writer Tim Husband shares their early uses: “Tarot is a game of trick taking, as the many trump cards clearly indicate, and even though there are many variations (mostly minor), the rules of the game likely have not changed significantly since the 15th century. The present-day association of tarot with fortune-telling and the occult gained currency only in the 19th century and has nothing to do with the medieval tarot cards.”
Tarot cards are now most commonly used for fortune telling. Tarot card decks are composed of different images, each meaning different things to the players and based on the order in which they are revealed. In usual practice, the questioner shuffles the deck and the fortune teller or questioner deals a spread and one card is revealed. The adjacent cards have meaning for the fortune, too. For a fee, the fortune teller shares answers based on what cards are revealed and their position (upside down or right-side up).
Satan caused something innocent to be remade into a means of evil. A quick Google search exposes over 35,000,000 sites which mention or are devoted to tarot cards as we know them today. Even Oprah Winfrey’s site boasts an article, The Best tarot card decks for beginners.
According to Jack Ashcraft on Christianity.com, “The main use of tarot cards is for divination purposes. New Age conferences and even local town festivals frequently feature a tarot card reader who, for a modest fee, will give you insight into your love life, finances, family problems, potential spouse, or any other questions you might have to ask.”
What Does the Bible Say About Tarot Cards or Predicting the Future?
The Bible does not mention tarot cards specifically, but God’s Word does speak of the intents and actions which would include the use of such evil devices.
Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the forbidden spiritual practices in which people involve themselves:
Leviticus 19:31 states, “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” Almighty God was reminding His people again and again that He is the LORD God. To fall sway or give credence to mediums and familiar sprits is an attempt to displace God as LORD. God would cut off any who turn to them (Leviticus 20:6). Familiar spirits are said to be those who are at the beck and call of the sorcerer.
The sin is so grievous, God ordered every medium or one with a familiar spirit to be put to death by stoning (Leviticus 20:27).
God desires His people to be pure from the encroaching sins practiced by heathen nations and people (then and now). He again warned the people against such people and practices, calling them an abomination and commanded them not to partake in such things (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
Tarot card reading is, in effect, witchcraft, and is a sin as it rejects the Word of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:23).
Various other instances occurred in the Old Testament, including 2 Kings 21:1-6 and 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
In the New Testament, we read about Simon the magician (sorcerer) in Acts 8:11-23. Simon sees the Apostles’ acts and decides he would like the same power, so he offers Peter money for the “gift.” Peter admonishes him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23).
Galatians 5:19-21 outlines what the works of the flesh look like. Sorcery is included in the list and Paul says, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This evil of sorcery and the like will not disappear in this life, for in his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul said, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).
At the end of this world, Jesus’ kingdom is consummated, and we read a list of the kinds of people who will not be permitted. Sorcerers will have no part of the kingdom — they will be outside with dogs and sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who love and practice lies (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
The Bible is clear; Tarot cards and the reading of them are included in the litany of devices and practices forbidden by the Lord God.
Are Tarot Cards Evil?
A piece of printed paper or cardstock is, in and of itself, harmless. But the use of such an article for sinful intent is therefore evil. Because of their use in a sinful manner, it’s best to have no association with them, no matter how innocent the investigation.
Why Should Christians be Wary of the Occult?
While true Christians are safe from demon possession of any kind, Satan and his minions can and will use exterior means to sully our witness as Christ followers or even cause doubt (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent, yet he uses his evil horde to watch people. They know our weak points based on our actions. Only God knows our hearts, but the devil reviews and acts according to our fleshly reactions and deeds. But because he is only an imitator (2 Corinthians 11:14), the closer we cling to the Lord, the better we can resist him and his tactics (James 4:7).
The occult is a dark and scary place for those who open themselves up to it. In Jesus there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Only light—pure perfect light can dispel darkness. Before anyone knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are not only in darkness, they are darkness (Ephesians 5:8). John tells us, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11).
Believers, beware. If you have a loved one who is involved with such a sin, pray fervently for them to be pulled out of it as only the Lord Jesus can. Trust the Lord to do what only He can and don’t subject yourself to that environment.
Want to know the future? The Bible provides our only true look at the past, present, and future (according to what the Lord has chosen to reveal). Pray and regularly immerse yourself in God’s Word. Find and regularly attend a good Bible-believing and teaching church and seek godly mentors and friends. May God bless you as you press on (Philippians 3:14).
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