Are tarot cards biblical? Can Christians use tarot cards?
In recent years, tarot cards have gained in popularity. Some people see tarot cards as nothing more than entertainment, while others look for deeper spiritual meaning within the cards.
But what does the Bible have to say about tarot cards? Can followers of Christianity use tarot cards?
There are many new age activities such as tarot cards, astrology, and other forms of future/fortune telling that are becoming more and more popular.
As Christians, it is important to understand how the enemy can use these things to draw us away from God and cause us to question our faith.
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What are Tarot Cards?
Tarot cards were invented in Italy in the 1400s and have an interesting history. At first, they were a typical 78-card playing deck but hundreds of years later developed into a tool for fortune-telling and divination.
The tarot reader divides the cards into two sections: the Major Arcana, which contains 22 cards that represent significant life events and spiritual lessons, and the Minor Arcana, where remaining cards are distributed into four suits (Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles) and represent more day-to-day experiences and challenges.
Tarot readings involve drawing cards from the deck to gain insight into a particular situation or question. The interpretation is based on the position of the card on the scattered spread, the symbols/images on the card, and the intuition and experience of the reader. Professional readers can do tarot readings, or individuals who have learned how to read the cards.
What Religion is Associated with Tarot Cards?
Given its centuries-old multicultural heritage, it is impossible to assign a single religion to tarot cards.
However, some modern practitioners use tarot readings as part of their spiritual practice–incorporating elements from their own religious beliefs into their readings. Other don’t use any religious framework in interpreting the cards.
Some Christians, believe it’s permissible to engage in tarot cards because their intentions are good but let’s discover what the Bible has to say about it.
What Does The Bible Say about Tarot Cards?
The Bible does not specifically mention tarot cards, but it does warn against any form of divination or unlocking the secrets of the future by supernatural means.
Scripture warns against seeking wisdom from a spiritual mediums, and a tarot card readers would be considered a medium according the Bible.
Bible Verses about Tarot Cards
Although tarot cards were created after the Bible, a tarot card reader could be considered a modern-day medium in Biblical terms. Seeing a medium is strictly forbidden according to the verses stated in the Bible.
- “You shall not turn to mediums, and you shall not seek to spirit-knowers to be defiled by them. I am Jehovah your God.” Leviticus 19:31NKJV
- “And the soul that turns to mediums, and to spirit-knowers, to go lusting after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.” Leviticus 20:6 NKJV
- “And when they shall say to you, Seek to the mediums and to wizards who peep and mutter; should not a people seek to their God, than for the living to the dead?” Isaiah 8:19 NKJV
- “A man also or woman that has a medium or that is a necromancer, shall surely be put to death. They shall stone them with stones. Their blood is on them.” Leviticus 20:27
- “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 ESV
The following story illustrates the different outcomes of seeking God for answers rather than a medium.
David and Saul were at odds with one another, yet both men sought divine guidance from different sources; David reached up for help from heaven and became the next king while King Saul looked down toward a fortuneteller for answers and died the next day. (1 Samuel 23:2-4, 28,31-3)
Bible Verses About Divination
Tarot cards are not directly mentioned in the Bible but would be considered a form of divination which is strictly prohibited by the following Scriptures.
- “And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.” 2 Kings 17:17 ESV
- For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 ESV
- “And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” Acts 19:19 ESV
- Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’” Genesis 44:4 ESV
- “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 NIV
- If you feel convicted about using tarot cards, say a simple prayer to just say you are sorry, if you give/give your life to Christ your have been forgiven past, present and future sins.
As a Christian, if you have engaged in the use of tarot cards, you should definitely stop! The only wisdom you should ever seek regarding the future is from God.
The enemy knows that we, as humans, are curious. He uses things like tarot cards and other new age fads to tempt us to go against God.
Stop using them. Remove them from your home. And say a prayer to repent for dabbling in such un-Godly things.
God
You can use this simple prayer against tarot cards and the evil that stands behind them:
Dear God in Jesus’ name, I repent for being involved in tarot cards I didn’t know they were an abomination to you. I now ask for your forgiveness and cover me in Your Son’s precious blood. Take away any evil influences these readings may have had on my life and replace them with your perfect purpose, love, and protection. Thank you, Lord when I call to you that you answer me and tell me things I don’t know.(Jeremiah 33.3) Amen
If you are still uncertain about what does the Bible say about tarot cards, it is clear one should stay away from any type of divination.
As a jealous God, the Lord desires for us to seek wisdom from Him and not tarot cards or readers who may bring about unknown and potentially dangerous spiritual forces into our life.
The Bible is such an amazing book! We can find the answers to any question that we may have. Here are some additional things you can find in the Bible:
