The New Testament and Fortune Telling
The Old Testament is loud on fortune telling. It condemns it clearly and repeatedly.
But what about the New Testament? Does it say anything about fortune telling?
The answer is more interesting than you might think.
The New Testament is a whisper on fortune telling, not a shout.
Quick answer
The New Testament is less explicit about fortune telling than the Old Testament. It mentions divination in Acts 16:16-18 and generally discourages seeking guidance from anything other than God. However, it does not list fortune telling as a specific sin.
Overview
The New Testament is less explicit about fortune telling than the Old Testament. It does not list it as a sin in the same way.
However, Acts 16:16-18 mentions a slave girl with a "spirit of divination." Paul casts the spirit out of her. This is sometimes interpreted as a condemnation of all forms of divination.
The New Testament generally discourages seeking guidance from anything other than God. Fortune telling is seen as a violation of this principle.
Direct answer
This page keeps the layout serious and text-led, with emphasis on practical boundaries rather than mystical visuals.
The most direct New Testament reference to divination is in Acts 16:16-18.
"Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.' She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her."
This passage is sometimes interpreted as a condemnation of all forms of divination.
The New Testament consistently encourages seeking guidance from God. Jesus said: "Ask and it will be given to you." (Matthew 7:7)
The apostle Paul encouraged seeking wisdom through prayer and scripture.
Fortune telling is seen as a violation of this principle. It seeks knowledge outside of God.
The New Testament's silence on fortune telling is sometimes interpreted as a sign that it is not a major concern. However, most Christians still discourage it based on the general principle of seeking guidance from God.
Myth
The New Testament explicitly forbids fortune telling.
Reality
It does not explicitly forbid it. It discourages it implicitly.
Myth
Jesus condemned fortune tellers.
Reality
Jesus is not recorded as discussing fortune telling.
Myth
The New Testament is silent on the issue.
Reality
It mentions divination in Acts 16:16-18.
Verdict
The New Testament is less explicit than the Old Testament.
Supporting Finding
It mentions divination in Acts 16:16-18.
Important Limit
It encourages seeking guidance from God.
Reader Guidance
Fortune telling is generally discouraged.
FAQ
Not explicitly. It discourages it implicitly.
It describes Paul casting out a spirit of divination.
Most Christians would say no, as it is considered a form of divination.
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