04/28/2026
I’ve often encountered people ranging from being afraid/concerned to downright hateful in the name of God/Christ. I finally decided to reply to the claims that tarot in general is black magic, evil, related to the devil. Tarot, like many things, is a tool. It isn’t inherently evil or obscene regardless of how SOME use and have used it. Here’s my defense using both old and New Testament and including the words of Jesus himself. That all said, I do know there are many “cold readers” and I’m not one of them. Thank you for those who have supported me all these years. I love you!
The verse Christians often quote says: “Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)—This was spoken to ancient Israel as they entered the Promised Land, warning them not to copy the detestable religious practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations—child sacrifice, necromancy, and turning to false gods or spirits for power. It does not address a believer who prays directly to the one true God, asks for His signs or wisdom, and uses a physical tool (like cards) as a focus for listening. The prohibition targets idolatry and rebellion against God—not seeking Him with a surrendered heart. Compare to 1 Samuel 15:23 (“rebellion is like the sin of divination”): The issue is rebellion and self-will, not the method itself when submitted to God.
If the tool is used to invite the Holy Spirit and seek God’s direction (not predict the future or contact the dead), it doesn’t match the condemned practices.
The Bible Itself Uses “Divination-Like” Tools to Seek God’s Will
Scripture repeatedly shows God authorizing physical objects or methods to reveal His answers and signs—precisely because He wants us to ask and listen. Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30; also Numbers 27:21, 1 Samuel 28:6): God commanded the high priest to wear these two objects in the breastplate. Priests used them to ask God yes/no questions and receive clear direction. Scholars describe this as a form of cleromancy (drawing lots or objects for divine answers)—a sanctioned biblical tool for discerning God’s will. Casting lots (Proverbs 16:33): “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” This was used throughout the Old Testament (Joshua 7:14-18, 1 Samuel 14:41-42) and even by the apostles in the New Testament to choose Matthias as Judas’s replacement (Acts 1:23-26). God sovereignly directs the outcome when the heart is seeking Him. Gideon’s fleece (Judges 6:36-40) and other signs: Gideon asked God for specific signs using a physical object (wool). God answered. Jesus Himself is called “the sign of Jonah” (Matthew 12:39-41), and the Gospels record Jesus performing signs to reveal God’s glory (John 2:11, etc.).
Intent and Asking God Are What Matter—Not the Tool
The Bible judges by the heart, not the object “The Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).“All things are clean to the clean” (Titus 1:15) and “To the pure, all things are pure” (Titus 1:15 again). James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
When you explicitly invite God (“Holy Spirit, guide these cards as a sign from You”), you are doing what Scripture commands—asking for wisdom and signs. The Bible encourages seeking God’s direction through dreams, visions, prophecy, and even physical signs (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17; John 14:26). Tarot becomes one more avenue for the Holy Spirit to speak, just like journaling, walking in nature, or opening the Bible randomly.
New Testament Freedom: We Are Not Under the Old Covenant’s Shadow: We live under the New Covenant of grace (Hebrews 8:13; Galatians 3:23-25). The ceremonial and civil laws given specifically to Israel (including some of the “detestable practices” list) do not bind Gentile believers the same way. Romans 14:1-4 and 14:22-23 treat disputable matters (food, days, practices) as areas of personal conviction: “Each one should be fully convinced in their own mind… The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not.” If your conscience is clear before God, don’t let someone else’s legalism condemn you. 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23: “I have the right to do anything… but not everything is beneficial.” Tarot used prayerfully can be beneficial for reflection, repentance, and hearing God.
