Deuteronomy 18:10 Meaning, Context & Commentary

Read the Bible Quote of the DayDeuteronomy 18:10 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.

Deuteronomy 18:10 is a powerful verse in the Bible. It speaks directly against practices that were common in the nations surrounding Israel. This verse shows how serious God is about keeping His people pure, holy, and free from evil influences.

The Context of Deuteronomy 18:10 KJV

The Purpose of the Book of Deuteronomy

The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Law of Moses, also called the Torah or Pentateuch. Deuteronomy means “second law.” It is a retelling of God’s law to a new generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.

Moses speaks to the people and reminds them of everything God had commanded. He encourages them to obey the Lord fully and avoid the wicked practices of the nations around them.

Chapter 18 Overview

Deuteronomy 18 gives instructions about priests, Levites, and prophets. It also warns against following other spiritual sources that are not from God.

In verses 9–14, Moses warns the people not to imitate the abominations of the nations in Canaan. These people were involved in witchcraft, sorcery, idol worship, and even child sacrifice.

God wants His people to be different. He wants them to trust Him alone, not turn to evil spirits or false practices.

Deuteronomy 18:10 (KJV)

Let’s look at the verse in the King James Version:

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.” — Deuteronomy 18:10, KJV

This verse gives a strong warning. God clearly commands His people to stay away from these wicked acts.

Let’s now break down what this verse means and why it matters.

Deuteronomy 18:10 Meaning

“There Shall Not Be Found Among You”

This is a command from God through Moses. God is saying that no one among His people should do what the nations do. God does not want even one person to be involved in these evil acts.

This shows how serious God is about holiness. He expects His people to be different from the world.

“Any One That Maketh His Son or His Daughter to Pass Through the Fire”

This phrase refers to child sacrifice. In ancient Canaan, some people worshipped false gods like Molech. They offered their own children by burning them in fire as a sacrifice.

This is a terrible and evil practice. God hates it. It breaks His heart when people harm children, especially in the name of religion or false worship.

God wanted Israel to be completely different. Children are a gift from God. They are to be loved, protected, and taught His ways—not burned or abused.

This part of the verse shows how deep sin can go when people reject God.

“Or That Useth Divination”

Divination is the practice of trying to gain secret knowledge or predict the future through supernatural means—such as reading omens, using objects like crystal balls, or calling on spirits.

God forbids this practice because it is not from Him. It leads people away from trusting God. Instead of praying or reading God’s Word, they look to dark powers or human-made methods.

“Or an Observer of Times”

An “observer of times” refers to someone who uses astrology or special signs in the heavens to guide their life decisions. They might look at stars, moon phases, or other natural events to decide what to do.

People today often use horoscopes, zodiac signs, or fortune-telling. But these practices are not from God. They can open doors to confusion, fear, and even demonic influence.

God wants His people to trust Him—not the stars, the moon, or the sky.

“Or an Enchanter”

An enchanter is someone who casts spells or uses chants to try to change reality or control people. This can involve magic spells, charms, potions, or rituals meant to manipulate others or bring certain outcomes.

Again, this is not the way of God. He does not want us to use spells or magic to get what we want. He wants us to pray and obey His Word.

“Or a Witch”

A witch is someone who practices sorcery or magic—often in connection with evil spirits. In ancient times and even today, witchcraft includes contacting the dead, cursing others, and using power not from God.

The Bible says witchcraft is rebellion against God (1 Samuel 15:23). It is dangerous and leads people into spiritual darkness.

This is why God strictly forbids all such practices.

Deuteronomy 18:10 Application in Life

Stay Away from All Evil Spiritual Practices

This verse teaches us to stay far away from anything that looks like witchcraft, fortune-telling, or other forms of occultism. These things are not harmless fun. They are dangerous and sinful.

Even today, many people play with things like Ouija boards, tarot cards, horoscopes, and magic books. These may seem small, but they can lead to deep spiritual trouble.

Christians should avoid all of these practices completely. God wants us to follow Him alone.

Trust God, Not Superstitions

God wants us to trust Him for guidance, not rely on superstitions, luck, or magic. When we face a hard decision, we should pray, read the Bible, and seek godly counsel—not look at the stars or ask a psychic.

When we trust in astrology or other false sources, we are saying that God is not enough. But the truth is—God is more than enough. He knows the future, and He wants to guide us.

Teach Our Children to Love God, Not the World

God’s command against child sacrifice also reminds us to raise our children in the truth. Today, we may not burn children in fire, but people still lead their children away from God by filling their minds with false beliefs, selfish goals, or dark entertainment.

Parents must teach their children to love God and His Word. We must protect them from the lies of the enemy.

Children need to know that God loves them and has a good plan for their lives.

Be Holy, Because God Is Holy

This verse is part of God’s call for His people to be holy. To be holy means to be set apart for God. We should live in a way that shows we belong to Him.

We must not copy the sinful culture around us. Just like Israel was told not to follow the Canaanite nations, we must not follow worldly trends that go against God.

Even if something is popular in movies, music, or social media, that doesn’t mean it is good. We must ask: “Is this pleasing to God?”

Repent If You’ve Been Involved in These Things

If you’ve used horoscopes, talked to psychics, played with occult games, or done anything like that—there is hope. You can repent and turn back to God.

Jesus died for all our sins. If we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). He can cleanse us and give us a fresh start.

God loves you and wants to set you free from darkness.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 18:10 is a clear warning from God. He tells His people to stay away from child sacrifice, witchcraft, fortune-telling, and all other evil spiritual practices.

Let’s remember the main points:

  • God hates child sacrifice and all forms of harm against children.
  • He forbids divination, astrology, enchantments, and witchcraft.
  • These practices are dangerous and lead people away from Him.
  • God wants His people to trust Him, not the stars or spirits.
  • We should live holy lives, different from the sinful culture around us.
  • If we have fallen into these sins, we can repent and be forgiven.

God is holy, and He calls us to be holy too. He gives us His Word, His Spirit, and His love. We do not need magic or fortune-tellers—we need Jesus.

Let’s choose today to follow the Lord with all our hearts. Let’s teach our children to do the same. And let’s shine as lights in a dark world, showing others the true and living God.

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