🔹 Story 1: Pharaoh’s Magicians Opposed Moses
Main Characters: Pharaoh, magicians, Moses, Aaron
Story Summary: When Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, Egyptian magicians duplicated some early signs—like turning rods into snakes and water into blood. But they were soon overpowered by God’s miracles.
Key Verses: Exodus 7:8–13; 8:16–19
Theme Connection: Human magic has limits—God’s power exposes and surpasses all false wonders.
🔹 Story 2: Simon the Sorcerer Believed, Then Tried to Buy Power
Main Characters: Simon, Philip, Peter, John
Story Summary: Simon amazed the people of Samaria with his magic. After hearing the Gospel, he believed and was baptized—but later tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s power. Peter rebuked him sharply.
Key Verses: Acts 8:9–24
Theme Connection: The Gospel transforms lives, but impure motives must be confronted—God’s gifts are not for sale.
🔹 Story 3: Elymas the Sorcerer Opposed the Gospel
Main Characters: Elymas (Bar-Jesus), Paul, Barnabas, Sergius Paulus
Story Summary: Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, tried to turn the proconsul away from faith in Christ. Paul rebuked him and struck him with blindness. The proconsul believed after seeing God’s power.
Key Verses: Acts 13:6–12
Theme Connection: Sorcery opposes truth, but the authority of Christ silences deception and opens the way to belief.
🔹 Story 4: Nebuchadnezzar’s Magicians Failed to Interpret His Dream
Main Characters: Nebuchadnezzar, magicians, astrologers, Daniel
Story Summary: The king demanded his magicians not only interpret but reveal the content of his dream. They failed, but Daniel, by God’s power, revealed and explained it.
Key Verses: Daniel 2:1–28
Theme Connection: No magic or wisdom of men can reveal the mind of God—only divine revelation brings truth.
🔹 Story 5: Belshazzar’s Wise Men Couldn’t Read the Handwriting
Main Characters: Belshazzar, wise men, Daniel
Story Summary: When a hand appeared writing on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast, none of his magicians or astrologers could interpret the message. Only Daniel, with God’s wisdom, revealed its meaning.
Key Verses: Daniel 5:1–31
Theme Connection: Human sorcery fails in the face of divine judgment—God alone holds the future.
🔹 Story 6: Balaam the Diviner Spoke God’s Word
Main Characters: Balaam, Balak, angel of the Lord
Story Summary: Balaam was a pagan diviner hired to curse Israel. Though tempted by money, he could only speak what God allowed—blessing instead of curses.
Key Verses: Numbers 22–24
Theme Connection: Even sorcerers are subject to God’s sovereignty—His purpose prevails over human manipulation.
🔹 Story 7: Jezebel’s Sorceries Condemned by God
Main Characters: Jezebel, Elijah, Jehu
Story Summary: Jezebel practiced witchcraft and led Israel into idolatry. She was condemned and violently removed during Jehu’s reign.
Key Verses: 2 Kings 9:22
Theme Connection: Sorcery linked with rebellion leads to judgment—God will purge evil from among His people.
🔹 Story 8: Occult Books Burned in Ephesus
Main Characters: New believers in Ephesus, Paul
Story Summary: After many in Ephesus believed the Gospel, they publicly burned their scrolls of magic and sorcery—worth a fortune—as a sign of total repentance.
Key Verses: Acts 19:18–20
Theme Connection: True conversion leads to the rejection of all occult practices—light cannot dwell with darkness.
🔹 Story 9: Sorcery Condemned Among Works of the Flesh
Main Characters: Paul (writer), Galatians
Story Summary: Paul lists sorcery among the “works of the flesh,” warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Key Verses: Galatians 5:19–21
Theme Connection: Sorcery is incompatible with a Spirit-filled life—believers are called to walk in holiness.
🔹 Story 10: Sorcerers in the End Times Judged
Main Characters: Unbelievers, God (Judge)
Story Summary: Revelation warns that sorcerers, among others, will face final judgment and exclusion from God’s eternal kingdom.
Key Verses: Revelation 21:8; 22:15
Theme Connection: Sorcery is not neutral entertainment—it reflects rebellion and will be judged by God.
🔹 Key Bible Passages for the Theme
- Exodus 7–8
- Daniel 2; 5
- Numbers 22–24
- Acts 8:9–24
- Acts 13:6–12
- Acts 19:18–20
- Galatians 5:19–21
- Revelation 21:8; 22:15
- 2 Kings 9:22
- Deuteronomy 18:9–14
These stories demonstrate that while sorcery may appear powerful, it is consistently shown to be inferior, deceptive, and dangerous in light of God’s truth and power.