Some believe that crystals have magical powers for healing and they use them as an alternative medical technique to cure ailments and protect against disease. These hold that crystals act as conduits for healing — allowing positive, healing energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out.
But there is no scientific evidence nor studies that proves that crystals have any healing effect. Crystals are considered a pseudoscience because diseases have never been found to be the result of a so-called energy flow in the body. The “claimed” successes of crystal healing can be credited to the placebo effect.
Crystals in the Bible?
Crystals are beautiful rocks created by God. In the Old Testament, we read that the breastplate worn by the high priest contained twelve stones, having the names of the tribes of Israel engraved on it: “The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings” (Exodus 39:10–13).
And in the New Testament, we read that precious rocks will be used in the construction of the New Jerusalem. The apostle John wrote, “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst” (Revelation 21:11,18-20).
The Occult
The Bible never assigns any mystical properties to crystals. So, how did the idea of crystals having healing power originate? People that claim that crystals have healing powers are usually involved with the occult. Occultism by definition focuses on the supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena. It is associated with astrology, numerology, divination, Eastern religions, sorcery, mediumship, spirit channeling, and psychic healing.
The Bible clearly warned against the occult. God declared, “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you” (Deuteronomy 18:10–12).
Anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world can be categorized as witchcraft. Therefore, the use of crystals as charms, amulets, or talismans is a type of occult practice. The Lord forbade His people from adopting the pagan practice of wearing amulets (Ezekiel 13:18, 20 – 21). And the apostle Paul stated that sorcery is among the sinful works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21).
Satan’s Supernatural Power
The Bible teaches that the devil uses magic to reveal his own supernatural power. We see that in the story of Moses and Pharaoh: “So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers; and the Egyptian magicians also did the same thing by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake” (Exodus 7:10-12).
And Paul in describing the Antichrist wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10 that “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
The apostles encountered the occult while preaching and rebuked its practices (Acts 8:1-25; Acts 16:16-24). So, when the gentiles who practiced magic at Ephesus, heard the message of the Gospel preached by Paul, they showed their repentance by burning their occult books (Acts 19:17-19).
The Satanic supernatural powers will be especially manifested at the end of times: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:13-14).
In the Bible, those that will enter the kingdom of heaven are described as “those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:14 -15 also Revelation 21: 7, 8).
The True Healer
Instead of seeking healing and restoration through the power of Satan, people should seek healing from God the true physician. David declared, “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:2-4).
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with enjoying crystals for esthetic purposes, but the Bible is clear that they don’t possess any magical powers. Using crystals for healing is an idolatrous practice because it depends on spiritual powers other than what is approved by the Lord. And idolatry and the occult are strictly forbidden and condemned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:15–20; 1 Corinthians 10:14–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16–17).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
