Poppets, Magic Dolls, and the Bible: A Christian Warning
In an age when many are exploring alternative spiritual practices, the concept of a poppet (a doll made to represent a person in magical ritual) has re-emerged in interest and controversy. But from a biblical and Christian perspective, using a poppet is not merely benign or symbolic — it is deeply problematic, bordering on divination and occultism. This article examines what a poppet is, where the beliefs come from, what gods or spiritual forces are involved, why people use them, and whether Christianity deems it a deviation.
What Is a Poppet?
A poppet (also spelled poppit, moppet, or mommet) is a doll or effigy made to look like a person, used in magical or folk practices so that actions done on the doll will transfer to the target person via “sympathetic magic.” Wikipedia+2Learn Religions+2 Poppets can be made from cloth, wax, root carvings, clay, or even food (like a potato). Patheos+2Learn Religions+2 Some practitioners embed hair, fingernails, or personal items to strengthen the link. Glasse Witch Cottage+2Learn Religions+2
They’re used for many purposes—healing, protection, prosperity, love workings, or also cursing or hexing, depending on the practitioner’s intent. badwitch.co.uk+3Learn Religions+3Patheos+3
What Were Their Beliefs / Origins?
The idea of using effigies and dolls for magic is ancient. In ancient Egypt, wax figures and ushabti figurines were used for spiritual rites. badwitch.co.uk+1 In ancient Greece, forms like kolossoi were used in ritual or binding spells. Patheos+1 Through medieval folk magic, pagan traditions, and later European witchcraft and hoodoo/folk conjure, the use of poppets was adopted and adapted. badwitch.co.uk+3Learn Religions+3Learn Religions+3 In American hoodoo practices especially (post–Civil War), poppet (or “doll baby”) magic became more common. Learn Religions+2kiwimojo.com+2
There is no single “author” or founder of poppet magic; rather, the practice arises from a convergence of folk belief systems, pagan magic, animism, and occult traditions. Modern occult or witchcraft authors have popularized or systematized poppet usage in recent decades.
Who Is Their God or Gods?
Poppet magic does not always invoke a single named deity; rather, it often taps into impersonal spiritual forces, spirits, energies, or ancestral forces. Some traditions will call on a pantheon of spirits, deities, or “loas” (in Vodou contexts) to empower the poppet. deliverancexorcisms.com+2HowStuffWorks+2 In hoodoo or rootwork, sometimes Christian elements (such as invoking God or using baptism) are syncretized, but the magic itself is believed to rely on spiritual forces beyond or behind the physical realm. kiwimojo.com+2Glasse Witch Cottage+2 Some practitioners view the poppet as a “spirit bridge” or vessel to allow spiritual energies to act. Patheos+3Wikipedia+3Learn Religions+3
In short: the spiritual power behind poppet magic is not the God of the Bible, but rather spiritual forces often considered occult or demonic in Christian theology.
Purpose & Why It’s Used
The primary purpose is manipulation or influence—to effect change in the person represented by the poppet without needing their physical presence. This can be for good (healing, protection, blessings) or evil (hexes, curses, control). Glasse Witch Cottage+4Patheos+4Learn Religions+4 The operative principle is sympathetic magic: that “like affects like,” so that operations on the effigy will “mirror” on the target. badwitch.co.uk+4Wikipedia+4Learn Religions+4
Why would someone get involved?
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Desire for control over life circumstances (health, relationships, finances)
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Fear or envy toward another, wanting to curse or influence them
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Curiosity or experimentation with occult or esoteric spirituality
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Belief that conventional prayer or medicine failed
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Cultural or ancestral heritage where folk magic is normalized
Is It Divination or Something Else?
Yes — in Christian and biblical terms, poppet magic falls under witchcraft, sorcery, or divination — practices explicitly condemned in Scripture. The Bible consistently forbids attempts to manipulate spiritual forces through occult means. deliverancexorcisms.com+1
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Deuteronomy 18:10–12 warns: “There shall not be found … a diviner, a conjurer, a witch, or one who casts spells … for all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”
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Galatians 5:19–21 includes “witchcraft / sorcery” among the works of the flesh.
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Acts 8:9–13 shows Simon the Magician, a practitioner of sorcery, being rebuked.
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Revelation 21:8 lists sorcerers among those who will face condemnation.
Because poppet magic seeks hidden spiritual forces to achieve material ends, it precisely falls into the category of forbidden occult arts. It is not allowed or neutral in Christian spirituality. It is a deviation or departure from faith in God’s providence.
Why It’s Against the Bible / God
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It usurps God’s sovereignty — the practitioner seeks to exert control via supernatural means rather than trusting God.
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It opens doors to demonic influence — occult arts are considered steered by evil spirits or demons.
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It violates Scripture’s mandates — God prohibits sorcery, divination, and the manipulative occult.
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It relies on deceptive spiritual powers — not the Holy Spirit, but hidden forces.
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It distracts from Christ’s mediation — believers are called to approach God through Christ, not through spells or magical implements.
In short, using a poppet is a deviation from biblical faith — a flirtation with occult powers that Scripture warns against.
Teresa Morin
President of Touch of God Int’l Ministries
🌐 https://www.touchofgod.org
Of Healing and Deliverance, Ordained Minister, Public Speaker
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Social Media Copy / Call to Action
Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / X (Twitter):
Why use a poppet (magic doll)? Why is it considered a deviation from God’s Word? Read this urgent Christian warning: [link to article]
#poppets #magicdoll #occultwarning #BibleTruth #spiritualwarfare #ChristianDiscernment
Call to click:
“Click now to read how Scripture confronts poppet magic and stand firm in faith against deception.”
45-Second YouTube Video Script
[Intro – 0:00–0:05]
(Host on camera, calm but serious)
“Have you ever heard of a poppet — a doll used in magic to affect someone from afar? Let’s examine why that’s dangerous from a biblical perspective.”
[Segment 1 – 0:06–0:20]
“A poppet is an effigy or doll made to represent a person. In witchcraft or folk magic, people use poppets to heal, bless, or curse, believing that actions on the doll mirror the person. That’s called sympathetic magic. Wikipedia+2Learn Religions+2”
[Segment 2 – 0:21–0:35]
“But the Bible is clear: God forbids witchcraft, divination, and sorcery. (Deuteronomy 18:10–12, Galatians 5:19–21) Poppet magic falls right into that forbidden category. It’s a deviation from trusting God’s sovereignty.”
[Conclusion / CTA – 0:36–0:45]
“If you want to walk in true spiritual freedom, reject occult tools and trust Christ as your mediator. Click the link in the description to read more and strengthen your spiritual discernment.”
