Biblical Basis for Hexes and Spiritual Impressions
The Bible does not explicitly use the terms "hexes" or "spiritual impressions" in the way they are commonly understood today. However, it does describe various forms of divine and demonic influence, as well as human attempts to manipulate spiritual forces.
The concept of supernatural operation is central to understanding biblical accounts of spiritual phenomena. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, distinguishes between effects due to God's efficiency operating through secondary causes (natural effects) and those produced by His immediate efficiency without such intervention (supernatural effects) [3]. Inspiration, for example, is considered a supernatural work [3]. Similarly, creation, miracles, and immediate revelation are understood as supernatural acts, involving the direct agency or volition of God without the intervention of any secondary cause [2].
While the Bible does not endorse or provide a basis for "hexes" in the sense of human-initiated curses that supernaturally compel harm, it does describe instances of divine judgment and curses. The Old Testament, for example, mentions "teraphim," which were images or idols, suggesting practices that might have involved attempts to harness spiritual power or divine favor through material objects [1].
Regarding "spiritual impressions," the Bible frequently speaks of the Holy Spirit's influence on individuals. This includes conviction of sin, illumination of conscience, and the impartation of spiritual gifts [7]. The Spirit's general influence is also credited with promoting decorum, order, and virtue among humanity, and fostering a general fear of God and religious feeling [4]. This divine influence is distinct from human-generated "impressions." The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:3 notes that the Spirit is the power pervading a person and the element in which they speak, providing a test of truth against false prophets [5].
The Bible also warns against engaging with spirits that are not from God. Tertullian, in ANF Vol 4, discusses those who invent "fictions" and "hypotheses" about visible and invisible things, departing from the "only uncreated God" [6]. This patristic perspective highlights a concern with speculative or unauthorized spiritual practices.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Teraphim — images; idols”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 42: agency or volition of God without the intervention of any second cause. In this limited sense, creation, miracles, immediate revelation, regeneration (in the limited sense of that word), are supernatural. As the sanctification of men is carried on by the Spirit by the use of the means of grace, it is not a supernatural work, in the restricted sense of the term. There are many theologians who do not adopt either of the philosophical theories of the nature of man and of his relation to God, above mentioned; and who receive the Scriptural do”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 41: operation; and on the other hand, from the gracious operations of the Spirit on the hearts of his people. According to the Scriptures, and the common views of men, a marked distinction is to be made between those effects which are due to the efficiency of God operating regularly through second causes, and those which are produced by his immediate efficiency without the intervention of such causes. The one class of effects is natural; the other, supernatural. Inspiration belongs to the latter class. It is not a natural effect due to the in”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: general influence of the Spirit (or to common grace), we owe, — 1. All the decorum, order, refinement, and virtue existing among men. Mere fear of future punishment, the natural sense of right, and the restraints of human laws, would prove feeble barriers to evil, were it not for the repressing power of the Spirit, which, like the pressure of the atmosphere, is universal and powerful, although unfelt. 2. To the same divine agent is due specially that general fear of God, and that religious feeling which prevail among men, and which secur”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:3: The negative and positive criteria of inspiration by the Spirit--the rejection or confession of Jesus as Lord [ALFORD] (Jo1 4:2; Jo1 5:1). Paul gives a test of truth against the Gentiles; John, against the false prophets. by the Spirit--rather, as Greek, "IN the Spirit"; that being the power pervading him, and the element in which he speaks [ALFORD], (Mat 16:17; Joh 15:26). of God . . . Holy--The same Spirit is called at one time "the Spirit of GOD"; at another, "the HOLY Ghost," or "Holy Spirit." Infinite Holiness is almost synonymous with ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — FROM THE GREEK.: lent God, the Saviour had come to announce a more perfect Deity, who, they say, is not the Demiurge, being of different opinions regarding Him; and having once departed from the Demiurge, who is the only uncreated God, they have given themselves up to fictions, inventing to themselves hypotheses, according to which they imagine that there are some things which are visible, and certain other things which are not visible, all which are the fancies of their own minds. And yet, indeed, the more simple among those who pr”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: ( 1 Cor. xii. 4 .) And by these gifts some were made apostles, some prophets, some teachers, some workers of miracles. ( 1 Cor. xii. 29 .) Paul, therefore, exhorted the elders of Ephesus 667 to take heed to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. ( Acts xx. 28 .) 4. To the Spirit are also referred conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment; the resistance and rebuke of evil in the heart; strivings and warnings; illumination of the conscience; conviction of the truth; powerful restraints; and temporary faith foun”