What does God say about people who use amulets? It's in the Bible, Isaiah 2:6 NIV. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans. Also, Isaiah 3:18-20 NAS warns, In that day, the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes (and) amulets.
From archaeological evidence, we know that amulets were very common in the ancient cultures of the Bible lands, especially among the pagan peoples. Amulets are magic charms worn by people to protect themselves from negative energies, evil and injury, and also to bring good luck. Together with other kinds of talismans, amulets are becoming very popular today. They are usually in the form of crystals, Celtic crosses, or other mystical jewelry worn as a pendant on a necklace or bracelet, or hung on a chain dangling from the rear-view mirror of automobile windshields. These so-called 'sacred stones' and other engraved talisman are believed to have mystical powers, which supposedly results in personal protection and the bringing of success and prosperity. Often the charms are regarded to be transmitters of healing energies and positive vibrations, supposedly promoting a feeling of peace and tranquility.
It was during times of apostasy and idolatry that the Israelites copied the superstitions of pagans, including the practice of wearing magic charms. God uttered a stern warning to the false prophetesses of Israel who wore amulets. It's in the Bible, Ezekiel 13:18, 20 & 21 NIV. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds, and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power.'
In addition to wearing amulets, pagan peoples possessed larger talismans called teraphim, also known as 'household idols'. These miniature images were kept in the home or would be taken along when on journeys. The use of these figurines had infiltrated into Israel, and God was against them. Says 2 Kings 23:24 NAS, Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem; that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book.
Whenever idols and other magic charms are mentioned in Scripture, God's attitude is one of chastisement against them. It is stated in Psalm 31:6 NKJV, I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the LORD. When we feel the need for divine protection to guard us from physical harm, our trust is to be in the Lord. Psalms 91:2-6 NKJV, I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.' Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
If we feel a need for protection from evil and demonic power, God has something far better to offer than amulets and useless figurines. It's in the Bible, Ephesians 6:11,14-17 NIV. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.