In ancient Israel, various objects were used as charms to ward off evil or bring good fortune, but God's people were warned against relying on such superstitions. The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel condemned the use of amulets, with Ezekiel specifically denouncing those who sewed magic charms onto people's clothing to deceive them. The king's reform in 2 Kings 23:24 also involved removing these objects, highlighting their incompatibility with true worship. Instead, the Psalmist expresses trust in the Lord, rejecting vain idols and amulets, as seen in Psalms 31:6, to emphasize faith in God's protection and provision.
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In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; their pendants, bracelets, and veils; their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own?
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I am against the magic charms with which you ensnare souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. So I will free the souls you have ensnared like birds.
Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of 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. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.