Many cultures believe in spirit animals, but what does the Bible have to say on the topic? While the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention spirit animals, it offers insight into how we should understand God’s creation and our relationship with it. Let’s explore a biblical perspective on spiritual guidance and animals.
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What Does The Bible Say About Spirit Animals
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spirit animals, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not seeking guidance or assistance from spirit animals or mediums. It warns against engaging in practices that can lead to spiritual defilement and reminds believers to rely solely on the Lord for guidance and protection.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
This passage explicitly condemns the involvement in various occult practices, including seeking guidance from spirit animals. It highlights that participating in such activities is considered detestable in the eyes of the Lord and serves as a warning against engaging in these forbidden practices.
1 Chronicles 10:13
“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance.”
This verse recounts the downfall of King Saul, who sought the guidance of a medium, an act that demonstrated his faithlessness and disobedience to the commandments of the Lord. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding believers of the consequences that can result from seeking guidance from sources other than God.
Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
This verse challenges the notion of seeking guidance from mediums and spiritists by pointing out that it is the Lord who should be consulted. It questions the wisdom of seeking counsel from the dead instead of inquiring of the living God, emphasizing the need for believers to rely on God alone for answers and guidance.
Jeremiah 27:9
“But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who tell you, “You will not serve the king of Babylon.”
This verse warns against paying heed to false prophets and those who claim to have knowledge through mediums and sorcery. It encourages believers to discern the truth and rely on God’s word rather than trusting in deceptive practices or individuals.
Galatians 5:20
“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.”
This verse places witchcraft, which is often associated with seeking guidance from spiritual entities such as spirit animals, in the category of sinful behaviors. It reminds believers to abstain from engaging in idolatrous practices and to strive for unity, love, and selflessness.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
This verse exhorts believers to submit themselves to God and resist the temptations and influences of the devil. By submitting to God and relying on His guidance, believers can overcome the lure of seeking counsel from spirit animals or other sources that are not aligned with God’s will.
1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
This verse encourages believers to exercise discernment and caution when it comes to spiritual matters. It emphasizes the importance of testing the spirits to determine if they are aligned with God’s truth or if they are deceptive. This includes being wary of any guidance or claims that involve spirit animals.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage describes an encounter where Paul, while on his missionary journey, rebuked a spirit of divination that was residing within a slave girl. The story highlights the importance of discerning spirits and the authority that believers have through the name of Jesus to cast out unclean spirits.
Acts 19:19
“A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.”
This verse illustrates a significant transformation in the lives of those who were involved in sorcery and occult practices. In response to their newfound faith in Jesus, they willingly renounced and destroyed their sorcery scrolls, signifying their commitment to follow Christ and abandon any reliance on spirit animals or other forms of divination.
2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
This verse reminds believers of the deceptive nature of Satan, who disguises himself as an angel of light. It serves as a caution against being deceived by false spiritual entities, such as spirit animals, and urges believers to rely on the true light of Jesus Christ as their guide.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This verse highlights the spiritual battle that believers face, indicating that the true struggle lies not in the physical realm but in the spiritual realm. It warns against being entangled with spiritual forces that oppose God, including those associated with spirit animals.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
This verse urges believers to be vigilant and discerning, aware of the enemy’s schemes. It uses the metaphor of a roaring lion to describe the devil’s pursuit of those he can deceive and devour. It serves as a reminder to resist the allure of seeking guidance from spirit animals, as it can lead to spiritual harm.