Some wonder if it’s possible to reach out to loved ones who have passed, but the Bible has clear teachings on this. Today, we’ll see what Scripture says about the topic and why it matters for believers.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Getting To Heaven
What Does The Bible Say About Communicating With The Dead
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
“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.”
This verse warns against engaging in practices such as divination, witchcraft, and consulting the dead. It emphasizes the importance of not seeking communication or guidance from the spirits of the deceased, as it goes against God’s commandments and can lead to spiritual harm.
As Christians, we are called to place our trust in God alone and seek His guidance through prayer and His Word, rather than seeking communication with the dead or relying on supernatural powers outside of God’s control.
Leviticus 20:6
“I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.”
This verse emphasizes God’s strong disapproval of seeking communication with mediums and spiritists. God warns that those who turn to such practices are essentially prostituting themselves by turning away from Him and His guidance.
God desires for His people to place their trust and faith solely in Him, and He promises to oppose and sever those who seek supernatural guidance outside of His divine authority.
1 Samuel 28:7-8
“Then Saul said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.’ ‘There is one in Endor,’ they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. ’
This passage depicts a moment of weakness in King Saul’s life when, in desperation, he sought out a medium to communicate with the deceased prophet Samuel. However, this act was in direct violation of God’s commandments and demonstrated Saul’s lack of trust in God’s guidance.
It serves as a warning for us not to follow Saul’s example but instead to stay faithful to God and seek His wisdom and direction through prayer and His Word, knowing that He is always there to guide and help us.
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?”
In this verse, Isaiah questions the reasoning behind seeking communication with the dead when we have a direct line of communication with God. He reminds the people to inquire of God for wisdom and guidance instead of turning to mediums and spiritists.
As Christians, we have the privilege of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We can approach Him in prayer, seek His counsel, and trust that He will provide the guidance and answers we need.
Luke 16:19-31
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. … The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’”
This parable told by Jesus illustrates the separation and lack of communication between the living and the dead. The rich man, after death, desired communication with Abraham and Lazarus in order to alleviate his suffering, but it was not possible.
While this parable focuses on the consequences of a life lived in selfishness and unbelief, it indirectly highlights the impossibility of communicating with the dead and emphasizes the importance of seeking God and living a life that pleases Him while we are still alive.
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
This verse reminds us that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity. It reinforces the idea that seeking communication with the dead undermines the central role of Jesus as our mediator and advocate.
As Christians, our focus should be on developing a personal relationship with Jesus, seeking His guidance and intercession in prayer, and trusting that He alone can bridge the gap between us and God.
Romans 8:26-27
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
This passage highlights the beautiful truth that when we don’t know how to pray or what to ask for, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. Rather than turning to the deceased for guidance or clarity, we have the assurance that the Spirit of God is actively involved in our prayers and communicates our needs and desires to God.
We can trust in the guidance and intercession of the Holy Spirit, who aligns our prayers with the will of God and provides comfort, wisdom, and counsel as we navigate life’s challenges.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
In this verse, God promises that when we call on Him, pray to Him, and seek Him with wholehearted devotion, He will listen and respond. It reinforces the truth that our communication should be directed toward God alone, rather than seeking communication with the dead.
God invites us to seek Him, knowing that when we earnestly seek His presence, He will reveal Himself to us, guide us, and answer our prayers according to His perfect will.
Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
This verse assures us that when we sincerely call on God, He is near to us. It encourages us to approach God in truth, seeking His presence and guidance, rather than attempting to communicate with departed spirits.
God is always attentive to the prayers of His people, and He promises to draw near to those who humbly seek Him, providing comfort, wisdom, and guidance in every aspect of life.
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
In these verses, Jesus encourages His followers to ask, seek, and knock with confidence, knowing that they will receive, find, and have doors opened to them. It reinforces the belief that our communication should be directed towards God, who is faithful to respond to our genuine inquiries and needs.
When we approach God with persistence and trust in His goodness, He promises to answer our prayers, reveal Himself to us, and make a way when it seems impossible.
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
This verse reminds us that when we lack wisdom, we are to turn to God and ask Him for guidance. It encourages us to rely on God’s wisdom rather than seeking communication with the dead or relying on our own limited understanding.
When we humbly ask God for wisdom, He generously gives it to us, equipping us to make wise decisions and navigate life’s complexities with His guidance and discernment.
Psalm 66:19
“But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s confidence in God’s faithfulness to hear and answer prayer. It conveys the assurance that our communication with God is heard, valued, and responded to by the Creator of the universe.
As believers, we can trust that God hears our prayers, even when we don’t see immediate answers. We can find comfort and peace in knowing that He is attentive to our needs and desires, communicating with Him in faith and thanksgiving.
John 14:13-14
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
In these verses, Jesus assures His disciples that whatever they ask for in His name, He will do it. It affirms that our communication is to be directed through Jesus, who intercedes on our behalf and brings our requests before the Father.
When we align our prayers with the will and character of Jesus, seeking His glory above all else, we can have confidence that our requests will be granted according to His perfect plan and for the Father’s glory.
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
This beautiful psalm reminds us that our help and guidance come from the Lord alone, the Creator of all things. It encourages us to lift our eyes toward Him, seeking His guidance and strength in every situation, rather than seeking communication with the dead.
As we fix our eyes on the Lord and trust in His unfailing love, we can be reassured that He is our ultimate source of help and wisdom, providing all that we need in every circumstance.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This verse calls believers to set their minds on heavenly things, focusing on the eternal rather than getting caught up in earthly pursuits. It reminds us to direct our thoughts and communication towards God, seeking His will and ways, rather than turning to the dead for answers.
By fixing our minds on God and His Word, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and align our desires and prayers with His purposes and plans.
Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
This verse assures us that when the righteous cry out to the Lord in prayer, He hears and delivers them from their troubles. It reinforces the importance of directing our communication towards God, as He is the only one who can truly provide deliverance and help in times of need.
As followers of Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that God is attentive to our prayers, aware of our struggles, and faithful to provide the necessary help and deliverance we need.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
In this verse, God is described as our refuge and strength, always present to help us in times of trouble. It encourages us to turn to God in prayer and seek His assistance and guidance, rather than seeking communication with the dead.
When we place our trust in God as our refuge and strength, we can find comfort and peace, knowing that He is with us and will provide the help and protection we need in every situation.
Psalm 145:18-19
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
These verses reiterate that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. They remind us that when we fear and honor God, He hears our cry, fulfills our desires, and saves us. This emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s help and guidance through prayer, rather than seeking communication with the dead.
God’s faithfulness extends to those who earnestly seek Him, and He is eager to respond to our genuine prayers and deliver us from the challenges we face.
Psalm 55:16-17
“As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”
In these verses, the psalmist describes his faithful practice of calling out to God throughout the day. It reflects a consistent pattern of seeking God’s help and guidance in every situation, rather than seeking communication with the dead.
Like the psalmist, we are encouraged to maintain a continual posture of prayer, seeking God’s intervention and trusting that He hears our voice and comes to our aid in times of distress.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
This verse encourages believers to cast all their anxieties on God because He cares for them. It reminds us to bring our concerns and burdens to Him in prayer, rather than seeking communication with the dead for comfort or guidance.
Knowing that God cares deeply for His children, we can confidently entrust our worries to Him, seeking His peace and rest amid life’s challenges.
Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8 encourages us to place our unwavering trust in God and pour out our hearts to Him. It emphasizes that God is our refuge, our safe haven in times of trouble, and the one to whom we should direct our communication and seek solace.
When we pour out our hearts to God, expressing our deepest fears, desires, and struggles, we can find comfort knowing that He hears us, understands us, and provides the strength and resilience we need.
Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This verse instructs believers to approach God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging Him as the object of our gratitude and adoration. It highlights the importance of expressing our communication with God in an attitude of thankfulness and worship.
When we enter into prayer with a heart full of thanksgiving and praise, we position ourselves to receive more of God’s presence and blessings, growing in our understanding of His faithfulness and goodness.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.”
These simple yet powerful words from the Apostle Paul urge believers to pray without ceasing. They underscore the ongoing nature of communication with God, emphasizing that our prayers should be a constant and continual part of our lives.
When we cultivate a habit of unceasing prayer, seeking God’s presence and guidance throughout each day, we open ourselves up to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him and experience the transformative power of prayer in our lives.
Psalm 145:18
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
In this verse, the psalmist declares that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. It emphasizes the accessibility of God’s presence and the significance of approaching Him with sincerity and authenticity.
As we honestly bring our needs, desires, and praises before God, laying aside any pretense or false motives, we can be assured that He is near, ready to listen, and respond with His unfailing love and faithfulness.