The Bible warns against consulting familiar spirits or engaging with the occult. Scripture urges believers to seek God’s wisdom and guidance, rather than turning to dark spiritual practices.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About homeless
What Does The Bible Say About familiar spirits
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
This verse clearly emphasizes the importance of not seeking out or engaging with mediums or spiritists. It warns that such practices defile us and goes against the Lord’s commands. As Christians, we are called to trust in God alone and to seek guidance and wisdom from Him through prayer and His Word.
Engaging with familiar spirits or seeking communication with the dead is not only prohibited but also dangerous. The deception of familiar spirits can lead to spiritual confusion and open doors to the enemy’s influence. Instead, we should rely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to guide and instruct us in all matters.
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 contains a comprehensive list of practices that are detestable to the Lord, including the engagement with mediums and spiritists. God’s people are explicitly instructed to stay away from these practices and to put their trust in Him alone.
These practices of divination, sorcery, witchcraft, and consulting the dead are rooted in the occult and open doors to demonic influences. As Christians, we are called to walk in obedience to God’s commands and to avoid any form of spiritualism that does not align with His Word.
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 presents a rhetorical question that challenges the act of seeking guidance from mediums and spiritists. Instead of turning to the occult, the people are encouraged to seek God and inquire of Him for wisdom and guidance.
God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and He desires to guide His people. Turning to mediums and spiritists not only shows a lack of trust in God, but it also goes against His commands. As Christians, we should always seek God first and trust in His guidance rather than relying on supernatural practices that can lead to spiritual harm.
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 recounts the encounter between Paul and a girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The spirit gave her the ability to predict the future, and she brought financial gain to her owners through fortune-telling. However, Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ.
This story highlights the power and authority we have in the name of Jesus over any demonic spirits or familiar spirits. As Christians, we should not be fearful of such spirits but should trust in the authority of Jesus and His ability to set captives free from the influence of these spirits.
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
This verse warns that in the latter times, there will be those who abandon the faith and instead follow deceiving spirits and demonic teachings. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles we face as believers and the importance of discernment.
As Christians, we must be vigilant and discerning, testing every spirit and every teaching against the truth of God’s Word. Familiar spirits are crafty and seek to lead people astray from the true faith. By staying grounded in the Word of God and walking closely with the Holy Spirit, we can resist and overcome the influence of these deceptive spirits.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In this passage, witchcraft is listed among the acts of the flesh, which are contrary to the ways of God and the fruit of the Spirit. It serves as a clear warning that those who engage in such practices will not inherit the kingdom of God.
As followers of Christ, our lives should bear the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Engaging in witchcraft or any form of spiritualism contradicts the nature and character of God, and it leads us away from the abundant life that Jesus came to offer.
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
In the final book of the Bible, the practice of magic arts is mentioned among the sins that will lead to eternal punishment. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of engaging in activities related to familiar spirits and occult practices.
As believers, we are called to live holy and upright lives, seeking to honor God in all we do. The temptation to dabble in magic arts or any form of spiritualism should be resisted, knowing that the eternal consequences are severe. Instead, we should pursue righteousness and the things of the Spirit, seeking to bring glory to God in our thoughts, words, and actions.
These Bible verses provide clear guidance for Christians when it comes to the subject of familiar spirits. They underscore the importance of staying away from mediums, spiritists, and any form of occult or supernatural practices. The Bible consistently warns against engaging with familiar spirits, as they lead people astray from God’s truth and open doors to demonic influence.
As believers, we are called to seek God’s guidance and trust in Him alone for wisdom, direction, and spiritual discernment. The Lord desires us to rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and provide understanding, rather than seeking supernatural knowledge through forbidden means.
It is important to remember that familiar spirits operate in the spiritual realm and can manifest themselves in subtle and deceptive ways. Some individuals might unknowingly open themselves up to the influence of familiar spirits through practices such as tarot card readings, fortune-telling, or seeking guidance from psychics.