Psychic mediums and similar practices are becoming popular, but what does the Bible say? Today, we’ll see why God warns us about them and how He offers us His own guidance. With His truth, we don’t need to turn to other sources.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Love And Forgiveness
What Does The Bible Say About Psychic Mediums
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 verse from Deuteronomy clearly states that the practice of consulting mediums and spiritists is forbidden by God. It emphasizes the detestable nature of such practices and warns against engaging in divination, witchcraft, or any form of sorcery. As believers, we are called to seek guidance and wisdom from God alone, trusting in His plans and His provision.
Leviticus 20:27
“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.”
In this verse, we see the seriousness of consulting mediums and spiritists. The punishment for engaging in such practices was death by stoning. This serves as a strong deterrent, making it clear that God does not approve of or tolerate involvement with mediums or seeking guidance from spirits. It is a reminder to turn to Him for counsel and to trust in His word rather than seeking answers from forbidden sources.
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?”
Isaiah challenges the people to seek God instead of turning to mediums and spiritists. He questions the need to consult the dead for guidance when they can inquire of the living God. This verse reminds us that our hope and trust should be in God alone, as He is the source of wisdom, truth, and guidance. Rather than seeking answers from the spiritual realm, we should seek them directly from our Creator.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
“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, and did not inquire of the Lord.”
This verse recounts the downfall of King Saul, who sought guidance from a medium instead of seeking God’s counsel. It serves as a warning against seeking answers from sources other than God and highlights the consequences of disobedience. It reminds us of the importance of remaining faithful to the Lord and seeking His direction in all areas of our lives.
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.”
In this incident, we see Paul encountering a female slave possessed by a spirit of divination. While she was able to predict the future, Paul recognized the source of her power as a demonic spirit and cast it out in the name of Jesus. This passage shows the authority and power of Jesus over any form of divination or fortune-telling. It reminds us that our trust should be in Christ alone, as He is the one who holds victory over all spiritual forces.
1 Samuel 28:7-20
“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. ‘Consult a spirit for me,’ he said, ‘and bring up for me the one I name.’ But the woman said to him, ‘Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?’ Saul swore to her by the Lord, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.’ Then the woman asked, ‘Whom shall I bring up for you?’ ‘Bring up Samuel,’ he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, ‘Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!’ The king said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. What do you see?’ The woman said, ‘I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.’ ‘What does he look like?’ he asked. ‘An old man wearing a robe is coming up,’ she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’ ‘I am in great distress,’ Saul said. ‘The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So, I have called on you to tell me what to do.’ Samuel said, ‘Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.’”
In this passage, Saul, in desperation, seeks a medium to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel for guidance. However, it is important to note that this incident does not endorse or approve of mediumship; rather, it serves as a cautionary tale. The spirit that appears to Saul is presented as an exception, as the genuine Samuel rather than a deceptive spirit. This account showcases the severity of Saul’s disobedience and serves as a reminder of the consequences of seeking forbidden means for guidance.
Isaiah 19:3
“The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.”
In this verse, Isaiah prophesies about Egypt’s eventual loss and downfall. He mentions that in their desperation, the Egyptians will turn to idols, spirits of the dead, mediums, and spiritists for guidance. This verse portrays the futility and emptiness of seeking answers from sources other than God. It highlights the importance of relying on the true God, who alone has the power to bring about meaningful change and guidance in our lives.
2 Chronicles 33:6
“He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
This verse tells the story of King Manasseh, who practiced divination, witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. His actions were considered evil in the eyes of the Lord, and they angered Him. It serves as a warning against engaging in such practices and emphasizes the importance of turning away from anything that opposes God’s commands and seeking His forgiveness and guidance.
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.”
In this verse, we witness a powerful act of repentance and renouncing of sorcery. Those who had practiced sorcery recognized its wrongfulness and gathered their scrolls, burning them publicly. The value of the scrolls was significant, emphasizing their commitment to walking away from these forbidden practices. This verse highlights the importance of renouncing any involvement with the occult and witchcraft, choosing instead to follow and trust in God alone.
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.”
God, in His commandments to the Israelites, explicitly forbids them from turning to mediums or seeking spiritists. He warns them of the defilement that would come from engaging with such practices. This verse reaffirms God’s holiness and the importance of staying away from anything that defiles or opposes His divine will. It encourages us as believers to seek our guidance and wisdom solely from God, the Lord our God.
2 Kings 21:6
“He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”
This verse refers to King Manasseh, who engaged in a multitude of forbidden practices, including sacrificing his own son, divination, seeking omens, and consulting mediums and spiritists. Manasseh’s actions were grievously evil and provoked the anger of the Lord. It serves as a stern warning against participating in any form of divination or seeking guidance from forbidden sources, reminding us of the consequences of walking down such paths.
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 of the dangers that lie in following deceiving spirits and teachings of demons. It serves as a reminder of the deceptive nature of various spiritual practices and highlights the importance of discernment in distinguishing between what is from God and what is not. As believers, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, guarding ourselves against any influence or teachings that do not align with the truth found in the Holy Scriptures.
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 as one of the acts of the flesh, which are contrary to the teachings of Christ. Engaging in witchcraft, along with the other sinful behaviors mentioned, is warned against in the strongest terms. It emphasizes that those who persist in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. This verse underscores the need for believers to actively reject and abstain from any involvement in witchcraft or any other sinful practices.
Isaiah 47:9
“Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.”
In this verse, God speaks to Babylon, warning them that despite their many sorceries and spells, they will not be able to escape the consequences of their actions. The message conveyed is that reliance on witchcraft and sorcery will ultimately prove futile and powerless in the face of God’s judgment. It serves as a reminder that no other power or practice can supersede the authority of God, and those who pursue such practices will face the consequences of their rebellion.
2 Samuel 28:3
“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.”
In this verse, we see King Saul expelling mediums and spiritists from the land of Israel. This act demonstrates a recognition of the danger and disobedience involved in seeking guidance from these forbidden sources. Saul’s actions indicate a desire to remove the influence of those who consult the dead and engage in divination. It serves as an example of how we should distance ourselves from practices that oppose God’s commands and seek His guidance instead.
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 reminds believers to be vigilant and cautious, as the devil constantly seeks to deceive and harm. One of Satan’s strategies is to tempt individuals into seeking guidance or power from forbidden sources, such as mediums. By being alert and maintaining a sober mind, we can recognize and resist the enemy’s tactics, relying on God’s protection and guidance instead.
Acts 8:9-11
“Now for some time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.”
In this passage, we encounter Simon, a sorcerer who had built a reputation for himself and garnered a following by practicing sorcery in Samaria. However, it is important to note that Simon’s practices were not approved or endorsed by God. This account reminds us of the dangers of being deceived by those who claim to possess supernatural powers. It serves as a cautionary example, emphasizing the need to discern between true spiritual authority and deception.
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.”
This verse highlights the eternal consequences that await those who practice magic arts and engage in sinful behaviors. It emphasizes that those who persist in these actions will be condemned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This verse reiterates God’s clear stance against engaging in magic arts and validates the biblical warnings throughout both the Old and New Testaments against pursuing these forbidden practices.
Jeremiah 27:9
“So 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.’
In this verse, Jeremiah urges the people not to listen to the prophets, diviners, mediums, and sorcerers who would deceive them into thinking they would not serve the king of Babylon. It serves as a reminder to seek truth and guidance from God alone, rather than putting our trust in false prophets or seeking answers from forbidden sources. This verse underscores the importance of discernment and the need to align our beliefs and actions with the will of God.
Exodus 7:11
“Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts.”
In this passage, we witness the ability of Egyptian magicians to replicate some of the miraculous signs performed by Moses and Aaron through their secret arts. However, it is essential to note that these acts were carried out by evil powers rather than godly forces. This account contrasts God’s true power with the deceptive nature of magic arts. It reminds us that the supernatural manifestations produced through sorcery or divination are not from God but are counterfeits that seek to deceive and draw people away from the truth.
2 Chronicles 33:6
“And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.”
This verse refers to the wicked actions of King Manasseh, who not only sacrificed his sons but also engaged in fortune-telling, sorcery, and consulting mediums and wizards. His actions provoked God’s anger and displeasure. This verse serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of seeking guidance from forbidden sources and the importance of pursuing righteousness according to God’s commands.
Isaiah 44:25
“Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.”
In this verse, Isaiah affirms that God has the power to expose the signs of false prophets and render diviners foolish. The knowledge and wisdom of those who engage in magic arts, divination, and fortune-telling are no match for the omniscience and sovereignty of God. This verse reminds us that God’s plans and purposes cannot be thwarted or influenced by any form of occult practices, calling us to place our trust in Him alone.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
This verse encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil. It implies that engaging with practices such as consulting mediums or seeking guidance from psychic mediums can be seen as aligning oneself with the devil’s schemes. The verse reminds us of our need to actively resist any form of temptation that leads us away from God’s truth and seek His guidance and protection in our lives.