The Bible is clear about its stance on seeking guidance from psychics and fortune tellers. In several passages, God warns His people against relying on such practices and instead calls us to trust in Him for direction and wisdom. Let’s explore what scripture says about these practices.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Gut Feelings
What Does The Bible Say About Psychics And Fortune Tellers
Leviticus 19:26
“Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
This verse highlights the prohibition against engaging in divination or seeking omens. As Christians, we are called to trust in God and seek His guidance through prayer and His Word, rather than relying on psychics or fortune tellers.
Divination and seeking omens involve attempting to gain knowledge of the future or hidden information through supernatural means. However, as believers, we are encouraged to have faith in God’s plan for our lives and rely on Him for direction, rather than turning to deceptive practices.
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 provides a clear warning against engaging in various occult practices, including divination, sorcery, witchcraft, and consultation with mediums or the dead. These practices are considered detestable in the eyes of the Lord, and as Christians, we are called to reject and avoid them.
God desires that His people trust in Him alone for guidance and seek His wisdom through prayer and the study of His Word. Turning to psychics or fortune tellers undermines our faith and places our trust in human understanding rather than the divine wisdom and sovereignty of 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 emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from God rather than consulting mediums or spiritists. It questions the logic of relying on the dead for advice when we have access to the living God.
As believers, we are called to seek the Lord and His wisdom in all matters. He is the true source of knowledge and understanding, and seeking guidance from mediums or fortune tellers only leads to deception and spiritual harm.
Jeremiah 29:8-9
“For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.”
In this passage, God warns against being deceived by false prophets and diviners. He accuses the prophets of prophesying lies in His name and emphasizes that He has not sent them.
As Christians, we must be discerning and test the spirits to ensure that the messages we receive align with the truth of God’s Word. False prophets and fortune tellers can lead us astray, offering deceptive and misleading guidance that contradicts God’s will.
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 slave girl who had a spirit of divination, enabling her to predict the future. Despite her seemingly supportive words about Paul and his companions, Paul recognized the source of her power and commanded the spirit to leave her.
As Christians, we should not be deceived by false spirits or those who claim to have supernatural abilities. Instead, we are to rely on the power and authority of Jesus, as demonstrated by Paul, and reject any form of divination or fortune-telling.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
This passage warns of the presence of deceiving spirits and false teachings in the later times. It speaks of those who abandon their faith and are led astray by the influence of demons and deceitful individuals.
As believers, we must remain vigilant and discerning, clinging to the truth of God’s Word. The practice of divination or reliance on psychics and fortune tellers is in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Holy Spirit and can lead to spiritual deception and the erosion of our faith.
Galatians 5:19-20
“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 verse, witchcraft is listed as one of the acts of the flesh, alongside various sinful behaviors. It is made clear that those who engage in such practices will not inherit the kingdom of God.
As Christians, our lives should be characterized by the fruits of the Spirit, not the acts of the flesh. Witchcraft and divination are contrary to God’s will and should be avoided, as they open the door to demonic influence and hinder our spiritual growth.
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
This verse encourages believers to have no association with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather to expose them. Divination and fortune-telling fall under the category of fruitless deeds of darkness that should be exposed and rejected.
As Christians, we are called to live in the light and abide by God’s truth. Seeking guidance from psychics or engaging in divination is contrary to the principles of the Gospel and should be firmly rejected.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
This verse reminds believers to submit themselves to God and resist the devil. Engaging in divination or seeking guidance from psychics falls into the realm of submitting to the devil’s influence.
As Christians, we are called to resist the temptations and deceptions of the enemy through the power and authority we have in Jesus Christ. Submitting to God involves rejecting practices like divination that compromise our faith and dependence on Him.
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 serves as a reminder to be alert and discerning, recognizing the schemes and tactics of the devil. Divination and seeking guidance from psychics can make us vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks and deception.
As Christians, we must be conscious of the spiritual battle we face and guard ourselves against the influences that can lead us astray. Relying on God’s guidance and Word equips us to discern and resist the enemy’s attempts to deceive us.
Deuteronomy 18:14
“The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so.”
In this verse, the Israelites are instructed not to engage in sorcery or divination, as the nations they were displacing did. Instead, they were to trust in the Lord and follow His commandments.
As Christians, we are likewise called to trust in God’s guidance and follow His will, rather than seeking answers or direction through forbidden and deceptive practices such as divination or consulting with psychics.
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 describes the wicked actions of King Manasseh, who engaged in divination, consulted mediums and spiritists, and practiced other occult activities. His actions provoked the Lord’s anger and brought great evil upon the land.
As Christians, we are called to reject such practices and pursue righteousness, obedience, and trust in the Lord. Engaging in divination or consulting psychics and fortune tellers only invites God’s displeasure and hinders our spiritual growth.
Acts 13:8-10
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?’
In this passage, Paul confronts a sorcerer named Elymas who opposed the preaching of the gospel and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, exposes Elymas’ deceit and condemns his actions as opposing the right ways of the Lord.
As believers, we should be aware of the deceptive tactics employed by those who promote occult practices like divination and fortune telling. We are called to stand firm in the truth, denouncing and avoiding such practices that undermine our faith.
Acts 19:13-16
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”
In this account, certain individuals without a genuine relationship with Jesus sought to cast out evil spirits in His name. However, the demons recognized their lack of authority and overpowered them, inflicting harm upon them.
This passage serves as a warning against engaging in spiritual warfare without being rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ. Relying on psychics or fortune tellers for spiritual guidance places us in a vulnerable position, as we lack the genuine authority that comes from being in Christ.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
“If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, ‘Let us follow other gods’ (gods you have not known) ‘and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
This passage cautions against heeding the words of false prophets or dreamers who may perform miraculous signs or wonders. It instructs believers not to follow after other gods or engage in idolatry.
In our quest for spiritual guidance, we must discern the authenticity of the sources we consult. Psychics and fortune tellers may claim to possess supernatural abilities, but their guidance often leads away from the true God and toward the worship of false gods.
Isaiah 47:13-14
“All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame.”
In this passage, Isaiah mocks the uselessness of astrologers and stargazers who attempt to make predictions and provide counsel. He proclaims their inability to save or protect, likening them to stubble that will be consumed by fire.
As Christians, we should not place our trust in astrology or similar divinatory practices, as they offer no genuine guidance or protection. Instead, we are to rely on the unchanging Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit 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 describes the wicked practices of King Manasseh, who engaged in divination, witchcraft, and consultation with mediums and spiritists, among other sins. His actions provoked the Lord’s anger and brought about great evil.
As Christians, we are called to resist the allure of divination and other occult practices that Manasseh embraced. Instead, we are to seek God’s will through prayer and the study of His Word, trusting in His guidance and wisdom.
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.”
This verse proclaims the power of God to nullify the signs and predictions of false prophets and make them appear foolish. God’s superior wisdom and authority render the diviners and their practices meaningless.
As believers, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God is sovereign over all, including those claiming supernatural insight or knowledge of the future. His truth and wisdom prevail, and we should not be swayed by the empty promises and deceptions of diviners and fortune tellers.
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, the Lord speaks of the Egyptians losing heart and their plans being thwarted. They turn to idol worship, the consultation of the spirits of the dead, and the practices of mediums and spiritists in their search for guidance.
As Christians, we must not follow the example of those who seek guidance from deceptive sources. Instead, we should anchor our faith in the Lord and His Word, recognizing that He alone is the true source of wisdom and guidance.
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 expresses God’s strong disapproval of those who turn to mediums and spiritists, emphasizing His intention to cut off such individuals from their people. It illustrates the seriousness with which God regards the act of seeking guidance from deceptive and occult practices.
As Christians, we should heed this warning and abstain from engaging in divination or consulting with psychics and fortune tellers. Instead, we are to devote ourselves to the Lord and His truth, recognizing His supreme authority over all matters.
1 Samuel 28:7-9
“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.'”
This passage recounts King Saul’s desperate attempt to consult a medium in his time of distress. Seeking guidance from the dead through a medium was strictly forbidden by God’s law, and Saul’s actions demonstrate the consequences of turning to occult practices.
As Christians, we should not follow Saul’s example but instead rely on God’s wisdom and leading in our lives. Seeking guidance from psychics or fortune tellers can lead us down a path of disobedience and spiritual confusion.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”
In this passage, Paul warns the Corinthians against partaking in pagan sacrifices, which he identifies as offerings to demons. He emphasizes the incompatibility of participating in both the worship of the Lord and the worship of demons.
As Christians, we are called to worship and serve the one true God, rejecting any practices that are associated with idolatry or the occult. Seeking guidance from psychics or fortune tellers aligns with the practices of the world rather than the worship of God.