Seeking knowledge from psychics and mediums is addressed in the Bible. Today, we’ll uncover what Scripture says about these practices and how God encourages us to seek His guidance.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Living
What Does The Bible Say About Psychics And Mediums
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 emphasizes the prohibition against seeking guidance or communication from psychics and mediums. It warns that engaging in such practices can lead to spiritual defilement.
God wants His people to rely on Him alone for guidance and wisdom, rather than seeking supernatural knowledge from forbidden sources. Trusting in mediums can divert our focus from the true and trustworthy voice of God, leading us astray.
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; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.”
This passage lists several forbidden practices, including consulting mediums and spiritists. It explains that these actions are detestable to the Lord and were among the reasons for the removal of nations from the Promised Land.
God’s desire for His people is to worship Him alone and to seek guidance and revelation through His Word and His Spirit. Engaging in practices associated with mediums and psychics can bring spiritual harm and compromise our relationship with 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 inclination to seek guidance from mediums and spiritists. It encourages people to turn to God for answers and direction, rather than relying on communication with the dead.
God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and it is Him whom we should seek when in need of guidance. Trusting in mediums diminishes our trust in God’s ability to lead and provide for us.
Jeremiah 29:8-9
“Yes, 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 advises the people not to listen to dreams that are encouraged by these individuals, as they speak lies in His name.
It is essential for believers to exercise discernment and not be swayed by those who claim to have supernatural insight or revelation. God’s Word is the ultimate authority, and we should test all claims against its truth.
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 an encounter between Paul and a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. Despite her accurate predictions, Paul recognized the spirit’s source and commanded it to leave in Jesus’ name.
While the girl possessed certain supernatural abilities, her source of power was not aligned with God. Christians are called to discern the origin of supernatural phenomena and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment.
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.”
These verses highlight the distinction between worshiping God and engaging in practices associated with paganism and the occult. The sacrifices offered by pagans are ultimately directed to demons, and believers are warned not to be involved with such demonic practices.
Christians are called to be set apart and to worship God in spirit and truth. Participating in activities related to psychics and mediums contradicts the exclusive devotion believers are to have to the Lord.
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.”
Among the works of the flesh mentioned in this passage, witchcraft is explicitly condemned. This verse identifies witchcraft as a sinful practice that is incompatible with the character of those who will inherit the kingdom of God.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the Spirit and to abstain from engaging in activities that are contrary to God’s will. Witchcraft and similar practices fall under this category and should be avoided.
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 serves as a warning about the influence of deceiving spirits and demonic teachings that will arise in later times. It highlights the importance of discernment and remaining steadfast in the true faith.
As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant in recognizing and rejecting teachings and practices that are influenced by deceiving spirits. This includes seeking guidance or consulting with psychics and mediums who are driven by deceptive supernatural forces.
Matthew 7:15
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Jesus warns against false prophets who appear harmless but have ulterior motives. These individuals may claim to possess supernatural abilities or knowledge, deceiving many by their outward appearance.
Believers need to exercise caution and discernment to identify false prophets and avoid falling into their traps. True spiritual guidance comes from God alone, and we must always test the teachings and claims of others against the standard of God’s Word.
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.”
The apostle John advises believers to exercise discernment and test the spirits to determine if they are from God. He warns that there are many false prophets in the world, and not all spiritual influences can be trusted.
Testing the spirits involves comparing their teachings and manifestations with biblical truth. It is important to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the truth of Scripture to avoid being led astray by deceptive spiritual forces.
1 Samuel 28:8
“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 the story of King Saul consulting a medium to bring up the spirit of Samuel, who had died. Saul sought guidance through forbidden means, demonstrating a lack of trust in God’s wisdom and direction.
As believers, we should follow the example of seeking God’s guidance through prayer, His Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Putting our faith in mediums and psychics would be a betrayal of our trust in God’s sovereignty.
Isaiah 44:25
“I foiled the signs of false prophets and make fools of diviners, I overrule the wise and turn their knowledge into nonsense.”
In this verse, God proclaims His authority over false prophets and diviners. He declares that He is capable of exposing their signs as false and rendering their knowledge useless.
Believers can take comfort in knowing that God is greater than any deceptive supernatural forces. We can trust in His wisdom and power, rather than seeking guidance from those who claim to have supernatural insight.
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
In this verse, believers are called to distance themselves from practices associated with darkness and to expose them. This includes refraining from engaging with mediums and psychics, as such practices are contrary to God’s will.
By actively rejecting and exposing these deeds of darkness, believers can shine a light on the truth and direct others towards a relationship with God built on His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 47:12-13
“Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. 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.”
In this passage, God challenges those who rely on magic spells, sorceries, and astrology to save them from impending danger. He reveals that their counsel has proven to be futile, bringing only exhaustion.
Believers are reminded that relying on the wisdom and guidance of psychics and mediums is ultimately fruitless. God alone holds the power to intervene, protect, and guide His people.
Daniel 2:27-28
“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.'”
Daniel acknowledges that no human, regardless of their supposed supernatural abilities, can fully explain the mysteries of God. He affirms that it is God alone who possesses the power to reveal hidden truths.
Believers should seek God for understanding and wisdom, recognizing that He alone has access to all knowledge and can reveal His plans and purposes to those who seek Him with a humble heart.
Isaiah 59:4
“No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.”
This verse points out the foolishness of relying on empty arguments and lies rather than seeking justice and truth. Those who engage with psychics and mediums risk being led astray by empty promises and deceitful information.
God calls His people to walk in integrity, seeking justice and truth. Engaging with practices that promote deception and rely on false information goes against His righteous and just nature.
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 warns against false prophets who may perform signs and wonders but lead people away from worshiping the true God. The people are urged to remain faithful to God and not be swayed by these deceptive individuals.
Believers must be discerning and test the teachings and claims of those who appear to possess supernatural abilities. Our love and devotion should be directed solely towards the Lord, not towards false gods or misguided spiritual practices.
Isaiah 8:19-20
“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? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
This verse challenges the inclination to seek guidance from mediums and spiritists, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s guidance instead. It highlights that consulting the dead is futile and that believers should rely on God’s instruction and warnings.
God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth and light. It is through His instruction that we find wisdom and guidance for our lives. Seeking counsel from the dead or supernatural sources contradicts the foundation of God’s Word and His revealed will.
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.”
This verse acknowledges that other nations may listen to and engage in practices like sorcery and divination. However, God explicitly forbade His people from participating in such activities.
Believers are called to separate themselves from practices associated with the occult, acknowledging that God’s commands are distinct and higher than the practices of the world. We should rely on His guidance through prayer and the discernment of the Holy Spirit.
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.”
This passage describes a man named Simon who practiced sorcery and captivated the people with his supernatural abilities. He falsely claimed to possess the power of God, leading many to follow him.
Believers are cautioned against being swayed by individuals who claim to have supernatural powers but do not align with the truth of God’s Word. Our focus should be on God alone, acknowledging that any power outside of Him is deceptive and ultimately leads to destruction.
Acts 19:19-20
“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 way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”
This passage demonstrates a radical response to the recognition of engaging with sorcery and occult practices. Those who had practiced sorcery burned their scrolls publicly, signifying their repentance and rejection of these practices.
As believers, we are called to confront and renounce any involvement in practices associated with psychics and mediums. By doing so, we open ourselves up to the transforming power of the Word of God and allow His truth to spread more widely.
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 this verse, practicing magic arts is condemned as one of the sinful behaviors that will result in judgment and eternal punishment. Those who refuse to turn to God and continue in these practices face the consequences of their actions.
Believers are reminded to reject any involvement in activities related to the occult, knowing that the ultimate destination for those who persist in such practices is eternal separation from God. Our focus should remain on pursuing a relationship with Him and living in obedience to His Word.