(75) The Spiritual Dangers of Seeking Mediums

The Dangers of Occult Practices

A Biblical Perspective

There was a woman named Claire who had always been fascinated by the supernatural. From a young age, she had dabbled in practices like tarot cards, séances, and studying various forms of divination. As she grew older, this fascination turned into a way of life. Claire claimed she could communicate with spirits, both of loved ones who had passed and otherworldly entities, and she became well-known in her small community for offering spiritual guidance. Her friends and family often turned to her, seeking answers about the afterlife and hoping to connect with those who had gone before them.

Claire enjoyed the attention her abilities brought. She would gather her friends in her dimly lit living room, light candles, and hold séances, speaking in hushed tones as she channelled the spirits. Her relatives, desperate for closure or reassurance, clung to her every word. It was not uncommon for someone to leave her home in tears, comforted by the belief that their loved one had spoken through Claire. While her intentions were often to help, Claire didn’t always realize the weight of what she was doing—or the spiritual dangers she was inviting into her life.

However, the Bible has clear warnings against practices like Claire’s. God speaks strongly about consulting spirits or seeking to contact the dead, as it is not in alignment with His will. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God says, 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. These words highlight God’s view on such practices: they are harmful and offensive to Him. Despite Claire’s belief that she was helping others, her actions went against God’s guidance.

Many of Claire’s friends would ask her questions about the afterlife. What happens when we die? They’d wonder. Can you tell me if my mom is okay? Is she happy? The longing to understand the unknown is deeply human. However, the Bible teaches us to trust God for answers about life, death, and eternity. Ecclesiastes 12:7 explains, The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. This verse reminds us that our spirits are in God’s hands, not in the hands of any human or spirit medium.

Claire often felt a sense of pride in her ability to connect people with the spiritual world. But she also began to notice an unsettling feeling growing within her. At night, she sometimes felt as though she wasn’t alone. Strange occurrences in her home—flickering lights, unexplained noises—left her uneasy. While she brushed it off as part of her gift, the Bible warns about the dangers of opening oneself up to the spiritual world in unauthorized ways. In Ephesians 6:12, we are told, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. God warns us that there are spiritual forces we cannot fully understand, and dabbling in occult practices can expose us to harm.

Claire’s family, particularly her grandmother, expressed concerns about her practices. Claire, her grandmother said one day, I know you mean well, but I don’t think what you’re doing is pleasing to God. The Bible says in 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?’ God wants us to turn to Him for answers, not to the spirits.

While Claire dismissed her grandmother’s words, they stayed with her. She felt a tug on her heart, a sense that perhaps what she was doing was not as harmless as she had believed. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that her practices often left her feeling empty and not at peace. She started questioning whether she was truly helping her friends and family or leading them further away from the truth.

The Bible offers comfort and clarity about the afterlife without the need for human intermediaries. John 14:2-3 says, My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Jesus promises that there is a place for His followers in eternity, and this assurance should guide us more than the uncertain words of any medium or spiritist.

Claire eventually began to step away from her occult practices. It wasn’t an easy journey—her friends questioned her decision, and she wrestled with guilt for the years she had spent leading others down the wrong path. But she found peace as she sought God through prayer and reading Scripture. She discovered that true comfort and answers about the afterlife could only come from God. Psalm 34:4 became a verse she clung to: I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

For anyone considering or engaging in similar practices, it’s important to remember that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and comfort. Seeking answers about the afterlife is natural, but turning to the occult can lead to spiritual harm. Instead, we are invited to trust in God, who has given us His Word to guide and reassure us. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our understanding; in all our ways, we submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight.

The Bible provides clear guidance about the dangers of engaging with the occult, consulting spirits, or seeking out mediums. These practices are repeatedly discouraged because they lead people away from relying on God and His wisdom.

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God directly warns His people: Let no one be found among you 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 highlights God’s desire for His followers to avoid these practices entirely, as they contradict His will and invite spiritual harm.

The Bible also shows that seeking out mediums can have serious consequences. For example, in 1 Samuel 28, King Saul consults a medium to summon Samuel’s spirit. This act demonstrates Saul’s lack of trust in God and ultimately contributes to his downfall. God had previously stopped speaking to Saul because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 28:6), and instead of repenting, Saul turned to forbidden practices, which further distanced him from God.

Isaiah 8:19-20 offers similar instruction: When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not the people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. Here, the Bible urges believers to seek guidance from God and His Word rather than from spirits or other supernatural sources.

The New Testament also warns about the dangers of the occult. Acts 19:18-20 describes how early Christians who had previously practiced sorcery confessed their sins and burned their books on magic. Their actions demonstrated a sincere turning away from occult practices and a commitment to trust in Jesus instead. This transformation exemplifies the power of repentance and God’s grace.

The Bible emphasizes that God alone is the source of wisdom, guidance, and truth. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, saying, 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. Turning to the occult or seeking to communicate with spirits reveals a lack of trust in God and can open the door to harmful spiritual influences.

As followers of Christ, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to rely on our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). It’s important to remember that God loves us deeply and wants us to depend on Him for guidance, peace, and strength. If you or someone you know is tempted to explore these practices, approach the situation with empathy, kindness, and prayer, encouraging them to seek God’s truth instead.