Biblical Warnings: Spiritualism & Occult Practices

1. Question: What is Spiritualism?

   Verse: “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there…” (Deuteronomy 18:10–12)

   Explanation: Spiritualism is understood as the practice of communicating with the dead through mediums or physical phenomena. Scripture warns against these occult practices, urging believers to seek guidance only from God.

   
   

2. Question: Did practices similar to modern Spiritualism exist in ancient times?

   Verse: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

   Explanation: The Bible records that ancient peoples were warned against engaging with mediums, sorcery, and other occult practices—a reminder that these practices are not new but have long been contrary to God’s commands.

   
   

3. Question: How does God view sorcery?

   Verse: “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers.” (Malachi 3:5) Explanation: God takes sorcery very seriously, promising swift judgment against those who practice it, which underscores the severity of engaging with occult powers.
   

4. Question: What does the Bible say about the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?

   Verse: “Therefore harken not ye to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers… for they prophesy a lie unto you.” (Jeremiah 27:9–10)

   Explanation: Scripture warns that the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers are deceptive and lead people away from God. Their false prophecies are designed to mislead and cause spiritual harm.
   

5. Question: What instructions did Moses give concerning occult practices before entering the Promised Land?

   Verse: “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow all the detestable practices of those nations… a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” (Deuteronomy 18:9–13) Explanation: Moses’ command was clear: the Israelites were not to adopt the occult practices of the surrounding nations. This was to keep them set apart and faithful to God’s ways.
   

6. Question: What were the laws regarding witches and those who consulted familiar spirits under Israel’s theocracy? Verse: “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22:18) and “A man or woman who has a familiar spirit shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:27) Explanation: In ancient Israel, witchcraft and seeking out spirits were considered so dangerous that they merited the harshest of penalties, underscoring God’s intolerance for occult practices.
   

7. Question: How does Paul classify witchcraft, and what warning does he give to those who practice it? Verse: “…they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:20–23) Explanation: Paul includes witchcraft among the sinful acts that separate individuals from God’s kingdom. His list of works of the flesh serves as a stern warning against dabbling in occult practices.
   

8. Question: How should believers respond when urged to consult familiar spirits? Verse: “And when they say unto you, ‘Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter,’ should not a people seek unto their God?” (Isaiah 8:19) Explanation: Instead of turning to mediums or wizards, believers are called to seek guidance from God—the true source of wisdom and life.
   

9. Question: What instruction does the apostle John give regarding the discernment of spirits? Verse: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” (1 John 4:1) Explanation: John advises caution by urging Christians to test every spirit against the Word of God, ensuring that they do not fall prey to deceptive teachings.
   

10. Question: How can we discern if a message is true? Verse: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) Explanation: The Bible teaches that all spiritual messages must align with God’s Word. Any spirit that does not conform is to be regarded with suspicion.
    

11. Question: Should we be swayed by miraculous signs from false prophets? Verse: “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet…” (Deuteronomy 13:1–4) Explanation: Even if a false prophet performs signs or wonders, believers are cautioned not to follow him. True faith rests on adherence to God’s truth, not on external miracles.
    

12. Question: Do the dead have any knowledge of earthly events? Verse: “His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not…” (Job 14:20–21) Explanation: This passage indicates that once a person dies, they lose awareness of the world; the dead cannot influence or understand the living realm.
    

13. Question: Can the dead communicate or possess knowledge? Verse: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) and “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psalm 146:4) Explanation: These scriptures affirm that death is a state of complete unconsciousness. The idea that the dead can communicate with the living contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible.
    

14. Question: Which scripture denies that the dead can return to interact with the living? Verse: “Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:6) Explanation: This verse reinforces that after death, people no longer participate in earthly matters, precluding any notion of communication with the living.
    

15. Question: If miracles occur through spirits claiming to be of deceased loved ones, how should we interpret them? Verse: “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles.” (Revelation 16:14) Explanation: Miraculous signs performed by such spirits are not a sign of divine approval but are the work of evil, intended to deceive and lead believers astray.
    

16. Question: What is a sign of falling away from the faith in the last days? Verse: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1) Explanation: This prophecy warns that in the final days, many will abandon true faith and be misled by deceptive spiritual teachings and counterfeit miracles.
    

17. Question: How does Satan disguise himself to deceive people? Verse: “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) Explanation: Satan cleverly presents himself in a pleasing form, making his deceptive schemes all the more dangerous by appearing as something good and trustworthy.
    

18. Question: What role do Satan’s agents play in this deception? Verse: “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11:15) Explanation: Satan’s agents mimic the appearance and actions of righteous ministers, further complicating the believer’s task of discerning truth from deception.
    

19. Question: Will false Christs and prophets perform signs to deceive even the elect? Verse: “Then if any man shall say unto you, ‘Lo, here is Christ…’ believe it not…” (Matthew 24:23–24) Explanation: Jesus warns that counterfeit messiahs and false prophets will arise, performing convincing signs and wonders with the intent to mislead, even targeting those who are faithful.
    

20. Question: What final miraculous sign will be used to mislead people in the end times? Verse: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth… saying… that they should make an image to the beast…” (Revelation 13:13–14) Explanation: The prophecy describes a climactic act in which spectacular, yet deceptive, miracles are employed to enforce the worship of evil, drawing people away from the truth.
    

21. Question: Which scripture reveals that Satan will work powerful, deceptive wonders before Christ’s return? Verse: “Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10; see also Revelation 12:12) Explanation: This passage makes clear that before the second coming of Christ, Satan will be allowed to perform extraordinary, deceptive miracles designed to mislead those who do not remain vigilant.
    

22. Question: How will true believers respond amidst the deception of false signs and prophets? Verse: “And it shall be said in that day, ‘Lo, THIS is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us…’” (Isaiah 25:9) Explanation: Even when false miracles abound, those who remain faithful will confidently proclaim God’s salvation, rejoicing in the fulfillment of His promises.
    

23. Question: What warning does Peter offer regarding the enemy’s tactics? Verse: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Explanation: Peter’s exhortation is a call to constant watchfulness. In addition to this, believers are urged in James 4:7 to “submit yourselves therefore to God,” standing firm against the devil’s relentless schemes.