Patricia: Hi, pastors. How are you doing this evening? I have a request first of all, and that would be for prayer for John Poppy, who is homeless and is in dire need of a place to stay. That's my request, please. Then the question I have is, I know that the Bible speaks of not consulting mediums or spirits any kind of spiritualism, stuff like that. I've noticed that in forensic science, sometimes when they can't solve a cold case file, they have been resorting to mediums, people that call themselves psychics. I was wanting to know what you would have to say about that, considering what the Bible also says, of course.
Doug: Yes. Well, there's several passages in the Bible where it speaks in very strong terms against mediums, astrologers, witches, those who have familiar spirits that consult the dead and all this kind of witchcraft and wizardry is forbidden by the Lord. If God gives a prophet some kind of supernatural power, it's just right up front. It's not working with the diabolical arts of the dark side.
Jean: Well, we've got a number of verses referencing that. I'm just looking at one in Leviticus 19:31. It says, "Give no regard to mediums or familiar spirits. Do not seek after them to be defiled by them." The Bible is quite clear. If we're seeking guidance and we're seeking advice, the one to go to would be God is the one that can direct a Christian. We shouldn't be seeking guidance from mediums, or here the Bible says familiar spirits. Those who consult to the dead.
Patricia: Yet in real life, these people are solving murder cases. Is that insignificant that they're helping out in a way?
Doug: All right, so the question is, what about some of these folks that are supposedly consulting with the police departments and helping them solve cases, whether they're murderers, missing person, burglary, and we've probably heard about those things before. That doesn't mean it's the power of God. Even back in the days of the disciples in the book of Acts, it talks about a magician who the people gave a lot of attention to. I think this is like Acts 9 or might be 10.
Simon, and they thought he had the great power of God. It was actually the power of the devil because the devil. Let's suppose the devil inspires somebody to kidnap someone. Well, the devil then can tell a psychic where that person is hidden. The devil's got that information, he can pass it on and then leave everyone thinking that the psychic has got great spiritual power from God. Well, he may have spiritual power, but it's not from God.
Jean: Yes. That passage in Acts is actually in Acts 8, talks about Simon who practiced sorcery and had quite a following there in the area of Samaria. When he saw the disciples performing miracles, he wanted to do the same thing. He offered to buy the Holy Spirit.
Doug: Yes, and Peter had some pretty strong words for him for attempting that. The witch of Endor, went and saw a witch. He killed himself the next day and the Bible says, because he consulted a woman with a familiar spirit. God's pretty clear he does not want his people using these dark arts, for information.
Jean: Of course the Bible says the devil is very powerful. He's the highest level of the angels prior to the fall, and so he's able to deceive. The Bible speaks of him being a deceiver from the beginning, he's going to deceive people any way he can.
Doug: Yes, and we have a lesson specifically dealing with does, God inspire psychics and astrologers? We will send you Patricia a free copy. If you just call the resource line.
Jean: The number to call is 800-835-6747. You can ask for the study guide called, Does God Inspire Astrologists and Psychics. We'll be happy to send this to you, Patricia, or anybody who calls and asks. That number again is 800-835-6747 and the phone line here to the studio in Sacramento, California is 800-463-7297.