What Does the Bible Say about Familiar Spirits?
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Scripture describes two worlds: what we see and the unseen. These two realms interact, and in fact, the unseen impacts the seen more than the reverse. In the first written book, Job (a contemporary of Abraham), the Bible reveals conversations in God’s angelic court and how those affect the lives of Job and his family in extreme ways. The rest of the Bible continues to reveal how God, angels, and demons play huge roles in the redemptive story.
Certain Christian denominations delve deeply into different types of angels and evil spirits, even giving some names. Many of those aren’t in the Bible, but in the case of familiar spirits, the Scripture gives strong warnings about their activity and influence. Looking into the pattern, we realize these familiar spirits are a false version of what God longs to do through the Holy Spirit. As these demonic practices still exist in our world today, we should understand the warnings.
What Is a Familiar Spirit?
In the Bible, a familiar spirit refers to a demon that speaks through a human spiritist, possibly acting like a dead person or ancestor, and offers supposed spiritual wisdom. The term “familiar” points to a closeness to certain peoples or families. These spirits “familiarize” themselves with people or a community, and they can have powerful deceptive influence in these relationships, especially if their lies are listened to and validated. A familiar spirit isn’t part of God’s plan and seeks to draw people into rebellion and bondage.
The Hebrew word often translated as “familiar spirit” is ob and can be found in passages like Leviticus 19:31 and 1 Samuel 28. Ob is used for both the spirit and the medium who channels it. During the time of ancient Israel (and today), mediums say they can contact the dead and become a speaker for them. But the Bible clearly teaches the absolute danger of this practice. Fallen angels can masquerade as the dead or other false gods.
In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul sought wisdom during his reign, but Samuel had recently died. Since Saul had relied upon Samuel, he visited the Witch of Endor to try and talk to his former mentor. Consulting with a medium was against God’s law, the punishment being death. God seems to have allowed a one-time visitation when Samuel appears with the witch, but instead of giving helpful counsel, Samuel condemns Saul for his sin. Later, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 declares how Saul died, in part, because he “asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit.”
Scholars overwhelmingly interpret familiar spirits as demonic deception. Satan has been a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), and his demons are the same. Consulting with demons only brings lies and death. Familiar spirits have regular contact with those possessed by them or who consult them. Familiar spirits operate within the larger biblical revelation regarding rebellious spiritual beings, powers, and authorities. Ancient cultures, including those Israel dealt with, believed in contacting the dead. Obviously, a lying demon could pretend to be an ancestor.
Such practices aren’t only for ages past. Even today, certain cultures still believe in contacting ancestors, and modern neopaganism normalizes such occult activity. However, the Bible provides clear and firm caution regarding the practice.
What Bible Verses Talk about Familiar Spirits?
God gave the Mosaic Law for Israel’s good and to distinguish the chosen people from the nations surrounding them. Therefore, the law against familiar spirits and divination is meant for blessing and to avoid curses.
Leviticus 19:31 says, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” God warns against being corrupted by the people and the spirits they channel. In the next chapter, Leviticus 20:6 gives more consequences: “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them.” Prostitution seems a strong term, but since the people of God existed in covenant with the Lord, like a marriage, it would be like adultery, paying for it. God sees it as a disgusting rejection of himself as their God.
Before his death, Moses gives final instructions to the people before they enter the Promised Land. Moses teaches them not to participate in the abominable practices of the nations they would conquer. One of the reasons for their coming battles was that God judged those nations for their pagan activity, like sacrificing their children. Moses says, “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.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
When people seek these familiar spirits they are attempting to find power apart from God, and there is none. Even the prophets reiterate the warning. “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists … should not a people inquire of their God?” (Isaiah 8:19) Why approach a dead man instead of the God who created all things? God knows all things and has all power. And he loves us. Who better to seek for counsel?
How is a Familiar Spirit Different Than the Holy Spirit?
As further proof of God’s willingness to give us truth and wisdom, revelation for life, the Father sent us the Holy Spirit. Familiar spirits are not only far less but stand in direct opposition to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one of the Trinity, fully God, eternal, and life himself. Familiar spirits are deceptive and demonic entities that pretend to have spiritual truth but draw people into lies and destruction. In the Old Testament, God sent prophets and had ways to consult him through priests and other avenues. Through Christ, we have a greater access to God and the Spirit always with us.
The Holy Spirit brings truth, conviction, comfort, and grace to Jesus' disciples. He speaks what he hears from the Father (John 16:13), leads us into all truth, and provides sure testimony about Jesus. The Spirit sanctifies us, makes us holy, lives in us, and bears fruit through us (love, peace, joy, etc.). He inspired Scripture, so his work will align with the Bible. The Spirit glorifies Jesus (John 16:14). As believers, we walk and speak by the Spirit. We become oracles of God to bless others.
In contrast, familiar spirits deceive and destroy. They bring false spiritual experience, often through mediums. They can give misleading dreams and voices. Familiar spirits pervert and try to supplant the activity of the Holy Spirit. And yet they enslave. They don’t offer truth or life, only the opposite. Familiar spirits imitate as guides that act spiritual but bring rebellion. They manipulate emotions. Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:14 how “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Familiar spirits defile people, lead them to sin, and blind them from Jesus.
The Holy Spirit sets us free indeed, fully and in every way. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit doesn’t highlight the dead or ancestors but points us to the glory of Christ and his life. The Spirit never deceives or misleads. He brings us into greater saving relationship with the Father.
How Can We Recognize the Signs of a Familiar Spirit?
The Bible tells us to test the spirits we encounter (1 John 4:1). In that context, John says the main test will be the testimony of Jesus, as the Bible testifies. Not every supernatural or emotional experience comes from God. We must be grounded in hearing the voice of the Spirit and what the Scripture teaches. And other signs exist.
One major sign is any attempt to communicate with the dead or spiritual beings outside of God. Psychics and spiritual “guides” often claim contact with angels or “energies” or even ancestors, but that path leads to death and lies.
Next, familiar spirits will contradict the Bible. They deny the Gospel or twist God’s character. Remember, the serpent lied about God’s intent and law to tempt Eve and Adam. If a voice or a vision leads us away from Jesus as Lord, the only source we need, denies the cross, or points us to worship ourselves or other beings, it’s not the Holy Spirit.
Third, familiar spirits cause confusion, fear, and oppression. God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God isn’t the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and the Spirit of peace brings us comfort and peace, not anxiety. Just as we know the Spirit by his fruit, we know the false by the same. False spirits lead to torment, division, irrational fears, and bondage. A demon will seek control and ritual.
Finally, evil spirits can imitate spiritual experiences. The Antichrist will perform false miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9) to worship him instead of Christ. Familiar spirits will bring counterfeit prophecy, visions, or dreams. When the “experience” becomes the goal, people are led away from saving doctrine and the Holy Spirit. God’s supernatural activity will lead us to him and right theology, not away.
Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us alone. Without him, we’d be powerless and hopeless. But he has given us the Holy Spirit, greater than any other entity (1 John 4:4). Through him, God provides insight, clarity, authority, and freedom. We encounter spiritual resistance as we walk with Jesus, and Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God for spiritual warfare: truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. With this armor, we can stand against Satan’s plans, including familiar spirits. Jesus already defeated every evil power through the cross (Colossians 2:15). When we submit to God, resist the Devil, and walk in the Spirit, familiar spirits have no hold, and we will recognize them for the lies they are.
Peace.
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