What steps can we take to ensure we seek God, not mediums, for guidance? Setting the Scene “Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” (1 Samuel 28:19) Saul’s desperate visit to a medium at Endor shows the tragic end of a king who once knew God’s voice but drifted into disobedience. His example teaches how urgently we must seek God—and only God—for direction. Why Saul’s Choice Matters • God had already refused to answer Saul because of persistent disobedience (1 Samuel 28:6). • Consulting a medium directly violated God’s law (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12). • The result was judgment, not help: “Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” Saul’s downfall warns us that spiritual shortcuts always lead to ruin. Primary Steps to Seek God Alone 1. Reaffirm God’s sufficiency • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Treat Scripture as the first and final authority, not a supplement. 2. Cultivate immediate prayerfulness • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” (James 1:5) • Turn confusion into conversation with the Lord before talking to anyone else. 3. Submit fully to revealed truth • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5–6) • Obedience clears the way for further guidance; rebellion blocks it, as Saul discovered. 4. Reject every occult doorway • “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; you will be defiled by them.” (Leviticus 19:31) • Remove horoscopes, tarot apps, crystals, or any item that hints of divination. 5. Surround yourself with godly counsel • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • Choose mentors who point you back to Scripture, not fads or feelings. 6. Test every voice by Scripture • “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:19–20) • Any advice contradicting God’s Word—however spiritual it sounds—must be rejected. 7. Stay in close fellowship with Christ • “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) • The better we know the Shepherd, the easier it is to recognize counterfeit voices. Guardrails for Everyday Life • Media filter: weigh books, shows, and podcasts—do they celebrate or trivialize the occult? • Accountability partner: share major decisions with a mature believer who will pray and hold you to Scripture. • Regular fasting: seasons of fasting intensify dependence on God and silence competing voices. • Gratitude journal: recording God’s past guidance strengthens trust for future choices. Promises That Anchor Our Hearts • Jeremiah 29:13—“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” • Psalm 32:8—“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” God never withholds wisdom from those who sincerely seek Him. Summary Takeaways Press into Scripture, prayer, obedience, and godly counsel. Shut every door to occult influence. Keep your eyes on the faithful Shepherd, and His light will always outshine the lure of forbidden guidance. |