What scriptural connections warn against seeking guidance from mediums or spirits? Setting the Scene: Saul’s Desperation in 1 Samuel 28:12 • “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice” (1 Samuel 28:12). • Saul has ignored God’s silence (vv. 5–6) and now crosses a forbidden line by seeking a medium. • The shriek of the woman signals danger: contact with the unseen world outside God’s will never ends well. God’s Clear Prohibitions in the Law • Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to mediums or seek spiritists; you will be defiled by them.” • Leviticus 20:6: “I will set My face against anyone who turns to mediums.” • Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists “one who consults the dead”; such practices are “detestable.” Key takeaway: the Lord labels occult guidance as spiritually contaminating and personally offensive to Him. Prophetic Echoes of Warning • Isaiah 8:19: “Should not a people seek their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” • The prophet contrasts two voices: the living God vs. the counterfeit whispers of the grave. • Any attempt to merge them proves the heart has already drifted. Historical Consequences: Saul’s Tragic End • 1 Chronicles 10:13-14: “Saul died for his unfaithfulness; he had inquired of a medium.” • The historian links Saul’s downfall directly to this single night’s choice, underscoring divine seriousness. New Testament Reinforcement • Acts 16:16-18: Paul frees a slave girl possessed by a “spirit of divination.” Christ’s name overrules occult power. • Galatians 5:20 lists “idolatry and sorcery” among works of the flesh that bar inheriting God’s kingdom. • The pattern remains unchanged: Spirit-led believers reject any rival spiritual source. The Better Way: Seek Wisdom from God Alone • James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” • Scripture encourages bold, direct access to the Father, eliminating any need for intermediaries from the shadows. Summary Points to Remember • God repeatedly forbids consulting mediums—Law, Prophets, Writings, and New Testament all agree. • Occult guidance defiles, deceives, and ultimately destroys; Saul’s life is the sobering case study. • Christ offers superior, direct guidance through His Word and Spirit—never settle for a counterfeit voice. |
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