What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 18:11? casts spells “casts spells” points to any attempt to manipulate reality through incantations, charms, or ritual formulas. Scripture treats such practices as willful rebellion because they seek power apart from the LORD. • Exodus 22:18 warns, “You must not allow a sorceress to live”, underscoring how seriously God regards sorcery. • Leviticus 19:26 says, “You must not practice divination or sorcery.” • In Acts 13:8-10 Paul calls a sorcerer “a son of the devil,” showing New-Testament continuity. • Galatians 5:20 classes “witchcraft” among the “works of the flesh,” which exclude people from God’s kingdom. These passages together reveal that spell-casting is forbidden because it substitutes human technique for humble trust in God’s sovereignty. Instead of prayerful dependence, it pretends to force outcomes, a direct denial of the LORD’s unique authority. consults a medium or spiritist A medium or spiritist claims to be a go-between for the living and the unseen realm. God labels that participation “detestable.” • Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them.” • Isaiah 8:19 exposes the folly: “Should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” • Saul’s tragic visit to the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20) ends with his downfall, illustrating that consulting mediums invites judgment, not help. • 2 Kings 21:6 links spiritism to idolatry, showing how both replace God with counterfeit sources. By running to mediums, people bypass Scripture and the Spirit of God, placing themselves under demonic influence rather than divine guidance. inquires of the dead Necromancy seeks knowledge or power from those who have died. Scripture consistently rejects this practice. • 2 Kings 23:24 records Josiah’s reforms: he “banished the mediums, spiritists, household idols… and all the detestable things,” signaling national repentance. • 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 traces Saul’s death to his unfaithfulness “in consulting a medium for guidance,” proving the deadly seriousness of necromancy. • Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:27-31) shows an impassable gulf between the living and the dead; the only sufficient revelation is already given in “Moses and the Prophets.” Seeking contact with the dead rejects the sufficiency of God’s Word and opens the door to deception by spirits that masquerade as departed souls (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). summary Deuteronomy 18:11 condemns three related practices—spell-casting, consulting mediums or spiritists, and contacting the dead—because each one attempts to gain supernatural insight or control apart from the LORD. Across both Testaments God declares such efforts detestable, dangerous, and futile. Genuine guidance, protection, and power come only through His revealed Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit, never through forbidden spiritual shortcuts. |
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