Familiar Spirits: Vain
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In the context of biblical literature, "familiar spirits" refers to entities or spirits that are believed to assist or communicate with individuals, often through mediums or necromancers. The term is frequently associated with practices that are expressly forbidden in the Scriptures, as they are considered to be in opposition to the worship and reliance on the one true God.

The Bible explicitly warns against engaging with familiar spirits, as these practices are seen as vain and deceptive. In Leviticus 19:31 , the Israelites are commanded, "Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This verse underscores the belief that seeking guidance or knowledge from familiar spirits is not only futile but also spiritually contaminating.

The term "vain" in this context can be understood as empty, worthless, or lacking in true substance. Engaging with familiar spirits is considered vain because it leads individuals away from the truth and reliance on God. In Isaiah 8:19 , the prophet questions, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" This rhetorical question highlights the futility and vanity of seeking wisdom from sources other than God.

The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor in 1 Samuel 28 provides a poignant example of the vanity and peril associated with familiar spirits. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul, in desperation, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The encounter results in a message of doom for Saul, illustrating the dangers and ultimate futility of turning to such practices.

The New Testament continues to affirm the Old Testament's stance on familiar spirits. In Acts 16:16-18 , the Apostle Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. Although she speaks truths about Paul and his companions, Paul recognizes the spirit's source and commands it to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ. This act demonstrates the authority of Christ over such spirits and the emptiness of their power when confronted with the truth of the Gospel.

Throughout Scripture, the engagement with familiar spirits is consistently portrayed as vain, leading individuals away from the truth and into spiritual darkness. The Bible calls believers to seek wisdom and guidance from God alone, as He is the source of all truth and life.
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Isaiah 8:19
And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead?
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Isaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the middle thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
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Library

And be not Deceived or Deluded with Vain Hopes by that which is ...
... These are empty delusions, and excite vain desires ... Magi are spoken of as being on
familiar terms with ... able to accomplish whatever is within these spirits' power ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/62 and be not deceived.htm

Reformation Lessons
... temples of the false gods, and driving out the wizards and workers with familiar
spirits, were to ... But it is in vain to expect this sudden change of character. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... "It is not a vain thing for you ... to the Arawaks, or "Flour People," who prepared tapioca;
to the Caribs, who sought them that had familiar spirits and wizards ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

Excellency of the Christian Institution.
... But however spirits of superficial greatness may disdain at first ... wanton, for the
applause of a vain world, for ... of him, in those circumstances familiar to them ...
/.../sect vi excellency of the.htm

The Fourth vision "On Earth"
... The notion is only a venerable, but vain, imagination ... Already, there are many who
are tampering with Spiritism, and who have their "familiar spirits" and guides ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision on earth.htm

On Assembling in the Church.
... The Vain Zeal Which the Heathens and Jews Show in Frequenting Their Temples and ... and
follow observers of omens, nor diviners, nor dealers with familiar spirits. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vii on assembling in the.htm

Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to be Tried by their ...
... it associates with doubters and the vain, and prophesies ... impossible, so also are
the earthly spirits powerless and ... Hermas may have been familiar with Ovid, or ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment eleventh the spirit and.htm

Shepherds and Angels
... and brought the glory of God into familiar intercourse with its ... and unrest earth
must seem to those calm spirits! And how vain and petty the struggles must look ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/shepherds and angels.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... de R. Eliezer, we are only told that the Angels had in vain attempted to ... hand, there
are demons who might almost be designated as familiar spirits, who taught ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... forbidding his people to give heed to familiar spirits, wizards, and ... How well this
familiar mode of teaching is suited ... his doctrine might not be in vain (1:Cor ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Resources
Regulative vs. normative principle of worship'which viewpoint is correct? | GotQuestions.org

What is The Voice translation of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are some good ways to memorize Bible verses? | GotQuestions.org

Familiar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Familiar

Familiar Spirits

Familiar Spirits: Consulting of, Forbidden

Familiar Spirits: Those Who Consulted, to be Cut off

Familiar Spirits: Those Who Consulted: Saul

Familiar Spirits: Vain

Familiars

Related Terms

Wizards (10 Occurrences)

Spiritists (8 Occurrences)

Mediums (10 Occurrences)

Devils (48 Occurrences)

Demons (54 Occurrences)

Divined (6 Occurrences)

En-dor (3 Occurrences)

Endor (3 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

Ghosts (3 Occurrences)

Wizard (3 Occurrences)

Intimate (12 Occurrences)

Talk (164 Occurrences)

Era

Divineth (3 Occurrences)

Medium (4 Occurrences)

Converse (5 Occurrences)

Chirp (3 Occurrences)

Witch (2 Occurrences)

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)

Consult (27 Occurrences)

Nonimmersionist

Non-immersionist

Communion (8 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

View (86 Occurrences)

Judaeus

Philo

Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)

Whale (2 Occurrences)

Wild (147 Occurrences)

Tending (11 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Enchantments (12 Occurrences)

Mistress (20 Occurrences)

Practised (13 Occurrences)

Practiced (22 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Possessing (18 Occurrences)

Catechist

Custom (51 Occurrences)

Catechumen

Apollyon (1 Occurrence)

Attendants (30 Occurrences)

Agape

Spiritist (2 Occurrences)

Soothsaying (4 Occurrences)

Separating (24 Occurrences)

Table (125 Occurrences)

Steward (23 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Colossians (1 Occurrence)

Provoking (29 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Paradise (6 Occurrences)

Christian (41 Occurrences)

Divine (39 Occurrences)

Heredity

Astrology

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)

Inquire (95 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Augury (5 Occurrences)

Church (110 Occurrences)

Ransom (46 Occurrences)

Companion (44 Occurrences)

Observed (84 Occurrences)

Parthians (1 Occurrence)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Bosom (47 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Prevail (50 Occurrences)

Money (284 Occurrences)

Angel (209 Occurrences)

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Provoke (64 Occurrences)

Trusted (82 Occurrences)

Familiar Spirits: Those Who Consulted: Saul
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