Prophets

In the biblical context, prophets are individuals chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people. They serve as intermediaries between God and humanity, often calling for repentance, foretelling future events, and providing guidance according to God's will. The role of a prophet is both revered and demanding, as they are tasked with speaking truth, often in the face of opposition.

The Old Testament is replete with prophets, including major figures such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, as well as minor prophets like Hosea and Amos. The Berean Standard Bible highlights the calling of Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Prophets were often called to deliver difficult messages, as seen in the ministry of Elijah, who confronted King Ahab and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).

In the New Testament, prophecy continues to be a spiritual gift within the church. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "eagerly desire the greater gifts" and highlights prophecy as a means of edification for the church (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Diviners

Diviners in the Bible are those who seek to predict the future or uncover hidden knowledge through supernatural means, often in ways contrary to God's commands. The practice of divination is explicitly condemned in Scripture. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , God warns the Israelites: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD."

Divination is associated with pagan practices and is seen as an attempt to gain knowledge or power apart from God. The account of King Saul consulting the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28) serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of seeking guidance outside of God's provision.

Dreamers

Dreamers, in the biblical sense, are those who receive messages or visions from God through dreams. While dreams can be a legitimate means of divine communication, as seen in the lives of Joseph (Genesis 37) and Daniel (Daniel 2), not all dreams are from God. The Bible warns against false dreamers who lead people astray with deceptive visions.

Jeremiah 23:32 states, "Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, declares the LORD. They tell them and lead My people astray with their reckless lies, when I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least, declares the LORD." Discernment is necessary to distinguish between true and false messages received through dreams.

Soothsayers

Soothsayers are individuals who claim to foretell the future or reveal hidden truths, often through occult practices. Like diviners, soothsayers are condemned in Scripture as they rely on sources of power and knowledge outside of God. The practice is associated with idolatry and rebellion against God's authority.

In Isaiah 2:6 , the prophet laments, "For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they clasp hands with the children of foreigners." The reliance on soothsayers is portrayed as a departure from faithfulness to God.

Sorcerers

Sorcerers, or those who practice sorcery, are individuals who use magic or witchcraft to manipulate events or people. The Bible consistently condemns sorcery as an abomination. In the New Testament, sorcery is listed among the works of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21).

The account of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 illustrates the incompatibility of sorcery with the Christian faith. Simon, who had amazed the people of Samaria with his magic, sought to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, prompting Peter's stern rebuke: "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20).

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is that reliance on God and His revelation is paramount, and practices such as divination, soothsaying, and sorcery are to be rejected as they lead people away from the truth and into spiritual deception.