Topical Bible: Spirit of Divination

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The term "spirit of divination" is primarily associated with the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means, often in a manner contrary to the teachings of the Bible. This concept is addressed in several passages of Scripture, where it is depicted as a practice that is forbidden and detestable to God.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 16:16-18 : One of the most direct references to a spirit of divination is found in the New Testament account of Paul and Silas in Philippi. "One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.' She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' And it left her at that very moment." This passage illustrates the presence of a spirit of divination and the authority of Jesus Christ to expel such spirits.

2. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 : The Old Testament explicitly condemns practices associated with divination. "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, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." This passage underscores the prohibition against divination and related practices, emphasizing their incompatibility with the worship of the LORD.

3. 1 Samuel 28:7-8 : The account of King Saul seeking the medium at Endor provides another example of divination. "Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.' 'There is a woman at Endor who is a medium,' they replied. So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman by night, and Saul said, 'Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.'" Saul's actions, driven by desperation, highlight the dangers and spiritual consequences of seeking guidance through forbidden means.

Theological Implications:

The spirit of divination is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a counterfeit to the true guidance provided by the Holy Spirit. It represents a reliance on powers and entities that stand in opposition to God’s will and truth. The Bible warns against such practices, urging believers to seek wisdom and guidance from God alone.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, divination was a common practice among pagan cultures, often involving rituals, omens, and the consultation of oracles or mediums. These practices were seen as attempts to gain insight into the divine will or to predict future events. The Israelites were called to be distinct from surrounding nations by rejecting these practices and adhering to the revelation given by God through His prophets and His Word.

Practical Application:

For Christians today, the warnings against the spirit of divination serve as a reminder to seek discernment and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. Engaging in or endorsing practices that resemble divination, such as astrology, tarot reading, or consulting psychics, is inconsistent with a life of faith and obedience to God. Believers are encouraged to trust in the sovereignty and wisdom of God, who provides all that is necessary for life and godliness.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Spirit of Divination

SPIRIT OF DIVINATION

See DIVINATION.

Greek

4436. puthon -- Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo ...
... by Apollo, divination. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: puthon Phonetic
Spelling: (poo'-thone) Short Definition: a divining spirit Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4436.htm - 6k

Library

The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of ...
... "It came to pass," says Luke, "as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed
with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vi the introduction of.htm

Whether Divination Practiced by Invoking the Demons is Unlawful?
... the latter inquired of the woman that had a divining spirit, concerning the issue
of the coming war (1 Kings 8, sqq.). Therefore the divination that consists ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination practiced by invoking.htm

Whether Divination is a Species of Superstition?
... Reply to Objection 2: This kind of divination pertains to the worship of the ... In the
New Testament, however, there were some possessed of the spirit of prophecy ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination is a species.htm

Paul and his Praying
... He began his work in Philippi "where prayer was wont to be made." As "they went
to prayer," the spirit of divination was cast out of the young woman. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xiii paul and his praying.htm

In the Regions Beyond
... As the messengers of the cross went about their work of teaching, a woman possessed
of a spirit of divination followed them, crying, "These men are the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 21 in the regions.htm

Prologue to the Oration.
... Meanwhile let the sacred oracles, given, not by the spirit of divination (or rather
let me say of madness and folly), but by the inspiration of Divine truth, ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/prologue to the oration.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... When Paul was in the house of Lydia, he says, "It came to pass, as we went to prayer,
a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, which ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Why we Repudiate Arts of Divination.
... deceptions is, that through these superstitious and baneful modes of divination
many things ... of the Lord, the Apostle Paul did not spare the evil spirit on that ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 23 why we repudiate arts.htm

An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... Of the faith and salvation of a certain woman Lydia, and * of the cure of the damsel
having a spirit of divination, on account of which the masters of the ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/an exposition of the chapters.htm

The Great Question and the Plain Answer
... Up and down the streets of Philippi a woman possessed with 'a spirit of divination'
had gone at the heels of these two men, proclaiming in such a way as to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the great question and the.htm