Interesting Questions-127

On psychics, mediums, spirit guides and channeling

Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, March 2000, p.2

I FREQUENTLY CONSULT psychics on important matters in my life.  I have proven many times that what they say is accurate, especially the things they say will happen in the future. I even had a chance to communicate with a dead relative through them.  But a friend told me to stop what I was doing. What can you advise me regarding psychics, spirit guides and channeling?

Maria Garcia
Los Angeles, California, USA

Editor's reply:

             God is against such practices. He is communicated His people: ”Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft” (Lev.19:26, New Living Translation). Moreover, God’s people should not rely on mediums and psychics for they will be defiled by them(Lev. 19:31). The punishment for those who consult them is severe:

            “If any among the people are unfaithful by consulting and following mediums or psychics, I will turn against them and cut them off from the community.” (Lev.20:6,Ibid.)

             During the time of ancient Israel, the penalty for those who acted as mediums and psychics was death:

            “Men and women among you who act as the mediums or psychics must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense.” (Lev. 20:27, Ibid.)

            The Bible is against such practices because these are the works of the devil. Psychics, fortune-tellers, and the like seem to possess extraordinary powers only because they are possessed by demons:

            “One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed along behind us shouting, ‘This men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved’. This went on day after day until Paul got to exasperated that he turned and spoke to the demon within her, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her’, he said. And instantly it left her. Her masters hopes of wealth were now shattered.” (Acts 16:16-19, Ibid.)

            Clearly, the slave girl was able to perform her fortune-telling only when the demon or evil spirit possessed her. When it left, so did her ability to divine. Let us not forget that Satan and his agents like the demons can perform counterfeit signs and miracles (II Thess. 2:9-11). These demons are the angels who were also banished to earth along with the devil who deceives the whole world (Rev. 12:9).

            Spirit guides or channelers are just the modern terms used by the New Age Movement to describe demon possession. Those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God:

            “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, … Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”(Gal.5:19-21, NLT)

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.