It is estimated that people in this country spent about $2.2 billion dollars in 2018 on the services of psychics. Whether these people were trying to get someone to tell their future or trying to contact someone dead, it is a booming and profitable profession.
Even well-meaning Christians get caught up in the belief that it is possible in some ways for those living on earth to communicate with a loved one who has died. How many people will go to a grave and “talk” to a deceased person? How many in grief or loneliness will “talk” to someone cherished, admired, or missed as if they cannot only hear them, but can in some way send them a message of help or comfort? Last, how many believe or verbalize that they know some deceased loved one is “watching over them” or “protecting them”?
As sensitive as this subject can be for people, it is one in which Christians need a firm Biblical understanding so that we are not caught up in emotion rather than the truth.
According to the Law of Moses mediums were an “abomination to the Lord” (Deut. 18:10-12) and the Israelites were commanded not to consult with them. (Lev. 19:31; 20:6) There are numerous instances where mediums and wizards were grouped with all manner of wickedness. (2 Kings 21:6; 23:24; 2 Chron. 33:6)
God says that the “dead know nothing.” (Eccl. 9:5-6) In other words, the dead cannot see what is going on with those on earth and the Bible says that it is impossible for the dead to communicate with the living. In Luke 16:19-31, Abraham specifically tells the rich man that he cannot send Lazarus back to earth to speak to his brothers.
But why would God not want me to find comfort or guidance from those loved ones who have passed away? Isaiah answers this very question. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” (Isaiah 8:19) God expects us to obtain our guidance and comfort from Him and Him alone!
Why would I pray to a loved one rather than to God who hears my prayers? Why would I ask of a dead loved one those things that God is so willing and able to provide to me as His child? In Luke 11:10-13 Jesus said, “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? … how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Randy Reagan