The Biblical Case Against Spiritualism
I am concerned that my friends are uninformed regarding the incompatibility of spiritualism and the Bible. There is a strong tendency in modern society to worship nature (environmentalism and veganism) or to seek out exotic spiritual experiences – particularly from Hinduism, Buddhism and native american polytheism – or to completely deny spirituality altogether (Atheism & humanism). While God gives us the freedom to choose what we do and believe, this does not change what he says in the Bible.
Joshua 24:15: But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
So way back in 1500BC after the Jewish exodus from Egypt, there was a variety of religious expressions and beliefs. Joshua refers to the gods worshiped by Abraham’s fathers before 2000BC – just a few centuries after Noah’s flood. The later old testament describes a nation as it chooses between the true God and other gods from the surrounding nations and the consequences thereof.
The law of Moses is a sovereign vassal-treaty, which demanded that Israel keep itself separate from the surrounding nations and their pagan customs and rites. In return God would be their protector. The law demonstrates the gravity of spiritualism by demanding the death of witches (Ex 22:18). Rebellion is equated with the sin of divination (1 Sam 15:23).
Leviticus 19: 31Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
In 1 Samuel 28 King Saul had expelled the spiritualists from the land, but later sought one out, in his depression, which was caused by his rebellion against God. She was shocked when the real prophet Samuel appeared after her divination instead of one of her familiar spirits. The next day Saul committed suicide.
The New Testament principle of grace overrides the death penalty, teaching to forgive as we have been forgiven. The early church had a few run-ins with spiritualists such as Simon the sorcerer who in Acts 8 was condemned for wanting to perform miracles using the Holy Spirit in his “business”. In Acts 16, Paul got so annoyed by a slave girl who told fortunes that he cast out the demon who was enabling this “gift” – causing no small uproar from her owners. In Acts 19, many who turned from their spiritualism gathered their old paraphernalia to be burned – worth millions of dollars.
You may be wondering “Did God really mean these things?” Some say that the Bible is just made up, or it’s corrupted. You should query such sources when such happened – as the writers of the Bible are all known for great miracles and supernatural foreknowledge. You will find such accusations fail historic scrutiny. Before Moses went to get the stone tablets, God thundered the 10 commandments to millions of refugees. Such events are hard to fabricate. No religion apart from Judaeo-Christianity can make such claims – particularly when we see prophecy fulfilled in recent history such as the rebirth of Israel and the ensuing miraculous wars.
It was the serpent in the garden of Eden who first said “Did God really say…”. (Gen 3)
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
There is a myriad of spirits out there – many who seek our destruction, beguiling us by any means and even appearing as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). If anyone claims spirituality without confirming Jesus’ deity and humanity, they are guided by evil. You will even find such within the church.
Galations 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
The Bible is very un-PC and intolerant on this matter. Anyone who would say otherwise stands in rejection of the Bible and Jesus.
The Bible teaches that involvement with other spiritualism often leads to sickness, but sickness is not necessarily caused directly by sin – often it’s the result of living in an imperfect world – which is caused by sin.
If you have been involved in such things and wish to know more, I and/or Tanja would love to talk with you. We’d love to pray with you if you’d like to be freed from such influences.
May God richly bless you
– Brent