~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: My friend died this past Sunday. Her 24 year old daughter had applied for a job with a woman she had never met and wasn't native to the area. This woman told her the day after the funeral that her mother had spoken to her ( not orally) and gave her a message to tell her she was all right and was with several relatives that had died years before, giving their names. This woman had no way of knowing about anything pertaining to this family. She had only just met this girl and had never met any member of her family. She claims to be a practicing Pentecostal and says everyone can have these experiences if they are open to them. The whole thing smells like demonology to me and I am very much against her working for this lady. Does the Bible say anything about spirits of the dead coming unasked to strangers? Please pray for her.Answer:
Yes, the Bible does contain some very strong statements specifically concerning communication with the dead and spiritual interaction in general.
Deuteronomy 18:9-16 instructs the people of God to avoid any communication with the dead or with familiar spirits. The Hebrew equivalent of the words "familiar spirit" is as follows: "necromancer, one who evokes the dead; ghost, spirit of a dead one; practice of necromancy; one that has a familiar spirit."
"There shall not be found among you any...consulter with familiar spirits...or a necromancer" (Deuteronomy 18:11).
Even in cases where it appeared that someone had communicated with the dead, Scripture indicates that demonic activity was at the heart of the experience. For the believer, God has designed two methods of communication from the spiritual world to mankind. Those avenues are (1) His Word - the Holy Bible and (2) the gifts of the Spirit which were given to the Church. They are found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
In none of these methods do we find permission to speak with the spirits of the dead. Anything outside of what God has ordained for His people is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
God bless you and keep your friend from the snare of the enemy.
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