Familiar Spirit or Familiar Devils (Q & A)

By: John Spellman

Question: How can we know that evil spirits are truly behind those who talk to the dead? Could it be that God just doesn’t like people to talk to the dead for other reasons?

Answer: First, the answer that will be given here assumes that the reader has listened to the two audio recordings from 07-19-2014 and 07-26-2014 “Secrets of the Grave Parts 1 & 2”. Without listening to those recordings, the answer recorded here may be confusing. This is because the Bible does not teach the immortality of the soul: the belief that within all human beings there is a ghost or spirit / soul that lives eternally after one dies in the physical sense. To understand the Biblical perspective, the two recordings referenced will be a great help.

However, if there is no such thing as a spirit or ghost and the soul is not immortal, than many would ask how do we explain the encounters people have reported of ghost sightings or visitations by loved ones? The Bible has the answer to this inquiry.

Let’s examine what scripture has to say on this point. By looking at a few texts on this subject the matter becomes a lot clearer. We’ll start with the book of Leviticus.

Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

From this scripture we learn that God commanded His people in ancient Israel not to speak with people who had familiar spirits in addition to wizards. A familiar spirit is one who practices a form of magic which claims to contact spirits from other realms. In fact the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentary has this to say:

“The Hebrew word, rendered “familiar spirit,” signifies the belly, and sometimes a leathern bottle, from its similarity to the belly. It was applied in the sense of this passage to ventriloquists, who pretended to have communication with the invisible world. The Hebrews were strictly forbidden to consult them as the vain but high pretensions of those impostors were derogatory to the honor of God and subversive of their covenant relations with Him as His people.” (JFB on Lev 19:31)

Whether imposters or not, the practice of speaking with familiar spirits was a practice which claimed the ability to speak with those in the invisible world like ghosts—the spirits of dead friends and loved ones that were believed by many in the ancient world to be present, but in another form. In short, one who has a familiar spirit is one who can make contact with the dead speaking to their immortal spirit / soul. The Bible, however, refutes the idea that such a thing as an immortal soul or spirit exists. (See Inspirited Network Class B’s “Secrets of the Grave Part 1” recorded on 07-19-2014).

In Leviticus 19:31 the practice of being a wizard (magic) and communicating with familiar spirits (talking to the dead) is considered to be something that would “defile” God’s people. This is an interesting concept. If, for arguments sake, there was a such thing as an immortal soul / spirit—one would think that God wouldn’t have such a big problem with them contacting their friends and loved ones or being contacted by them. It’s reasonable that if a such thing as a ghost were to exist, the former living might miss or be sorrowful that they can no longer spend time with their living loved ones. The reverse would also be true. In fact, much of the stories that are perpetuated today follow the common theme that ghosts often miss those they knew while still alive.

The movie, “Sixth Sense” tells the story of a man who is unable to move on but still lingers trying to communicate with his family and help those he never had a chance to help while still alive. Most horror movies depict a person who can’t be satisfied with death due to a desire for revenge on those who are still living. Even personal stories that individuals share about experiences involving contact with dead loved ones seem to suggest that both the living and the dead still desire to be in connection. Yet, clearly, scripture points out that God considers this to be a “defilement” and that individuals should not regard those who practice magic or who speak to the dead. The question is, why? Why would God be adamant about there being no communion between the dead and the living?

Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

In this text, we receive the additional light stating that God considers people who go to those who practice magic or speaking to the dead to be equated with prostitution. Prostitution is the act of engaging in sexual activity for hire, usually involving unfaithfulness to one’s husband or future husband. In this context, however, prostitution (whoredom) is used metaphorically to suggest that by talking to one who talks to the dead or one who practices magic, one is being unfaithful to God (our spiritual husband) and participating in an adulterous relationship / affair with those who perform these practices. God warns that He will “Set my face against that soul [individual] and will cut him off…”

These seem like strong words for committing none other crime than contacting someone you really miss. Or is there more to this than meets the eye? In either case, from the aforementioned texts in Leviticus we learn, clearly, that God is against these practices. When you understand what the Bible says about death, it becomes clear as to why.

Deu 18:9-12 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Here, scripture takes things much further. From Leviticus we gather that it was equal to prostitution to be in connection with one who practiced magic or speaking to the invisible world. Now, in Deuteronomy, the law of Moses states that those who actually practice magic, divination, the zodiac (observer of times), witchcraft, charms, or calling up spirits and speaking to them (consulting familiar spirits and necromancy) are an abomination. In other words, God doesn’t want people to associate with those who do these things, and considers those who do them to be abominable! Thus, it is an abomination in the sight of God to speak to the dead. One who associates with those who do (with intent to participate in this sin) is defiled.

God specifies that the heathen nations practiced these abominable practices and it was for these reasons that God was driving them out of the land He was now giving to Israel. God warned that Israel was not to practice such abominations, and that all who did these things were an abomination to the Lord.

These seem like strong words for people talking to their grand parents. Yet, when one studies the truth of the state of the dead, we learn that there is no such thing as ghosts. The dead stay in the grave until the resurrection. (See the video referenced earlier for clarity on this subject).

Now, if the dead are in the grave “sleeping” in a preserved state, and have no ability to take part in anything until the resurrection—how is it that people think they are in contact with the spirits of the deceased?

2Co 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Paul informs us that Satan is in the business of deception. Deception is only deception when people don’t see it coming. Deception is often made to look like truth, as close as is possible, while covering up falsehood. With this in mind, Paul tells us not to marvel (be surprised) that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light so as to deceive people. In other words, Satan often appears to be a good / positive thing with intent to deceive.

Paul also states that Satan’s ministers (humans) transform themselves to appear as if they are minister’s of righteousness. Additionally, it is not far fetched that Satan’s other ministers (evil angels that rebelled with him in heaven) also transform themselves to positive things (for example, angels of light) so as to deceive those who don’t know better and can’t see through the deception.

From this text, we understand that sometimes devils appear as positive things and do good with intent to gain the confidence of the unknowing and lead them to greater deception. Therefore, any deception the devil does is made to look like a good thing.

Remember the list of abominations from Deuteronomy 18: 9-12. People who practice divination, observing times (using the stars to tell the future or gain spiritual insight), enchanters, witchcraft, charmers, wizards, and those who talk to the dead were all considered abominations. At the very least, we know that God considers these horrible practices and great sins. However, when we go to the book of Acts, the reason why is put into perspective.

Act 16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

First we learn about a woman that followed Paul and the other missionaries. She affirmed that they were servants of “the most high God” and that they were there to show everyone the way of salvation. Paul gets annoyed by this. Why? It wasn’t like what the damsel said was wrong. She was 100% correct. Nothing she said was untrue. It would appear as if she was actually affirming them. Yet, Paul casts the spirit out of her.

This should remind us of Mark chapter 5 when Jesus encounters a possessed man who affirms that He is the Son of the most high God! Yet Jesus casts the demon out of him. This shows us that, sometimes, even devils tell the truth. The question is, for what purpose?

In the case of the damsel mentioned before, Paul casts a demon out of her. If we paid close attention to Acts 16:16, we would learn that this girl was possessed with a spirit. Even though she spoke the truth, it was with the intent to do evil. In this case, we know that the girl, through her abilities, brought her masters much profit. If she was affirmed the missionaries, people would have all-the-more confidence in her and she could deceive them at a later time. It would have been to her disadvantage to speak negatively of Paul and his company, only to be discredited. Therefore, she affirmed them to solidify her own credibility. Thus, devils tell the truth at times—but for evil purposes.

Another important point in Acts 16:16 is that the damsel was possessed with a particular kind of spirit. She was possessed with a “spirit of divination”. From this we understand that the practice of divination is not just an abominable practice, but is a demonic activity. In other words, the girl didn’t have these abilities in and of herself; it was through demonic manifestation, whether she knew it or not, that these powers and abilities manifested. Though no one else knew this, Paul quickly recognized it and cast out the evil spirit. Without this evil spirit, she was no longer able to perform her craft of divination and her masters, who would now lose out on profits, were angry with the missionaries.

The key point, however, is that divination is not just an evil practice—but a demonic manifestation. This explains why Deuteronomy lists it among the abominations, though in that text it is not mentioned that the practice is demonic. All things considered, now we know that abominable practices can be linked with demonic activity. These demonic manifestations serve the purpose of drawing people away from God.

Returning to our list in Deuteronomy, when people do things like causing their children to burn in fire, or the various forms of magic—these are all demonic manifestations. In terms of magic, we’re not talking about magic tricks. Those are cunningly devised deceptions people intentionally put together to amaze crowds and earn money. Instead, we’re referring to real magic. For example, when we read the story of Exodus, almost everything God gave Moses power to do, Pharaoh’s magicians could also do. Where did they get the power to do this? Clearly it was the power of Satan at work attempting to discredit the power of God. This contributed to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. However, there was a point at which the power manifested by the Egyptians was limited and they could go no further. In fact they had to admit to their Pharaoh that the things Moses could do had to be “the finger of God”. Satan possesses great power and ability, but is limited in comparison to God.

None-the-less, real manifestations of magic are the work of Satan. Magic is a demonic manifestation. This makes sense when we look at another encounter with a sorcerer recorded in scripture:

Act 13:8-11 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

In this case we find that a sorcerer (one who practices magic) attempts to prevent the conversion of a deputy. Paul calls him a “child of the devil” and then proclaims that the hand of the Lord is upon him and he goes blind. Clearly Paul understood this man to be under demonic influence. The difference between this man and the damsel, however, is perhaps that Elymas was so under bondage to Satan that a demon could not be cast out of him because they were at home together. Instead, Paul blinds him temporarily. It is clear that Satan had some influence over this man’s life in that he intentionally sought to turn the deputy away from the faith of Jesus. I wonder who could inspire, or be behind the intent, to do that?

Clearly, we’ve seen that divination, sorcery, and other forms of magic stem from the working of Satan. This makes total sense when we consider what the Bible says about the mission of evil spirits in the last days:

Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Mar 13:22-23 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

The Bible could not be more clear on this subject. Devils have the power to work miracles and deceive people, even while appearing to be positive things. Other texts include Isaiah 47:10-14 and 2 Chron 33:6 which all seem to look at the practices mentioned in Deuteronomy in a negative light. The Bible suggests that those who practice these works are leading the people astray.

Isaiah 8:19-20 And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (NKJV)

In the King James version the same word translated “medium” in the NKJV is “familiar spirit”. God is very clear that people should not contact the dead for matters concerning the living.

To put things in perspective, the Bible made it clear that participating in magic and divination (as listed in Deuteronomy) were forms of demonic manifestation. In Deuteronomy we learned that these practices were abominations. However, in Acts as well as other scriptures (like the Exodus story) we saw that there was demonic activity connected with these practices. If enchantments, charms, divination, observing times, and the other forms of magic listed in Deuteronomy were all demonic manifestations—we can bet on the fact that connecting with familiar spirits (which was in the same list with magic demonic manifestations) would also be a demonic manifestation. Even offering children as burnt offerings within a fire would be a demonic manifestation—who would burn their children in fire except they were under the influence of demons?

Now it begins to make sense that when people consult familiar spirits, they aren’t really talking to the spirits of their dead loved ones, relatives, friends, etc. They are contacting demons that impersonate these individuals. Satan and his demons are posing as angels of light and manifestations of people’s dead friends and relatives. Those who practice this abomination may or may not realize that they are under the influence of demons. Often these demons deceive them as well. Remember that they’ve been around for thousands of years. They have an accurate knowledge of the human race and can effectively pose as anyone including Jesus. This is why Jesus stated that there would be many false Christs and false prophets with ability to do signs, wonders, and work miracles.

Often, people think that because they have positive experiences talking to the spirits, that they are truly who they claim to be and these individuals believe that they couldn’t possibly be deceived. Yet, as we are told in 2 Cor 11:14-15 as well as other scriptures mentioned earlier, things that appear as good things are not always what they seem. King Saul was deceived by the witch of Endor who claimed to call up Samuel from the grave. Because of Saul’s hard-heartedness, God allowed the demonic manifestation of Samuel to make a prediction that would come to pass.

1Ch 10:13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

Notice that in addition to Saul’s other sins, one of the specified reasons for his death was the fact that he consulted one who had a “familiar spirit”. This puts things in perspective!

God was very clear that individuals who think they consult with the dead are leading people away from God and also are mislead themselves. (1 Tim 4:1; Acts 8:9-10) You’ll notice that the word “seduce” is often used to describe what happens to individuals that are deceived. Even in the church, there are denominations of Christianity which believe in the immortality of the soul—a dangerous doctrine. In some denominations, people believe in the apparitions of saints like the apostles and martyrs of Christianity. Clearly, Satan and his agents are manifesting themselves as ministers of light, gaining people’s confidence through positive experiences, and then leading them astray. When we understand the Biblical teaching about the state of the dead, however, there is no need to be deceived on this subject.