Familiar spirits are evil, demonic spirits that are assigned to work with witches, psychics, and people involved in the occult. The Bible condemns any involvement with familiar spirits and warns against seeking to communicate with the dead or spiritual world. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about familiar spirits:
Definition of Familiar Spirits
The term “familiar spirit” comes from the word “familiar” meaning a close acquaintance or demonic spirit servant. A familiar spirit is a demonic spirit that is summoned by and assigned to work with a person practicing witchcraft or sorcery. The spirit assists the person with information, guidance, or power. Familiar spirits are known to take the form of an animal, especially a cat, owl, toad, or bird (Leviticus 20:27).
In the Old Testament, mediums and spiritists were condemned for seeking guidance and information from familiar spirits on behalf of their clients (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:11; 2 Kings 21:6, 23:24; Isaiah 8:19). King Saul consulted with a medium who had a familiar spirit to try to contact the deceased prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 28:3-25). The Bible sternly warned against consulting familiar spirits because they were controlled by demons trying to lead people astray.
Why Familiar Spirits Are Dangerous
The Bible makes it clear that there are no such things as “good” or “harmless” spirits outside of God’s authority (Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37). Familiar spirits are extremely dangerous for several reasons:
- They are demons in disguise seeking to deceive people (1 Timothy 4:1).
- They give false, misleading information about the future or afterlife (Isaiah 8:19).
- They entice people into sorcery, witchcraft and idolatry which God forbids (Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8).
- They promote doctrines taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).
- They deny Jesus Christ and the gospel (1 John 4:1-3).
- They lead people away from God (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
Involvement with familiar spirits and the occult opens the door wide open to demonic deception and attack. Consulting witches, psychics, or horoscopes that use familiar spirits to obtain guidance is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
Examples in the Bible
There are several key passages in the Bible that mention familiar spirits and condemn seeking them out:
- Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
- Leviticus 20:6 – “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.”
- Leviticus 20:27 – “A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.”
- Deuteronomy 18:9-12 – “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
- 1 Samuel 28:3-25 – Saul secretly goes to the medium of Endor and asks her to conjure up the spirit of Samuel, which she does with the aid of her familiar spirit.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 – Saul died because “he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord.”
These passages reveal how seriously God took the commands against seeking out familiar spirits. He rejected and judged Saul for consulting a medium and her familiar spirit even though he was desperately seeking guidance. God wants His people to seek Him alone through prayer and His Word.
Guarding Against Familiar Spirits
As Christians, we must guard ourselves against any involvement or fascination with familiar spirits, witchcraft, horoscopes, psychics or the occult:
- Have nothing to do with mediums, psychics or anyone who might use familiar spirits (Leviticus 19:31).
- Avoid occult books, games, or movies that promote familiar spirits and sorcery (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
- Ask God to protect you from demonic spirits and influences (James 4:7).
- Be discerning of deceiving spirits (1 John 4:1-3).
- Fill your mind with God’s Word and godly wisdom (Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 7:4).
- Pray in the Spirit at all times (Ephesians 6:18).
- Seek God wholeheartedly and He will guide you (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The only spirit we should ever listen to and obey is the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit will always lead us to Jesus Christ and agree with the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13-14).
Dangers of Channeling Spirits
Channeling is a modern term for the ancient practice of contacting spirits to obtain wisdom, knowledge or healing power. Channeling involves going into an altered state of consciousness to communicate with spirits through a medium. The Bible strongly warns against channeling, mediumship or trying to contact the dead.
Some dangers include:
- The spirits contacted are demons disguising themselves as helpful guides (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
- Channeled messages often contain falsehoods and deceit (1 Timothy 4:1).
- Channeling leads people away from God and the Bible’s truths (Galatians 5:19-21).
- It opens the channeler to demonic attack and possession (Matthew 12:43-45).
- Channeling develops an unhealthy obsession with the spirit world.
- Spirits contacted will twist truth and lead people astray (Acts 16:16-18).
Jesus Christ is the only true, safe and reliable channel to God. We do not need to channel any other spirits (John 14:6; Hebrews 1:1-2).
Biblical Response to Familiar Spirits
The appropriate biblical response to familiar spirits and those who consult them is:
- Expose them as the deceiving demons they are, not harmless spirits (Ephesians 5:11).
- Strongly warn fellow believers against having anything to do with them (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
- Call those involved in familiar spirits to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 19:18-20).
- Pray for protection from such spirits and their influence (Ephesians 6:10-18).
- Pray for salvation for those deceived by familiar spirits (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
- Overcome evil with good – be filled with the Holy Spirit and bear spiritual fruit (Romans 12:21; Galatians 5:22-23).
The book of Acts shows that ex-witchcraft practitioners openly confessed their sinful occult practices and burned their magic books after believing in Jesus (Acts 19:18-19). They renounced everything to do with familiar spirits once they entered into a relationship with the one true living God.
Modern Practices Involving Familiar Spirits
Although the term “familiar spirit” is not commonly used today, the occult practices condemned in the Bible are still very active in modern culture. Here are some current practices that involve communing with familiar spirits:
- Psychics – Psychics claim to get information, make predictions, or contact the dead through spiritual insight. In reality, they are consulting familiar spirits.
- Horoscopes – Horoscopes rely on astrology and psychic intuition, which is inspired by familiar spirits.
- Palm reading – Palm readers use familiar spirits to interpret a person’s palm lines and tell their fortune.
- Séances – Mediums hold séances to channel spirits of the dead, aided by familiar spirits.
- Ouija boards – These boards facilitate communication with spirits through familiar spirits.
- Tarot cards – The cards are used for divination, which the Bible condemns as inspired by demons.
- Spirit guides – Spirit guides offer wisdom, energy healing, andESP through channeling, aided by familiar spirits.
Any practice that seeks wisdom, predictions or healing through contacting the spirit world or unseen realm involves communing with familiar spirits. Christians must stay far away from these demonically inspired practices and cling to Jesus Christ who has full authority over the spirit world (Mark 1:21-27).
Difference Between Ghosts and Familiar Spirits
What is the difference between ghosts and familiar spirits? Here are the key differences:
- Ghosts are thought to be the spirits of dead people who appear to the living.
- Familiar spirits are demons disguised as helpful spirit guides for people practicing witchcraft and spiritism.
- The Bible does not confirm ghosts exist but does confirm familiar spirits exist.
- Encounters with ghosts are random, while familiar spirits are summoned by the person they serve.
- Ghosts are solely connected with deceased humans. Familiar spirits can represent themselves however they choose.
- The Bible says any apparition claiming to be a deceased human is actually a demon (Luke 16:19-31).
The Bible makes it clear there are only two types of spiritual beings – angels (good) and demons (evil). There are no disembodied human spirits roaming the earth. Any spirits humans encounter are fallen angels or demons masquerading as helpful spirits, dead loved ones, or anything to deceive people into trusting them (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
Conclusion
In summary, familiar spirits are very real demonic spirits mentioned throughout Scripture. They assist witches, psychics, mediums, and anyone involved in occult practices forbidden by God. Consulting familiar spirits is extremely dangerous and leads people away from God. The only spirit believers should listen to is the Holy Spirit through trusting in Christ and obeying God’s Word.
