Scripture warns against attempting to communicate with the dead, as seen in Leviticus 19:31, where the Israelites are commanded not to turn to mediums or spiritists. The tragic example of King Saul, who consulted a medium in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, illustrates the dangers of seeking guidance from the dead. According to Ecclesiastes 9:5, the dead are unaware of the world of the living, and Deuteronomy 18:11 prohibits necromancy, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom from God alone. Jesus also cautions against false prophets who may claim to speak on behalf of the dead, as in Matthew 24:24.
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You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’ ‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,