The battle is on. Join the fight!
As followers of Christ, we are in the middle of a conflict that has been raging for thousands of years—whether we know it or not. Our conflict is a spiritual battle, and it’s critical for us to know the stakes.
We have talked about Satan the first week and last week we discussed demons! This Sunday we will look at - The Paranormal.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Everyone’s heard of ghost stories. In fact, among Americans:
34 percent believe in ghosts.
56 percent believe ghosts are spirits of the dead.
37 percent believe houses can be haunted.
55 percent believe psychics have real power.
Even many of those who don’t “believe” in ghosts still think it can be fun to play with the paranormal. That’s a problem, because the paranormal is a slippery slope. Once a person gets curious and opens the door to the paranormal world, they only find trouble—and once opened, that door can be difficult to close.
How can we escape the appeal of these dangers? Moses, the great lawgiver, provided us with a helpful road map for avoiding the dangerous pitfalls of the paranormal.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Deuteronomy 18:9-11
9 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead.
Interest in the paranormal may seem trendy at the moment, but it’s nothing new. God’s people have been dealing with it literally for thousands of years. Indeed, one of the reasons God removed the Canaanites from the promised land was because of their spiritual darkness.
God wanted His people to be warned and prepared before they entered that promised land. Therefore, Moses identified several paranormal practices that were common among the pagans:
- Child sacrifice. Children were killed in order to appease a pagan god and influence events that god supposedly controlled. This was merely a cultural euphemism for child extermination.
- Divination. This was a general term for trying to gain insights from the gods through various means, including other practices listed in this passage.
- Fortune telling. While the Hebrew word used here is hard to define with certainty, it literally means “those who cause to appear.” It might have referred to making apparitions appear or making a person’s course of action visible through occultic practices.
- Interpreting omens. Those who practiced this sought to determine the future through the use of objects. For example, a diviner might have attempted to interpret the future based on how objects fell out of a cup.
- Sorcery. Witches and sorcerers attempted to manipulate the powers of nature. Today we often refer to those who practice “black magic” in a similar way.
- Casting spells. The Hebrew term has the sense of binding or fascinating; it meant to bind a person with a curse.
- Consulting the dead. Moses used several terms— ”medium,” “spiritist,” those who inquire of the dead—that each address attempting to communicate with the dead.
Deuteronomy 18:12-14
12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, 14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.
It’s worth repeating: nothing good comes from dabbling in the paranormal. Yet studies show that almost one-third of Americans have consulted their horoscopes. Nearly 12 percent of Americans (roughly 42 million people) have personally consulted a psychic, medium, or fortune-teller. And nearly 25 percent of Americans like to research ghosts and haunted houses.
The Bible’s teaching is clear: “You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.” Not only that, but “Whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
To be “blameless” doesn’t mean we live in sinless perfection. Rather, we’re blameless when we live with hearts fully committed to God—when we reflect His integrity and display an undivided heart committed to Him. David used the same Hebrew word in Psalm 101:2 when he wrote: “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.”
Notice there’s no gray area or middle ground. Paranormal practices are in absolute conflict with pure devotion and worship of Yahweh— the One true God and the Creator of all. Therefore, if we’re looking into any of the activities condemned in Deuteronomy 18, we’re not looking toward God.
And when we fail to look to God, we will not be held blameless.
God’s condemnation of these practices did not apply only to those in the Old Testament. The New Testament also commands followers of Jesus to avoid all interaction with the paranormal world:
- “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).
- “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
Rather train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7). As we’ll see in the next portion of Deuteronomy 18, there’s another reason why we should stay away from the paranormal: God has given us something far superior.
Deuteronomy 18:15-18
15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.’”
At first glance, it might appear as if Moses abruptly changed subjects in verse 15. Actually, he was right on message. The pagans were using paranormal practices to seek divine guidance, determine the future, or manipulate events in their favor. Moses was pointing to something better for God’s people.
In the place of pagan paranormal activity, Moses promised that God would raise up a new order of prophets who would reveal God’s words to His people. He was speaking of more than just Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the other prophets of the Old Testament. Moses was also pointing forward to the coming Redeemer—the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When Peter and Stephen preached to their fellow Jews about Jesus, they both used this same passage to point to Jesus as the supreme Prophet. (See Acts 3:22-23; 7:37.)
God spoke clearly through His prophets, but one Prophet gave the ultimate word from God, because He is the ultimate Word of God. As the author of Hebrews wrote: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Heb. 1:1-2).
As I’ve counseled hurting people, I’ve discovered that those who turn to the paranormal world for help don’t find the answers they seek. In fact, they find the opposite: depression, abuse, and even suicide. Jesus is a much better answer to our spiritual questions—and He offers a far greater hope.
LIVE IT OUT
What steps can you take this week to shine the light of Jesus against the darkness of the paranormal?
Consider these suggestions:
- Be educated. You will only know God’s guidance as you immerse yourself in His Word. Commit to reading the Bible on a daily basis and develop the practice of studying its truth.
- Be discerning. Make discernment a regular part of your prayer life. Ask God to guide your thoughts and actions away from evil. “But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22).
- Be blameless. Seek to demonstrate a blameless heart, fully devoted to the Lord, by removing from your presence anything that promotes and encourages the use of paranormal practices. Make a line in the sand.
People in our culture are fascinated with the paranormal because they are longing for God. Choose the path of light over darkness— not only for yourself, but for those who need to see Christ.
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Teacher's Notes:
Among Americans:
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- 71 percent claim to have had a paranormal experience.
- 34 percent believe in ghosts.
- 56 percent believe ghosts are spirits of the dead.
- 37 percent believe houses can be haunted.
- 55 percent believe psychics have real power.
Even many of those who don’t “believe” in ghosts still think it can be fun to play with the paranormal.
Is it a problem to play with the paranormal?
The paranormal is a slippery slope. Once a person gets curious and opens the door to the paranormal world, they only find trouble—and once opened, that door can be difficult to close.
Why is there such an appeal to dabble in the paranormal?
- Studies show that almost one-third of Americans have consulted their horoscopes. Nearly 12 percent of Americans (roughly 42 million people) have personally consulted a psychic, medium, or fortune-teller. And nearly 25 percent of Americans like to research ghosts and haunted houses.
How can we escape the appeal of these dangers? Moses, tells us this morning how we can escape the appeal of the paranormal.
I. The Wrong Way Deuteronomy 18:9-14
9 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. (Canaanites) 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead. 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, 14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.
The paranormal may seem trendy today, but it’s nothing new. God’s people have been dealing with it for thousands of years. One of the reasons God removed the Canaanites from the promised land was because of their practice of spiritual darkness.
Moses identified several paranormal practices that were common among the pagans:
- Child sacrifice. Children were killed in order to appease a pagan god and influence events that god supposedly controlled. This was merely a cultural euphemism for child extermination.
- Divination. This was a general term for trying to gain insights from the gods through various means, including other practices listed in this passage.
- Fortune telling. While the Hebrew word used here is hard to define with certainty, it literally means “those who cause to appear.” It might have referred to making apparitions appear or making a person’s course of action visible through occultic practices.
- Interpreting omens. Those who practiced this sought to determine the future through the use of objects. For example, a diviner might have attempted to interpret the future based on how objects fell out of a cup.
- Sorcery. Witches and sorcerers attempted to manipulate the powers of nature. Today we often refer to those who practice “black magic” in a similar way.
- Casting spells. The Hebrew term has the sense of binding or fascinating; it meant to bind a person with a curse.
- Consulting the dead. Moses used several terms—” medium,” “spiritist,” those who inquire of the dead—that each address attempting to communicate with the dead.
What is wrong with these particular practices?
- Some of them are nothing but foolish superstition. Others utilize demonic powers.
What does God make very clear in these verses about the paranormal?
- God considers “detestable” any form of divination, the occult, and paranormal practices. No matter how popular or profitable such practices may appear, we are never to “imitate” them.
- The Bible’s teaching is clear: “Whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
- God warned the people about the “abominations” of other nations.
What exactly is an “abomination”?
- All sin is abhorrent to God, but abominations are in a special class. God hates these sins with particular passion. A seminary professor defined an abomination as “something that absolutely repulses God”.
The Bible’s teaching also says: “You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”
What does it mean to be blameless before the Lord?
- To be “blameless” doesn’t mean we live in sinless perfection. Rather, we’re blameless when we live with hearts fully committed to God—when we reflect His integrity and display an undivided heart committed to Him. David used the same Hebrew word in Psalm 101:2 when he wrote: “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.”
- God knew His people would never be flawless, but He did expect them to be blameless when it came to these practices. He was punishing other nations for allowing these things, and He would show no mercy to Israel if they allowed them.
Is there any gray area or middle ground here with paranormal practice?
- There’s no gray area or middle ground. Paranormal practices are in absolute conflict with pure devotion and worship of Yahweh— the One true God and the Creator of all. Therefore, if we’re looking into any of the activities condemned in Deuteronomy 18, we’re not looking toward God. And when we fail to look to God, we will not be held blameless.
Is this just an OT condemnation?
- God’s condemnation of these practices did not apply only to those in the Old Testament. The New Testament also commands followers of Jesus to avoid all interaction with the paranormal world: “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).
- “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7).
The Point: Dabbling with evil is destructive.
As we’ll see in the next portion of Deuteronomy 18, there’s another reason why we should stay away from the paranormal: God has given us something far superior.
II. The Right Way Deuteronomy 18:15-18
15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.’”
The pagans were using paranormal practices to seek divine guidance, determine the future, or manipulate events in their favor.
Why would anyone turn to the paranormal world for help, direction or for answers to life?
- Those who turn to the paranormal world for help don’t find the answers they seek. In fact, they find the opposite: depression, abuse, and even suicide.
- Jesus is a much better answer to our spiritual questions—and He offers a far greater hope.
Since the people were not allowed to tap into the paranormal by these methods, how were they supposed to communicate with God?
- Moses said that God would send a prophet among them. Up to this point, Moses had been God’s spokesman, but he was about to die. When Moses was gone, God would send other people with His message, and the people were to listen to them.
- Moses promised that God would raise up a new order of prophets who would reveal God’s words to His people.
- God spoke clearly through His prophets, but one Prophet gave the ultimate word from God, because He is the ultimate Word of God. As the author of Hebrews wrote: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Heb. 1:1-2).
How do you tell a true prophet from a false prophet?
- A true prophet always points people to the true God.
- A true prophet’s predictions always come true (no exceptions).
- A true prophet will never contradict what God has already said.
- When I was in college, there was much ado over a little booklet called Eighty-Eight Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. The predicted date came and went, but the rapture did not happen. The writer claimed he miscalculated, and then said the rapture would happen in 1989. I think he tried a couple more times, but by then he had become a laughingstock – as he should have. When a self-appointed prophet makes a prediction that does not come true, he was disqualified himself as a prophet.
The Point: Seeking direction from God brings life.
LIVE IT OUT: What steps can you take this week to shine the light of Jesus against the darkness of the paranormal?
- Be educated. You will only know God’s guidance as you immerse yourself in His Word. Commit to reading the Bible on a daily basis and develop the practice of studying its truth.
- Be discerning. Make discernment a regular part of your prayer life. Ask God to guide your thoughts and actions away from evil. “But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22).
- Be blameless. Seek to demonstrate a blameless heart, fully devoted to the Lord, by removing from your presence anything that promotes and encourages the use of paranormal practices. Make a line in the sand.
People in our culture are fascinated with the paranormal because they are longing for God.
Conclusion: One of the great entertainers of the early 20th century was Harry Houdini. He was a magician, but he preferred to be called an “escape artist”. His father died when he was young, and he was very close to his mother. When his mother died in 1913, he was devastated. He missed her terribly, so he began attending seances in the hope that he might contact her. To his dismay, he discovered that the spirit mediums who conducted these seances were frauds. After all, he was a magician. He knew about such tricks as sleight-of-hand and optical illusion. Many of the mediums were using these same techniques to fool their customers. Houdini was outraged, and he spent the remainder of his life exposing and debunking fake spiritualists. Many spiritualists are indeed frauds. Others utilize demonic powers, and they are even more dangerous. Harry Houdini was Jewish, and he was obviously not a very orthodox Jew or he would not have attended seances. Even so, I wonder how his perspective might have changed had he known Jesus as his Lord and Savior. In 2004 I lost my Dad and yes, it was a difficult time, but I never wanted to consult a spiritualist. I know where my Dad is, and I know I’m going to see him again someday. Likewise, when we know Jesus, we don’t need horoscopes or Ouija boards or fortune tellers or any of these other things to guide us. We have the written Word of God. God’s way is always the better way!
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
