Hope and Prophecy

Why does the Bible warn against consulting mediums or trying to contact the dead?

Scripture forbids consulting mediums because the dead are unconscious and cannot communicate, meaning such contact is either deception or a counterfeit spiritual encounter, not genuine contact with a departed loved one.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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State of the DeadGreat Controversy

Biblical explanation

The law given through Moses explicitly forbade consulting mediums or spiritists, and King Saul's disastrous attempt to contact Samuel through a medium is presented as an act of unfaithfulness that hastened his downfall. Because Scripture describes the dead as sleeping, unaware of anything happening in the world of the living, any voice or presence claiming to be a deceased person is not what it appears to be. This warning protects grieving people from being exploited or deceived, and it points them instead toward genuine comfort found in prayer, Scripture's promises, and the sure hope of the resurrection when loved ones in Christ will be reunited.

In brief

The law given through Moses explicitly forbade consulting mediums or spiritists, and King Saul's disastrous attempt to contact Samuel through a medium is presented as an act of unfaithfulness that hastened his downfall.

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.