Familiar Spirits—What Does the Bible Say About Them?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

The idea of familiar spirits has been around for centuries.

Many people wonder what they are, where they come from, and whether they have any power.

Some believe familiar spirits are the spirits of deceased loved ones, while others think they are supernatural guides that communicate with people.

But what does the Bible say about them?

The Bible is clear that familiar spirits are not to be trusted.

They are not friendly or helpful, but rather dangerous deceptions meant to lead people away from God.

Throughout Scripture, God warns His people to avoid all contact with familiar spirits because they come from a dark and deceptive source.

What Are Familiar Spirits?

The term “familiar spirits” appears in the Bible several times, usually in connection with witchcraft, divination, and spirit communication.

A familiar spirit is a demonic entity that impersonates the dead or pretends to offer wisdom and guidance.

These spirits deceive people by making them believe they are speaking to a departed loved one or a divine being.

Leviticus 19:31 warns, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”

The Bible makes it clear that consulting spirits is forbidden.

God does not approve of seeking supernatural guidance outside of Him.

Familiar spirits work to mislead, manipulate, and separate people from the truth of God.

The First Mention of Familiar Spirits in the Bible

The first time familiar spirits are mentioned in Scripture is in Leviticus.

God gave His people strict warnings about engaging with spirits and those who claim to communicate with the dead.

Leviticus 20:6 says, “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.”

This warning shows how seriously God takes this issue.

Turning to familiar spirits is a form of spiritual unfaithfulness.

Instead of trusting God, those who seek familiar spirits are looking for answers in places that lead to destruction.

God is the only true source of wisdom and guidance.

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When people seek the supernatural outside of Him, they open themselves up to deception.

The Story of King Saul and the Medium

One of the most well-known stories about familiar spirits in the Bible is found in 1 Samuel 28.

King Saul, desperate for guidance, sought out a medium in Endor to summon the prophet Samuel.

This was a direct violation of God’s law, as Saul had previously banned all mediums and spiritists from Israel.

Despite the ban, Saul disguised himself and visited the medium, asking her to bring up the spirit of Samuel.

To the medium’s shock, a spirit appeared, and Saul believed it was Samuel.

But was it really the prophet?

Many scholars believe that what appeared was not Samuel but a deceptive spirit.

God had already refused to communicate with Saul due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 28:6), so it is unlikely He would allow a forbidden practice like spirit summoning to work.

Instead, this event shows how dangerous it is to seek answers from the dead.

Saul’s encounter with this spirit led to his downfall, proving that turning to familiar spirits brings spiritual destruction, not guidance.

Familiar Spirits and Witchcraft

Throughout the Bible, familiar spirits are closely connected to witchcraft and sorcery.

God repeatedly warns His people to stay away from magic, divination, and attempts to communicate with the dead.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, “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.”

This passage shows that familiar spirits are part of the occult, which is strictly forbidden by God.

People who attempt to summon spirits, cast spells, or use divination are opening doors to demonic influence.

God wants His people to trust Him alone, not deceptive spiritual forces.

The Truth About Familiar Spirits

Many people today believe that familiar spirits are friendly ghosts or helpful spiritual guides.

They think these spirits offer comfort, wisdom, or connection with lost loved ones.

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But the Bible reveals that familiar spirits are not what they seem.

Second Corinthians 11:14 warns, “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

This means that evil spirits can disguise themselves as something good.

They do not always appear as terrifying demons—sometimes they come as false visions, voices, or even “helpful” guides.

This is why Scripture repeatedly tells believers to test the spirits.

First John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

If a spirit does not align with God’s Word, it is not from Him.

Why People Are Drawn to Familiar Spirits

Even though the Bible warns against familiar spirits, people are still drawn to them.

Why?

Many seek them out because they want answers about the future, miss a loved one, or desire supernatural experiences.

Satan uses familiar spirits to play on emotions and fears.

For example, someone who has lost a loved one may feel desperate to hear from them again.

A familiar spirit may impersonate that person, giving messages that seem comforting but are actually meant to deceive.

Others seek familiar spirits because they want special knowledge or power.

This is exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden.

Satan tempted Eve by promising that she would gain hidden wisdom (Genesis 3:5).

In the same way, familiar spirits lure people with promises of supernatural insight.

But instead of wisdom, they bring confusion, deception, and destruction.

How to Guard Against Familiar Spirits

Since familiar spirits are deceptive, how can believers protect themselves?

The Bible provides several ways to guard against their influence.

First, stay grounded in Scripture.

God’s Word is the foundation of truth, and it exposes all forms of deception.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

When people know the Bible well, they can recognize when something does not align with God’s truth.

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Second, pray for discernment.

James 1:5 encourages believers, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

When faced with spiritual confusion, turn to God in prayer.

Ask Him for wisdom and guidance.

Third, reject anything connected to the occult.

Ephesians 5:11 instructs, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

This means avoiding tarot cards, séances, astrology, psychics, and any practice that seeks spiritual knowledge apart from God.

Even things that seem harmless can be dangerous if they open doors to demonic influence.

Finally, put your trust in Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:10 reminds us that believers are “complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

Jesus has authority over all spiritual forces, including familiar spirits.

By staying close to Him, believers can walk in freedom, truth, and protection.

Final Thoughts

The Bible is clear—familiar spirits are not from God.

They are deceptive forces that seek to lead people away from the truth.

Whether they appear as ghosts, spiritual guides, or voices from the past, their goal is always the same: to distract people from God’s Word and lure them into darkness.

God warns His people not to seek guidance from spirits but to trust Him alone.

When people turn to familiar spirits, they step outside of God’s protection and open themselves to deception.

Instead of looking for supernatural answers in the wrong places, believers are called to seek wisdom, truth, and comfort from God alone.

He is the only source of real guidance, peace, and hope.

By relying on His Word and His Spirit, we can stand strong against deception and walk confidently in His truth.