CHANNELING
Medium Martha Beraud in 1912. In 1922, she was debunked by scientists. Wikimedia Commons.
Channeling by mediums.
Some people claim to be able to channel or talk to the dead. Some of these channelers also claim to be mediums that can communicate with the dead on behalf others. The King James Version translation of the Bible translates the word “medium” as those who have “familiar spirits” (Leviticus 19:11, 20:6, 27: Deuteronomy 18:11). But this translation suggests the familiarity that some demons have with individual humans. These demon spirits have extensive knowledge of the dead person’s life because they carefully observe the person during the person’s life. Through the demon spirits’ power of deception, they are able to mimic the dead person’s voice, personality, and even appearance. Erwin Lutzer, One Minute After You Die: A Preview of Your Final Destination (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1997), 18.
Channeling is not biblical.
Some Christians use the biblical account of King Saul consulting a woman medium and talking to Samuel after Samuel died to justify communication with the dead (1 Samuel 28:3-25). However, God himself allowed Samuel to directly communicate with Saul, not the woman medium. Also, God was displeased with Saul’s communication with Samuel, which disturbed Samuel. Accordingly, Samuel told Saul the prophecy that he and his sons would die the next day, and the prophecy was fulfilled.
Attempts to talk to the dead are consistently condemned by God (Leviticus 18:11-12). Therefore, most likely no one can talk to the dead on your behalf. To the extent that mediums sincerely claim they can talk to the dead, demon spirits most likely are impersonating the dead. When you try to contact the dead, you are inviting fellowship with Satan’s spirit demons that are pretending to be angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). The prophet Isaiah warned the Israelites that if they consulted mediums, they were turning their backs on God. “Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.’ But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark” (Isaiah 8:19-20 NLT). Lutzer, One Minute After You Die, 18-20.