Familiar spirits – What are they?

TL;DR:

Familiar spirits are connected with demons. God calls us to seek Him, not familiar spirits, who want our demise.

Familiar spirits is a term in the KJV translation of the Bible that refers to demons. The idea literally refers to demons that are close or familiar to a person, such as a medium or sorcerer. Where the KJV refers to those who have familiar spirits or who consult familiar spirits, many other translations have mediums. The Bible consistently warns against consulting these mediums and spiritists—and thus the spirits they consult—as God desires His people to seek Him for guidance instead. Historical accounts illustrate the grave consequences faced by those who engaged with familiar spirits, exemplified by King Saul’s tragic end after seeking a medium's counsel. Today, we encounter various spiritual influences that echo the allure of familiar spirits, from superstition to New Age practices, all of which can lead us away from God's truth. To combat these false spirits, we must intentionally pursue a relationship with God, ensuring we remain anchored in His wisdom and light.

from the old testament

Leviticus 19:31 presents familiar spirits: "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God" (KJV). God's people were not to consult with mediums or fortunetellers.
Leviticus 20:6 notes God's opposition to involvement with people who communicate with evil or familiar spirits: "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" (KJV).
Deuteronomy 18:10–11 speaks against those who consult familiar spirits along with those who sacrifice their children, practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, or inquire of the dead. “Whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:12).
In 1 Samuel 28:3 and 9, we find King Saul had removed witches, wizards, and mediums from Israel. Verse 3 states, "And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land" (KJV). Yet in desperation Saul sought a medium so he could summon the spirit of Samuel for help during a difficult time. The result was a judgment that soon took the life of Saul and his sons.
In 2 Kings 21:6, King Manasseh's reign was described as evil: "And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger" (KJV). Consulting evil spirits was listed alongside witchcraft and child sacrifice.
During King Josiah's reign, his reforms included removing those who consulted familiar spirits (2 Kings 23:24).
Isaiah 8:19 says, "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" (KJV). God called His people to consult Him, not other spirits.
Isaiah 19:3 says, "And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards" (KJV). God promised judgment upon those who consulted evil spirits.

from the new testament

Familiar spirits are evil spirits, or demons, that have no place in the life of a Christian. We are to live by God's Spirit and stand against the spiritual forces of evil as we seek to live for the Lord (Ephesians 6:12).

implications for today

Familiar spirits, often equated with demons and associated with mediums, serve as a reminder of the spiritual dangers that surround us. God clearly prohibits against consulting mediums and sorcerers, which highlights His desire for His people to rely solely on Him for guidance and wisdom. All other spirits want our demise. In our daily lives, we may encounter various forms of spiritual influence, from superstition to New Age practices that mirror the allure of familiar spirits. To guard against these temptations, we should actively seek God through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. By nurturing our relationship with the Holy Spirit and adhering to God’s teachings, we can remain anchored in truth and avoid the pitfalls of seeking guidance from any source other than Him. This intentional pursuit of God's wisdom enables us to walk in His light and fulfill our calling without falling prey to the deception of familiar spirits.

understand

Familiar spirits are demons often associated with mediumship and sorcery, seeking to deceive and lead people away from God.
The Bible warns against consulting familiar spirits, highlighting severe consequences for those who engage with them.
God calls His people to seek Him alone for wisdom to avoid the dangers of spiritual deception.

reflect

How have you sought guidance or comfort from sources other than God? How can you redirect that desire towards a deeper relationship with Him?
How do you perceive the influence of familiar spirits or spiritual deception in your life and the lives of those around you?
What practical steps can you take to strengthen your reliance on God through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship to guard against spiritual dangers?

engage

What biblical principles can we identify in the accounts of individuals like King Saul and King Manasseh regarding the consequences of engaging with familiar spirits?
How can we better educate ourselves and our communities about the dangers of modern practices that may parallel the concept of familiar spirits, such as New Age beliefs?
How can we discern the difference between seeking God's guidance and being influenced by spiritual forces that oppose Him?