Is it wrong to try to contact the dead?
Let’s begin with this, it is never wrong to miss a loved one or friend who has died. Neither is it wrong to have pictures of them, to think about them, or to think about what they would say to you or about you in a given situation. It is also not wrong to hold onto cherished memories or possessions from one you have loved that is no longer with you.
People feel strongly about both other people and pets that have preceded them in death. People grieve in different ways for different lengths of time. We have perhaps known people who have never fully gotten over the loss of a friend, pet or family member.
Many of us may even know people who pray to the Lord to keep their departed loved one safe and in His care. Some disagree with this practice, but this is more about the grieving process than being black and white, right or wrong.
It is also not wrong to have the greatest of hope that you will see them again. The words of Jesus about the Kingdom of God being fulfilled and His resurrection gives us great hope that one day we will be reunited with those we loved most and those who deeply loved us.
But these are all different than trying to use mediums to contact those who have died.
It is understandable that grieving people would want to contact their dearly departed loved one – to have another chance to talk with them or find out how they are doing.
But we cross into dangerous territory when we seek out mediums or psychics to contact the dead. This is referred to as “channeling.” This is the practice of relaying messages through spiritual guides.
We will give you three reasons why people should not try to contact the dead:
1. This first reason is a very practical one. Most mediums and psychics are frauds and fakes. They aren’t really concerned with helping you in anyway work through the grieving process. They are simply preying on your grief. They are essentially “kicking you when you are down.” In the midst of losing a loved one, people will go to almost any extreme to feel better and alleviate their grief. Many people want one more chance to say things to their dead loved one that they didn’t say in this life.
Therefore, they will reach out to psychics. And as you reach out to them, they are reaching into your pocket. They are taking advantage of people at their most vulnerable time.
Rabbi Marc Gellman states it this way,
The fake medium says in effect, “Death is not real because it doesn’t really cut off your ability to communicate with your loved one. I have the phone number to the next world and if you pay me money, I will make the call for you.” When a priest, minister or rabbi comforts mourners, we try to give them ways to keep their hope alive while also accepting death’s decree. The medium pretends to provide ways to deny death. This is not just a cruel deception; it can also be an obstacle to a person’s grief work, which is all about accepting death and moving on to a new future, scarred but not disabled by the
2. The second reason beyond most mediums and psychics being frauds is that the ones who are not are cooperating with demonic powers. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul warns us that we are living in a war-zone between the forces of good and evil – God and Satan. He further defines this argument by telling us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). In other words, we will encounter people who appear to be good and living by the light of truth, but in essence, they are counterfeits and really people of darkness telling us lies.
Can you see how mediums and psychics are some of the people Paul would be talking about here. They are telling you a lie. They appear to represent what is good, but are really be empowered by Satan. They are giving people false hope – even if they are sincere. And they are leading people away from God’s truth. Anything that diverts our attention and keeps us away from seeking the truth of God is false and as followers of Christ, we are to have nothing to do with.
The worst part of it is that vulnerable people don’t really make contact with their loved ones, but come in contact with demonic and evil forces that can mess with their minds in terrible ways beyond the grief they were already experiencing.
3. The final reason to stay away from mediums and psychics is because God’s Word tells us to. Listen to what the bible says in the following verses:
Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:31
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his 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.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
You may have known people, or be one yourself, that has found some relief or hope from going to a medium or psychic. However, we would encourage you to walk with your eyes wide open both seeing and understanding what God’s Word has to say about this topic as well as how deceptive mediums and psychics really are.
Remember, you will never be truly at peace in your soul living at cross-purposes with God’s will. Make sure you align yourself with Him. Though you won’t be able to contact your dead loved ones, you will be placing your life in the hands of the Resurrected One – the One who gives us the truth about life after death.
