The Bible speaks clearly about the nature of life, death, and the afterlife. While some cultures believe in communicating with spirits of the dead or believe that the dead roam among the living, Scripture warns against such practices and reveals God’s truth about what happens when we die. It teaches that the dead are no longer part of this world and that only God has authority over the living and the dead. These verses provide spiritual guidance, caution, and hope for those seeking clarity on this important topic.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Seeing Dead Loved Ones
God’s Prohibition Against Communicating with the Dead
The Bible strongly forbids any attempt to contact or communicate with the dead. This includes mediums, necromancers, and all occult practices. These prohibitions exist because such actions open doors to deception and demonic influences, drawing people away from the truth of God’s Word. God’s people are called to trust in Him alone, not in the spirits of the dead for guidance, comfort, or power.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Isaiah 8:19
“Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.’ But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?”
2 Kings 21:6
“Manasseh also practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger.”
1 Chronicles 10:13
“So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance.”
The State of the Dead
The Bible teaches that when people die, their bodies return to the dust, and their spirits go to God. The dead are no longer active in the world of the living. They do not wander, communicate, or linger among the living. This truth helps believers understand the finality of physical death and the importance of preparing for eternity while alive.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
“The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.”
Psalm 146:4
“When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.”
Job 14:10
“But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they?”
Ecclesiastes 12:7
“For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Isaiah 26:14
“Those we served before are dead and gone. Their departed spirits will never return! You attacked them and destroyed them, and they are long forgotten.”
Jesus’ Authority Over Life and Death
Jesus Christ holds all authority over life, death, and the grave. He demonstrated His power through His resurrection and by raising others from the dead. No spirit, living or departed, can override His divine rule. Believers find comfort and assurance knowing that Jesus alone has conquered death and provides eternal life for all who trust in Him.
Revelation 1:18
“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
John 11:25
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.'”
Romans 6:9
“We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.”
1 Corinthians 15:22
“Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.”
2 Timothy 1:10
“And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.”
God’s Judgment Upon Spiritism
The practice of spiritism—seeking the spirits of the dead or engaging in occult practices—brings God’s judgment. The Bible makes it clear that these actions are not only forbidden but also dangerous. They open people up to deception and spiritual bondage. God’s Word calls His people to repentance and holiness, steering clear of all demonic influences masquerading as spirits of the dead.
Leviticus 20:6
“I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.”
Micah 5:12
“I will put an end to all witchcraft, and there will be no more fortune-tellers.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature… sorcery… and other sins like these… anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Acts 19:19
“A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire.”
Malachi 3:5
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against sorcerers and adulterers and liars.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Water Spirits
Hope for Believers After Death
For those who die in Christ, death is not the end. The Bible promises eternal life and resurrection for all who trust in Jesus. There is no need to fear the dead or attempt to contact them, because God gives hope and assurance of a glorious future. These verses comfort believers with the truth about what lies ahead for those who are in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.”
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
John 14:2-3
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home… When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
2 Corinthians 5:8
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”
Revelation 14:13
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.'”
Examples and Warnings in Scripture
The Bible provides examples of people who sought after spirits of the dead and the consequences that followed. These stories serve as warnings to stay away from such practices and rely solely on God’s Word and Spirit. God’s desire is for His people to walk in truth, not deception, and to avoid the spiritual dangers associated with seeking the dead.
1 Samuel 28:7
“Saul then said to his advisers, ‘Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.'”
1 Samuel 28:15
“Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?'”
1 Samuel 28:17-18
“The Lord has done just as he said… The Lord has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites.”
2 Kings 17:17
“They consulted fortune-tellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the Lord’s anger.”
Acts 16:16
“One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.”
Trusting God, Not the Spirits of the Dead
God calls His people to place their trust in Him alone—not in the dead, spirits, or mediums. The living God is our source of wisdom, guidance, comfort, and truth. Relying on the spirits of the dead leads only to confusion and spiritual danger. These scriptures direct our hearts to trust fully in the Lord, who holds the answers to life, death, and eternity.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Psalm 118:8
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.”
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Psalm 56:3-4
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?”