Beth-El Baptist Church

06/20/2010

Greg Tomlinson


How can psychics sometimes be right? (And other paranormal activity)


It has been claimed that there are people who can tell others what will happen to them in their future life. They are able to predict great future events. They are able to speak to the dead. They can move things with nothing but their minds. They can levitate in mid air. They can “cast spells” or declare omens against their enemies. Since the scriptures speak against many such activities, their ability to accomplish them and God's great power is called into question.


  1. What does God declare about paranormal activities?

Exodus 22:18 Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Leviticus 19:26; 20:27 Isaiah 2:5-6; 47:8-14

Numbers 23:23


True paranormal activities are the works of Satan and not of God. They are practices that the believer is not to participate in. God identifies that the proper (eternal) judgment for those who participate in paranormal activities is death.


  1. What does it take to predict the future?

Acts 16:16-19 Daniel 2:27-28

Exodus 7:10-12; 7:20-22; 8:6-7; 8:16-19 Jeremiah 14:14-15; 23:16; 23:25-26; 27:9-10

Isaiah 30:9-10 Ezekiel 13:2; 13:15-17

1 Samuel 28:8-13


There are three ways to predict the future. There can be a direct revelation from God, but now that we have the full Gospel, what is the need for revelations concerning the future. The second way is by demonic possession. The demons can know about a person's past and present and highly intelligent beings can guess certain things about the future that seem like they are supernatural in origin but in reality they are more akin to strong educated guesses. The third way is by simple wishful thinking and lying. People make stuff up. It is often stated using such general terms that any number of situations can be shown to “fulfill” the prediction. It is stated concerning the prophecies of Nostradamus “Moreover, none of the sources listed offers any evidence that anyone has ever interpreted any of Nostradamus's quatrains specifically enough to allow a clear identification of any event in advance”. Give sufficient generalities that sound specific and it may sound like the person is in reality proclaiming a future event. In particular, note the fear of the witch who brought up Samuel for Saul. This was unlike any prior experience she has ever had. This one was unique and real. These could also be more illusionary in nature, like magic tricks, and potentially profitable only for entertainment.


  1. What should Christians do in regard to paranormal activity?

2 Kings 17:17-18; 21:6 Acts 16:16-19

Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22


Primarily the Christian should avoid involvement in paranormal activities. These people have no power or authority over the Christian and can safely be ignored. Better yet, proclaim to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they might be saved from their sins, repent and receive newness of life in and through Jesus Christ.


  1. Why might God allow such activities?

Judges 2:1-3; 3:1-4 Exodus 16:4

Deuteronomy 8:1-2 Matthew 24:24

Mark 13:22 Acts 8:9-11


God provides tests to evaluate whether or not the people will follow Him or some other false God. The Word of God calls men to repent of their sin, look unto God and Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Many things of this world, including illusion, deceit, demonic enablements, and other “paranormal” activities are types of measuring posts to evaluate whether or not the believer will follow man, the world, or God.