Can Christians Hear from the Dead?

A Biblical Response to Necromancy & Spirit Communication

In recent times, some people—even Christians—claim they are receiving messages from deceased loved ones. While this may seem comforting or even spiritual, it is essential to test these claims against the authority of God’s Word. Does the Bible support communication with the dead? Are these experiences truly from God, or is something else at work? Let’s examine Scripture and respond biblically.

1. What Does the Bible Say About Communicating with the Dead?

The Bible strictly forbids contacting or seeking messages from the dead. God’s Word is clear: this practice is an abomination and leads to deception.

A. Necromancy is Forbidden in Scripture

• Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV):

“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”

➝ Seeking messages from the dead is placed alongside witchcraft, sorcery, and divination—all of which are condemned by God.

• Isaiah 8:19 (ESV):

“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?”

➝ God commands His people to seek Him, not spirits or the dead.

B. The Dead Have No Interaction with the Living

• Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 (ESV):

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.”

➝ The dead have no role in the affairs of the living—they do not return to give messages.

• Luke 16:19-31 (Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus)

➝ The rich man in torment asks for Lazarus to return and warn his brothers. Abraham refuses, saying they have Moses and the Prophets (the Scriptures). This shows that God does not permit the dead to communicate with the living.

2. If the Dead Cannot Speak, Then Who or What is Speaking?

If the Bible says the dead cannot communicate, then where do these supposed messages come from?

A. Demonic Spirits Masquerade as the Dead

• 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (ESV):

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

➝ Satan and demons can disguise themselves as familiar spirits, appearing as deceased loved ones.

• 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV):

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”

➝ Many supernatural experiences today are false revelations designed to lead people away from God.

B. Emotional Vulnerability Can Open the Door to Deception

People who are grieving or seeking closure may subconsciously open themselves to spiritual deception.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (ESV):

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

➝ Not all supernatural experiences come from God—many are counterfeit signs meant to mislead.

3. What About Biblical Cases of the Dead Appearing?

Some people point to biblical stories where the dead appear and speak. Let’s analyze these cases.

A. Saul and the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:3-25)

• King Saul disobeyed God and consulted a medium.

• Samuel appeared and rebuked him.

• This was not a practice encouraged by God—it was a judgment on Saul.

Conclusion:

God did not endorse this communication. Saul was punished for seeking the dead rather than seeking God.

B. Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9)

• Jesus was transfigured, and Moses and Elijah appeared to Him.

• The disciples did not communicate with them—only Jesus did.

• This was a divine vision orchestrated by God, not an example of spirit communication.

Conclusion:

This was a one-time supernatural event revealing Christ’s glory—not an example of necromancy.

C. The Saints Who Rose at Jesus’ Resurrection (Matthew 27:50-53)

• When Jesus died, many saints were raised and appeared in Jerusalem.

• This was a testimony to Jesus’ victory over death—not spirit communication.

Conclusion:

This was a miraculous sign of Jesus’ resurrection, not an endorsement of speaking to the dead.

4. How Should Christians Respond to Claims of Hearing from the Dead?

If someone, especially a Christian, claims to receive messages from the dead, here’s how to respond biblically:

A. Speak the Truth in Love

• Ephesians 4:15: “Speak the truth in love.”

• Gently explain what Scripture teaches about the dead and the dangers of deception.

B. Encourage Seeking God, Not the Dead

• James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”

• Direct them to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit as their source of comfort.

C. Warn About Spiritual Deception

• 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

• Help them understand that not every supernatural experience is from God.

D. Pray for Their Discernment and Deliverance

• If they are unknowingly engaging in deception, pray for their discernment and spiritual protection.

E. Remind Them of Christ’s Victory Over Death

• John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

• We do not need to seek out the dead because Jesus is our living hope.

Final Conclusion: Stick to God’s Truth

While some claim to hear from the dead, Scripture does not support this practice. Every biblical instance where the dead appear is God-ordained for a specific purpose, not a norm for believers. The Bible warns that attempting to communicate with the dead is dangerous and opens doors to deception.

Christians should seek guidance from God, not spirits, and find comfort in His Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit—not in supernatural messages from the deceased.

Key Takeaways

✅ Necromancy is forbidden by God.

✅ The dead do not communicate with the living.

✅ Supernatural messages from “the dead” are often demonic deceptions.

✅ The Bible’s examples of the dead appearing are unique, God-ordained events.

✅ Christians should find guidance and comfort in God, not spirits.