**Familiar Spirits Bible Study Summary**

**Introduction**

New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The studies teach foundational truths designed to challenge, encourage, and ignite a hunger in Christians to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus. These studies include a written version of the lesson, a video, an audio file, a PDF version, and a note-taking sheet. For additional resources, email newlightfaithministries@gmail.com or bjteachingltr@gmail.com.

With the increasing acceptance of television programs like "Ghost" and advertisements like the "Psychic Hotline," Satan is influencing Christians and non-Christians to seek guidance from spiritualism. These acts open the door for demonic spirits to enter our lives. Scripture is clear: "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

In this lesson, we will examine what familiar spirits are and how they can be invited into our lives through Satan's "entertainment." Before we begin, I want to share a personal story. A family member became sick and woke up one morning unable to walk. His father, a Christian minister, believed a spell had been cast on him. They visited a fortune teller, who focused on the sibling, not the paralyzed person, and said, "We know him, but you should not be here because I can see the glory of God all around you." This story illustrates how authentic fortune tellers operate under the influence of familiar spirits.

**Familiar Spirits**

The living cannot speak to or interact with the dead. The Bible is unwavering on this truth. Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 states, "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Job 7:9-10 says, "As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him anymore."

Familiar spirits are evil spirits that impersonate people who have died. They are convincing in recreating speech patterns, leading people to believe they are interacting with the deceased. These spirits attach themselves to mediums and individuals who allow them to operate in their lives. They are fallen angels, spirit beings, who cannot die. They are familiar with the lives of the deceased and the living, allowing them to answer specific questions. However, it is not our loved ones speaking; it is the spirit familiar with them.

Leviticus 19:31 warns, "Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God." Interacting with familiar spirits defiles us and puts our eternity in jeopardy. Leviticus 20:6 states, "And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people."

Familiar spirits influence people to believe that the dead can still be communicated with. They provide information about the past to influence the future. When people believe what they hear from psychics or in séances, they open the door to demonic influences. Satan uses familiar spirits to deceive, as Jesus describes in John 8:44 as a "murderer from the beginning," a spirit who "abodes not in the truth," and "a liar, and the father of it."

**Saul and the Medium of Endor**

In 1 Samuel 28, Saul seeks out a medium at Endor. God had instructed Saul to wipe out the Amalekites, but Saul disobeyed. As a result, God removed His Spirit from Saul. When the Philistines gathered for battle, Saul was afraid and sought God's guidance, but God did not answer him. In desperation, Saul sought a medium, contrary to God's law.

The medium saw a familiar spirit impersonating Samuel. Saul perceived it was Samuel based on the woman's description. The familiar spirit convincingly impersonated Samuel, knowing that God had departed from Saul. The spirit prophesied that Israel would lose the battle and Saul and his sons would die. Saul's rebellion led to his death, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.

**Conclusion & Prayer**

If you don't believe God is speaking into your life, don't seek answers elsewhere. Find out why you are not hearing from Him. The Lord demands holiness, and anything outside of holiness is an abomination. Your relationship with God is important. Keep it sweet. When you feel like you are in a dry place, hang in there and don't give up. It will pass. Always keep your eyes on Jesus and no one else. [Processed]