Channeling is a modern name for what the Bible calls mediumship or spiritism. A channeler is a mystic who becomes a channel, or receptive agent, for intelligent communications coming from the spirit world. What does God say about mediumship? It's in the Bible, Leviticus 19:31 NIV. "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them."
Channeling is a divination method that has existed since antiquity. Most modern channelers learn the art through the practice of Eastern meditation. This mildly altered state of consciousness enables the channeler to psychically perceive spirit messages. These manifest as a clairaudient voice, a distinct 'thought voice', which is perceived in the stillness of the medium's mind. Experienced mediums can enter into a trance state whereby the spirit entity takes direct control over the medium's voice, speaking through it in an accent quite distinct from the medium's normal mode of speech. It is claimed that the telepathic communications come from highly evolved spirit beings existing in the normally invisible realms of the spirit dimension. Sometimes the medium will have a vision whereby the spirit is seen in a visible form manifested in the super-energized imagination faculties of the medium's consciousness. The spirit guides usually wear white robes and often radiate brilliant, golden-white light. Channelers claim that the messages received represent divine wisdom and truth, and have beneficial value for mankind.
Mediumship was common among the pagan peoples of the Bible lands. God warned the Children of Israel about it just prior to their entry into the Promised Land of Canaan. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 NIV, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 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. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
King Saul of Israel sought counsel from a medium called the Witch of Endor. The armies of Israel were about to be attacked by the Philistines. Saul was in rebellion against God and in desperation sought the services of the spiritist. 1 Samuel 28:8 NIV informs us, "Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. 'Consult a spirit for me,' he said, 'and bring up the one for me I name.' " Saul then asked the medium to conjure up the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, to ask his counsel regarding the Philistines. Verses 13 & 14, NKJV, "And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.” So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. "
Saul should have known better than to consult with a medium, for God had warned in Leviticus 20:6, "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them. I will cut him off from his people." The end result of King Saul's quest was tragic. Shortly after his visit to the witch, the king took his own life following his wounding in battle. Was the spirit conjured up by the medium a genuine agent of God? The answer is in the Bible, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. "Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not enquire of the Lord." The medium's spirit was an imposter, for Scripture clearly states that Saul "did not enquire of the Lord."
In our modern day, just like King Saul of old, people seek counsel from psychic mediums. Several fortune-telling channelers have become wealthy celebrities as a result of predictions published in supermarket tabloids and through counseling well-paying clientele such as Hollywood movie stars, politicians and industrialists. The psychics sometimes claim to be channeling 'Jesus Christ', 'Jehovah God', and 'the Virgin Mary'. But what is the real source of the messages uttered by these spiritists?
An event in the life of the Apostle Paul throws light upon their identity. Paul was with his companions Luke and Silas in the pagan city of Philippi. Acts 16:16-18 NKJV tells us, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour." The spirit of the pagan slave girl was an evil spirit, a demon, which Paul was able to cast out.
It should be noted, that demons have no problem telling some of the truth to hide their deception. Even the demon could acknowledge Paul as serving God and teaching the truth. Jesus himself on several occasions was confronted with people controlled by demon spirits who recognized the authority of Jesus. For example, Mark 1:24-26 NIV tells us, "Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!' 'Be quiet!' said Jesus sternly. 'Come out of him!' The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek." Just because a spirit can tell the truth, doesn't mean it is a good spirit.
The wicked spirits were at one time living in heaven with God. But they rebelled with Satan and were cast down to planet earth. It's in the Bible, Revelation 12:7-9 NIV. "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."
Because the spirits of channeling are satanic, its activity is abhorrent to God. There are few who have any true conception of the deceptive power of spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the spirits' control. But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will. Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls.
The penalty for anyone practicing mediumship among the Israelites was death. It's in the Bible, Leviticus 20:27.NIV. "A man or woman who is a medium or a spiritist among you must be put to death." In Isaiah 8:19 NKJ, Holy Writ counsels, "And when they say to you, 'Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek their God?" The admonition from heaven is clear. When in need of counsel, we are to seek God. He who assures us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." In seeking God, His Word, the Holy Bible, is to be our guiding light. Says the Psalmist, Psalm 119:105 KJV, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
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