Growing Through 1 Samuel

Saul then said to his attendants, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said. So 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 for me the one I name."--1 Samuel 28:7-8

 There are some people who use 1 Samuel 28:5-20 as justification for practicing the occult practice of seances. However, the Bible clearly states that any attempt to contact the spirit-world or communicate with the dead is strictly forbidden (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The punishment for ignoring God in this matter could be severe.

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 inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.--1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Saul's disobedience resulted in death!

Years ago I had the unique opportunity to spend time with a former spiritualist medium, Ben Alexander, the founder of Exposing Satan's Power Ministries. A ministry dedicated to fighting the cults and the occult. Ben became fascinated with the occult at an early age. His involvement in Spiritualism became more and more profound, until he was fully practicing as a trance medium, believing that he was contacting the dead for beneficial purposes. However, his life in the occult ultimately brought him face to face with a demon! An experience that was so frightening (reminiscent of the witch at Endor's experience in 1 Samuel 28:12)--that Ben immediately reevaluated his occultic practices. Soon afterward, a friend led Ben to Christ through the power of "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we aren't in a battle against flesh and blood, but "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Until the return of Christ, we are living in enemy territory (Romans 8:20; 1 Peter 5:8). By getting involved with witchcraft, Ouija boards, horoscopes (1 Samuel 15:23), and other demonic practices--we make ourselves vulnerable to a dark world whose dangers should never be underestimated.