Topical Encyclopedia Clairvoyance, often understood as the ability to gain information about an object, person, location, or event through extrasensory perception, is a topic that intersects with biblical teachings on prophecy, divination, and spiritual discernment. The Bible provides guidance on the nature of true prophecy and the dangers of engaging in practices that seek knowledge apart from God.Prohibition of Divination and Sorcery The Bible explicitly warns against practices that resemble clairvoyance, such as divination and sorcery. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are instructed: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." True Prophecy vs. False Prophecy The Bible distinguishes between true prophecy, which comes from God, and false prophecy, which can be associated with clairvoyant practices. In Jeremiah 23:16 , the Lord warns: "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'" Testing the Spirits Believers are encouraged to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God. In 1 John 4:1 , it is written: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The Role of the Holy Spirit The Bible emphasizes that true spiritual insight and revelation come through the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 , Paul writes: "But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." Warnings Against Deceptive Practices The New Testament also warns against being deceived by practices that claim to offer secret knowledge or insight. In Colossians 2:8 , Paul cautions: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." The Example of Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8:9-24 provides an account of Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced sorcery in Samaria and amazed the people with his abilities. However, upon hearing the gospel, he believed and was baptized. Yet, when he attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter rebuked him, saying in Acts 8:20 , "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" These scriptures collectively underscore the biblical stance that true spiritual insight and prophecy are gifts from God, not to be confused with or sought through practices like clairvoyance, which are condemned as deceptive and contrary to God's will. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 28:13,14And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what saw you? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 6:15-17 Library Review On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows... Resources What are Ouija boards? Should a Christian play with Ouija boards? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Voodoo? How should a Christian view Voodoo? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about palm reading? | GotQuestions.org Spiritist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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