Difficulties Week 5

What about psychics and the New Age movement?

1 Sam 28
Vrs 3-6 Samuel dies and Saul put out all the spiritists and mediums.
Vrs 5 Saul was afraid of the Philistines army and Vrs 6 went to the Lord
Saul at this point when he went to the Lord it was faintly and with a cold heart, he was unstable and if he did not hear from the Lord was willing to go to the devil.
Saul’s track record was pretty bad, Hated and persecuted Samuel and David, killed the Lord’s high priests, was he surprised the Lord did not answer him?

At this point if Saul was not sincere in pursuing the Lord why would he put out all the mediums? Some suggest because Saul had a (1 Samuel 16:14) Troubling spirit. Many people become zealous against things they struggle with. A person who abuses alcohol becomes a prohibitionist, they feel that alcohol hurt them so no one should have it. They don’t have a concern for the glory of God as much as a blame and hatred to sin.

Vrs 7-10 Saul goes to a medium. This is directly against Deut 18:9-14

Vrs 11 Saul asks for Samuel
Vrs 12 Women was afraid because she found out it was Saul
Vrs 13-14 Saul perceived that it was Samuel

Why I don’t believe this is Samuel
1. Spirit ascended out of the earth
2. Saul’s perception was that it was Samuel, in distress people believe what they want to believe. 2 Thess 2 let us know that those who don’t love the truth may be given to strong delusions and believe a lie
(Our perception can be skewed if we are not walking in the truth)



Vrs 15
3. There are no rewards for disobedience. If the Lord did not answer Saul in the first place why would he now answer him after he did the wrong thing. (If you are doing wrong and you think the Lord will bless, think again)
Vrs 16-19
4. What the false Samuel’s message is… (Remember Satan wants to kill and destroy)
• V16 God does not care
• V17 reminds him David is going to be king
• Speaks with an air of religion “the Lord spoke through me”
2 Cor 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Luke 4:34 Demons can speak truth
• V18 Reminds him he is disobedient “you are a loser” (maybe this is what Satan is doing in your life)
• V19 this is the verse that for many seals the deal that it is Samuel because he offers prophecy. I would say no. Satan and his demons realize what will happen when the two forces go to war and when people disobey
5. Vrs 20 The desired result of Satan…defeat, guilt and shame
6. If it were Samuel it would be deceptive for believers today or anytime period to think that this could happen. In moments of weakness and distress any person would cave in and go see a person that they believe could contact their departed loved one.
7. No turning back: David talks of his deceased son and says I can go to him but he cannot come to me, and the story of Lazarus tells us that they cannot go to and fro.
8. There is no message of healing from the false Samuel


The result for Saul 1 Chron 10:13-14 he died

Responding to this as a Christian.

1. Stay away…you are opening the door for Satan
Pastoral advice on what to steer clear of…
Evil movies, O Board, tarot cards, boardwalk psychics, horoscopes, demonic images in cards video games etc.

2. Realize Spiritual interest: People who are interested in this are spiritually searching and may be closer then you think to the truth but Satan is trying to steer them away.

In Articles from Summa Theologica by Aquinas
“The operation of the demon thrusts itself into those divinations which are based on false and vain opinions, in order that man’s mind may be entangled in vanity and falsehood”

3. Pray against: Ephesians 6 “battle against spiritual forces”
CS Lewis says that the two errors that many make about the devil are to have an unhealthy interest and to deny his reality altogether.

4. Share the GOSPEL: you don’t need false promises in your life when you have the truth of the Gospel.