There are many people who have lost loved ones and who would desperately like to be able to talk with them again or receive messages from them. This desire is understandable, but contacting the dead is not permitted by God according to the Bible. The attempt is a sin against God and results in either deception or involvement with demonic entities impersonating the dead.

In response to a question about communicating with the dead, Dr. Graham has said: “I urge you, as strongly as I know how, not to dabble or get involved in anything to do with occult practices, including this one. At best, they are deceptive and fraudulent; at worst, they can involve you in matters which are satanic in origin.

“The Bible is very clear that such things are false and will only lead you away from God and His truth. In the Old Testament God commanded, ‘Let no one be found among you … who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord’ (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

“The Bible urges us to turn in faith to Christ and to seek the truth He has given us in the Bible. God’s Word alone gives us spiritual truth; any other path will lead us astray. Occult practices will never tell us with finality what is beyond the grave, but because of His resurrection we can know from Christ everything we need to know.”

It is critically important for anyone who has been involved in this or any other occult practice to confess it to God as a sin, renounce the practice, and turn to Jesus Christ for His forgiveness, cleansing and protection. Consultation with a gospel-preaching pastor may be wise.