It’s likely if you’re here, you’ve seen people who channel, and you’re curious whether it’s something you should be doing, or whether the Bible clearly says something about it. In this article, I’ll be answering the question, “What does the Bible say about channeling?”.
There are so many ways to come across channeling. For some people, they come across channeling when they’re looking for ways to succeed in life. Many modern-day books teach channeling and metaphysics as a form of personal development.
They teach you that if you access spirit guides, or become attuned to a “higher consciousness”, you can find your way to health, wealth, and happiness.
For others, they might come across channeling when they’re grieving over a loved one, or missing someone very close to them. Channeling has been introduced to many people as a way to maintain communication with people who have died. Rather than experiencing the feeling of loss that comes with death, channeling gives some people a sense of comfort that their loved on is still present.
Considering the passion that people have for success or to stay in contact with loved ones, channeling is a very sensitive topic.
What is Channeling?
Channeling is the practice of interacting with spirits and allowing them to use your body, voice, vocabulary, and access to others to relay their messages.
Why do People Channel Spirits?
People channel spirits because they believe it gives them access to insight that’s uncommonly found (or impossible to find) otherwise. By accessing beings that can see beyond the physical realm we live in day-to-day, mediums or channels believe they can steer around roadblocks, and achieve a better quality of live by channeling.
What are People that Channel Called?
People that channel are referred to by many names. Some titles include:
- Mediums
- Psychics
- Witch doctors
- Channels
- Channelers
They say they have to be in a higher state of consciousness and in certain vibrational attunement to access a spiritual state where they can receive messages from other realms. For some channels, they surrender their “life stream” and give spirits complete access to their bodies to speak thru them, and for others, they believe they still have majority control of their bodies, but simultaneously inhabit their bodies as an external spirit comes in with them.
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3 Types of Channeling
Interestingly, there are several types of channeling. There is trance channeling, conscious channeling, and intuitive channeling. (Source: Ask-angels.com)
Trance channeling
You’ve surrendered control of your body to a spiritual being
Conscious channeling
You’re repeating words given to you from a spiritual being that’s sharing access to your body with you.
Intuitive channeling
When you’re seeing visions and repeating spiritual guidance without knowing it.
My Story
I first came across the concept of channeling in my early 20’s. I’ve always been a “religious explorer”, and a person who loves to understand man’s connection with spiritual beings, so when I came across channeling, it was pretty interesting.
I saw people who spoke to angels, and who said they have fairies, deceased loved ones, and other spiritual guides that speak thru them, and at one point, I really admired their power. It felt like they had access to an untapped realm I didn’t have access to.
I read more and more about channeling and spirit guides. I also read books like “A Course in Miracles” where people were claiming to become “awakened”, “experiencing more love and light”, or even experiencing miracles. Some people said channeling or becoming awakened led to:
- Healing of terminal illness
- Reconciliation in relationships
- Improvement of mood
- and, so many other positive things
So, it seemed to me that positive things can’t come from something that’s “bad”. Over time, rather than solely reading these books and interpreting them based on the testimonials I was seeing, I decided to see what the Bible had to say about all of this. I chose to apply a biblical worldview to my perspective on channeling, and I’m sharing my findings with you.
Examples of Channeling in the Bible
Now, you might be wondering whether channeling is something that’s new, or whether it’s something that Jesus, the forefathers in the Old Testament, or the prophets ran into. I know I did.
I wanted to know if channeling was a modern-day phenomenon, or whether it’s something people in the Bible had to be discerning about as well, and the good news is…
There were people in the Bible who interacted with witches, people who channel and mediums, and their responses give us great templates to follow!
What did the Bible Call People who Channel?
The Bible referred to people who channel as:
- Necromancers
- Fortune tellers
- People who speak to the dead
- Those who chip and mutter
- And in some instances, they were called, “People who are devoted to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons”
What did Jesus Say About Channeling?
Jesus made it clear the He’s the route we should take to experiencing the spiritual realm. He never directed the disciples or other followers to seek spiritual counsel with angels or other spiritual beings.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:5 (ESV)
Did Jesus Consult Spirit Guides?
Jesus consulted his Father and the Holy Spirit. He didn’t consult angels for advice or direction.
What did the Prophets say about Channeling?
Prophets like Ezekial and Isaiah spoke clearly about fortune telling, astrology, necromancers, mediums, and metaphysics. They warned people to steer clear of these arts because they were practices that God despised.
And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
Isaiah 8:19-20 (ESV)
Did the Prophets Consult Spirit Guides?
The prophets were aware of people who consulted spirits, but I haven’t found documentation in the books of the prophets where any of them seek spirit guides (aside from the Holy Spirit).
What did the Disciples say About Channeling?
The disciples were followed by a fortune teller who told accurate information about them, but despite her accuracy, they knew she was getting her information from unclean spirits. This is how they handled it…
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
Acts 16:16-18 (ESV)
What did the Old Testament say About Channeling?
Interestingly, seeking spirits and alternative gods was a practice that goes far back before Christ. In fact, one of the reasons why God punished Egypt in Exodus was because they worshipped other gods. He warned the people of Israel against the practice.
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Did the Fore Fathers in the Old Testament Consult Spirit Guides?
Saul was known to seek mediums and sorcerers. As a result of seeking mediums instead of seeking God, his kingdom was turned over to King David. God was angry with Saul because he chose to seek mediums and sorcerers rather than seeking Him.
So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Verdict: Should Christians Channel Spirits?
The Bible tells us that Satan had access to God before he was sent away. He was an angel and has spiritual insight. He has knowledge that’s not common to man, which is why he successfully tempted Eve (even while she was in the Garden of Eden and had access to God).
Satan uses our curiosity and desire to have the best life to distort our path. If he can convince us that somehow, we’re “missing out” on our best life because we’re not seeking alternative gods or beings, then he has deceived us just like he did with Eve.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
2 Corinthinas 11:14
It’s important to be very discerning because scripture tells us that these practices will be even more prominent as the time of Christ’s return gets closer, and when Judgement day comes, there will be a penalty for seeking other gods or spirits other than God Himself. Remember the first commandment:
“God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.’”
Exodus 20:1-3
Even if you feel that you can seek spirit guides and God, the Bible tells us that we’re only to have one God.
Pros and Cons of Channeling
Pros
- It gives a sense of hope that there’s an optimal route to achieve goals
- It gives a sense of connection that you can hear from loved ones who have passed away
- It makes you feel unique and chosen because you can speak to spiritual beings that others can’t
- Meditating to reach spiritual beings can be calming and relaxing
Cons
- If you want to live by a biblical worldview, it’s something strongly cautioned against in the Bible
- You can have difficult times regaining control of your body and it can turn into “demon possession”
- You can get inaccurate instructions
- You can displease God
What Should Christian People do Instead of Channeling?
Instead of channeling, when you feel grief from the loss of a loved one, the Bible reminds us that when Jesus returns, we’ll be able to see our loved ones again. It says:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. …
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
And, when we want a better quality of life, the Bible tells us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
The ultimate manifestation of our highest quality of life will come when Jesus returns and we live with him, so not everything comes in this life. It can be challenging to be patient, but this life is considered a vapor of time in comparison to eternity. It’s best to make good choices in this life, so we can enjoy eternity.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever asked, “what does the Bible say about channeling?”, I’m hoping this article was very enlightening. It’s best to live a life by God’s design–this is where we can benefit in this life and beyond. If you’d like to read more about living life by God’s design, download the By God’s Design Manifesto here.