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July 27 - Leviticus 19-21
Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:31)
God clearly forbids all involvement with the occult. Mediums and those with familiar spirits claimed to communicate with the dead or with supernatural beings to gain secret knowledge. Such practices were common among the pagan nations surrounding Israel. God warned His people not to "give regard" to them, meaning they were not even to show interest in consulting them. Today this comes in the form of psychics, séances, tarot cards, astrology, spirit guides, and other occult practices. God's people are not to seek guidance from any source that competes with His revealed Word. The believer's wisdom comes from Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not from forbidden spiritual practices.
Second, the verse teaches that involvement with the occult brings spiritual defilement. God says, "do not seek after them, to be defiled by them." Sin is never spiritually neutral. Occult involvement contaminates a person's relationship with God because it represents trust in another spiritual authority. Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly associates idolatry and occult practices with spiritual uncleanness. What many view as harmless entertainment or curiosity can open the heart to deception and draw a person away from dependence upon God. The New Testament likewise warns believers to "test the spirits" and to avoid fellowship with the works of darkness.
Third, the command rests upon God's authority and His covenant relationship with His people. The verse concludes, "I am the LORD your God." This phrase appears repeatedly throughout Leviticus 19, reminding Israel that obedience flows from knowing the character of the One who redeemed them. Because the Lord is their God, they are to seek Him alone for truth, protection, and direction. God's commands are not arbitrary restrictions but loving instructions designed for the good of His people. The believer today has an even greater privilege, for through Jesus Christ we have direct access to God in prayer and the complete revelation of His will in the Scriptures.
Leviticus 19:31 also speaks powerfully to our modern culture. Many people are fascinated by paranormal experiences, fortune-telling, horoscopes, and communication with the dead. Scripture consistently warns against these practices because they substitute counterfeit spirituality for genuine fellowship with God. Christians should not merely avoid these activities but actively cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord through Bible study, prayer, worship, and obedience.
In summary, Leviticus 19:31 is a timeless call to holiness and exclusive devotion. God's people are to reject every form of occult practice, avoid spiritual defilement, and trust the Lord alone for wisdom and guidance. As believers faithfully submit to His Word, they demonstrate that the Lord alone is their God and that His truth is sufficient for every aspect of life.