This concept deals with how to make the correct decisions based on future events. Since no man can see the future, many have dabbled in the spiritual realm to predict what will happen. With this spirit, people can see what the physical eyes cannot.
The Spirit of Divination in Acts 16 talks about how a female slave met with Christ’s disciples. The spirit in this girl was able to identify true followers of Jesus Christ. Read on as we explain in detail what the spirit of divination means.
What Is the Spirit of Divination in Acts 16?
In Acts 16, we saw the true manifestation of the spirit of divination. This verse says:
” The same followed Paul and us and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out at the same hour.”(Acts 16:17-18) KJV.
While many people didn’t know who they were, the girl, with the help of a demonic spirit, knew who she was. However, after repeating these words for several days, Paul was very annoyed. It wasn’t because she was saying they were men of God; it was because her cries kept disturbing their prayers.
This girl in Acts 16 is different from today’s palm readers or psychics, as they all received their powers from the devil. However, God (Leviticus 19–31) frowns at people seeking help from such mediums. He calls them abominations and advises people to refrain from them.
What is Divination?
Divination has been around for many years because people are not patient enough. Many people look towards diviners when in trouble. He doesn’t want us to have anything to do with the devil. Remember that he said he is a jealous God, so we should only seek His face.
Bible Verses That Talk About the Spirit of Divination
Aside from Acts 16, here are some scriptures about the spirit of divination:
Leviticus 20:6
When you look up this verse, you will see that God warns against believers turning to necromancers and mediums. God warns that he will be against anyone who seeks after them. He has made it known to everyone that mediums and diviners are not from him, and he will cut them off.
2 Kings 17:17
This part of the scripture talks about how people burned their children as offerings to idols. After these burnt offerings, they used omens, signs, and divinations to talk to people. By doing this, they provoked God to anger because of their evil.
Isaiah 8:19
The prophet Isaiah was talking to people who inquired about mediums and diviners. He asked them why they seek necromancers who predict when they can talk to God. He also questioned why people should ask about the affairs of the living from dead people. The prophet was annoyed that people took their matters to the devil rather than seeking God’s help.
1 Samuel 15:23
This Bible verse clearly states God’s opinion on the spirit of divination. It states that it is a rebellious act to engage in divisions. Verse 16 calls them sins of divination and presumption of idolatry. When one indulges in this act, they have moved away from God.
Deuteronomy 18:10
In this Bible verse, the Lord warns Israel against killing their children for offering or engaging in divination. In verse 11, he warns them sternly against visiting people who tell fortune, interpret signs, or are sorcerers. God doesn’t want any of his children to move away from him and seek demonic help.
Zechariah 10:2
The prophet Zechariah warns people against worshiping gods who speak nonsense and diviners who see untruths. According to him, mediums and possessed people see false visions and make empty promises. His advice is that those with the spirit of divination are possessed with demons.
Consequences of Having the Spirit of Divination
Like the Bible verses shared above, we can see that this demonic spirit isn’t from God. Here are the things that happen to those with this spirit:
Mental Illness
When you read Isaiah 44:25, you will notice that those with the spirit of divination might run mad. Aside from this, it makes wise men foolish in their knowledge. When an individual is infused with this spirit, they start exhibiting a mental breakdown.
Uncleanness
Anyone with the spirit of divination will exhibit all forms of uncleanness. Hosiah 4:13 shows that those with this spirit commit all forms of sin. You will find them indulging in divorce, fornication, and whoredom. In Isaiah, those with this spirit can be found burning incense on hills and under elms. They now start committing all forms of sexual and lewd acts under this demonic spirit.
Loss of Security
Dispossession is common among people with this spirit. They strangely lose their properties. You can find people with the spirit of divination in Deut 18:10 who make their sins pass through fire. This is an ancient ceremony with a divination person, which can lead to the loss of lives. God vehemently frowns on people who engage in this abomination (Deut 18:12).
Victimization
While those with the spirit of divination will suffer, people who seek their help will also become victimized. People try to avoid problems by seeking the help of mediums and sorcerers; unfortunately, they end up being victims. In Isaiah 47:13, people are warned to stay away from people with divination spirits.
How to Be Free from the Spirit of Divination
As seen in Acts 16, the spirit of divination can tell who the child of God is; however, that doesn’t make it a holy spirit. The spirit of divination comes from the devil, as many verses in the Bible have shown. For those with this unclean spirit, here is how you can set yourself free:
Surrender to Christ
If you want to be free of this spirit of divination, surrender your life to Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:3 states that God is the only Spirit of God who can save you. When you call on the name of God, every spirit must do so.
Renounce the Spirit of Divination
Pray and openly renounce all connection to all spirits of divination. According to Acts 19:18, anybody who believes in God and confesses his sin will be saved.
Stop Mingling with Diviners
Stop attending meetings of diviners and detach yourself from all associations. Even if any Christian churches tolerate them, stop attending such places. Leviticus 19:31 says, Don’t regard those with wizardry spirits nor those with familiar spirits, so that you won’t be defiled.
Conclusion
The spirit of divination is prevalent in today’s world. We have many people who are believers in tolerating them. But the spirit of divination in Acts 16 talks about how a possessed lady was able to identify the disciples of God. There are several Bible verses that speak of the ills of getting involved in divinity. Also, one can be free of this unclean spirit of divination when he accepts God in his life.
