What Does the Bible Say About Fortune Tellers? God’s Guidance for Seekers
Quick Answer: What does the bible say about fortune tellers? Scripture warns God’s people not to seek wizards or those who claim help from familiar spirits. God calls such practices defiling and seriously wrong. Instead of trusting divination, believers are urged to seek God’s guidance and rely on His truth and provision.
When life feels uncertain, many people look for a “sign” or a predicted future. But Scripture directly addresses this impulse through warnings about divination and consulting those connected to familiar spirits. In Leviticus, God tells His people not to engage with practices that defile them (regard not them that have familiar spirits). In Micah’s words, diviners and seers are ultimately confounded, because God does not validate false guidance. And the story of Saul shows how pursuing supernatural answers can lead a person deeper into danger and judgment. These passages help Christians ask a simple, steady question: what does the bible say about fortune tellers, and what does God want us to do instead? The goal is not fear, but faithful discernment—turning from deception and turning toward the Lord who speaks truth.
At a Glance — Verses in This Article
Leviticus 19:31
Leviticus 20:6
1 Samuel 28:7-9
Micah 3:6-7
Bible Verses
Leviticus 19:31 (King James Version)
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
This verse warns believers not to seek out those who operate through familiar spirits or wizards, because such practices defile God’s people.
Leviticus 20:6 (King James Version)
“And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.”
God explicitly condemns turning to familiar spirits and wizards, warning that it is a serious spiritual wrong.
1 Samuel 28:7-9 (King James Version)
“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
Saul’s secret consultation with a woman who had a familiar spirit illustrates the danger of seeking divination for guidance.
Micah 3:6-7 (King James Version)
“Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.”
Micah describes how God removes vision and makes darkness over diviners, leaving them **ashamed** and **confounded** when they cannot answer.
God’s warning: don’t seek the future through divination
Many people assume fortune-telling is harmless curiosity, but the Bible treats it as spiritual conflict. God’s instruction is clear and specific: regard not them that have familiar spirits and do not seek wizards. In Leviticus 19:31, God connects this behavior to defilement—meaning it is not merely a “neutral” hobby, but a practice that harms a person’s spiritual life and relationship with Him.
Leviticus 20:6 strengthens the warning. God says the soul that turns after such sources goes a “whoring” after them, and He promises a direct confrontation: set my face against that soul. The language is strong because the spiritual issue is strong. Fortune tellers and diviners may speak confidently, but Scripture teaches that guidance coming from familiar spirits is not God’s wisdom.
This matters because in times of anxiety—about relationships, health, finances, or fear of the unknown—people often feel pressure to “know ahead.” Yet God repeatedly calls His people to trust Him rather than attempt to manipulate the future. The Bible does not deny that people long for direction; it denies the legitimacy of those methods.
So, when you ask what does the bible say about fortune tellers, you’re really asking where true guidance comes from. According to these verses, guidance that involves familiar spirits is a path God forbids, because it leads away from Him and toward deception. God wants His people steadied by His voice, not seduced by counterfeit answers.
Saul’s story: when you chase supernatural answers, you drift from God
In 1 Samuel 28:7-9, the Bible gives a sobering narrative snapshot: Saul, desperate and unwilling to seek God’s instruction, turns instead to a woman associated with a familiar spirit. Notice the sequence. Saul seeks someone who can “divine” by a familiar spirit, disguises himself, and approaches by night. That secrecy signals what the passage is quietly telling us: consulting divination is not aligned with openness before God.
The woman’s response is also revealing. She points out Saul’s earlier actions—he had cut off those who had familiar spirits and wizards, yet now he lays a snare for her life by requesting divine information. This exchange highlights a deeper lesson: spiritual inconsistency compounds harm. Even when a person believes they can “manage” the spiritual realm, Scripture portrays such choices as perilous.
This story helps Christians understand that fortune telling is not only about “getting a forecast.” It is about the authority you’re willing to recognize. Saul effectively treats a supernatural channel outside God’s will as a way to gain control. But God’s word shows that turning away from Him for answers is not empowerment—it is spiritual compromise.
Ultimately, Saul’s example warns us to slow down when we feel compelled to seek guidance outside God. If consulting fortune tellers begins in secrecy, anxiety, or a desire to force outcomes, it will likely lead away from peace and clarity. Instead, believers are invited to return to the Lord—honestly, openly, and prayerfully—seeking wisdom that does not require divination.
When God’s truth is rejected, diviners are left without an answer
Micah 3:6-7 describes a time of spiritual judgment: night comes for people who reject God’s ways, and darkness covers those who seek to divine. The passage says there shall be no answer of God, and the result is public humiliation—seers are ashamed and diviners are confounded.
This is important for the question behind is it wrong to consult fortune tellers. Scripture does not present fortune telling as reliable, spiritually productive, or ultimately helpful. Instead, it portrays divination as a practice that collapses when God withdraws permission for counterfeit guidance to stand.
Micah’s wording also exposes a common misunderstanding. People often assume that because a message sounds persuasive, it must be true. But Scripture teaches that false spiritual sources are not validated by charisma or confidence. God’s authority determines what can truly provide direction.
For Christians, this can be both sobering and comforting. Sobering, because it warns that deception can seem real for a season. Comforting, because it means God is not impressed by spiritual noise. He is not surprised by fortune tellers’ claims, and He is not unable to guide His people.
Therefore, when you feel tempted to search for a “sure answer” from a diviner, remember Micah’s point: when God shuts down divination, the diviners are confounded. The stable path is not “more prediction,” but renewed trust in the Lord. Trust grows when we bring our questions to God, not when we outsource them to spiritual darkness.
How to respond faithfully when you’re tempted to seek divination
If you’re wrestling with curiosity or pressure to consult fortune tellers, start with honest self-examination. Ask: Am I seeking God, or am I trying to control fear? Scripture consistently frames familiar spirits and wizards as spiritual defilement, not wisdom. So a practical first step is to guard your inputs—avoid shows, apps, or people that market divination as entertainment or guidance. Replace that noise with steadier sources: prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel.
Next, practice a “seek God first” routine. When uncertainty rises, pause and pray before you act. Ask the Lord for clarity and patience. If you need decisions made, seek counsel from mature believers and consider wise, responsible planning. God can guide without divination.
Third, address the root temptation: fear. Micah’s warning reminds us that diviners cannot ultimately deliver what only God can provide. If you feel anxious about relationships or the future, bring those concerns to God directly. You may be tempted to search for a quick answer, but the Christian call is to walk in faith.
Finally, if you’ve already engaged with fortune telling or familiar spirit sources, don’t stay in secrecy. Confess the sin, ask God for forgiveness, and commit to turning away from that path. God’s word is intended to restore direction. The goal is not merely avoiding a practice, but returning to God’s guidance with a clean conscience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible teach about fortune tellers?
The Bible warns against seeking help from familiar spirits or wizards. Leviticus calls these practices defiling, and it treats turning to them as a serious offense. Scripture also shows that diviners can be left without God’s answer, leading to shame and confusion.
Is it wrong to consult fortune tellers even “just once”?
Leviticus does not describe this as a minor preference; it commands believers not to seek such sources and warns of God’s opposition to those who turn after them. Even a single consultation reflects the choice to seek guidance outside God’s will.
How does the Bible describe divination and familiar spirits?
Scripture links familiar spirits and wizards with defilement and spiritual wrongdoing. The account of Saul shows the danger of pursuing supernatural information by violating God’s ways, and Micah emphasizes that diviners can be left with no answer from God.
Does the Bible forbid seeking wizards for answers?
Yes. God explicitly instructs His people not to seek wizards or familiar spirits. He also warns that those who turn after them are acting against Him. Instead of seeking “divine” answers from such sources, believers are called to trust God.
A Short Prayer
Lord, we confess that fear and uncertainty can tempt us to search for quick answers. Teach us to reject familiar spirits, divination, and every false source of guidance. Give us a humble heart that seeks You first, trusting Your truth over counterfeit promises. Strengthen our discernment, protect us from deception, and lead us into peace as we bring our questions to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Key Takeaway: God’s word warns against fortune telling and familiar spirits, urging believers to seek guidance from the Lord instead.
Por Fernando Ortiz 
