📖 “Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, ‘Come, let us go to the seer,’ because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.” (1 Samuel 9:9, NLT)

🌿 Introduction

Have you ever heard someone say that mediums are just the “modern-day seers” of the Bible? On social media and in certain books, this argument is often used to justify seeking guidance from mediums or psychics.

It can sound convincing—after all, the Bible does mention seers and prophets who gave counsel to kings, including David and Solomon.

But is that really the same thing as what mediums do today? Scripture gives us the answer.

🔎 Seers in the Bible

In the Old Testament, seers (Hebrew ro’eh or chozeh) were prophets—men chosen by God to receive visions and deliver His Word.

• Samuel is called a seer in 1 Samuel 9.

• Gad and Nathan are described as seers during King David’s reign (2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 29:29).

• Their purpose was always to reveal God’s will and call His people back to obedience.

A true seer did not speak from their own wisdom or from spiritual forces outside of God—they spoke only what the Lord revealed.

🚫 Mediums in the Bible

Mediums, on the other hand, were forbidden. Scripture makes this distinction very clear:

📖 “Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft. Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31, NLT)

📖 “Anyone who practices sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who functions as a medium or psychic… is detestable to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10–12, NLT)

Mediums claimed to speak to the dead or to spirit guides. God’s prophets, by contrast, received His Word directly through the Holy Spirit.

💔 Why People Still Seek Mediums Today

It’s not hard to understand why someone might feel drawn to a medium or fortune teller.

• Maybe you’ve lost a loved one and you wonder, “Are they okay?”

• Maybe you’re facing an uncertain future and you’re desperate for answers.

• Maybe the silence of grief feels unbearable, and you long to hear a voice from the other side.

Friend, God understands that ache. But His Word shows us a different path—one that brings peace instead of confusion.

🌿 What Scripture Says About the Afterlife

The Bible is clear: those who belong to Christ are safe in His presence.

📖 “To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NLT)

📖 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4, NLT)

📖 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NLT)

Our loved ones are not wandering, lost, or in need of our contact. They are in the care of a loving Father who promises eternal life.

🕊️ But What If I See or Hear Someone “Holy”?

Sometimes people think, “If I’m seeing or hearing from someone biblical—like Mary, Paul, Melchizedek—or if an angel tells me about my future or gives me a message about a deceased loved one, that must be okay.”

But Scripture warns that not everything appearing “holy” is truly from God. Paul wrote that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14, NLT).

Even visions, dreams, or angelic encounters must be tested against God’s Word (1 John 4:1). The Bible never instructs us to contact departed saints, apostles, or angels for guidance.

📖 “For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5, NLT)

Some traditions encourage believers to go through priests, saints, or other spiritual figures to bring prayers to God or to interpret His Word. But Scripture is clear: because of Jesus, you can come boldly to God yourself. No priest, prophet, saint, angel, or departed loved one is needed to stand between you and the Father.

When we believe someone else must bridge the gap for us, we become more vulnerable to voices that promise hidden knowledge or contact with the dead. But God’s Word assures us we already have full, direct access to Him through Christ (Hebrews 4:16; John 14:13–14).

True angels sent by God always glorify Him and confirm His Word—never themselves or private revelations about your future (see Luke 1:26–38; Revelation 22:8–9).

If someone claims they’re hearing from a deceased biblical figure, saint, or angel about your future, that is not the pattern God has given. It resembles the forbidden practice of mediums, even if it wears a “holy” disguise.

👉 Let’s pause here and define a few key words. Sometimes terms like seer, medium, or even mediator can feel confusing or carry different meanings depending on where you’ve heard them. Here’s what Scripture says they really mean:

✨ Word Spotlight

Mediator 🕊️
A mediator is a go-between, someone who brings two sides together. Scripture says Jesus is the only Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Because of His sacrifice, we don’t need anyone else—no priest, saint, or angel—to stand between us and the Father. Through Christ, we have direct access to God’s presence.

Seer 🌿
In the Old Testament, a seer was another word for a prophet (1 Samuel 9:9). Seers received visions directly from God and spoke His Word to guide the people. They did not rely on spirits of the dead or hidden forces—only on the Lord.

Medium 🚫
A medium is someone who claims to communicate with the dead or with spirits other than God. The Bible strictly forbids this practice (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12), because it leads people away from the truth and into confusion.

📌 Takeaway: Seers pointed people to God’s Word, mediums pointed people away from it, and Jesus is the only Mediator who brings us directly to the Father.

🌿 What Scripture Says About the Future

When life feels uncertain, God invites us to seek His wisdom—not hidden knowledge.

📖 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.” (James 1:5, NLT)

📖 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NLT)

📖 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NLT)

The future is not revealed by spirits or fortune tellers—it rests securely in the hands of the One who loves you and has already written every day of your life (Psalm 139:16).

👑 What About Solomon?

Sometimes people point to King Solomon as proof that godly leaders sought the guidance of seers. But the truth is:

• Solomon asked directly for wisdom from God (1 Kings 3:5–12).

• He was known for his God-given discernment, not for consulting mediums.

• When Solomon fell into sin, it wasn’t because he relied on biblical seers—it was because he turned his heart toward foreign gods (1 Kings 11:4–6).

🌟 The Key Difference

Seer / Prophet (Biblical)

• Source: Called by God, received revelation from the Holy Spirit

• Purpose: Spoke God’s Word to bring people back to Him

• Outcome: Drew people closer to God’s truth

Medium / Psychic (Forbidden)

• Source: Sought hidden knowledge or spirits outside God’s authority

• Purpose: Claimed to communicate with the dead or reveal secret futures

• Outcome: Drew people away from God’s truth

📌 The two are not the same. One draws people closer to God; the other draws them away.

🌿 Reflection Prompt

Where do you go when you feel uncertain or need guidance? Are you tempted to look for quick answers in places outside of God’s Word and Spirit? Write down one way you can practice seeking God first this week.

🙏 Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who speaks. You have given us Your Word and Your Spirit to guide us into truth. Comfort me in grief, and give me peace when the future feels uncertain. Protect my heart from voices that pretend to bring light but only bring confusion. Teach me to listen to You alone and to rest in Your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.