“Saul, the Witch of En-Dor, and Spiritual Counterfeits” May 13
Why are people so fascinated with the supernatural?
From horoscopes and astrology to tarot cards, spirit guides, mediums, cleansings, and Ouija boards, our culture is filled with spiritual counterfeits that promise guidance, power, comfort, or secret knowledge. Many even present themselves as harmless—or worse, “spiritual but good.”
But are these things truly harmless?
In today’s reading from 1 Samuel, we encounter one of the most sobering and mysterious stories in Scripture: Saul and the medium of En-Dor. After repeatedly rejecting God’s truth and refusing to obey Him, Saul finally reaches a terrifying point where God no longer answers him. Instead of humbling himself in repentance, Saul turns to a source of forbidden spiritual guidance—a medium.
The tragedy is striking: the very king who once banned mediums from the land now disguises himself and seeks one out in desperation.
Saul’s life reminds us that when people refuse to seek God on His terms, they will often look elsewhere for answers, comfort, control, or hidden knowledge. And that temptation is just as real today.
Scripture makes it clear that God forbids His people from seeking wisdom through occult practices, spiritism, witchcraft, astrology, or attempts to communicate with the dead. Not because He wants to withhold good from us, but because these things pull us away from trusting Him and His truth.
At the same time, today’s readings also point us toward incredible hope. While Saul sought forbidden spiritual answers in darkness, Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3 that true life, truth, and salvation are found only through being born again by faith in Him.
The question is not whether we will seek spiritual answers—but where we will seek them.
