The Rev. Billy Graham recently responded to a question about whether it would be appropriate to consult a psychic or medium to try and connect with a dead loved one, saying that doing so would be “wrong in God’s eyes.”
“I lost my wife to drugs last year, and it’s like I have a hole in my heart that will never heal,” a man wrote to Graham. “Recently a friend told me about someone who says she can put me in touch with my wife’s spirit. My sister says to stay away, but what do I have to lose?”
Graham responded by telling him to listen to his sister and that “nothing good” would come from trying to connect with his dead wife. The evangelist continued: “The Bible’s command is clear: ‘Touch no unclean thing!’ (Isaiah 52:11).”
He then proceeded to offer up more specific arguments, including the claim that many who say they can connect with spirits “are frauds.” Beyond that, though, Graham said that there are some who do have such an ability.
“But others have committed their lives to spiritual powers and demonic forces that are opposed to God, and they actively seek to use those occult powers in ways that can only harm you spiritually,” he wrote. “This is why the Bible commands us to stay away from any kind of occult activity, including attempts to communicate with the dead. The Bible solemnly warns, ‘Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord’ (Deuteronomy 18:12).”
Graham concluded by reminding the man that God is aware of his pain and wants to help by filling “the empty place” in his soul. Rather than turning to psychics or mediums, he encouraged the man to turn to Jesus.
Read Graham’s complete response here. And learn more about the terrifying history of the Ouija Board, another tool that people sometimes use in attempts to connect with spirits.