Psychic reading is a sacred portal to manifesting your true destiny. – Anthon St. Maarten

“I’m not religious. I’m spiritual.” Have you had one of those conversations? They’re becoming more common.

Interest in spirituality has been booming in recent years while interest in religion plummets, especially among millennials. More than half of young adults believe astrology is a science. The psychic services industry—which includes astrology, aura reading, tarot-card reading and palmistry, among other metaphysical services, is now worth $2 billion annually.

Melissa Jayne, owner of a Brooklyn-based, “metaphysical boutique,” said she’s seen a major uptick in interest in the occult. Whether it be spellcasting, tarot, astrology, meditation and trance, or herbalism, these traditions offer tangible ways for people to enact change in their lives. For a generation that grew up in a world of big industry, environmental destruction, large and oppressive governments, and toxic social structures, all of which seem too big to change, this can be incredibly attractive.

Approximately 41% of U.S. adults believe in ghosts or spirits, while 64% believe in at least one type of paranormal or supernatural phenomenon. One survey found that there are more people who believe in ghosts than trust their government. More Americans believe in ghosts than trust the government (21%). Distrust in institutions like science, government, and educational institutions seem to fuel belief in the supernatural and vice versa. Interestingly, one in three young adults in Gen Z say they’re afraid of ghosts, making them the most fearful of any generation in the poll.

As America moves further away from a Judeo-Christian worldview, paranormal beliefs are growing, often in a longing for truth, someone to trust and rooted in a natural longing to understand the mysterious. A growing group believe in ghosts, telekinesis, and even alien abductions. 

None of this is new. This isn’t the first moment astrology has had, and it won’t be the last. The practice has been around in various forms since the Garden. The Bible continually warns against spiritism, stating that practices like witchcraft, mediumship, and seeking out spiritists are evil and abominations to God (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 19:31). It emphasizes the importance of testing spirits and avoiding false prophets, as they can lead even Christ-followers away from the truth (1 John 4:1). 

The greatest danger is not from Satan or demon worshippers. It’s from pseudo-truth. 2 Corinthians warns, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (11:14) and the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (4:4). So, what are some areas that seem safe to be wary of? 

Divination

Divination in any form violates Scripture. It’s not harmless entertainment or an alternate source of wisdom. Christians should avoid any practice related to divination, including fortune-telling, astrology, witchcraft, tarot cards, necromancy, and spellcasting. The spirit world is real, but it’s not innocent. According to Scripture, those spirits that are not the Holy Spirit or angels but are often evil spirits. 

Astrology and Horoscopes

Astrology opposes biblical teaching in at least two ways: it advocates faith in something other than God and is a form of divination. We can’t determine God’s will through horoscopes. Christians are to read the Bible and pray to God to gain wisdom and guidance. Consulting a horoscope violates God’s way of communicating with us.

Tarot Cards

They come in a deck of 78 cards and were developed over half a century ago. Some psychics, and occultists began to use the cards for divination, and the cards and the ability to “read” them are seen as elements of fortune-telling. To receive a tarot reading is to attempt to find out one’s life or future through the occult. 

God warned the Israelites against divination when they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. In Acts 16, the Apostle Paul meets a fortune teller, a slave, who earned her masters a lot of money by fortune-telling. The Bible attributes her ability to having a demonic spirit, which Paul was able to cast out of her by the name of Jesus Christ.

Crystals

There is a growing trend that believes crystals have inherent power that can be harnessed and used to one’s benefit. Some use crystals to ward off evil spirits or bad energy and thus bring good luck. Crystals that absorb too much bad energy in the process of protecting a home must be “cleansed” to reset the vibrations. None of these superstitious beliefs about crystals are in the Bible. It’s faith in something other than God or His Word. Scripture doesn’t teach that crystals are beneficial for attracting wealth, rekindling romance, or warding off evil spirits. It never says that crystals are needed to connect to God’s Spirit and His blessing. 

God’s Word instead warns against engaging in anything related to superstition. The use of crystals as charms, amulets, or talismans is playing with the occult practice. It’s an attempt to manipulate the spirit world, who are not God’s spirits but Satan’s. It reminds me of those who carry a rabbit’s foot for luck. If it’s a source of luck, it wasn’t for the rabbit. 

So, how should a Christ-follower interact with someone who believes in these things or who is even a Wiccan or a witch? The coming to Christ of Marcia Montenegro, a former astrologer gives us some insight. For Montenegro, darkening the doors of a church was the last thing she wanted to do. But when she finally went, the true God of the Bible blessed her with what she called a waterfall of love. It was only after she committed her life to Christ that she found out one of her coworkers had been praying for her.

Love Them

Someone trusting in some form of divination is a victim of the Enemy. Read the Gospels and you’ll see how Jesus responded to them. Read Acts 16, and you’ll see how the Apostle Paul responded to them. There is never an excuse for being rude or mean. 

Pray for Them

This is a spiritual battle but as 1 John 4:4 declares, “Greater is He that is in us, than he who is this world.” Pray that Satan would be restrained and this victim would be freed. Read the salvation testimonies of those have been freed and you will observe two traits. They were blinded and enchained and didn’t even know it. 

Be Jesus to Them

Satan is hateful and vicious, but God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus died for everyone. They need to see His love pour through us. Even if we anger them, or if they respond hatefully, we must respond in love. It’s God’s love and the power of His Spirit that will win them.