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I’m sure everyone has seen the signs for “$5 Psychic Readings” in their town or while traveling elsewhere. What I wanted to discuss here were your thoughts on using psychics for more than just personal entertainment, more specifically in police and detective work.

There’s been documented cases in the past where police haven’t been able to solve a crime, at which point they turn to a psychic for help. What I find the most interesting is when the psychics they hire actually solve the case.

What are your thoughts on this? What about using psychics to help solve some of the current investigations (such as the Peterson or Hacking trials?)

I’m not an expert myself on the topic, but I’ve been learning a bit more from a new show on Court TV called Psychic Detectives. It’s on Wednesday’s at 9:30pm in case you want to watch it too.

~ Marysol

It should be no news that psychics generally win the confidence of some, but it is typically indicative of the increasingly more prurient inclinations of our decaying culture.

They win the confidence of some because in the vacuum left by those who fail to look at the larger picture, they implant or lay down the several seeds of apparent success and perhaps even good fortune.  A biblical example might be the "witch of Endor" episode, in the OT, with King Saul, failing to, as I recall it, carry out Samuel's bidding and turning to,ultimately, the counsel of a fortune teller, who did give the impression of some degree of success, in her visions.  Nevertheless, the story there ended violently, Saul with his armour bearer both falling on their own swords, and Saul's head served up to be displayed before all, at least as I recall the account.

As we look at the larger picture, however, we know at least in today's world that a psychic, on practicallity alone, can't possibly possess any significant powers, b/c anyone who has a lock on the future could or would be infinitely wealthy indeed.

All you have to do is go down to the New York Stock Exchange tomorrow morning, plunk down whatever lump sum you can muster, and offer to buy only those stocks you know for sure are going to increase - some increase by as much as 20 or 30 % in one day.  Obviously, if you know the future, then you will know this.   Next day, sell.

Repeat this same scenario.

You soon would be very wealthy, and no need to hang out a shingle saying "Pshyic", for 20 or 40 bucks a kick.

This is why you know pshyics don't really know much, and why you know this 'bigger picture'.  'Cuz they wouldn't be in that business - or any business - if they could be an instant billionaire.  And they surely wouldn't be passing along their secrets to you, or me, for 20 or 40 bucks a pop.

Marysol2103,

I would simply say:  If they are real, they are of the devil. In the vast majority of cases, they represent a con game that is against the law in most places. They are obviously against Biblical teaching.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thank you, bep.

It seems from the witch of Endor account in 1 Samuel 27+-, that the witch does indicate some powers:  She knew immediately who the disguised visitor was, once she had consulted her 'vision'.  From the account it appears her powers were genuine.  It's quite dramatic.  But beset with questions and inconsistencies, on Saul's part(Why, for example, did he in the preceding verses ban all mediums and wizards, it says, but then when he asked for one, his servants immediately knew where to find one?).

Anyway, if you really have those kinds of powers, you wouldn't need to sell your services.

Symphony,

You are completely correct. I was just reflecting on putting the palm readers and fortune tellers out of business in my community. That's all against the law here. Some got around it by doing it free and accepting donations. That's legal, depending on what they mention about a donation.

There are many stories in the Holy Bible that relate to this topic. I've read stories about police departments using psychics to solve major crimes, and I think that a question was asked about this. The vast majority of the police department I served with were Christians, and we would have never considered using a psychic. As far as I'm concerned, that would be like asking the devil who did it. We did the opposite and prayed to Almighty God for guidance and wisdom to do our jobs for the people in a way that would be most pleasing to HIM.

Love In Christ,
Tom

  To the best of my understanding, no,  there is no scientifically documented case proving that psychics are real.  As others have said, most psychics are con artists of a sort.  I believe a good portion rely on self fulfilling prophecies and vagueness.  If I were to say to someone "You will come upon wealth very soon" , then the next time they found some money, they would probably assume I had seen it coming.  
 
   In fact some of the better con artists take it so far as to actually fulfilling these "predictions", someone looking for love might happen to run into someone, a beautiful woman perhaps (who is in on the con). Becoming convinced that the psychic is authentic (thus repeat business, and word of mouth in favor of the psychic).  
 
  Others just gather information on subjects and exploit it. You would be suprised what people will believe when they are desperate, and when the person praying on them has some personal information. Even little things, like if you have a wedding ring, your posture, speech, etc.. all of these can give them some hints on what to say.  But all in all, it seems to be a scam, or for entertainment purposes, it's an illusion much like magic.  So unless you want a good laugh, I wouldn't suggest going to one for any advice.

In my opinion, making a living out of being a 'phychic' is pretty much the same as making a living out of being a magician.  Allowing hte audience to belive hte unbelieveable even though self-conciously they know its fake.

We are no longer under the law, Judaism, but this is what God thinks of phychics and astrology. It is not of Him. We are to look to Him for our wisdom. He is our future.


Leviticus 19:26neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. ASTROLOGY

31: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 20:6: 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,

27: A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

 I recall a case of a very sucessful, famous psychic in the States somewhere, being murdered...What does that tell you?

 Bronzesnake

I live in Florida...if there were any true psychics, they could have told me not to pack up and evacuated for hurricanne Charley that was coming directly at the Tampa Bay bay area at a cat 3 stage and then upgraded to a 4. Because 2 whole hours before it hit land...it took a turn south and hit the Puenta Gorda area and devastated them. Hmmm...think they would have liked to have known too.

I agree 100% AMEN!!!!







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This was actually a question I looked into. Peopel like John Edward and the like have been exposed by thier own camera men to be con artists.

The power that any of these people might weild is through Satan/devilry.

Demons have appeared to people over the years in various forms, including angels, family members, etc.

Often when someone says without waver they "saw a ghost" it has to do with a demon.

As stated, in all Biblical accounts, God condemned magic works, and it is stated a coupel of times that there can be no communication between the dead and the living.

That should explain all that needs to be.

You are right...ABSOLUTLY right. This is all that needs to be said. God forbids it. It is to another god people are turning. God says it is not Him. So why do so many Christians still confer with psychics, palm readers, fortune tellers, the dead, and the like?

What foolish people...it reminds me of the Isrealites in the wilderness when Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments and found God's people worshipping another god...this is the same thing. You are looking to Satan for answers to your life. DO YOU REALLY THINK HE IS FOR YOU AND GOING TO HELP YOU?

Ah, this topic is still of interest. No one privately messaged me so I did not think anyone wanted to know. I would truly like talking to someone about this. I find this contradiction at work: some say psychics cant see into the future. Case closed. Then some say that it is the work of the devil, therefore that implies that psychics can see into the future. Obviously, there is a problem here. Can or Can't they?

It is quite clear that there is lack of understanding here and many many people are confused. I tell you that God gave us a spirit not of fear but of a sound mind!

I have pondered this for some time and have come to a conclusion that makes a lot of sense.

I just think people will not see the point if I simply write it down. It will be easier if I talked to them. Most people do not learn math from the textbook alone; they need someone to teach it to them. Some things are better conveyed through direct communication.

I deleted my original post... here's the intro to the explanation

This is very loose. You see, the reason it would be inefficient to write this is because I have to change your thinking about certain things. After this is explained to you, you will learn exactly why this is the work of Satan. You'll be suprised to find that this is not the only thing that Satan gets us by. If you would like to know more i'd be happy to explain it.

Hi Nikki. Praise God that you are now a child of God! Glad you're here with us.

 I have some questions. You said you use to be able to predict things and they always came true. Are you sure you dont just have a very keen sense of intuition or a developed cognitive ability? For instance, you may be accurate with you're predictions only because you are a good observer of facts and you are aware of their patterns. This is much like a metearologist or a scientist making predictions about physical phenomenons. They are usually very accurate with their predictions only because they are highly educated guesses. The key word I find here is that you say you "use" to be able...(I wish I hadnt deleted my original post or else you'd already know what I'm talking about!) But this conflicts with my explanation of psychics.

I do not think you had the ability to prophesize but just a highly trained mind if you say you USE to be able to predict things and they always came true. Usually gifts are inherent when you are born and powerfully optimized when you accept Jesus. The Holy Spirit enters you and really drives your gifts. This is because you now work for God and you are doing what your gifts were meant to do. I do not think Satan can give anyone gifts that we're not given to them by God. Thus when you say you USE to have the ability, it is not the ability to prophesize but scientifically reason.  ;) That's my favorite past time btw. When you say you USE to be able to prophesize then that would mean that Satan gave you that ability.

Since i already started, I guess I'll go ahead and explain this part to yall.
The following is very important to understand!!!
Right now the common cliche in your mind may be: psychic ability is the work of the devil. We know this by feeling but do we understand exactly why? How would we account, for instance, psychics who solve crimes?

Satan takes people's inherents gifts and turns them against God; Satan is turning God's creation against Him (sound familiar?)! YOU SEE THE REASON WE IMMEDIATELY FEEL THAT PSYCHIC ABILITY IS THE WORK OF SATAN IS BECAUSE PROPHECY IS THE MOST POWERFUL GIFT.  Look at the following illustrations:

Teaching:
We know that teachers have a huge impact on people. We see that evil teaching can implant evil in our minds. Likewise, good teaching will implant good in our minds. Evil teaching is the work of Satan.

Making music:
We know that music can have an impact on people. We see that vulgar music can implant bad words or vulgar scenes in our minds. Likewise, good music (such as songs of praise) can implant us with words of praise to God. Bad music is the work of Satan.

Absolutely all gifts act on the same effect; they can be good or bad. And there are many many gifts that make up the body of Christ. Even donating money is a gift (Paul said, "If someone's gift is giving money, then let him to it generously."). This too can be done for evil or good (satan or God).

From the bible we know that the gift of Prophesy is the most powerful gift. There are also lesser gifts...lets take for example charity or giving money.

Money can be given to support an abortion clinic This is money being used for Satan. (let's not go off on a tangent about whether abortions are right or wrong here).
Money can be given to build a church. This is money being used for God.

Charity is often overlooked when contrasted with prophecy. We often do not feel a great sense of evil or Godliness when we witness this gift than do we with prophesy. Think about this for a moment.

Satan is turning alot of people against God by turning their gifts against God. This makes sense because we know that as followers of Christ our gifts have been put in use for God. Our gifts were meant to serve God and the body of Christ. It is logical that Satan would take this very gift, meant to serve God, and turn it against Him. We know that the body consists of countless of gifts. Yet there are different gifts that are greater or lesser than others. It is those greater gifts that are readily pronouced and recognized.

Thus because prophesy is a powerful gift, its impact is more prominently seen. In other words, when we see it used for Satan we can really see the evil. Look at your own reactions: are they not marked by an immediate dangerous "stay-away-from" attitude?  (exampe: look at the replies from Berean and Expose.) When we see it used for God we can really see the greatness of it. People are simply awe struck.

I hope that explains it and that you understand. I've probably forgotten something else i wanted to say but i'll edit this so check this out again later. I will be so happy if someone just gets the basic drift of what Im talking about here.  :)

unsure. I don't B-leave that the people on TV are real. But I think that God does give people "special powers" called gifts.