by furaha nchimbi | 22 August 2022 08:46 am08
Deuteronomy 18:10–12, 14 (NIV)
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. Because of these detestable practices, the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you… The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or consult boards. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so.”
This passage highlights God’s clear prohibition against occult practices, including consulting “boards,” a term here understood as a means of contacting spirits or attempting to discern hidden knowledge through supernatural means. Theologically, this falls under divination and necromancy, both condemned because they seek knowledge apart from God’s revelation and rely on demonic deception.
In biblical theology, God alone is the sovereign source of wisdom and revelation. Practices such as consulting a board usurp His authority and open doors to spiritual deception (cf. Isaiah 8:19-20). The “boards” referred to are tools used by mediums or spiritists to communicate with the dead or spirits an abomination to God.
Historically, this practice persists in many cultures, where individuals known as witch doctors or mediums use inscribed wooden boards with letters, numbers, or symbols. Those seeking answers place their fingers on the board, believing they receive messages from spirits. The Ouija board, which gained popularity in the 19th century, is a modern example of this ancient practice.
In the New Testament context, Christians are warned to reject all forms of occultism and to rely solely on the Holy Spirit for guidance (Acts 16:16-18; Galatians 5:19-21).
King Manasseh of Judah is a sobering example of someone who practiced such forbidden arts. According to 2 Kings 21:1–9 (NIV),
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord… He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord…”
Manasseh’s consultation of a “board” (or equivalent occult practice) shows his deep rebellion against God’s covenant. Theologically, his sin represents a rejection of God’s authority and an embrace of demonic powers. His actions provoked God’s anger so profoundly that God allowed the Babylonian exile as judgment on Judah.
This illustrates the spiritual danger of seeking knowledge apart from God. The Bible teaches that all occult practices are under demonic influence (cf. 1 Samuel 28:7-20, the witch of Endor).
Theologically, consulting a board or engaging in necromancy and divination is a direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3), which calls for exclusive worship and dependence on God alone.
Satan masquerades as a deceiver, presenting these boards as a way to contact the dead or receive wisdom. But Scripture warns that these spirits are fallen angels or demons (cf. Revelation 16:14). Therefore, such practices open people to spiritual bondage and deception.
Today, many still visit witch doctors or spiritualists, placing their hands on objects or boards, unknowingly committing the same sin. Others may practice divination through betting or fortune-telling activities that are also condemned (Galatians 5:19-21).
Friend, if you want spiritual and physical restoration, there is only one true solution: Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Jesus said in John 14:6 (NIV),
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Only through Christ can you find true wisdom, peace, and freedom from deception. He is the source of all true knowledge and revelation by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).
Maranatha.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/08/22/what-does-it-mean-to-consult-a-board/
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