{"id":52146,"date":"2019-09-02T12:52:04","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T09:52:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=52146"},"modified":"2025-07-08T00:33:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T21:33:53","slug":"can-god-speak-through-the-powers-of-darkness-im-confused-when-i-read-the-story-of-king-saul-receiving-answers-through-the-woman-who-practiced-witchcraft-1-samuel-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/09\/02\/can-god-speak-through-the-powers-of-darkness-im-confused-when-i-read-the-story-of-king-saul-receiving-answers-through-the-woman-who-practiced-witchcraft-1-samuel-28\/","title":{"rendered":"Can God speak through the powers of darkness? (1 Samuel 28)."},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Answer:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shalom!<\/strong> To answer this question properly, we must begin with a foundational truth: God is omnipresent <\/strong>He exists everywhere and nothing is hidden from Him, not even the realm of darkness.<\/p>\n

1. God\u2019s Omnipresence (Psalm 139)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In Psalm 139:7\u201312 (ESV)<\/strong>, David declares:<\/p>\n

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“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!… Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”<\/em> (vv. 7\u201312)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This psalm reveals God’s unlimited reach and knowledge <\/strong>even the darkest, most hidden places are fully exposed to Him. This truth establishes that God can intervene or speak in any context<\/strong>, including situations involving darkness or rebellion.<\/p>\n

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2. Understanding the Spiritual Realms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scripture reveals three main “realms” or “kingdoms”<\/strong> active in creation:<\/p>\n

The Kingdom of God<\/strong> \u2013 The highest authority; holy, eternal, and sovereign (Luke 1:33, Matthew 6:10).<\/p>\n

The kingdom of darkness<\/strong> \u2013 Governed by Satan, active in deception, witchcraft, rebellion, and sin (Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 6:12).<\/p>\n

The kingdom of man<\/strong> \u2013 The physical realm we inhabit, influenced by the above two (Genesis 1:28, Romans 5:12).<\/p>\n

Each of these realms has its own jurisdiction and influence<\/strong>, but only God’s Kingdom is supreme<\/strong>. He alone has full authority over all creation (Psalm 103:19).<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0Psalm 103:19 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Even Satan acknowledged a form of temporal control over the earthly kingdoms when tempting Jesus:<\/p>\n

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“All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”<\/em> \u00a0Matthew 4:9 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This was not an empty boast. While God is sovereign, He allows limited authority<\/strong> to Satan within boundaries He controls (Job 1:12, Luke 22:31\u201332).<\/p>\n

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3. What Happened with Saul?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 1 Samuel 28<\/strong>, King Saul, having lost favor with God and no longer hearing from Him through prophets, dreams, or the Urim, sought out a medium the so-called “Witch of Endor.” This was a direct violation of God’s Law<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0Leviticus 19:31 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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“There shall not be found among you anyone who… practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens… For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”<\/em> \u00a0Deuteronomy 18:10\u201312 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Despite this rebellion, something unusual happened Samuel appeared and spoke to Saul.<\/p>\n

Now, theologians differ<\/strong> on whether this was truly the spirit of Samuel or a demon impersonating him. But the text itself (1 Samuel 28:12\u201320) strongly suggests God allowed Samuel to appear<\/strong>, not as a sign of approval, but as an act of judgment<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?\u201d<\/em> \u00a01 Samuel 28:16 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This was not divine endorsement of witchcraft. Rather, it was God using even a forbidden situation to declare judgment on Saul<\/strong>. Saul was already condemned for his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23), and consulting a medium sealed his fate.<\/p>\n

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4. Can God Speak Through Darkness?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Theologically, yes God can speak through or in any circumstance<\/strong>, even in places or through means that are not godly. Why? Because He is sovereign<\/strong> (Romans 8:28, Daniel 4:35). But that does not mean He approves<\/strong> of the method or that the person is right with God.<\/p>\n

Example: Balaam<\/h4>\n

In Numbers 22<\/strong>, Balaam, a pagan prophet skilled in divination, hears directly from God. God even uses Balaam’s donkey<\/strong> to speak a message! But Balaam\u2019s intentions were corrupt, and he later led Israel into sin (Numbers 31:16). Despite hearing God’s voice, Balaam was ultimately killed in judgment<\/strong> (Joshua 13:22).<\/p>\n

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Lesson:<\/strong> Hearing from God is not the same as being right with God.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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5. Seeking God in the Wrong Ways<\/strong><\/h3>\n

People who turn to witchcraft, fortune-telling, or other occult practices are not genuinely seeking God they’re usually looking for quick fixes to life\u2019s problems. But Scripture warns:<\/p>\n

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“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”<\/em> \u2013 Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Saul didn\u2019t go to the medium to seek God he went to get answers<\/em> that God had withheld. This is a warning: trying to reach God through forbidden means invites judgment, not blessing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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6. Jesus Is the Only Way to God<\/strong><\/h3>\n

God\u2019s true method of communication and reconciliation with man is through His Son, Jesus Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> \u00a01 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)<\/strong>
\u201cI am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 John 14:6 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Any attempt to approach God through idols, the occult, or alternative spiritual paths is rebellion<\/strong> and leads to destruction even if \u201canswers\u201d seem to come. Those answers are often deceptive or come with spiritual consequences (2 Thessalonians 2:9\u201312).<\/p>\n

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Conclusion:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes, God is able to speak in any situation\u2014even through darkness\u2014because He is omnipresent and sovereign<\/strong>. However, that does not mean He endorses<\/em> or approves<\/em> of the methods used.<\/p>\n

When He does choose to speak in such contexts, it is often a warning or a final word of judgment<\/strong>, not favor or guidance.<\/p>\n

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Key truth:<\/strong> God’s answers will never contradict His Word.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

To seek God properly, we must come through faith in Jesus Christ<\/strong>, with a humble heart, and in obedience to His Word<\/strong>. Any other way is dangerous and leads away from truth.<\/p>\n

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Scripture References Used:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Psalm 139:7\u201312 \u2013 God\u2019s Omnipresence<\/em> (ESV)<\/p>\n

1 Samuel 28:6\u201320 \u2013 Saul and the Medium of Endor<\/em> (ESV)<\/p>\n

Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10\u201312 \u2013 Prohibition of Witchcraft<\/em> (ESV)<\/p>\n

Numbers 22\u201324, 31:16, Joshua 13:22 \u2013 The story of Balaam<\/em><\/p>\n

John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5 \u2013 Christ as the only way to God<\/em> (ESV\/NKJV)<\/p>\n

Proverbs 14:12 \u2013 Deceptive paths<\/em> (ESV)<\/p>\n

2 Thessalonians 2:9\u201312 \u2013 Deceptive spiritual experiences<\/em> (NIV<\/p>\n\n