40 Powerful Bible Verses About Familiar Spirits

Familiar spirits are real spiritual entities mentioned in the Bible that seek to deceive, control, and manipulate people. They often operate in secrecy, imitating voices, dreams, and even deceased loved ones. In this blog post, we will explore 40 powerful Bible verses about familiar spirits to help you understand, discern, and defeat these spiritual forces. We will also explore subtopics like what is a familiar spirit, examples of familiar spirits in the Bible, signs of a familiar spirit, and how to overcome familiar spirits.

What is a Familiar Spirit?

A familiar spirit is a demonic entity that seeks to attach itself to individuals or families. In many cases, it operates through occult practices, fortune-telling, or false spiritual experiences. The term “familiar” comes from the idea that these spirits become “familiar” with a person or lineage, often passed down through generations. They can manifest through dreams, mediums, or even subtle spiritual influences that feel comfortable or convincing but are not from God.

In the Bible, familiar spirits are strongly condemned, especially when people seek them out for guidance instead of seeking the Lord.

Examples of Familiar Spirits in the Bible

These Bible verses about familiar spirits reveal that these entities are deceptive, seductive, and opposed to God’s truth.

The Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7–20): King Saul, in desperation, consulted a woman with a familiar spirit to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of consulting the dead was against God’s command.
Divination Girl in Philippi (Acts 16:16–18): A slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas. Paul discerned the spirit and cast it out in Jesus’ name.
False Prophets (Ezekiel 13:6–9): Many false prophets operated under the influence of lying spirits, claiming to have seen visions but speaking from their own deceitful hearts.

Signs of a Familiar Spirit

Recognizing the presence of a familiar spirit is key to spiritual warfare. Here are some signs:

Recurring nightmares or voices that imitate loved ones
Unexplainable fear, confusion, or dread
Strange dreams with the dead
Persistent sinful habits or addictions
False prophetic messages or dreams
Unnatural attachments to people or places
Sudden spiritual dryness or heaviness during prayer

If you consistently experience any of these signs, it’s important to seek deliverance, pray with scripture, and ask for godly counsel.

40 Bible Verses About Familiar Spirits

Here are 40 powerful Bible verses about familiar spirits that expose their danger and show God’s will regarding them:

Leviticus 20:6 – “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits… I will even set my face against that soul.”
Leviticus 20:27 – “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit… shall surely be put to death…”
Isaiah 8:19 – “Should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead?”
Deuteronomy 18:11 – “Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits…”
2 Kings 21:6 – “And he made his son pass through the fire… and dealt with familiar spirits…”
2 Chronicles 33:6 – “Also he caused his children to pass through the fire… and dealt with a familiar spirit…”
1 Chronicles 10:13 – “So Saul died for his transgression… for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit…”
Galatians 5:19-20 – “Now the works of the flesh are manifest… witchcraft…”
Acts 16:16 – “A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us…”
Ezekiel 13:6-7 – “They have seen vanity and lying divination…”
Ezekiel 13:18 – “Woe to the women that sew pillows… to hunt souls…”
Isaiah 19:3 – “They shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits…”
Micah 5:12 – “And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand…”
Exodus 22:18 – “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”
Revelation 21:8 – “Sorcerers… shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire…”
Revelation 22:15 – “For without are dogs, and sorcerers…”
Jeremiah 27:9 – “Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets… nor to your diviners…”
Jeremiah 14:14 – “The prophets prophesy lies in my name…”
Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets…”
2 Peter 2:1 – “There shall be false teachers among you…”
1 John 4:1 – “Try the spirits whether they are of God…”
2 Timothy 3:13 – “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse…”
Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
Colossians 2:8 – “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy…”
James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Romans 12:2 – “Be not conformed to this world…”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is quick and powerful…”
2 Corinthians 11:14 – “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
Matthew 24:24 – “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets…”
John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil…”
Luke 10:19 – “I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions…”
1 Corinthians 10:20 – “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice… they sacrifice to devils…”
Matthew 12:43-45 – “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man…”
Mark 5:9 – “My name is Legion: for we are many.”
Acts 19:19 – “Many… brought their books together, and burned them…”
Psalm 91:10-11 – “No evil shall befall you…”
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – “With all power and signs and lying wonders…”
1 Timothy 4:1 – “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits…”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…”
Philippians 2:10 – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”

How to Overcome Familiar Spirits

Overcoming familiar spirits requires faith, discernment, and persistent prayer. Here’s how to break free:

Repent and Renounce: Confess any known sin, involvement in occult practices, or agreements made knowingly or unknowingly.
Pray with Authority: Use the name of Jesus Christ to bind and cast out familiar spirits (Mark 16:17).
Use Scripture as a Weapon: Declare Bible verses about familiar spirits daily for protection and deliverance (Ephesians 6:17).
Stay in the Word and Worship: A spirit-filled life leaves no room for demonic habitation.
Seek Deliverance Support: Join a Bible-believing church and seek counsel or deliverance prayer from spiritually mature leaders.
Fast and Pray: Jesus said some kinds of spirits only go out through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).

Conclusion

The Bible is clear about the dangers and deception of familiar spirits. These entities work subtly to draw people into error, bondage, and rebellion against God. However, God has equipped believers with His Word, His Spirit, and His authority to resist and overcome every evil force.

By meditating on these Bible verses about familiar spirits, you’ll gain wisdom and power to stand against every form of spiritual deception. Stay rooted in Scripture, stay prayerful, and never substitute the voice of God for any counterfeit spiritual experience.

If this blog post has blessed you, share it with someone who might be battling spiritual confusion or seeking clarity on the topic of familiar spirits.