Ouija boards have long been a source of fascination and controversy. The board itself features the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0 through 9, and the words ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ and ‘goodbye.’ To use a Ouija board, participants place their fingers on a planchette and ask questions of ‘spirits.’ The planchette then supposedly moves about the board, spelling out answers.
For many Christians, the idea of using a Ouija board goes against their faith. Some view the Ouija board as a dangerous gateway to the occult and demonic activity. Others see it as a harmless game. So what does the Bible actually say about Ouija boards? Should Christians avoid using them?
The Occult Connection
Without a doubt, the Bible speaks strongly against occult practices like divination, necromancy, and sorcery. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 make it clear that these activities are detestable to God. Consulting the dead or attempting to gain hidden knowledge is forbidden territory for followers of Christ.
Ouija boards have frequently been linked to the occult. The very term “Ouija” combines the French and German words for “yes,” implying communication with spirits. Many paranormal researchers believe that Ouija boards enable contact with the demonic realm. At the very least, the Ouija board intends to unveil information that God has not chosen to reveal.
Given the occult connection, many Christians point to scripture and conclude that Ouija boards are inappropriate for believers. Even if some players approach them lightly as a game, the board’s background is rooted in seeking out the spiritual realm. For Christians, that could open the door to deception and danger (2 Corinthians 11:14).
The Power of Suggestion
Scientific researchers offer another perspective on the Ouija board. They assert that the planchette’s movements are not caused by spirits at all. Instead, people subconsciously direct its path. This “ideomotor effect” occurs when slight muscle movements influence actions without conscious intent.
From this viewpoint, Ouija boards work through the power of suggestion. Players entering with a spiritual mindset will unconsciously guide the planchette according to their own expectations, fears, and intuitions. The board itself has no power apart from what participants give it through their own minds and motives.
This explanation would put Ouija boards in the same category as practices like dowsing or pendulum divination. Users believe they are accessing a spiritual source of hidden knowledge, when in reality suggestion produces the results. Whether such practices are compatible with Christianity is still debated among believers.
A Sense of Caution
Given their history and spiritual associations, most Christians advocate caution regarding Ouija boards. Even if one does not fully accept the paranormal aspects, Ouija boards do seem to promote a search for hidden knowledge apart from God. At minimum, they encourage dependence on vague intuitions over the clear revelation of scripture.
The apostle Paul weighed in on questionable spiritual practices this way: “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful… lawful but not edifying” (1 Corinthians 10:23; 6:12). Activities like Ouija boards may fall under this category—permissible but not beneficial or edifying for believers. Why flirt with spiritual forces Jesus has overcome (Luke 10:17-19)?
Additionally, for some individuals dabbling in Ouija boards can open the door to unhealthy obsession and fear. If use of the board would cause another Christian to stumble in his or her faith, wisdom suggests avoiding such practices entirely (Romans 14:13-23).
Biblical Guidance
When weighing spiritual matters, Christians look first and foremost to the Bible for guidance. Do any scriptures directly address the use of Ouija boards? Not specifically. But God’s Word does outline key truths relevant to the topic:
- Occult practices like divination and necromancy are forbidden – Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
- God condemns the use of “magic arts” – Acts 19:19.
- Believers are not to seek communication with the dead – Luke 16:19-31.
- Christians should not pursue hidden knowledge for selfish gain – Daniel 1-2.
- Spiritual forces of darkness are real and dangerous – Ephesians 6:10-12.
- Satan can appear as an angel of light – 2 Corinthians 11:14.
- God has already revealed essential truth for godly living – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
- Christians must avoid that which controls them – 1 Corinthians 6:12.
- Believers should focus their minds on honorable things – Philippians 4:8.
- All human activity, including entertainment, should honor Christ – 1 Corinthians 10:31.
While no Bible verse specifically mentions Ouija boards, the passages above provide principles for evaluating activities associated with the spiritual realm and the occult. According to these guidelines, use of Ouija boards clearly runs counter to the teachings of scripture.
Avoiding Potential Doorways
Based on their occult connections and the risk of obsession or fear, most Christian leaders caution against Ouija boards. Even without concrete proof of spiritual contact, these activities tend to oppose core biblical values for followers of Jesus.
Seeking insight through questionable spiritual practices can open doorways best left closed. Clouding one’s discernment between potential truth and deception goes against God’s call for wisdom and renewed focus (Romans 12:1-2). Spiritual undertakings require spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Additionally, the Bible repeatedly warns believers away from divination, necromancy, magic arts, angel worship, and doctrines of demons. Ouija boards and associated practices would seem to fall under these categories. Though spiritual oppression or attack is not an automatic result, avoiding potential doorways of demonic activity is wise (1 Peter 5:8).
Yes, some players approach Ouija casually as entertainment. But even when intentions seem harmless on the surface, strong links to the occult remain. The board’s purpose is attempting to reveal hidden knowledge one should not pursue. At the very least, that conflicts with a Christian’s calling to exercise faith in God’s complete revelation.
A Matter of Christian Freedom
Within Christianity, believers hold different views on Ouija boards and topics like horoscopes, palm-reading, séances, witchcraft in media, and other questionable practices. Each person must wrestle with understanding God’s heart on these matters according to their conscience and community (Romans 14:5).
For some Christians, even simulated connection with the spiritual realm is inappropriate and dangerous. Others may see Ouija boards as harmless psychological games unrelated to true demonic activity. This diversity of views affects whether the practice is seen as objectionable or a matter of Christian freedom.
As with any faith decision, wisdom suggests avoiding criticism of fellow believers who see things differently (Romans 14:3). Discussion should honor God and build others up in love (Ephesians 4:29). Discernment here is a process requiring prayer, study, community accountability, and sensitivity to potential stumbling blocks.
Earnestly Seeking God’s Will
As the Bible emphasizes, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Followers of Christ must exercise constant vigilance regarding matters of the spirit. Activities linked to divination, necromancy, and the occult conflict with God’s revelation and protectives boundaries.
Using Ouija boards constitutes flirting with spiritual forces Jesus has already conquered and commanded believers to resist (Luke 10:17-19). Even if some spirits of darkness have already been bound, dabbling in their domain could lead to unhealthy oppression or attack on vulnerable minds.
God calls every Christian to renew their minds and exercise spiritual discernment (Romans 12:2; 1 John 4:1-6). Though gray areas may exist, activities directly counter to scripture surely displease the Lord, regardless of intent. As His children, we are called to obey God rather than satisfy curiosities – no matter how strong the draw.
When questions arise on issues like Ouija boards, believers should pray earnestly for wisdom to understand God’s heart and mind revealed in scripture (James 1:5-6). Dabbling in darkness cannot overpower light, unless we extinguish it ourselves (John 1:4-5). By pursuing God’s will through prayer and study, Christians gain discernment to avoidpotential spiritual danger.