Do Not Ask The Dead To Help The Living

Losing a close relative or friend is one of the most painful experiences we can go through. We deeply feel the loss of their physical presence and the conversations we used to share. If they were a source of encouragement and guidance, their absence leaves a heavy void.

In desperate times, some people turn to mediums (people who claim to speak with the dead) to get a final message or maintain contact. However, I fear that many Christians are practicing a subtle form of this without realizing it, and in doing so, they are taking glory away from God.

A Growing Trend Among Christians

Some eastern religions practice customs like lighting candles and preparing food to appease (please or satisfy) dead loved ones. They may also pray to these departed souls for help. Christians have long exhorted (strongly urged) these individuals to pray to God instead, since He is the only one who can truly help.

Yet, I am witnessing more and more Christians asking deceased relatives and friends to intervene in their daily lives. I have heard believers attribute their strength to overcome an obstacle directly to a departed loved one. They do not mean that the loved one’s memory inspired them; they mean they believe the departed person is actively helping them from the afterlife. Some even pray to them, asking them to talk to God on their behalf.

Jesus Is Our Only Intercessor

We must recognize that the Bible never commands or encourages us to ask departed loved ones to step in for us. Scripture is clear: Jesus is our intercessor (someone who acts as a go-between for us and God).

He always lives to make intercession for them. — Hebrews 7:25

We have no biblical authority to ask deceased loved ones to watch over us or help us in times of need. Jesus is the one who can sympathize with our weaknesses. It is only at the throne of God’s grace that we can find help.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4:25

We should never address requests to departed loved ones, Bible characters, or faithful Christians who have died. Our prayers should go to the Father alone, through Jesus.

An Unintended Insult to God

If we turn to a deceased loved one—or anyone else who has lived on this earth—for help, we are acting without biblical authority. Worse, it is an unintended insult to the God who is actually able to help us.

In the Old Testament, God made it clear how He views this practice:

… should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? — Isaiah 8:19

The Dead Have No Power in This World

People who have passed away have no influence or power in our physical world. We see this clearly in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

The rich man cared deeply about his living brothers, but he could do nothing to help them. A great gulf prevented him or Lazarus from returning to earth. This passage teaches us that death completely cuts off our connection to the physical world.

Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. — Ecclesiastes 9:6

Departed human beings do not gain God’s power or His all-knowing wisdom when they die. No matter how much they loved us in life, God loves us infinitely more, and He is the one we must turn to.

Honor God First

I do not mean to be insensitive. I know firsthand the deep pain of grieving a loved one. However, claiming that the deceased are actively working in our lives goes against what Scripture teaches.

When we credit the dead for what only God can do, we rob Him of His glory. We cannot truly honor our departed loved ones by dishonoring God.

Do our departed loved ones become angels when they die? The next article will address this.