Should Christians play with Ouija boards? What are Ouija boards?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Scripture prohibits participating in occult practices because they involve demonic influences. Ouija boards should be avoided because they are occult by nature since the whole point of the game is to contact the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 makes it clear that those who inquire of the dead are “an abomination to the LORD.” The Bible teaches that believers should not do what pleases our flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) but rather, to obey God. Similarly, Leviticus 19:31 prohibits God’s people from turning to those who practiced the occult. Isaiah 8:19 reveals how foolish it is to try to communicate with the dead when we have the living God we can speak to. Those tempted to play with Ouija boards or engage with similar items should get rid of them; we can burn them like new believers did in Acts 19:18–19.Playing with Ouija boards is a worldly practice that should be avoided. Believers are called to be set apart from the world (Romans 12:2).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• We should not seek out those who practice witchcraft, and that includes playing occultic-like games with them. Leviticus 19:31 says, "Do not turn to mediums of necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.”
• Since the Ouija board “inquires of the dead” we should steer clear of it. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 says, "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD …"
• It is both sinful and foolish to communicate with the dead when we have a living God who can communicate with us: "And when they say to you, 'Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,' should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isaiah 8:19).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• If we own items like Ouija boards we can follow the example of those in Acts 19:18–19: "Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver."
• Our goal as believers shouldn’t be to conform to this world (Romans 12:2) but to conform to the image of Christ. We must therefore not take part in using Ouija boards and other items/games that are worldly, fleshly, and demonic by nature.
• Sorcery is clearly prohibited in Galatians 5:19–21 as a fleshly pursuit, and Ouija boards fit the criteria of being in the same category: "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Ouija board is often sold as a game for children, and it displays the alphabet, numbers, and a printed "yes" and "no." Players are instructed to try to communicate with the spirits of the dead by putting a hand or finger on a pointer and waiting for it to move. This practice came from the late 1800s when spiritualism and communicating with the dead were somewhat in fashion in Europe and North America. Some, such as occultists and even those who said they were just amusing themselves, claimed the spirits of the dead move the pointer to answer questions posed by those touching it. Scientists say it moves because the (living) people move it. However, blindfolded players are consistently and unanimously unable to coherently answer questions using the pointer.

While playing with Ouija boards may appear innocent, it is too close to occultic practices for any Christian to participate in. The Bible prohibits even the attempt to communicate with the dead. Doing so may be an opening for demonic activity in our lives. Such activity is under the purview of Satan, about whom Peter warns, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). We should not attempt to play with our enemy. Instead, we should find entertainment that aligns with the attributes listed in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

UNDERSTAND

• The Ouija board is a game in which players try to communicate with the dead.
• Ouija boards and other practices like it are part of the occult and are prohibited by the Bible.
• Christians should avoid any occult practices as God views them as “abominations.”

REFLECT

• How do you respond to the temptation of things that seem harmless but are actually tied to the occult, like Ouija boards?
• In what ways can you replace unhealthy or spiritually dangerous practices with activities that honor God?
• How does remembering that you can always turn to the living God in prayer strengthen you against the lure of occult practices?

ENGAGE

• Why do some people view Ouija boards as harmless fun, and how can we biblically explain the dangers?
• How does Scripture’s teaching on the occult help us recognize Satan’s subtle strategies in entertainment and culture?
• What are practical ways we, as believers, can help each other pursue what is true, pure, and honoring to God instead of worldly or demonic influences?