Seducing spirits afflict the spirit of man, seducing him to believe doctrinal lies and be condemned to eternal punishment. They are spirits of false doctrine, cults, false christs, and false teachers:
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." --1 Timothy 4:1
These seducing spirits are deceptive. They actually work miracles that lead some to believe they are of God:
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." --Revelation 16:14
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of satan with all powers and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." --2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
Seducing spirits include the "spirit of divination" mentioned in Acts:
"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying." --Acts 16:16
Such spirits of divination or "familiar spirits" operate in fortune tellers, witches, and palm, crystal ball, and tealeaf readers. Through unscriptural methods, these spirits of divination foretell the future or things naturally unknown.
Warnings against familiar spirits are given:
Leviticus 19:31:
"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 20:6:
"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."
Leviticus 20:27:
"A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them."
Deuteronomy 5:9:
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,"
Deuteronomy 18:10:
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch."
1 Samuel 28:3:
"Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land."
Seducing spirits:
--sear the conscience
--seduce
--entice
--tempt
--allure
--interest
--fascinate
--excite
--arouse
--attract
--deceive
Seducing spirits are active in causing "spiritual wickedness in high places."
They are present and operative in every cult and wherever doctrinal error exists.
Remember that satan craves worship and he will take it any way he can get it. Seducing spirits entice men and women to worship idols and even satan himself.
