The day I consulted the dead

 

There is something you may not have known about my tribe, the Bamilekes. We are known for our cult of skulls.

The Bamilekes are a people of Central Africa located in the highlands of Cameroon. They are a hard-working people, gifted in agriculture and business, with numerous traditions and rites, the most famous of which are funerals and the cult of skulls. Following the custom, the skulls of deceased parents are exhumed at the time of the funeral, to be kept in a sacred corner of the family compound. The descendants will regularly come to care for the skulls, asking the deceased to watch over their offspring. This funeral rite is less and less practiced by families today.

I must admit that to write this article I had to ask my father for more information, and do some research online, because I have never attended that ceremony. My father, having known the Lord before we were born, kept his family out of it. And when he was ordained pastor in 2009, the first mission he gave himself, before going to the mission field where the church had assigned him, was to go to the village to destroy this place of cult in the family compound.

You may ask me, "Since this is the situation, when and how did you find yourself consulting the dead?"

"Did you go to a medium or spiritist?”  The answer is "No!"  

The Bible says: "Let no one be found among you … who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 ).

I knew this passage well, and I used to look down on those who engage in these practices, thinking that I am not like them.

And yet...

One day, about three years after my mother's death, I was going through a difficult time where I was failing in all areas of my life, despite my efforts and prayers. I was very discouraged and wondered if my prayers were getting through to God. At one point, I thought of my mother. I said to myself, "She always loved us, she would have done anything for us while she was alive. Maybe now that she is up there, she can help us more." So I addressed my mother (I dare not say I prayed to her). I told her that if she can do anything for me, for my sisters, anything at all, please do it.

Of course, the thought came to me that I might be invoking the dead by doing this, and that would not please God. But I immediately dismissed that thought. "She is my mother after all!" I said. "Besides, it's not like I tried to communicate with her spirit or worship her remains."

I did that once, and it passed. I didn't think about it anymore.

Then one day, many months later, I was listening to an online sermon by Francis Chan about the activities of Satan and demons. I was immediately reminded of that evening, and it was a moment of revelation.

In his message, Francis Chan reminded that the devil has a way of presenting to us the things that God said he hates as beautiful, harmless, and legitimate. The Bible says that he can disguise himself as an angel of light. Consulting or talking to the dead today is presented as something very beautiful, natural and harmless through movies, novels, cartoons and celebrations. For example, in a movie, a character whose wife has died, and who can manage to communicate with her, is so touching.

One can argue as follows: "Come on, it's just a movie" Or :"Does reading this novel or watching that movie make me a worshiper of Satan?" Maybe not, but since we are to do all things for the glory of God, can we say that these kind of distractions are for the glory of God?

One can also say, "Does honoring my ancestors through rituals, or simply talking to my deceased close relative mean that I am an idolater?" The fact is that we are pursuing those who passed away, we're seeking after them, and the Bible speaks against that. It takes away from the glory of God. 

When I heard that sermon I repented. I pray to an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God. I don't need my Mom who passed away to pray for me because when I speak to Him, He hears me. God can be at all places at all times. God is sufficient.

I don't need another intermediary. If I am looking for protection from natural and supernatural forces, if I need direction and blessings in my life, I can call on Jesus who is far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Eph 1:21 NIV).