Familiar spirits – What are they? The term "familiar spirits" is used nine times in the King James Version of the New Testament in reference to demons. The idea literally refers to demons that are close or familiar to a person, such as a medium or sorcerer. The first mention of this phrase is found in 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" (KJV). God's people were not to consult with mediums or fortunetellers. Leviticus 20:6 notes God's opposition to involvement with people who communicate with evil or familiar spirits: "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" (KJV). Deuteronomy 18:10-11 offers the next mention of familiar spirits, stating, "There shall not be found among you any one th