The Balaam Syndrome, Part 2: Mixing Light and Darkness – Balaam and the Occult

“When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens…”
— Numbers 24:1

One of the most disturbing truths about Balaam is that he wasn’t an atheist or a pagan outsider. He knew the true God by name, heard His voice, and even prophesied under the Holy Spirit’s power. Yet, he continually used occult methods — seeking signs, omens, and supernatural insight through forbidden means.

Balaam’s story reveals something we often overlook: it’s possible to speak for God outwardly while relying on dark spiritual techniques inwardly. His sin wasn’t that he rejected God outright, but that he tried to mix God’s revelation with mystical practices from the world around him. That unholy mixture was the seed of his destruction — and the same deception is quietly creeping into parts of the modern church today.

Balaam the Soothsayer

Joshua 13:22 describes Balaam as a “soothsayer” — a word never used for true prophets of God. The title points to one who reads omens, interprets signs in nature, or uses charms and rituals to discover secret knowledge.

Ancient scholars tell us Balaam’s family may have practiced “mantic arts” — spiritual techniques passed down through generations. His name, meaning “devourer,” was likely tied to his reputation: people feared the destructive power of his curses and sought him out for hire.

Balak, king of Moab, certainly believed in Balaam’s spiritual abilities. He was willing to pay a fortune for his services, hoping Balaam’s words could bring defeat to Israel. And at first, Balaam seemed to cooperate. He built altars, offered sacrifices, and waited for omens — rituals that resembled pagan divination more than biblical worship.

Balaam was a man who tried to use spiritual power like a tool — something to be manipulated for profit. He wanted results, not relationship.

The Forbidden Arts

God had made His will clear long before Balaam came along:

“There shall not be found among you anyone who practices divination, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells.”
— Deuteronomy 18:10–12

Such practices were called “an abomination to the Lord.”

Why? Because they reject dependence on God’s revelation and instead seek knowledge or power through human or demonic sources. They promise secret insight, but in doing so, they bypass submission to God’s authority.

Even after Balaam encountered the angel of the Lord and witnessed God’s power firsthand, he still clung to his old ways. Twice in Numbers 23, he sought omens before God gave him a word to speak. He was a man torn between two loyalties — one to the true God, and the other to his own mystical ambitions.

This double-mindedness is the essence of spiritual deception: to want God’s blessing while keeping control over the process. Balaam wanted to use God’s power, but on his own terms.

Modern Parallels: New Age Christianity

At first glance, Balaam’s story may seem distant — a relic from the ancient world. But his error is alarmingly relevant today.

In recent years, certain Christian movements have embraced practices that closely resemble occultism, often under the banner of “spiritual revelation.” We hear about prophetic activations, energy healing, guided visualization, and Christian astrology. People seek words from God through methods that feel more mystical than biblical.

Some describe these practices as “redeemed” forms of ancient wisdom, arguing that “methods are neutral — God can use anything.” But Scripture never teaches that. God does not sanctify what He has condemned.

The truth is, spiritual methods are not neutral. They either flow from the Holy Spirit through God’s revealed Word, or they draw from forbidden sources that mimic His power. Balaam learned this the hard way — and modern believers risk doing the same when they trade Scripture for experiences, or discernment for spectacle.

The Deception of Spiritual Experience

Balaam’s story also reminds us that supernatural experiences are not proof of godliness. God allowed Balaam to prophesy, but that didn’t mean Balaam was approved. God even used a donkey to speak truth — but the donkey wasn’t holy.

This is crucial for the church today. Many people equate miracles, visions, or emotional power with divine approval. Yet Jesus Himself warned, “Many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name... and perform many miracles?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you’” (Matthew 7:22–23).

God can use anyone — even someone in rebellion — to accomplish His will. But being used by God is not the same as being right with God.

The Way of Balaam in the Church

Peter and Jude both warned that false teachers would follow “the way of Balaam.” That way involves three elements:

1. Mixing God’s truth with worldly or occult ideas.

2. Using spiritual gifts for personal gain.

3. Refusing to love and submit to the truth.

We see this same pattern today whenever Christian leaders replace biblical teaching with emotional hype, mysticism, or promises of power. When “prophecy” becomes entertainment, when “faith” becomes a formula, when “anointing” becomes a brand — the church is walking dangerously close to Balaam’s path.

A Call to Discernment

The Apostle John gave believers a simple test:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
— 1 John 4:1

True discernment isn’t suspicion — it’s love for truth. It means holding every teaching, every experience, every method up to the light of Scripture. If it cannot be clearly supported by God’s Word, it should not be accepted, no matter how impressive it seems.

God’s Spirit never contradicts God’s Word.
When we forget that, we start down the same dark road Balaam traveled.

Rooted in Jesus Grace,

Mara Wellspring

Special thanks to Bob DeWaay, Critical Issues Commentary