Why Christians Must Reject Trances, Hypnosis, and Spirit Contact
What Is a Trance?
A trance is a half-conscious or altered state in which a person becomes less responsive to normal external stimuli and more open to inward impressions, suggestion, spiritual influence, visions, or unusual experiences. A trance may be entered intentionally or unintentionally, and in occult or spiritual settings it is often used to open the person to supernatural contact, hidden knowledge, spirit communication, healing experiences, or altered awareness.
A trance may be connected with:
- hypnosis
- mediumship
- spirit communication
- channeling
- shamanic journeying
- altered states of consciousness
- guided meditation
- deep visualization
- occult rituals
- possession states
- automatic speaking
- psychic experiences
- New Age practices
From a biblical perspective, the danger is not simply being deeply focused. The danger is entering an altered or passive state in order to receive spiritual experiences, messages, power, healing, or contact apart from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Where Do Trance Practices Come From?
Trance states have been used in many religious, occult, pagan, shamanic, and mystical traditions throughout history. They may be induced through music, drumming, chanting, repetition, breathing techniques, meditation, drugs, ritual movement, hypnosis, suggestion, or spirit-invoking practices.
Trance-like states have been used in:
- mediumship
- shamanism
- witchcraft
- occult rituals
- spirit possession ceremonies
- channeling
- divination
- New Age practices
- guided meditations
- Eastern spiritual practices
- hypnotic techniques
There is no single founder of trance practices in general. However, trance states are commonly used in false religion and occult systems as a way to bypass normal mental alertness and make the person more open to spiritual influence.
Is Every Trance the Same?
No. Not every experience labeled a trance is identical.
There is a difference between:
- being absorbed in thought
- being tired or dissociated
- being hypnotized
- being spiritually passive
- entering a mediumistic trance
- entering an occult ritual trance
- coming under demonic influence
From a Christian standpoint, the key issue is source and purpose.
If a person is entering a passive or altered state to receive spiritual messages, healing, power, visions, or contact outside of God’s boundaries, that becomes spiritually dangerous.
Are Trances in the Bible?
The Bible does mention deep spiritual experiences and visions, but that does not mean Christians should seek trance states through occult or hypnotic methods.
For example, God can give visions or revelations according to His will. But biblical revelation is initiated by God, not produced by occult technique, hypnosis, or mediumship.
What is the difference? God's way is active communication with the Lord. The trance is not active but passive.
A biblical encounter with God is never the same as:
- mediumistic trance
- spirit possession
- hypnotic submission
- occult passivity
- channeling
- guided spirit contact
God is sovereign. He does not need pagan or occult methods to speak.
What Is the Difference Between God-Given Revelation and Occult Trance?
God-Given Revelation
Biblical revelation is:
- initiated by God
- under God’s control
- consistent with Scripture
- for God’s purpose
- never manipulated by man
- never based on hypnosis or spirit invocation
- never used to contact the dead or hidden spirits
Occult Trance
Occult trance may involve:
- passivity
- hypnosis
- mediumship
- spirit guides
- chanting
- repetitive rituals
- opening the mind
- surrendering control
- altered consciousness
- contact with spirits
- automatic speech or writing
- psychic impressions
- yoga meditation
The difference is the source.
Why Are Trances Against God’s Word?
Trances are against God’s Word when they are used to seek supernatural experience, spirit contact, healing, guidance, or revelation apart from the Lord.
1. They Can Open the Mind to Unclean Spirits
A trance state can make a person spiritually passive and vulnerable.
2. They Are Often Connected to Mediumship and Spirit Contact
Many trance practices are used by mediums, psychics, and channelers to receive messages.
3. They Can Involve Hypnosis and Suggestion
When a person surrenders mental alertness or control to another person or to spiritual influence, they may become more open to deception.
4. They Can Be a Doorway to Possession or Oppression
Some trance states are connected to spirit entry, demonization, or spiritual contamination.
5. They Bypass Biblical Discernment
A person in trance may stop testing what they experience and begin accepting impressions, voices, visions, or sensations without discernment.
6. They Replace Dependence on God With Altered Consciousness
God calls believers to be sober-minded, alert, and submitted to His truth.
What Does the Bible Say?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12
“There shall not be found among you any one that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer…”
Leviticus 19:31
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them…”
Isaiah 8:19
“Should not a people seek unto their God?”
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant…”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”
Ephesians 5:11
“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…”
How Are Trances Induced?
Trances may be induced through:
- hypnosis
- rhythmic music
- drumming
- chanting
- mantras
- repetitive prayers not based on biblical faith
- deep breathing techniques
- visualization
- guided meditation
- energy work
- mediumship
- occult rituals
- drug use
- psychedelic practices
- prolonged staring
- pendulums or objects
- spirit-calling ceremonies
These methods can create a state of passivity and altered awareness that may open the person spiritually.
Why Would Someone Get Involved in Trance States?
People may get involved for many reasons.
1. Curiosity
They want spiritual experience or hidden knowledge.
2. Desire for Healing
They may look for relief from trauma, fear, stress, pain, or emotional distress.
3. Mediumship or Psychic Interest
Some seek messages from spirits, loved ones, or hidden realms.
4. New Age Practices
Some are taught that trance is a doorway to enlightenment, healing, or higher consciousness.
5. Escape
A person may want to escape painful thoughts, trauma, or reality.
6. Religious Ritual
Some cultures use trance in ceremonies or spiritual rites.
7. Desire for Power
A person may want visions, gifts, messages, or influence.
8. Deception Through Wellness Language
Some trance-like practices are presented as harmless relaxation or inner healing while carrying spiritual danger.
How Can Trances Hurt a Christian?
Trances can spiritually hurt a Christian by opening doors to:
- familiar spirits
- mediumship
- divination
- deception
- false visions
- false voices
- passivity
- mind-binding spirits
- fear
- confusion
- spiritual heaviness
- emotional instability
- dissociation
- psychic impressions
- occult bondage
- demonic oppression
- false healing
- strange manifestations
- loss of peace
- difficulty praying
- loss of discernment
A Christian is called to walk in truth, sobriety, and the leading of the Holy Spirit—not in passivity and altered spiritual states.
Are Trances Connected to Mediums?
Yes. Mediums commonly enter trance states in order to:
- contact spirits
- channel messages
- allow a spirit to speak
- receive impressions
- enter altered awareness
- speak for the dead or spirits
This is one reason trance states are so spiritually dangerous. A mediumistic trance is not neutral—it is often an intentional gateway for spirit contact.
Is Hypnosis Connected to Trance?
Yes. Hypnosis often involves trance-like states of focused passivity and suggestion. While people may argue over different forms of hypnosis, Christians should be cautious because hypnosis can involve surrendering mental alertness, becoming highly suggestible, and entering altered states that may not be spiritually safe.
If hypnosis is combined with inner healing practices, regressions, spirit contact, past-life work, guided spiritual experiences, or occult techniques, the danger increases greatly.
Can Trances Open Doors to Demons?
Yes, they can.
When a person yields themselves to an altered state for spirit contact, occult guidance, hidden knowledge, or passive spiritual experience, they may open doors to demonic spirits.
This is especially true when trances are connected with:
- mediumship
- hypnosis
- spirit guides
- automatic writing
- occult meditation
- chanting
- rituals
- divination
- New Age practices
- past-life regression
- shamanic journeying
Not every strange feeling is a demon, but these practices can absolutely create spiritual openings.
What Spirits Can Be Connected to Trances?
From a deliverance perspective, trances may open doors to:
- familiar spirits
- divination
- mediumship
- witchcraft
- sorcery
- spirit guides
- deception spirits
- mind-binding spirits
- passivity
- fear
- confusion
- Python
- false prophecy
- false light spirits
- New Age spirits
- occult bondage
- dissociation spirits
- control spirits
What Curses or Bondages Can Come Through Trances?
1. Curse of Divination
Seeking supernatural messages outside of God can open the door to divination.
2. Curse of Familiar Spirits
Trance states can invite contact with familiar spirits.
3. Curse of Passivity
The person may become spiritually passive and less discerning.
4. Curse of Confusion
Trances can create confusion about what is God, what is imagination, and what is demonic.
5. Curse of Fear
A person may begin to experience dread, nightmares, oppressive presence, or torment.
6. Curse of False Guidance
The person may begin following impressions or voices not from God.
7. Curse of Occult Bondage
Trances can lead into deeper occult practices.
8. Generational Occult Bondage
If mediumship, spiritism, witchcraft, hypnosis, or occult religion are in the family line, those doors may need to be renounced.
Signs You May Need Deliverance After Involvement With Trances
You may need deliverance if you experience:
- hearing voices
- strange visions
- blackouts or memory gaps
- dissociation
- fear or panic
- heaviness after meditation or hypnosis
- feeling controlled
- spiritual oppression
- nightmares
- sleep paralysis
- intrusive thoughts
- false impressions
- obsession with mediums or channeling
- loss of peace
- difficulty praying
- difficulty reading the Bible
- confusion about God’s voice
- strange body sensations during spiritual practices
What Should a Christian Do If They Have Been Involved in Trances?
1. Repent
Confess every involvement with trance states, hypnosis, mediumship, occult meditation, or spirit contact.
2. Renounce It
Renounce trances, spirit contact, hypnotic control, passivity, mediumship, and every spirit behind those practices.
3. Break Agreements
Break every agreement with mediums, guides, rituals, regressions, or spiritual techniques.
4. Reject False Messages
Cancel every message, vision, word, impression, vow, or assignment received in trance.
5. Destroy Occult Materials
Remove books, recordings, symbols, tools, and materials connected to occult trances.
6. Renew the Mind
Fill your mind with Scripture and reject passivity.
7. Seek Deliverance
If oppression, voices, fear, or confusion continues, seek biblical deliverance.
Deliverance Prayer for Renouncing Trances
Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come before You in repentance.
I confess and repent for any involvement in trances, hypnosis, mediumship, channeling, spirit communication, occult meditation, guided spiritual experiences, past-life regression, shamanic journeying, divination, witchcraft, and every altered state I entered apart from Your will.
I repent for opening my mind, becoming passive, yielding control, or seeking spiritual experiences, messages, healing, or guidance apart from Jesus Christ.
I renounce trances and every spirit behind them.
I renounce mediumship, familiar spirits, spirit guides, hypnosis, divination, witchcraft, sorcery, passivity, false visions, false prophecy, fear, confusion, deception, and every counterfeit spiritual experience.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I break every agreement I made knowingly or unknowingly with trances, altered states, hypnosis, mediums, channelers, spirit guides, rituals, and occult practices.
I cancel every message, vision, voice, vow, initiation, assignment, curse, and legal right connected to those practices.
I command every demon that entered through trances, hypnosis, mediumship, spirit contact, occult meditation, or passivity to leave me now in the name of Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, wash my mind, soul, spirit, body, emotions, dreams, memories, and spiritual senses in Your blood.
Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Restore my sound mind, peace, discernment, alertness, and love for Your truth.
I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I reject passivity. I reject occult trances. I choose the Holy Spirit and the Word of God alone.
In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.
Scriptures to Study
- Deuteronomy 18:10–12
- Leviticus 19:31
- Isaiah 8:19
- 1 Peter 5:8
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- 1 John 4:1
- Ephesians 5:11
- James 4:7
- Romans 12:2
- Philippians 4:8
- Acts 19:18–20
- Luke 10:19
Final Warning
Trances may be presented as healing, spiritual, mystical, insightful, or harmless—but when they involve hypnosis, mediumship, passivity, spirit contact, or altered states opened apart from God, they become spiritually dangerous.
Christians are not called to seek trance states.
Christians are called to be sober, vigilant, discerning, and led by the Holy Spirit through the truth of God’s Word.
If you have been involved in trances, hypnosis, mediumship, occult meditation, spirit contact, or channeling, repent and renounce it.
You may need deliverance to close every open door and break every legal right of the enemy.
Visit the comprehensive Occult Checklist:
https://www.touchofgod.org/post/occult-checklist
Read more about the Seven Biblical Curses Listed in the Bible:
https://www.touchofgod.org/post/the-seven-biblical-curses-listed-in-the-bible
Schedule a one-on-one deliverance session:
https://www.touchofgod.org/ministry-programs/deliverance-ministry
See all programs, free ebooks, and scheduling links:
https://linktr.ee/teresamorin
Teresa Morin
President and Founder of Touch of God Int’l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance
https://www.touchofgod.org
Ordained Minister, Public Speaker
Featured in Who’s Who of America
