The OUIJA BOARD is No Game

The Uninvited Guests: When Innocent Entertainment Raises Spiritual Questions

The OUIJA BOARD is No Game

The Uninvited Guests: When Innocent Entertainment Raises Spiritual Questions

Another true account from my years in ministry

As we drove along the highway, the afternoon sun glistened upon the pavement. It felt good to get away for a chance to escape the demands of ministry and enjoy a little rest and relaxation. Anyone who has spent years in the pastorate knows that ministry can become fatiguing with hectic scheduling, multiple challenges, spiritual battles, and endless demands upon one's time. A brief getaway is just what the doctor ordered.

Dear friends of ours, a pastoral couple living in Michigan, had graciously invited us to spend the weekend with them. We looked forward to good fellowship, laughter, and a much-needed break from the pressures of ministry.

As we approached their front door, the wonderful aroma of freshly baked homemade biscuits greeted us. Pastor Leroy's wife was an excellent cook, and she never disappointed! Soon we were exchanging warm embraces, laughter, and stories as only longtime friends can. While our wives busied themselves in the kitchen, Pastor Leroy and I settled down for a conversation about the highs and lows of ministry—but somewhere in that conversation, the atmosphere shifted.

Pastor Leroy began sharing something rather unusual that had been happening in his home.

A Toy Truck with No Driver

He explained that he had recently purchased an electronic, remote-controlled truck for his six-year-old son.

One day, something peculiar happened. The truck began moving across the floor—but nobody was operating it!

The remote control was sitting on the coffee table, untouched, while the little truck continued moving.

Now, I thought that was rather strange. But I said nothing. Later, as we sat around the coffee table with our wives, the conversation turned to something far more troubling. Their young son had been experiencing frightening nighttime episodes. He would frequently climb into bed with his parents, terrified by things he claimed to see.

Even while lying between his mother and father, he would suddenly point toward something invisible to them and cry out:

"Mom! Dad! Do you see it? Make it go away!"

His parents would look in the direction he was pointing, but they saw absolutely nothing. Yet the little fellow was genuinely frightened. This had been happening for some time. His parents had prayed for him and over the situation, but eventually they would let the matter rest.

As I listened carefully, something about these incidents troubled me. Rather than immediately offering an explanation, I decided to seek the face of God and pray for wisdom concerning what was happening in that household. Little did I know that an ordinary conversation around the dinner table would soon bring an unexpected discovery.

The Question That Changed Everything

The following evening, we gathered around the dinner table: Pastor Leroy, his wife, their six-year-old son, their teenage daughter Shayla, who was about thirteen or fourteen, and my wife and me. After we finished eating, I turned my attention toward Shayla.

"Shayla, do you have friends?"

"Yes," she answered.

"Have you ever spent the night at one of your friends' homes?"

"Yes."

"What kinds of things do you girls do when you get together?"

"Oh, we play cards, watch movies, eat pizza and sloppy joes."

Nothing unusual there.

Then I asked another question.

"Shayla, did you and your friend ever play with a Ouija board?"

"Yes."

Her response was immediate, matter of fact, and without hesitation.

I continued.

"What kinds of things did you ask the Ouija board?"

"Well, we asked what the weather was going to be like the next day because we were planning to go outside."

"Anything else?"

"We asked if Teddy liked Gina."

"And did the Ouija board respond?"

"Yes."

That was enough. I stopped questioning her.

Shayla had answered my questions with the innocence of a child who had no idea that, from my biblical understanding, she had participated in something spiritually forbidden. There was no sinister intent in her answers. No fascination with darkness. No deliberate rebellion against God. Just the innocent curiosity of a young teenager who believed she was enjoying an ordinary game with a friend. Yet innocence of intention does not necessarily eliminate the need for spiritual discernment.

I turned toward the family and began explaining my concern.

"I believe this encounter with the Ouija board may have opened a portal (spiritual door), and that what your son has been experiencing could be connected to it."

I also believed the unusual movement of the toy truck might be related.

To me, this was no longer simply a discussion about an unusual toy or a frightened little boy. It was an occasion to warn the family about the dangers of occult involvement. Scripture warns against attempting to communicate with the dead or seeking guidance through forbidden spiritual practices (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). What society markets as entertainment can be deemed as an abomination through the lens of God's Word. The Christian's source of spiritual guidance is the Holy Spirit, not a talking board.

Historical Account

The Ouija board emerged during America's late nineteenth-century fascination with Spiritualism—the belief that the living could communicate with the dead.  It was patented as a game or toy in 1891 by Elijah J. Bond after reportedly spelling out a patent official's name during a required demonstration. Later marketed by William Fuld and his family, the Ouija board was acquired by Parker Brothers in 1966. By 1967, sales reportedly reached 2.3 million boards, outselling Monopoly! It eventually became part of Hasbro's product line. Remarkably, a device used to communicate with familiar spirits (demons) was successfully packaged and sold to millions of families as innocent entertainment.

We Joined Hands Around the Table

After explaining my concerns about the Ouija board, I asked everyone to join hands. I was particularly careful not to single out Shayla or make her feel condemned. She was not the enemy. She was a child who needed knowledge, understanding, guidance, and protection. Our purpose was not to frighten or shame her but to bring biblical clarity to something she had regarded as innocent entertainment.

I led everyone around the table in a prayer of repentance and renunciation.

We acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ, asked forgiveness for any involvement with forbidden spiritual practices, and renounced every connection to occult activity.

Then, in the authority of Jesus Christ, we prayed against every evil spiritual influence we believed might be troubling that home. We covered the entire household with the precious blood of the Lamb and asked the Lord to restore peace, protection, and restful sleep.

In plain language, we served notice that the devil was not welcome in that house! Leave NOW!

We also prayed for Shayla's friend and her family—that they, too, would come to understand the spiritual concerns surrounding the Ouija board. We did not want condemnation to be the final word. We wanted repentance, understanding, and freedom.

I cannot independently establish what caused the truck to move or the child's frightening experiences, but to my knowledge there were no more manifestations. I share this testimony to reinforced my conviction that Christians should avoid paranormal practices that violate the scriptures. What began as a get-away from ministry turned out to be an occasion to confront the powers of darkness.  

 If this blog has blessed or encouraged you, please share it with others—especially anyone who may be involved in or curious about occult practices. We also invite you to leave a comment and explore the other faith-building resources available here. Please contact me if you’re interested in deliverance services.

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