Author: happytoberestored
Posted Mar 24 2008 03:53:33pm
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Brother,
These familiar spirits are constantly at work against believers. Those who would scoff at this, you better get back in the Word!
Only the Holy Spirit of Almighty God can guide us. Praise God for the Comforter He gave us!
Keep preaching truth, my brother.
YSIC,
Virginia |
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Author: blessings2you+
Posted Mar 24 2008 06:07:44pm
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Over and over again we are exhorted to "watch" or "be on guard". These exhortations are given because the enemy is doing the same. He is watching for an opening to slip in that which will disrupt, and destroy a believer, a family or a church. No unit on the front lines of a battle would dare not have a sentry stationed to keep watch during the night. The unit's very existence depends on someone watching and staying awake to detect any move of the enemy.
Thanks for the great post.
B2Y |
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Author: Hoyle Waylan Dabbs, Sr.+
Posted Mar 24 2008 08:47:45pm
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The devil from the beginning has been attempting to remove the gifts of the Spirit from the true Church through convincing people they are counterfeit. This is only one of his tactics. He also uses counterfeits of the true gifts (familiar spirits) in congregations who are lead by false prophets and who teach a false gospel to convince people to buy into the lie. We must always be careful to stay prayed up always in God's Word. Those of us who have been blessed with the true gifts of the Holy Spirit will not be tricked into buying into a counterfeit.
My friends, the day is late and the spiritual war for human souls is raging stronger than ever. Press into the things of God. Believe no man without searching the scriptures for yourself to see if those things said are true. Judgment is beginning in the house of God. Many will fall to the wayside (I never knew you). However, a remnant will emerge faithful and true. This remnant will don their wedding garments and be with their Groom. Jesus will be calling His bride to Him soon. Sooner than most believe.
Praying for revelation knowledge for all who truly seek Him.
Blessings from NC |
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Author: doulos+
Posted Mar 25 2008 03:01:14am
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Thank you for your boldness to share this as few are comfortable with this subject area. The familiar spirit is a "personal" spirit and as you put it, it "serves or prompts the individual".
It is my understanding that they are "familiar" to a person, and often goes by undetected. To "get in", these spirits have to be invited into a person's life. Where I worship, we minister deliverance to every new church member as part of a "power encounter" together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some of the doorways we have found, through which a person has invited a familiar spirit, are: by requesting for "spirit guides" or "imaginary friends" (this is something some schools teach these days!); through occult and witchcraft where the practitioner invites these spirits for supernatural "power"; the Ouija board or similar games; and even computer games that contain an element of spirit guides. The "power" of witches and warlocks come from the familiar spirits that they acquire to do their bidding and the slave girl with the spirit of divination you cited is a good biblical example. Of course that list is not exhaustive and I don't want to give the impression that someone who has done any of the above have automatically acquired a familiar spirit - because that's just not the case. Those are just some of the doorways we have uncovered during ministry.
We minister deliverance to every new church member (after some basic teaching). We find this very helpful to enable the person with a "level battlefield" to work out their salvation. The presence of contrary spirits, if from within, unfairly skews the battlefield for a believer's continuing sanctification in favour of the enemy. We cast out contrary spirits and lead the person to baptism of the Holy Spirit (if not already baptised in Spirit).
To me, ministering deliverance is part and parcel of our commission as Christians. It is also a part of the complete salvation experience - to be saved, healed and delivered - made whole. Not that a believer can't get by without deliverance but it is just much, much easier with deliverance and, of course, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Call it a head start if you will, although we think that it is simply the way to start.
You also rightly point out that demonic spirits are able to counterfeit the power of God and speak "demonic tongues" - I've heard it on numerous occasions. Even healing and miracles can come from demonic sources but whatever they can do, I believe it is limited because Our God does more and does it better!
I strongly support that as a body of believers, we must learn to distinguish the source of power - and not reject God's true power. But we can't do this effectively unless we have the Holy Spirit in us. True spiritual discernment is only enabled by the Holy Spirit.
It is also true that contrary spirits tremble in fear when they come near the Spirit of God. I have come across many manifestations during Spirit filled services and even when a Spirit filled minister simply comes close to a person harbouring contrary spirits. I've seen some very dramatic manifestations as well as subtle ones. Such is the Glory of God that where the Light shines, darkness flees! :)
We are always on the lookout for manifestations and when we identify and confirm them as demonic, we will lead the person to freedom at a separate and private setting. Often we have visitors (non-Christian) "manifest" when the move of the Holy Spirit is apparent. These, we minister deliverance to and lead into salvation. Sometimes even visiting Christians from other churches may manifest. Perhaps another subject altogether, a Christian may be battling contrary spirits and need deliverance.
The familiar spirit is certainly very dangerous and along with it, I think the most insidious demonic spirit in our church (in a corporate sense) is the Religious Spirit which thwarts and opposes every move of God... Thanks for the super post! |
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Author: Marsha Tyler Ronquist+
Posted Mar 25 2008 04:42:19am
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I have learned a great deal sense joining CB. There are many persons here with insight and wisdom that bring to mind the things that are important. I never gave much thought to 'familiar' spirits. If Satan can masquerade as an angel of light then his workers could also imitate all of the Gifts of the Spirit.
Found this Bible verse in my Bible study lesson yesterday. Verse 15 really stock out at me.
[bible]2 Corinthians 11:13-15[/bible]
kraftykatz
 drinking tea |
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Author: kreynolds+
Posted Mar 25 2008 07:34:09am
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I just wanted to thank you for posting this very important blog. The Bible warns us over and over again about deception. We forget that deception is going to look as close to the real thing as possible. Years ago, my brother witnessed my father being stabbed in the parking lot of a store (dad survived it). There were two brothers involved. At the trial, the question arose as to which brother had done it. The defendant (obviously) said his younger brother did it.
I was struck by the difference in the two brothers. The defendant was quiet, respectful and recounted the story very carefully. The younger brother was sullen, rude, disheveled and hesitant in his responses. Just listening to the two young men talk, just looking at them would have led you to believe the younger brother not the older brother was capable of this crime.
The jury found the defendant guilty. Why? They based their decision on the testimony of my brother. He was completely confident of who had committed the crime. My dad didn't know which one had stabbed him, but my brother did. He ignored how the defendant looked and sounded. He knew exactly who the defendant was...someone who tried to slash his father's throat and kill him. My brother told the jury exactly who the defendant was.
The Holy Spirit knows exactly who the enemy is. He will reveal deception to us...but we have to be willing to listen to him and not rely on our own understanding. If we rely on ourselves, we will be deceived! |
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Author: harvest
Posted Mar 25 2008 10:27:08am
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Ephesians 6:10 - 13 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Praying for the Harvest |
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Author: literalword
Posted Mar 25 2008 10:44:33am
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Thanks to everyone for all your very informative comments. It is absolutely true familiar spirits are at work attempting to cause distraction, commotion, upreval, and problems in our lives at all times. In church, at home, in all places at all times. These spirits are determined to turn our focus and our faith from God and cause us to trust in things which place a barrier between us and God.
However, my purpose in this posting was to expose how familiar spirits are working in our Churches and Assemblies with the purpose of distracting, misleading, and turning us from the Truth of the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the Church to the deceptive and covetous lusts of the human flesh and wordly attractions.
Another tactic which the evil one is using is placing these spirits in the churches who teach false doctrines and follow false gods. These familiar spirits look and act just as the true gifts of the Holy Spirit and deceive many. This is why hugh crowds gather believing they are serving God but are really lusting for the world (besides their lack of knowledge of God's Word). And we all know that anyone who makes themselves a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:5 - 12 (NKJV)
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Pay close attention to verse 9
In Jesus,
PastorH |
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Author: Hoyle Waylan Dabbs, Sr.+
Posted Mar 25 2008 11:30:11am
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In Old Testament days at the festivals people would sing and dance to the Lord in music and in celebration. Today we should be doing the same. The difference is in the OT they were praising God through a sacrifice of dance in their flesh. Worshipping God in fleshly dancing and all was well because at this time this is what was sanctified by God. New Testament believers have something very special which Old Testament believers did not have, God in us. Today, unlike Old Testament days, true worshippers worship God in Truth and in Spirit.
There are many who, during praise and worship services, at church dance in the flesh to the beat of the music. There are some who bring partners to the altar and dance together to the music as they would in a dance hall. Slow dance, jitterbug, two step, some even twist and shout.
My brothers and sisters, this is manifestations of the flesh and not Spiritual worship. Are familiar spirits motivating these activities? Absolutely!
Manifestations of the flesh in a service, if allowed to continue, will stop the flow of the Holy Spirit and many who should have received ministry will not.
What has happened to the days when the man of God who is called by God to ministry would discern what spirit is in operation and rebuke that which is of the flesh (familiar spirit).
We are to worship God in dance, in dance anointed by the Holy Spirit and ministered through us by the Holy Spirit.
There is a New thing happening and God is going to purify those which are His. There is a move of God and spiritual war is being waged against all enemies of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The remnant of the faithful will emerge and God will be glorified. God will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth by the bride of Christ. Praise God, I'm expecting the sound of the trumpet.
Blessings from NC |
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Author: blessings2you+
Posted Mar 25 2008 12:32:27pm
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Oh my, you brought up something that needs to be addressed whether here or in a blog. It is absolutely incredible what is happening in "extreme worship". Paul was confronting totally different but in essence the same things in 1 Corinthians 14. Worship services were being turned into three ring circuses and breeding grounds for confusion and every evil work.
Familiar spirits know the congregation and they know the leader. All it takes is for a cleverly devised plan to be hatched and the whole assembly can be following the wrong god before they knew what hit them.
This reminds me of the idea of filling a huge stadium with screaming teenagers to hear some Christian heavy metal group play the same music as the world and somehow it is ok because they are Christians. Are we doing things the world does in hope of winning them? If so, we are wrong. God says to "come out from among them" not join in with them and hope to win them.
We MUST provide to the world a HIGHER Standard, which is God's standard not lower ours to appease them.
God's ways are decent and in order and flow with His heart and nature. God needs His men and women who have been trained in spiritual warfare to drag their armor out of the closet and get out to the front lines before the enemy has commandeered all the assemblies.
B2Y |
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Author: doulos+
Posted Mar 26 2008 01:46:31am
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Once some time ago during worship at a church camp He surprised me by asking me to put more of my heart into worship, that He wanted all of my heart. At this time my hands were raised and I was singing with gusto. I looked up to the heavens and shrieked silently, "Huh? You mean You want me to roll on the floor with tears on my face too? Do You want me to worship like an emotional wreck!"... There was a lady doing just that at that precise moment. And He told me no, because that sort of worshiper misses Him also.
I took a moment for silence and soaking to understand what was being asked of me and it became apparent in my heart that what He wanted was worship of love that is expressed from the heart with sincerity. How we expressed it physically was secondary and "extreme worshipers" were certainly missing the point. After all He does look to our heart. Though I was singing, my worship lacked heartfelt focus and that to Him was empty worship.
Some worship is certainly of the flesh. This is the sort that tries to call attention on the self or is expressed as a show to others. There is extreme worship that should to be corrected (that's up to church leaders) but we must also be careful not to hold contempt for true worshippers, even if it may seem strange to us. When I was at a "serious traditional church" I used to think that Pentecostal worship was loony. But now, I worship that way. We do not want to be like Michal when she watched King David dance with the Ark.
The other thing is that when the gift of discernment of spirits is truly in operation, it works BOTH ways. A person operating with this gift will discern the Spirit of God, sense the presence of His angels and distinguish what is of God AS WELL AS that which is of the devil. If someone only sees and worries about the demonic, what is in operation is the counterfeit of the true gift and its design is to cause fear and steer people away from the true power and manifestations of God.
I know that no one here intends to steer people with fear but I just felt the need to temper what is being said in case a reader gets the impression that all manifestations of power are demonic.
Great discussion y'all... God Bless... |
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Author: Hoyle Waylan Dabbs, Sr.+
Posted Mar 26 2008 05:51:26am
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Doulos Said:
Good point my brother. This happens more often than one would think and when it does it can cut off the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We must at all times be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is freely flowing in ministry miracles are happening in peoples lives.
Blessings from NC |
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Author: rosiehunny
Posted Mar 30 2008 12:18:54pm
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hi! i just joined this site...like...JUST THIS VERY HOUR joined this site, and i have no reservations believe that it was the work of Jesus Christ himself.
ya see, i've been deceived. a lot. by the Dark Kingdom. and i am just now being shown the lies and the truths, and i have to say, what i read here is precisely what God has been showing me these past few weeks. i haven't found the bottom of the deception yet and i am, to be honest, rather anxious to find where it ends, or if it ends.
i've been shown something i didn't know before...and that is that Satan and all of his evils that surround him are REALLY RIDICULOUSLY GOOD at impersonating God. except that it's all wrong. but you're right! these familiar spirits are exactly what i've been seeing, the spirits that say to you, "oh...no...it's ok. it's not important. it can wait until tomorrow," when in reality, this has to be done NOW, and vice versa! i have been so grieved lately upon discovering just how easily i was led astray, and God brought my attention to a book...
i would recommend reading this book if you haven't already! it's called "Protection from Deception" by Derek Prince, and i've gotten through the introduction and the first chapter and have found myself in a very, VERY good place.
:D may God bless you for following his instructions and posting this here!
~rosiehunny |
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Author: literalword
Posted Mar 30 2008 02:04:59pm
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Rosie, don't be grieved about what has happened in the past. Instead, rejoice and be exceedingly happy for God has shown you the light. Praise His Name, sing and dance in the spirit. Rejoice in Him here on earth for the kingdom of God is in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your comment. None of us know exactly how many people will read this who need to hear and need to read exactly what you have said. It is a testimony which will bring revelation and blessing to many.
InJesus,
PastorH |
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Author: tohimbeglory
Posted Oct 11 2008 10:05:19pm
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This is very good blog and subject. We cannot, cannot understimate the wily Devil. Sometimes he comes with a small, subtle ripple of error. But the evil intention is always there, even if it sound pious, holy, pleasant and inspired. Truly like someone said, the Devil masquarades as an angel of light and so his ministers as ministers of righteousness. Very hard to detect a 'holy' person telling others lies. But great peace have those that love Gods' word and nothing will make them stumble...May you be blessed. Amen.
thbg |
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Author: literalword
Posted Feb 21 2009 08:30:00am
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I saw this blog listed on the front page today as being one of the top commented blogs and decided to pull it up again and review my writings of yesteryear. As I was reading I heard the Holy Spirit say this is more important now than it was when it was written and will grow increasing more important in the time to come. I was compelled to write this comment. It is up to the Holy Spirit what He does with it now.
Blessings,
LW |
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Author: trevcharl
Posted Apr 30 2009 10:38:13am
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I enjoyed reading this blog and all the comments. I'd just like to add a small thing to what familiar spirits do. There were people that can "call up" the departed, and they will reveal things that only close friends/relatives would know about. This is a familiar spirit, familiar in all the ways of the departed, and is able to give these accounts.
If you believe that you enter Heaven the day you die, you will not be concerned with the things happening on earth, and if you believe that the dead are dead until resurrection, then there is no way anyone can call up the spirit of the departed. Funny how the "called up" spirit of the departed never mentions the name of Jesus? That in itself is a hint as to where it comes from. |
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Author: pastorpaula
Posted Oct 14 2011 04:52:48am
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Familiar spirits attach themselves to wounds from the past and will speak into your mind things of a nature that have to do with self-pity, resentment toward someone, depression, self limiting thoughts, not feeling worthy enough to enter into worship, criticism of others and
impure thoughts. |
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Author: Billy Beard+
Posted Nov 24 2011 04:28:08am
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You are right, this is a gem. Thanks for bringing it back upfront. What a subject. We have all witnessed a lot, most likely, those actually serving and doing in the church. And of course in places such as this, and everywhere else.
Jesus Christ. Abiding fully, totally, in Him, all for HIS glory and honor. The Holy Spirit of God dwells within such. The love shown and found in Him makes all the difference. This also is what the fleshly, and forces of darkness, can not abide in. They lift up self, not Christ. Or perhaps a man-made religiousity. They will want the glory and the honor due only HIM, so, rob from Him.
Thanks. |
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