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. (Leviticus 20:6 KJV)
The term “familiar spirits” is used in the Bible to describe those who use information gained through demons on a regular basis. In those days, these people would have included psychics, tarot card readers, palm readers, witch doctors, along with wizards. Is it harmless to get your palm read? Or to go to a tarot card reader or a shaman?
According to the above scripture, there is a stiff penalty for associating with spirits who are not from God: He turns His face from us. This means we will lose God's favor and His presence. If you were cut off from your people, you couldn't go to the temple to pray or to offer sacrifices. For Christians, this means that your prayers will be hindered if you listen to familiar spirits!
Besides this direct reference, many Christians use the term “familiar spirit” to refer to a particular aspect of Satan’s network. We know that Satan frequently tries to imitate God. Most of us are aware that we have a “guardian” angel assigned to us (Matthew 18:10, Hebrews 1:14). Satan isn’t omnipresent. He can only be in one place at one time. The Devil assigns demons to humans to keep an eye on them and to harass them. Sometimes Christians refer to these minions as “familiar spirits” because they know us and have often been passed down through our family line.
Many spirits can speak to us which are not from God:
But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed...(Galatians 1:8 AMPC)
This verse shows that there are angels who are not from God (demons) who will try to influence us by speaking to us through our thoughts:
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ… (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV)
Have you ever had a thought that seems so repulsive that you think, “Where did that come from?” The Holy Spirit can speak directly to our mind and so can the enemy’s minions. Can these other spirits speak to us in the Courts of Heaven? When we have help from others? Is there a danger of misinformation?
There are many voices we can hear when we go to the Courts:
The Holy Spirit - our Counselor
Demonic spirits who are attached to us
Our human spirit/heart or soul/mind
Our goal is to hear only from our Counselor, the Holy Spirit. However, we need to be aware that there are spirits working for Satan who have access to the Courts as well. How could justice be done if the Accuser wasn’t allowed to speak his side and give accusations? When Satan accused Job it was in the assembly gathered before God in the Courts.
There is a safeguard. God is truth. In His presence, lies will be immediately corrected. God is also just, and there can be no justice if there are lies. Whatever the enemy speaks in the Courts, it will be true, but Satan has a few tricks up his sleeves. After hundreds of visits to the Courts, a pattern has emerged. You can identify other spirits by the following traits:
They may be incredibly difficult to understand
The message may be conveyed in a harsh way
The enemy uses curse words
They may muddy the water with too much information that doesn’t pertain to what is being addressed
If we see these traits in the CoH, then we know that the person giving the information may be hearing from a spirit that is not the Holy Spirit or speaking from their own soul.
For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people)... (1 Corinthians 14:33 AMPC)
The enemy brings confusion and chaos. The Word tells us to correct our brothers gently, lest the same should come upon us. Kindness, gentleness, compassion, understanding: The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) should always be present when correcting our sisters and brothers in Christ inside or outside of the Courts.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:10 ESV)
The Lord revealed that we should ask to hear from our Advocate and our Counselor, the Holy Spirit. We can ask for the protection of our Lord and Advocate in what we receive. You can only do this when other spirits do not have a place in your life. If you have a familiar spirit to whom you have responded to, it will still have the ability to influence you unless you are guided by someone who is able to come under the protection of Jesus. You may also hear from your soul.
You should watch for the traits of the enemy when receiving information in the Courts. The Holy Spirit will give clear, precise words. Let me give you a personal example.
I had been miraculously healed of allergies in 2001. One spring, the symptoms of severe hay fever began appearing. I thought, “I'm going to visit my mom in Phoenix, AZ next week where not much is blooming, I should receive relief then.” When I continued to have difficulty, even in the desert, I went into the Courts and asked my Counselor to reveal what was against me. These are the words I received:
Birthright
Challenge
Hardening
Heart
Hindrance
Hope
Calling
These words are very straightforward, almost forming a sentence. “Hope” and “Calling” are used in the beginning of Ephesians chapter four where it speaks of the different functions within the body: Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet, Pastor and Teacher. It didn’t take long for me to realize the meaning of the charges against me.
In previous online meetings, I stated that I was looking for a real pastor to take over this meeting. It seemed that was not what God had planned. I had to repent and accept the “Courts of Heaven - Worldwide” (Facebook group) and the fellowship meeting as the ministry God has assigned to me. I was hindering His work by not accepting these things as part of my calling.
Can you see how clearly those words applied? If you go to the Courts with someone who has a spirit attached to them, they may receive words that are incredibly difficult to understand. The enemy will use the most obscure, hard-to-understand, offensive words as charges. This doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit can’t still lead you to the truth - He knows all things, praise God! It is a good head’s up about the person who received such words as well.
Demonic spirits can also give prophecies or “words of knowledge” about true things to distract you. A word about a financial blessing or renewal is always God’s will and truth, but that may not be what God wants to be discussed at this moment. This is a tactic of the enemy to distract you from the true purpose: repenting (turning from) your sin so you can be truly free!
The Human Soul
If our soul is stronger than our spirit, then we may receive charges from our own mind instead of the Holy Spirit. We must feed our spirit with the Word of God to strengthen it. See other free classes at our Online Christian Church for more information about this.
After receiving charges, we may still hear from our soul and for this reason, we must use the gift of discernment. If what we have received is not from the Holy Spirit but from our own human mind, He will show us. The Courts of Heaven is not a playground for “young” Christians. In youthful enthusiasm, sometimes we rush into things, being pushed by our own excitement instead of waiting on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Lord knows I’ve been guilty of this in the past!
It takes time to become mature in the ways of God and discern what should be spoken now and what should be held for later time. We must discern what is from our human observation and what is from the Holy Spirit. I don’t always get it right, but my failures are fewer and farther apart.
Growing up in God is greatly aided by time spent learning about Him. Having knowledge about Him through His Word is the first step. Another key for quick growth is having the ability to accept correction from Him through the words of other Christians which are confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Growing isn’t always fun and exciting. At times you will be tested, but passing those tests brings you to a new level with the Lord.
I pray that you will continue seeking, learning, and growing in God’s ways…
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