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Post by Poetricia (G.A.P.) on May 26, 2008 12:35:24 GMT -5
I would like to have a discussion that is biblically based as well as testimony driven.
Questions to consider:
Have you ever dealt with a familiar spirit? What was your experience?
Did you recognize it at the time, or only when what you heard (audible answer, inward impression in your spirit, or word from another person) or what you saw (vision/dream) did not come to pass?
Have you ever done any biblical studies, preached a message, taught a workshop, etc.. on familiar spirits? Do you still have your notes? Can you share what you learned/taught with us?
Lord open our understanding of your word first and foremost on this subject and secondly Lord bless us to glean from one anothers experiences whether good or bad. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on May 26, 2008 12:44:25 GMT -5
Amen
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Post by Poetricia (G.A.P.) on Jun 4, 2008 12:05:54 GMT -5
BUMP How come this thread been avoided? Are we afraid to discuss this subject? Why? Do we fear that after our posting sharing exhorting and teaching some people may realize what they thought was God was a familiar spirit? Come on guys, you have some of the best minds out there! What gives?  |
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Post by kitty on Jun 4, 2008 13:40:40 GMT -5
hey Gap,
As you know... I have posted my experience with familiar spirits on several topics on this board. i just was waiting for someone else to mention their personal experience...
I think the reason that you don't see many responses is because many people don't want to acknowledge that they may have heard or received something and it wasn't really God.
Most people can go as far as knowing whether or not what they received was of themselves or not. Then if they know it wasn't their own hearts or minds they declare it to be God...
But them when whatever it is doesn't come to pass... most folk don't go back over what happened... they start declaring that they missed it some how... or secretly think that God is flaky and may not live up to His promises... Although most people won't admit that to you. I know that they are out there...
But I always stand on Numbers 23:19 God is not a man that He should lie....
Kitty
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Post by vind nsi on Jun 4, 2008 13:54:00 GMT -5
What is our understanding of a familiar spirit?
Whenever I've heard stories of a familiar spirit it has always been a situation where a person believes that they had a visitation from someone who is dead....for example(my mama came in my room last night---but she's dead).
Okay that wasn't your mama that was a familiar spirit. It's once appointed unto to man to die but after death is judgement. Once they're gone they're gone. They don't come back from the other side. That's a familiar spirit. As Christians we don't communicate with the dead for God is not the God of the dead but of the living... This is what I've been taught and believe.
So again I say what are we defining "familiar spirit" as?
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Post by kitty on Jun 4, 2008 18:11:29 GMT -5
Vind,
From what I understand... familiar spirits are spirits that are evil in nature and may follow you around. These are the type of spirits that people often mistakes as angels or "spirit guides" are another term for them.
They are also the source of information that Psychics was get there information from and can be quite accurate about one's past.
Kitty
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Post by vindicated on Jun 4, 2008 21:23:10 GMT -5
oh okay.. that makes sense too. broadens the definition.
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Post by livinganewlife on Jun 5, 2008 6:11:19 GMT -5
I personally have not studied familiar spirits however, I have been told that I was dealing with a familiar spirit regarding a prior relationship.
My spiritual "mom" told me that the reason I had so much hope for a particular relationship is because I was dealing with a familiar spirit....and how that was explained to me is that it was a spirit that is "evil" but yet comfortable and trustworthy at the same time.
On yesterday, this lady was speaking and she gave the root (etymology) of the word "family" and that the word "family" comes from the word "familiar" meaning that which is evil.....
And that we (general) should pay close attention to our families and our family dysfunctions as the word "family" is evil......
Which is why many can't get breakthroughs regarding their families and why many singles can't start a "proper (husband, wife, child) " family.....
So that's my experience with the term, however I have no biblical back up..........
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Post by Poetricia (G.A.P.) on Jun 5, 2008 7:05:50 GMT -5
From what I understand... familiar spirits are spirits that are evil in nature and may follow you around. These are the type of spirits that people often mistakes as angels or "spirit guides" are another term for them. They are also the source of information that Psychics was get there information from and can be quite accurate about one's past. Kitty That is absolutely accurate thorough and correct. Thanks Kitty!
I think the reason that you don't see many responses is because many people don't want to acknowledge that they may have heard or received something and it wasn't really God. Kitty I totally agree that there are people out there who fit this category, but do they know it was a "familiar spirit" or do they just think (rightly) that they were wrong, and it wasn't God. "My sheep hear my voice and another they will not follow", unless there are so many other voices and visions and feelings that our hearing and sight and discernment are impaired. The bible tells us not to be ignorant of Satans devices. Now, of course we shouldn't be paranoid fanatics about this, but we shouldn't be so blah-zay (sp?) about it either thinking, oh I just missed it. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes there is a spiritual warfare going on behind the scenes. Do you know how many people are being led by voices and dreams and feelings and coincidences they deem confirmations that are not of God? My heart grieves for these people because I worry about their stability when they finally realize what's what. I know a girl, a pastor's daughter on her 4th husband she's named and claimed. Its sad. She's suppose to be so "gifted" and yet, these men have all married other women and she's pushing 40! And it's not just single women claiming husbands either. This thing goes deeper than we know. I know several people who in relationships, career paths, schools, neighborhoods and yes even churches who are there because they followed what they thought was God and later realized it wasn't. Of course, God knows the end from the beginning for all of us, and yes, His word does say all things work together for our good, and of course, his mercy endureth forever, but isn't it about time we really started moving when He says move and standing still when He says stand and truly knowing his voice and not following another? How do I discern God's voice from other voices? Start with His Word. Study it, meditate on it, know it and understand it because after all it's His voice too. Why are we after signs and wonders in this area also? How do I know his voice? Somebody on another post said start with his word. His word is his voice. When you are really and truly familiar with the word of God just to know and grow and be close to him, not because it's a means to an end, then you will learn to know his voice. When you pray through and in the spirit on a daily basis, just to be filled with him cause you love him, not cause it's a means to an end, then you will learn to know his voice. And when you fast and not just with food, and not just cause it's a means to an end, but because you want to crucify your flesh cause his word said so, then you will learn to know his voice. "Means to an end" And we haven't even touched the surface of how in many ways believers actually start practicing witchcraft, trying to pray hard enough, study the word long enough, fast hard enough, speak loud enough, almost subconsciously trying to force God to bring what they want so badly to come to pass instead of just surrendering to an all knowing and all mighty God. I truly thank God for what he gave me to post on this message board. I do not say that bragging, but to acknowledge God because He touched my fingers across this keyboard this morning. This was not me at all!!! |
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Post by livinganewlife on Jun 5, 2008 8:52:16 GMT -5
Warning: This post is not to discredit anyone's research or belief just my personal opinion!
I personally do not believe that a person with the Holy Spirit and walking with Jesus can be lead away by unclean spirits….
I do believe that we can be tempted by Satan devices; but to honestly be a child of God and lead astray all the time in certain areas of our lives by an unclean spirit is not so….
If we (general) are lead astray by an unclean spirit than somewhere we (general) have opened the door for that spirit to enter our hearts and minds…..
And therein lies the lesson…….If I am 40 years old and I am claiming every man to be my husband and say that I heard from God on every man than the problem is not God but it is definitely me….and I may need to deal with this lustful or covetous spirit that I have instead of blaiming God for not sending me a mate….
If we are truly and honestly pouring our hearts and soul out to God; I just don’t believe that God would allow his children to wallow in strange spirits and not give us clarity and deliverance in this area….
That's just like a mother / father see there child drowning in despair with drugs and that child is pure and honestly crying and begging for help all day and all night…… and the parent decides to leave them in the crack house with the drug dealers….
Isn’t God greater and better than any human parent? If we wouldn’t do that to our children why would God do that to us?
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Post by Poetricia (G.A.P.) on Jun 5, 2008 9:18:39 GMT -5
Understandable points, lanl, points I'm sure many share. I do have some answers, but I will first give others a chance to respond not only to your post but to the thread in general. However, I promise to come back later today with my reply.
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Post by giantsdodie on Jun 5, 2008 9:28:42 GMT -5
I believe the term familiar spirit is a very broad general term for demonic spirits that operate through different devices. Many of us know th tale ablout seeing your momma or your great aunt Josephine walking around and trying to make contact with you. This is a a manifestation of a fmiliar spirit. It operates in taking the guise of another person to try and deceive you into speaking or contacting it which opens a door in your life for demonic activity. Another manifestation is the spirit of divination. Familar spirits havemuch information regarding individuals. The information they have detailed may be quite accurate. This is normally how psychics operate, they give you information about you and then use that information to get you to trust them and open yourself up to a big fat lie which people often accept asthe truth because the other information is correct.. However what that do not and cannot bring is REVELATION because that comes from GOD and GOD alone. They can bring INFORMATION. Psychics aret the only ones who operate by these means. People of GOD unfortunately do as well. Living.. I will say this.. regarding your statement How then do you acount for the many saints of God many who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and who do walk with the Lord being led astray, be they laypeople or leadership Not saying I dont agree I just want to hear your take. |
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Post by true on Jun 5, 2008 10:24:04 GMT -5
I believe the term familiar spirit is a very broad general term for demonic spirits that operate through different devices. I agree with this statement. I remember about 8 years ago maybe. Where I thought that the Lord was showing me things regarding this person. Everywhere I looked I would see something that pertained to that person . Or hear someone that had the same name as his etc. I mean the devil was working big time. But at the same time the Lord was working also. When the enemy would show me something to say yes, the Lord would show me something that would make me think what the heck is up Lord. Finally the Lord had to grab me and say to me this is not my doing. Whats funny is every time the enemy showed me something there would be something that made me go hmmm. |
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Post by lanl ns on Jun 5, 2008 11:30:39 GMT -5
Living.. I will say this.. regarding your statement How then do you acount for the many saints of God many who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and who do walk with the Lord being led astray, be they laypeople or leadership Not saying I dont agree I just want to hear your take. IMO a person who is earnestly seeking the Lord and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them cannot be lead astray...... The Holy Spirit is our guide.....and if wee say that the Holy Spirit dwelling in us leads us astray than we are essentially denying the power..... In regards to how or when people go astray IMO most people have underlying issues that need to be addressed but are not willing to submit to correction when it is brought to their attention. For instance let's say a well known evangelist experience a great falling away...however in months or years before the fall people were telling and actually seeing a prideful and haughty attitude in the evangelist and leaders and lay members both tried to address the issue.... I will be back..... |
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Post by Jasmine on Jun 5, 2008 12:54:44 GMT -5
I also agree with what giants has said. I believe that the term can account for different meanings.
I remember a message by Juanita Bynum" Will the Real Women of God Please Stand Up". In a portion of that message she talks about a seasoned mother speaking in tongues, and how a "babe or new saint" trying to imitate the power in which that seasoned mother operates in.
She termed this as a Familiar Spirit. One person begans to walk, talk, speak, etc..act as the person who actually operates in the anointing.
I've always equated familiar spirits with divination, witch craft, people talking to dead folks..etc. but I myself do not intented to even be remotely equated with "a" or "any" familiar spirits.
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