Familiar spirit is another name for unclean spirits or demons Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Isaiah 8:19. Their mission is to defeat the plan of God. They do this by undermining and destroying the testimony of believers is a primary objective, making the believer ineffective. They infiltrate the thoughts and hearts, blinding the minds to the truth of God. They are called familiar spirits because they operate in darkness in proximity to us. Familiar spirits producing whispering conversations that become part of a person’s mentality. Demons can’t read our minds. However, they are watching, listening then influencing; their boss is “the prince and power of the air” Eph 2:2, Eph 6:12.
Mar 5:1-20 Jesus encounters a man possessed with so many demons, they called themselves legion. They begged Jesus not to cast them out into another country, so Jesus sent them into a nearby herd of pigs. Why did the demons not want to go far? Demons will attach themselves to those they can influence or own. They know the emotional mindset, what makes the person tick, and the bells and whistles instigating them to do their bidding. People are a product of their environment or geographical location. Demons too, have their assignments, areas of influence.
Mat 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he walks through dry places seeking rest, and finds none. Then he said, I will return to my house from where I came out. And when he has come, he finds it empty, swept, and decorated. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and live there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so it also shall be to this evil generation.
Relentless
When a person is freed from demonic possession or someone with an unclean spirit dies or a believer overcomes the influence of wrong persistent thoughts. Those demon go somewhere. Jesus compares that person to a house that has been swept clean. Unless the house is kept cleaned and filled with faith in the words of Jesus Christ, then the demons will return. They will bring more demons with them, more evil than himself to infiltrate, compromise and overtake the one who ignores or sleeps, making them worse than before 2 Pet 2:20.
Territorial
Ever notice that nations, cultures, or families seem to suffer the same afflictions repeatedly for generations? Demons are territorial operating best on familiar ground, whether it be countries, families, or things like idolatry. While one country’s sins or propensity for evil seem different but they all have the same root demonic influencers.
School shootings or public active shooters seem like a modern day phenomenon isolated to the U.S. But there is an underlying source that motivates Americans to own and use guns to kill and destroy lives. Countries, cities, families, races all have their demons trying to infiltrate and influence lives into corrupt thinking, leading to evil action and finally judgement.
Deceitful
The dragon thrown out of heaven, “now deceives the whole world” Rev 12:9. He is the father of lies “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie” John 8:44
Evil forces continue to use the same tactics today with outstanding success. We only have to open our eyes and ears to see the disgusting results around us. Believers need not fear we have the ultimate weapon.
Be blessed!
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