FAMILIAR SPIRITS INSIGHTS
In European folklore and folk-belief of the Medieval and Early Modern periods, familiar spirits (sometimes referred to simply as "familiars" or "animal guides") were believed to be supernatural entities that would assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to the records of the time, they would appear in numerous guises, often as an animal, but also at times as a human or humanoid figure, and were described as "clearly defined, three-dimensional… forms, vivid with colour and animated with movement and sound" by those alleging to have come into contact with them, unlike later descriptions of ghosts with their "smoky, undefined form[s]".
WIKIPEDIA
What is a familiar spirit?
by Matt Slick
A familiar spirit is a demon that is summoned by a medium with the intention that the spirit summoned will obey his or her commands. Often, familiar spirits are believed to be the spirits of people who have died (Duet. 18:11). However, biblically this is not the case. Such appearances are in actuality demonic forces imitating people in order to deceive.
We know that people cannot come back from the dead from what Jesus said in Luke 16:19-31 when he gave us the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Jesus said in verse 26 "and besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us." So, we can see that people cannot come back from the dead. However, we cannot leave this topic without addressing 1 Samuel 28 that deals with Saul and the medium who, apparently, actually contacted the departed Spirit of Samuel. Commentators are split on whether or not this was actually Samuel, but the text seems to imply it was. So why the exception? We are not sure, but it might have been allowed for the purpose of rebuking Saul for his sin, something that does not happen with familiar spirits when they manifest. Perhaps it is a teaching tool to show us the difference between those who are really of God (Samuel) and those who are not (familiar spirits).
The two words "familiar spirit" in the King James Bible are translated into the English from the single Hebrew word obe אֹוב.
KING JAMES VERSION
- Lev. 19:31, "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."
- 1 Chron. 10:13, "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it."
- 2 Chron. 33:6, "And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
NEW AMERICAN STANDARD ENGLISH
- Lev. 19:31, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."
- 1 Chron. 10:13, "So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it."
- 2 Chron. 33:6, " He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger."
Familiar spirits – What are they?
The term "familiar spirits" is used nine times in the King James Version of the New Testament in reference to demons. The idea literally refers to demons that are close or familiar to a person, such as a medium or sorcerer.The first mention of this phrase is found in Leviticus 19:31: "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God" (KJV). God's people were not to consult with mediums or fortunetellers. Leviticus 20:6 notes God's opposition to involvement with people who communicate with evil or familiar spirits: "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" (KJV).
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 offers the next mention of familiar spirits, stating, "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer" (KJV). Again, the term is used in connection with a fortuneteller, a practice forbidden from God's people under the Law of Moses.
In 1 Samuel 28:3 and 9, we find King Saul had removed witches, wizards, and mediums from Israel. Verse 3 states, "And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land" (KJV). Yet in desperation Saul sought a medium so he could summon the spirit of Samuel for help during a difficult time. The result was a judgment that soon took the life of Saul and his sons.
In 2 Kings 21:6, King Manasseh's reign was described as evil: "And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger" (KJV). Consulting evil spirits was listed alongside witchcraft and child sacrifice. During King Josiah's reign, his reforms included removing those who consulted familiar spirits (2 Kings 23:24).
The final two times familiar spirits are mentioned in the King James Version are found in Isaiah. Isaiah 8:19 says, "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" (KJV). God called His people to consult Him, not other spirits. Isaiah 19:3 adds, "And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards" (KJV). God foretold of judgment upon those who consulted evil spirits.
Familiar spirits are evil spirits, or demons, that have no place in the life of a Christian. We are to live by God's Spirit and stand against the spiritual forces of evil as we seek to live for the Lord (Ephesians 6:12).
What are demons according to the Bible?
Demons are evil/fallen angels who follow Satan instead of God. When Satan was cast out of heaven, the demons fell with him instead of staying in their place as God's ministers of good. Somehow, evil was found in them (Ezekiel 28:15). A description of the fall of Satan and his demons can be found in Revelation 12:9, which says "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Satan's fall is also shown, symbolically, in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-15.Revelation 12:4 could perhaps indicate that a third of the angels fell with Satan, but this is not explicitly stated. The sin of the angels is also mentioned in Jude 1:6-7. Because verse 7 compares the angels' sins to the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (i.e. "pursued unnatural desire") this passage can be interpreted as a reference to those demons who came to earth and engaged in sexual activity with human women, producing the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4).
What is the purpose of demons? Just as God's angels are sent to praise Him and aid believers, Satan and his demons are bent on the besmirching of God's name in the earth and the destruction and deception of all those who love and serve Him (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:14-15). The Bible calls demons "evil spirits" and "unclean" (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27) and asserts that they are indeed the angels of Satan (Revelation 12:9). Satan and his demons also attack Christians (2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 5:8) and do battle with the holy angels (Revelation 12:4-9). Demons, like the holy angels, are spiritual beings that can sometimes take on physical form (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
The demons are powerful, and the Bible indicates that any human being who trifles with them is entering foolish and dangerous territory (2 Peter 2:10-12; Acts 19:13-16). However, though the demons/fallen angels are enemies of God and humanity, they are defeated enemies. Satan may be the prince of this world, but greater is He who is in us than those who are in the world (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 4:4).
Territorial spirits – What are they?
Territorial spirits is the idea that certain demonic spirits have responsibility over a specific geographic area. Is this concept found in the Bible?Some teach that territorial spirits are a biblical concept based on some passages that mention evil spirits operating in targeted regions. For example, in Daniel 10:13 an angel tells Daniel, "The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia." One or more spirits appear to have focused on Persia in this case.
Another example can be found when Jesus encountered a man controlled by evil spirits in the country of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-20). When Jesus confronted them, we are told, "And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country" (v. 10). These spirits appear to focus on one area and did not desire to leave it.
In addition, Satan is called the ruler of this world in various contexts (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Some suggest this verse indicates levels of demons, including those who work in certain geographic areas.
Based on these passages, it is possible that territorial spirits exist, but is not explicitly stated. In other words, some evil spirits may operate only in certain areas of the world, but it is not explicitly clear in Scripture.
Of much importance related to this matter is how those who promote the concept of territorial spirits often address the issue. Many who teach the importance of understanding territorial spirits encourage Christians to specifically pray against demonic forces in particular areas and to engage these evil forces in spiritual battle.
This emphasis is not seen in the New Testament. Rather than seeking out evil spirits to battle, the Christian life is about seeking maturity in Christ. Believers are called to be alert and take spiritual conflict seriously (1 Peter 5:8-9), but are to focus on walking according to God's Spirit (Galatians 5:16) rather than on defeating evil spirits.
We must remember the words of 1 John 4:4: "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." We have already overcome the spiritual forces of evil as followers of Christ. God's power in us is greater than the power of evil in this world. When we trust in Christ, His power is sufficient for every spiritual battle we face, including any demonic forces we may encounter.
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