Familiar Spirits and the Courts of Heaven

VIDEO: Other 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. (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 witches and wizards. Is it harmless to get your palm read? Or to go to a tarot card reader? 

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 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 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 which 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 justice cannot be done 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 thousands of visits to the Courts a pattern has emerged. You can identify other spirits inside and outside the CoH by the following traits: 

• They may be incredibly difficult to understand 
• The Holy Spirit will explain what He brings to you: there is always a purpose
• The message may be conveyed in a harsh way
• What the Holy Spirit says can be a correction, but it will not condemn you
• The enemy uses curse words
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
• They may muddy the water with too much information that doesn’t pertain to what is being addressed
• God brings you what you need to know, one step at a time   

If we see these traits when someone gives us a “word” from the Holy Spirit or charges from the CoH, then we know that the person giving the information may be speaking from their soul, or may be hearing from a spirit that is not the Holy Spirit. The Word tells us to correct our brothers gently, lest the same should come upon us. Kindness, gentleness, compassion, understanding: These fruits of the Spirit should always be present when correcting our sisters and brothers in Christ inside or out of the Courts. 

The Lord revealed that we can ask for the protection of our Lord and Advocate in what we receive. You can only do this when other spirits have no place in your life. If you have a familiar spirit whom you have responded to, they will still have the ability to influence you unless you are guided by someone who is able to come under the protection of our godly counsel. 

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 an example.  

The first miracle God did for me was something I didn’t even ask for: He healed a deviated septum and removed allergies. I couldn’t even have flowers in my home until I began seeking to know who God is. When these symptoms began coming back on me, I went to 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.  

My birthright, what God designed me to do, was being challenged because I had hardened my heart; this was a hindrance to the hope of my calling.  

“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.  

At every online Fellowship meeting, I had 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) 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 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 heads 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 us to discuss 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 

We may still hear from our soul and for this reason, we must use the gift of discernment after receiving charges, prophecies, or words of wisdom from others. We can test what we receive and ask the Holy Spirit to show us if what has been received is not from Him but from a human mind. The way to test a spirit is taught in the 101 Foundations course at the free online school, Courts of Heaven Academy (Workbook 1).

The Courts of Heaven is not a playground for “young” Christians. In youthful enthusiasm, sometimes we rush, 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 know what should be spoken now and what should be held for a later time. We must discern what is from 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! 

Here is a link to our Facebook group:  Courts of Heaven - Worldwide

More Articles on the Courts of Heaven can be found in the: 

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Believers' Boot Camp series

Why Doesn't God

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Destroying Curses
in the Courts of Heaven

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Eager hearts cry out, hoping for a single word to confirm that He hears us. Yet, many times the only sound is silence. Over the years I have heard several reasons why God speaks to some and not to others. One night, as I tossed and turned, I brought each of these reasons before the Lord, stating why each of them did not line up with who I thought He was. 

Words rose from my soul, pleading for Him to reveal why He has remained silent when a single word from Him would mean so much to so many. For the next few hours, God used things I learned about years ago and things I had just discovered to show why He talks to some and why He doesn’t, and in demonstrative ways. 

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Fruit from a Tree in Heaven

The next time I visit with the Lord, I began by dancing with Jesus as I have done many times when I worship. The second song I found myself at the river with Abba (Father God) and Jesus: I ran and jumped into Daddy’s arms, letting Him know how much I missed Him. He sat me on the ground and told me to go play. 

Darting forward, I splashed through the shallow stream, toward the Holy Spirit. My Friend ran from me and we chased each other around for a bit in a game of tag. The vision began to become clear and distinct as the child-sized member of the Trinity dashed to a tree and began climbing; I was right on his heels. 

Seeing Butterflies with Abba

My husband drove us toward Phoenix while my teenage girls slept. I had read several chapters of a book about heaven and was longing for another visit to Heaven. I slipped my earbuds in, leaned my head against the door and closed my eyes to block out the world, surrounded by my favorite worship music. I cried out for Abba, my Heavenly Father, who I have been told to call “Daddy or Papa” in the Secret Place.

Striding out of the darkness comes the familiar tall, broad-shouldered, white-haired, late 30’s figure of Daddy. I sprinted to him, leaping up where He can catch me and bring me into His arms. I wrapped my arms around His neck. “Daddy, I’ve missed you!”

Preparing your Mind for the Courts of Heaven

My definition of relaxation has changed since beginning the Courts of Heaven - Worldwide group and the Tea & Coffee meetings. I used to love to shop. Searching for rock-bottom bargains was a fun way to spend an afternoon. Today I took my teen daughter and my niece to the mall and just wanted a place to relax before I have to drive nearly 1000 miles back home. 

The Holy Spirit led me straight to a little shop that was in a dead-end which was under construction. The massage studio was clean and looked very nice; the bed was too inviting to resist. As the massage began I noticed the lyrics to the gentle music were old gospel songs turned into lullabies. 

For the first twenty minutes or so I focused and chatted with the members of the Trinity. I have greatly missed my time in the Courts during this long family trip, so I entered though I spoke no words. I figured that Jesus only shouted for Lazarus so the crowd would know that He was a messenger from God, that I could enter the Courts without speaking a word. I do, however, find it easier to stay focused when I am speaking out loud. 

In my thoughts, I called upon my Heavenly Father as Judge and took my seat as a child of the Most High and a citizen of Heaven. I could see clearly the assembly gathered in a stadium like setting as a chair flew in and came up behind me. I didn’t have an agenda, I just wanted to see my Father and learn more about the Courts. 

Jesus' Favorite Place

Life has become busier than I could have ever imagined. The Courts of Heaven - Worldwide group on Facebook took off like a rocket in a way that says, God is upon this ministry. It truly is more than a social media group. The Lord has had me organize this like a ministry; It is an organized place where people are training to help others learn and visit the Courts of Heaven with a Seer. 

In 5 months we have had more than 2500 people in the group who have wanted to know more about the Courts and receive help with prayer. Many miracles and deliverances have resulted from the dedication of those who are volunteering to help the Body of Christ. The Lord is good, those who volunteer to help others, are finding their spiritual gifts are growing and multiplying. 

The busyness kept me from quiet worship time with the Lord for months. I felt the loss, and Him calling me back to Him. Quieting my mind was harder than I thought possible. Thoughts of the needs of the group kept pushing into my mind - so many needed healing for themselves or a loved one. Worship music helped: focusing on the Word and my love for Him brought the peace and stillness I sought. 

Your Gift is Waiting for You!

Meeting with Prayer to Receive Gifts from God

I received encouragement from the Lord last night in the form of a dream that I know applies to the entire body of Christ.

Dream:

I was in a big mansion-like hotel. Some parts were a little run down. The entrance had a massive table with piles of presents stacked on it. I knew one of those was mine. My sister was there, and we were dressed in Hawaiian-type clothing with a jungle print pattern that had many leaves and very few flowers.
 
There were all kinds of activities for the hundreds of people in this large estate. Will Smith, the actor, was in charge and there was a group of actors around him – but I didn’t recognize any of them. I began hearing that Will had prayed for and healed these guys of “concussion syndrome” that occurs after head trauma.

Avoiding a Trap of Jezebel for Prayer Warriors

One of the ways that Jezebel works is through flattery which gives rise to our pride. This can be mixed with manipulation and divisiveness with someone with whom the Jezebel spirit is trying to get their way. 

We had a perfect example of this with our Courts of Heaven team: