Good Spirit Or Bad

Christ ran into opposition to His healing of the sick and casting out evil spirits. The church of His day did not see Him fitting in within their religion. They thought they had God figured out and would attack anyone who did not go along with them. It did not matter that Jesus was easing the pain and suffering of God´s children. The church leaders knew that there were forces of evil and good. But they failed to consider which influences were at work. They didn´t care enough about God to make sure they were close enough to Him. He could have moved and led them if they had been more in tune with His heart. Could we be in a similar situation today?

We have more in our day to get in the way than just our religious notions. If we go to church, we might know of the spiritual warfare. But we have also studied science enough to downplay the fact that unseen forces are all around us. It is a sad trend in what we call progress. But modern thinking does not take to the idea of angels and demons. Or, if we admit they could exist, we simply can´t see them engaging with us today.

What we could use now is a quickening of our senses. We need to stop thinking with only our brains and start seeing with heavenly vision. The only way to do that is to walk closely with a Guide who has invested heavily in our eternal fate. Christ went to unimaginable lengths to be the one we turn to. Jesus came from above, paid with His life, and went to the Father. He can lead us through whatever spiritual influences lie hidden from our view.

Dear Lord, we do not know how to judge matters in the spiritual world. But if we grow close enough, You can instruct us.  Draw us near and let us bask in Your Spirit.  Open our hearts wide to Your loving and mysterious presence. Let us learn from You until we begin to understand things hidden from our awareness. Lead us safely past the evil influences and how to embrace the good ones. Amen

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV / Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

2 Kings 6:14-17 ESV / So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Matthew 10:1 ESV / And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Hebrews 12:9 ESV / Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?