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A pastor was tasked with visiting the local correctional facility to conduct a weekly Bible study. As he sat at the table for his debut, a dozen or more inmates filed in the door and took seats. They were not compelled to attend. Not everyone in the room had a desire to be there. Some did.
Some only wanted to document the record of their attendance as evidence that they were making an effort to reform. At this facility, the only occasion where males and females were allowed in the same room was during religious services. Some were only there to play footsie.
The pastor led-off the session by saying, “Since none of you know who I am and I don’t know you, let’s go around the table introducing ourselves. When it’s your turn, let us know your name and what your religious background is. I’ll begin.” (The inquisition didn’t include, “What are you in for?”) After listing his credentials, he passed the baton.
The responses followed the format of, “Yeah, um, my name is (so-and-so), I’m from (such-and-such). I was raised (this-and-that). Now I’m (whatever) and I’m just here to (gobbledygook).” In the course of their testimonies there were 3 recurring themes: 1. They would cuss and then apologize profusely (assuming that the pastor was squeamish); 2. They would assert that they considered themselves “spiritual,” but not, “religious;” And 3. “I’ve been clean and sober for (X) months.”
(No duh you’ve been clean and sober: You’re incarcerated. This isn’t an alcoholics anonymous meeting; it’s a Bible-study.)
One convict said, “My name is Barry. My parents were ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Another said, “My name is Josh. I was raised in a satanic cult. My mother was a witch.” Another said, “My name is Jeremiah. I was sent to a Jesuit boarding school when I was 9, and graduated with honors.”
(Talk about a diverse array of backgrounds: From satan to Thomas Aquinas. All convicts.)
“Ok,” the pastor replied. “So how many of you would say that you’re spiritual but not religious?” All hands went up. “Good!” He continued, “Josh: Didn’t you say that you were in a satanic cult?”
“Yes,” Josh replied.
“Would you say that those people were spiritual?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
What then is the benefit of being spiritual? There are good spirits and there are evil spirits. Saying that you are “spiritual” gives no indication to which type of spirit you are submissive to. The invisible realm which surrounds us is populated with spirits and constantly influences our affairs whether we perceive them or not. What determines our reaction is which type of spirit we are tuned-in to.
Eastern religions and New-Age mysticism teach how to tap into the spirit realm via meditation, but they don’t warn against evil. They teach that the entities you encounter are ascended beings who have become one with the cosmos. They are not. But they may pretend to be so to deceive you.
If you encounter a spirit, whether in a trance, seance, dream, vision or trip, it is not the departed soul of a human. Once a human dies, their soul leaves this mortal plane and is transported or translated to another place: either Sheol or Hades (the grave), Abraham’s bosom, paradise, whatever; but it is separated from us (Lk 16:22-26, 23:43) awaiting the final day (Rev 20:12-13).
We do not get reincarnated. You only die once.
Hebrews 9:
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
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There are spirits that roam the earth, but they are unclean spirits, not departed souls (Mt 12:43). The definition of “unclean spirit” is a topic for another day. Suffice to say that it is not the soul of a departed human.
There are ascending orders of spirit beings, just as there are various species of earthly creatures. Some spirits are capable of materializing as physical beings (Ge 18:1-2, 19:1), some are not. Those who are may masquerade as something that they are not (2Co 11:14, He 13:2). If a ghost appears to you as dear aunt Sally, it’s not. It’s a deception.
Spirits who cannot materialize – demons – still have carnal appetites. That’s why they seek to inhabit the souls of people: to gratify their lusts vicariously (They are lower order spirits and the easiest to expel).
After resurrecting, Jesus appeared to the disciples and they were terrified, thinking that He was a spirit. He assured them that He wasn’t a ghost, because spirits don’t have flesh and bones as He did, and encouraged them to touch Him (Lk 24:39). Then, to reinforce His physical reality, He ate some of the food they had prepared (Lk 24:42-43).
What He didn’t say was, “Silly apostles: There’s no such thing as ghosts.” Instead, He described them. Long story short, if you believe in Jesus, you believe in ghosts. He does.
Spirits are real. But being spiritual is not tantamount to being holy. Some spirits are evil. So how are we to interact in a world where spirits exist without being influenced by those that are evil?
First, you need to come to the conclusion that what Jesus taught is true. The only way to do that is to familiarize yourself with the teachings of the New Testament. After that, you need to decide whether or not you believe them: That God became man, died for our sins, was buried and resurrected (1Co 15:3-4), and accepts those who accept Him (Jn 1:12).
Second, you need to say so.
Romans 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
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(Saying it out loud is important. It is a legal testimony before witnesses in the invisible realm that surrounds us.)
Third, get a Bible and read it. If you don’t like to read, listen to it on audio. Watch sermons on video platforms. Why? Because spirits whisper to you. The Bible was written by – inspired by – the Spirit of God (2Ti 3:16). Nothing that the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear (Is 30:21) will ever contradict what is written in the Bible that He inspired. That is the litmus test.
1 John 4:
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
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It is not wrong to be spiritual. But there are many spirits attempting to deceive you. There is One Spirit that craves to save your soul from eternal destruction (2Co 5:20). You alone can satisfy Him.
The other spirits are real. But they crave to destroy you (Jn 10:10). You alone can satisfy them.
It’s all up to you.
That’s what it means to be Absolutely Free.
Isaiah 30:
21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
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The Fairfield Christian Group (FCG) is a loose association of coworkers who subscribe to the teachings of the Bible. “The Routing” is a page published and circulated in their work place, and is now available “Absolutely Free” by subscription at Substack.com, to promote the Bible and its Author.
Feel free to click on the “printable version,” print and circulate it as a tract in your own mission field if you wish.
“The Routing” is geared toward a general audience. Additional content geared toward a more Biblically-literate audience is available via paid subscription (though much of it will accompany the Absolutely Free Routings – Paid subscriptions are more participation than access to “bonus” material). Originally published as a weekly tract, the vision is to gradually increase the frequency of publication until it is a daily devotional.
*FCG is not a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Paid subscriptions are not tax-exempt donations.