Bible Question:

Please pray for me. I am very confused about the spirits. I am struggling with issues that I have been taught. I lived in a Christian home. My mom says that God sometimes gives people a spirit to help them, but my sister says that God has said that when we die, we go to heaven or hell and anything else walking in between are fallen angels - evil spirits who are sent to confuse, which I believe more. My mother-in-law's best friend is here and staying with her. She has come into my home talking about garden angels who she has seen with my husband. One was very tall with blonde hair and another was of a girl who she says wouldn't show herself. When she knocked on our door, I felt as if someone had punched me in the stomach and I ran to my mom's house. I prayed for God to protect my family and my children. The next day my husband and I went to the store. I had a feeling she would show up at the store. Then there she was talking to my husband at the car window. My husband introduced us and she said, “I know who Lorrie is. We have met a long time ago!” I've never met her in my life. I told her she is mistaken! Then she said, “Yes we have” and told me that we met at her house with my mother-in-law which is not true! I told her I didn't remember. Then she left me alone! She had a glowing white around her face! I feel I am maybe going nuts here. My husband thinks it's all very funny and laughs. She told him to pray to his angels for money to help him with his business. When he told me that he prayed to his angels, I asked God to cover my home and family with His blood and to protect us again and to show my husband the truth even if it has to scare the pants off him! If I ask her to stay away, his family will get mad at me. What should I do?

Bible Answer:

Based on the information that you have given us, it appears that you have encountered an evil spirit which was maybe attempting to establish a relationship with you. It is time to turn to God for help with responding to those promoting the occult, which is what you have done.

Our Struggle

Your sister was partially correct. In this life we encounter only God, holy angels, fallen or evil angels, and human beings. In Ephesians God says it this way.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NASB) Ephesians 6:10-12

The passage says that we are in a war. There is God along with His angels, ourselves, and the evil forces. The fallen angels, or evil forces, are described here as “rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness.” That is, there are different ranks or types of evil angels.

Luke 9:26 tells us that the holy angels belong to God, and Revelation 12:9 says that Satan has angels – evil angels – who are working with him.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (NASB) Luke 9:26

And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (NASB) Revelation 12:9

There is a great spiritual war raging in the invisible, spiritual world. But we are not aware that it is occurring, because we do not see it with our eyes or hear it with our ears. That is the message of Ephesians 6:10-12. There are real forces who are at war, and we are the center of their attention. Satan and the fallen angels want us to sin and reject God. They want us to join them in the Lake of Fire because that is their ultimate destiny. They hate God and those who follow Him.

How To Respond

How should you respond? First, we would suggest that you read several previous “question and answers.” The first one is “How do you know that something comes from the Lord or from Satan?” and “Is it bad for Christians to be interested in the occult?” The last link explains that we are to have nothing to do with the occult or demons. The occult is another religion. God has warned us to not be involved and to avoid it. God’s first commandment tells us that we are not to worship anything else.

I have listened and heard, They have spoken what is not right; No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his course, Like a horse charging into the battle. Even the stork in the sky Knows her seasons; And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration; But My people do not know The ordinance of the LORD. How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and caught; Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, And what kind of wisdom do they have? (NASB) Jeremiah 8:6-9

Second, we are encouraged to have nothing to do with anyone who is involved in the occult or with anyone who is encouraging us to be involved (1 John 4:1-3).

Conclusion:

Many years ago God gave me an opportunity to speak with a woman who was involved with the occult about Jesus Christ. God was gracious to her and I had the opportunity to tell her about Jesus Christ’s death and return to life. I told her that Jesus loved her and died in order to forgive her sins. All that she had to do was believe and turn her life over to Him. Eventually, other members of her occult group told her to stop speaking with me. My only purpose for talking with her was to help her understand that Jesus was God and to challenge her about her occult religion. I would encourage you to tell about your friend about Jesus; otherwise, you should have nothing to do with anyone or anything that has anything to do with the occult. If she responds in anger, then you must accept that as part of the cost of following God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NASB) Matthew 5:10-12