Are there spirits among us

Something bigger seems to be at work. Something bigger is at work. The powers Paul talks about are not merely individual demons making individual people do terrible things. He is looking at something more systemic, beyond both the emperor and the empire. The spirits against whom we battle may be individual.

But they may also be found in our ideologies, our institutions, or our political tribes. In fact, the most devious powers at work today are probably not the ones that possess people, but the ones that animate and control power structures like governments, schools, or economies. It can gain us an audience, a revenue stream, and a lot of praise. But the call to follow Christ is a cruciform call from beginning to end.

If we do not follow him on the road to the cross, we do not follow him. That means that if we are devoted to any way of ministry that is not the way of Christ, we are not just being foolish nor are we being sinful only; we are also being deceived and put to work by evil spirits. What Goggin and Strobel warn about in ministry is possible for all of us. When our work environments are so cutthroat that we sense that we need to cut corners or trample on others to get to the top, we are not merely surviving a toxic job; we are being used by a spirit of greed.

When we create factions in our church devoted to preferences, we are not merely undermining unity; we are being used by a spirit of divisiveness. When our devotion to our own nation results in xenophobia and racism, we are not being overly patriotic; we are being used by a power of hell.

All of this might sound like bad news. We do not overcome spirits through better techniques or wiser social strategy. That way lies the way of the Dragon. And we do so with hope, because God has promised that he will not start a work unless he intends to finish it Phil. The cross of Christ proves to us the lengths that God will go in redeeming his creation. And the resurrection of Christ proves to us that no power of darkness, however strong, gets the final say 1 Cor.

There are still spirits of darkness at work in this world. And they do not limit their activity to one evening in late October. But God has armed us with a stronger Spirit, and it is not a spirit of fear 2 Tim. The dark spirits at work in this world are bigger and stronger than we usually think. The battle we wage against them will take time. There will be losses and casualties along the way. But we cannot forget that the verdict on the ultimate battle has already been declared.

The powers and principalities may continue to wreak havoc, but the apostle Paul reminds us that they are flailing in the death throes of defeat. The powers were put to open shame by our Savior, who triumphed over them on Calvary Col. So we do not fight for victory; rather, with the cross at our back, we fight from victory.

Alternative modern words included spectre from Latin spectrum , the Scottish wraith of obscure origin , phantom via French ultimately from Greek phantasma, compare fantasy and apparition. The term shade in classical mythology translates Greek????

Also related is the concept of a fetch, the visible ghost or spirit of a person yet alive. Then there is the poltergeist Most times, a poltergeist is just mischievous, though there instances of it being sinister, not unlike the Bell Witch. Was the Bell Witch a poltergeist or more along demonic lines? Good question. It was an entity that tormented a pioneer family that lived in what was then Red River, Tennessee in Red River is now known as Adams, Tennessee.

It was substantiated by eyewitness accounts other than the family , affidavits, and manuscripts written by those who witness the phenomenon. The entity is similar to a traditional haunting because the spirit is intelligent and are existing in the present moment with you. These spirits are malevolent and hostile, suffering from psychological instability or distress stemming from an unresolved conflict with the people who are being subjected to the demonic activity.

This is one reason why the use of an Ouija Board is customarily discouraged among many ghost hunters. Not understanding and without protection, one can open up a portal, letting in things they can not handle and most times, demonic in nature. Another widespread belief concerning ghosts is that they are composed of a misty, airy, or subtle material. White ladies were reported to appear in many rural areas, and supposed to have died tragically or suffered trauma in life.

White Lady legends are found around the world. Common to many of them is the theme of losing or being betrayed by a husband or fiance. These feelings may be why many passed loved ones try to get messages over to us.

Sometimes, the messages bring us healing; other times, a friendly hello. Spirits love sending us signs and symbols to show that they are with us for important events or celebrations. Signs can come to us in a multitude of ways. One of the best ways for deceased family and friends to speak with us is while we sleep. Dreams can connect the human and spirit world.

While we rest, we give thoughts and mental clutter a break. We become more relaxed. Dreams are a great way to have a spiritual encounter.