Why fear and what's bad about psychic phenomena

[Angel1]

Hmmm...do you believe in entities in a negative state that can psychically attach themselves to the physically living?

Don’t you believe Jesus when he told us, “Where two or more of you gather in my name, there I will be in the midst of you”? Those who are worthy will be protected. Those who have karma-related lessons will be instructed. To everyone, what is most appropriate and needed is always provided.

 

[Angel1]

That's not really what I was getting at there. It was mostly a comment that I think those boards are rather pathetic tools for working with the otherworlds. I would never even think of using one. It'd be like handicapping myself.

At any rate, as a nondualist, I don't think in terms of "negative" and "positive." There are simply denizens of the otherworlds, some of which might be more or less agreeable to some specific human than others.

Here is just one presentation that more accurately describes the denizens of the otherworlds that you refer to -- http://goo.gl/7fLIQC.

 

[Angel1]

Jesus associated with such persons to help sincere ones to repent. (Mark 2:16,17) No such repentance is possible for wicked spirits that willingly and knowingly rebelled against God. Any association with them can only bring great harm to people doing so.

Things change over time. Even the unrepentant will learn to seek God. And everyone, in spite of our faults and weaknesses, will be able to make progress. Christ assures us, “You must be perfect.” And we will, all of us, in His time.

And you’re right, also. We should first resolve our every fear and doubt before proceeding. So long as we are not confident, we should not engage. Take things slow. There is a right time for everything.

 

[George-ananda]

Don’t you believe Jesus when he told us, “Where two or more of you gather in my name, there I will be in the midst of you”? Those who are worthy will be protected. Those who have karma-related lessons will be instructed. To everyone, what is most appropriate and needed is always provided.

To the average excitement seeker, I would say avoid overly risky situations too. I love reading and watching paranormal stuff on TV, and it is not uncommon to hear of very seriously bad entities stalking people after a Oujia session.

 

[Yoshua]

Psychic phenomena and mediumship takes on many different forms – speaking in tongues, spirit communications by Spiritualists and Spiritists, fortune telling and the use of crystals or Ouija boards, life readings by Edgar Cayce, prophecies by Nostradamus, premonitions, prophetic dreams, telepathy, clairvoyance, astral projection and faith healing or psychic surgery.

It is everywhere in the bible. It was practiced by all the prophets and holy men from Abraham to Jesus (http://goo.gl/s4x08A). It happened before and it continues to happen to ordinary people of every race and creed, every day, everywhere.

Hi Angel,

What is your proof or evidence in the Scripture that the prophets of God practiced mediumship and spiritism?

Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Acts 2:28
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

If Christ, himself, tells us that we will do all those things, ourselves, why do Christians, who profess him to be their God, hesitate in fear?

What is there to be afraid of? Why do many religious brand it demonic? Why are we warned to keep away? What dangers lurk and how can we safeguard ourselves from harm?

Follower of Christ don’t fear demons. Promises had been made and assurance by Jesus Christ that He will be with us forever. It is the commitment of being a follower, to follow God’s will for His believers. Believers has given the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and nothing will harm them.

Greater works cited in John 14:12 does not pertain to the mediums or spiritism. It is the works, the effect, the impact of Jesus Christ’s ministry that handed down to His Disciples/Apostles. For great of His mighty works that brought the Jews and Gentiles to believe in the Son of God—Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Saviour who gave us the hope of eternal salvation.

Luke 10:17-19
17. And the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18. And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
19. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

Yes, we are warned to keep away from spiritism, withcrafts, divination, mediumship, occultism and necromancy. To be safeguarded from these things--is to be covered and under the power--in the name of Jesus Christ.

For so long as we are ignorant of the underlying principles, we will remain in the dark. But as we open ourselves to the reality and pursue its study, the fear will dissipate and the knowledge we acquire can liberate and empower us.

Ignorance with the Scriptures pertaining to warnings and reminders to false teachings and practices is prone to darkness. Liberation comes from God under His authority, and not ours.

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

How do we determine if something comes from God or doesn’t? Christ provides a simple rule. You will know them by the works that they do. First though, we have to enter into a trial communication to have a basis for our evaluation. We shouldn’t take anyone’s word for it. We must decide for ourselves. As I mentioned, if our hearts are right and our intentions are pure, directed towards helping others, then God’s Holy Spirits will protect us.

There are all kinds of spirits, good and bad. We attract to ourselves spirits of our same kind. So a “bad” person should beware when delving into these activities. But a good person might even merit the attention of Jesus and other higher beings.

Perfect love casts out fear.

Hi Angel,

What is your basis of knowing what is not from God and what is not from God? What is good and evil to you?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

Fear, confusion and stresses are mostly felt in the early goings. Communications with other-worldly beings follow the very same principles that apply when we associate or communicate with people here on earth. No harm in listening. But analyze, test and question everything. If the communication should cause you to have some reservations, suspicions or fear, then quickly disengage.

Hi Angel,

Who are the other wordly beings? Are they from God as taught by Christ?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

Those who are still young and inexperienced, weak in the faith, fearful and gullible should stay away. But those who are confident in their Light should light the way for others. Jesus associated with the prostitutes and tax collectors, more than with the powerful and rich elite, even the religious but hypocritical Pharisees and scribes. His followers should do the same.

Yes, Jesus talks with sinners. He gave the Great Commission to make disciples and not dwell in supernatural practices as mediums, spiritism, and divinations.

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

Just to repeat my earlier post – psychic abilities or ESP or mediumship are developed abilities. They are not gifts, nor are they freely given. Their possession carries a heavy responsibility – they are to be used for God’s purposes in the service of our fellowmen. To ignore this rule or abuse our use of them will result in heavy penalties and cause more harm than benefit to the practitioner.

The use of Ouija boards, speaking in tongues and/or automatic writing are the elementary stages of psychic development. From there, we go on to more advanced forms of communication – clairvoyance, telepathy and astral projection.

The speaking in tongues was mentioned in the Bible, but the use of Quija boards and automatic writings are the practices disallowed by God.

Thanks

 

[Angel1]

Hi Angel,

What is your proof or evidence in the Scripture that the prophets of God practiced mediumship and spiritism?

Follower of Christ don’t fear demons. Promises had been made and assurance by Jesus Christ that He will be with us forever. It is the commitment of being a follower, to follow God’s will for His believers. Believers has given the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and nothing will harm them.

Greater works cited in John 14:12 does not pertain to the mediums or spiritism. It is the works, the effect, the impact of Jesus Christ’s ministry that handed down to His Disciples/Apostles. For great of His mighty works that brought the Jews and Gentiles to believe in the Son of God—Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Saviour who gave us the hope of eternal salvation.

Luke 10:17-19
17. And the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18. And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
19. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

Yes, we are warned to keep away from spiritism, withcrafts, divination, mediumship, occultism and necromancy. To be safeguarded from these things--is to be covered and under the power--in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ignorance with the Scriptures pertaining to warnings and reminders to false teachings and practices is prone to darkness. Liberation comes from God under His authority, and not ours.

Thanks

Let us first clarify what the terms meant to the ancient people of the Bible. Mediumship and spiritism simply refer to communication with spirits. All the old prophets, from Abraham, Moses down to Jesus were in direct communication with spirits. It follows that if Jesus and all the prophets and saints do it, then it is not a bad thing.

You are confusing the act with the communicants. The warnings refer to our being misled by evil spirits or entities. To safeguard ourselves from any harm, Jesus gives us a simple rule. “You shall know them by their fruits.” This means that we may communicate provided we communicate with good spirits that won’t mislead or harm us. As soon as we realize that something is wrong, we should immediately disengage and terminate any and all such communications.

Jesus also said, “All that he has done, we, too, can do.” But we won’t ever get to those levels unless we first study and experiment until we become proficient in all things.

 

[Angel1]

Hi Angel,

What is your basis of knowing what is not from God and what is not from God? What is good and evil to you?

Thanks

Jesus gives us a simple rule. “You shall know them by their fruits.” This means that we may communicate provided we communicate with good spirits that won’t mislead or harm us. As soon as we realize that something is wrong, we should immediately disengage and terminate any and all such communications.

Practice makes better.

 

[Angel1]

Hi Angel,

Who are the other wordly beings? Are they from God as taught by Christ?

Thanks

From: The Spirits' Book

In the pursuit of Truth, we have many adversaries. Watch out for them. They are all around – here with you and in the Spirit World, as well. You will know them by their language and the thoughts that they express. If you allow them, they will prevent your progress. Be wise. See through their devises. Don’t let them distract you. You are stronger than they are:

THIRD ORDER - IMPERFECT SPIRITS

From: The Spirits' Book

Sixth Class - Noisy and Boisterous Spirits

Spirits of this kind do not, strictly speaking, form a distinct class in virtue of their personal qualities; they may belong to all the classes of the third order. They often manifest their presence by the production of phenomena perceptible by the senses, such as raps, the movement and abnormal displacing of solid bodies, the agitation of the air, etc. They appear to be, more than any other class of spirits, attached to matter; they seem to be the principal agents in determining the vicissitudes of the elements of the globe, and to act upon the air, water, fire and the various bodies in the entrails of the earth. Whenever these phenomena present a character of intention and intelligence, it is impossible to attribute them to a mere fortuitous and physical cause. All spirits are able to produce physical phenomena; but spirits of elevated degree usually leave them to those of a lower order, more apt for action upon matter than for the things of intelligence, and when they judge it to be useful to produce physical manifestations, employ spirits of subaltern degree as their auxiliaries.

Seventh Class - Neutral Spirits

They are not sufficiently advanced to take an active part in doing good, nor are they bad enough to be active in doing wrong. They incline sometimes to the one, sometimes to the other; and do not rise above the ordinary level of humanity, either in point of morality or of intelligence. They are strongly attached to the things of this world, whose gross satisfactions they regret.

Eight Class - Spirits Who Pretend to More Science than They Possess

Their knowledge is often considerable, but they imagine themselves to know a good deal more than they know in reality. Having made a certain amount of progress from various points of view, their language has an air of gravity that may easily give a false impression as to their capacities and enlightenment; but their ideas are generally nothing more than the reflection of the prejudices and false reasoning of the terrestrial life. Their statements contain a mixture of truths and absurdities, in the midst of which, traces of presumption, pride, jealousy and obstinacy, from which they have not yet freed themselves, are abundantly perceptible.

Ninth Class - Frivolous Spirits

They are ignorant, mischievous, unreasonable and addicted to mockery. They meddle with everything and reply to every question without paying any attention to truth. They delight in causing petty annoyances, in raising false hopes of petty joys, in misleading people by mystifications and trickery. The spirits vulgarly called hobgoblins, will-o'-the-wisps, gnomes, etc. belong to this class. They are under the orders of spirits of a higher category, who make use of them as we do of servants.

Tenth Class - Impure Spirits

They are inclined to evil, and make it an object of all their thoughts and activities. As spirits, they give to men perfidious counsels, stir up discord and distrust, and assume every sort of mask in order the more effectually to deceive. They beset those whose character is weak enough to lead them to yield to their suggestions, and whom they thus draw aside from the path of progress, rejoicing when they are to retard their advancement by causing them to succumb under the appointed trials of the corporeal life. Spirits of this class may be recognized by their language, for the employment of coarse or trivial expressions by spirits, as by men, is always an indication of moral, if not of intellectual, inferiority. Their communications show the baseness of their inclinations; and though they may try to impose upon us by speaking with an appearance of reason and propriety, they are unable to keep up that false appearance, and end by betraying their real quality. Certain nations have made of them infernal deities; others designate them by the name of demons, evil genii or evil spirits.

The human beings in whom they are incarnated are addicted to all the vices engendered by vile and degrading passions - sensuality, cruelty, roguery, hypocrisy, cupidity, avarice. They do evil for its own sake, without any definite motive; and, from hatred to all that is good, they generally choose their victims from among honest and worthy people. They are the pests of humanity, to whatever rank of society they belong; and the varnish of a civilized education is ineffectual to cure or to hide their degrading defects.

 

[Angel1]

Yes, Jesus talks with sinners. He gave the Great Commission to make disciples and not dwell in supernatural practices as mediums, spiritism, and divinations.

Thanks

It's not what we say, but what we do that speaks louder than words. Jesus and all the prophets and saints did it. Why shouldn't we do the same? And I have not seen a single verse where Jesus himself issued such an injunction. Others did, not Jesus.

 

[Angel1]

The speaking in tongues was mentioned in the Bible, but the use of Quija boards and automatic writings are the practices disallowed by God.

Thanks

Who disallowed it? Again, first find out who said what. We should also not take things too literally, but apply a bit of common sense. If we don’t start with the simple, how can we get to the advanced forms of communication? Just be sure to follow the suggested rules and use the “powers” for good, to help others. And God will safeguard you.

 

[Yoshua]

Let us first clarify what the terms meant to the ancient people of the Bible. Mediumship and spiritism simply refer to communication with spirits. All the old prophets, from Abraham, Moses down to Jesus were in direct communication with spirits. It follows that if Jesus and all the prophets and saints do it, then it is not a bad thing.

Hi Angel,

Do you have a Scripture to show that they are really communicated with the spirits?

You are confusing the act with the communicants. The warnings refer to our being misled by evil spirits or entities. To safeguard ourselves from any harm, Jesus gives us a simple rule. “You shall know them by their fruits.” This means that we may communicate provided we communicate with good spirits that won’t mislead or harm us. As soon as we realize that something is wrong, we should immediately disengage and terminate any and all such communications.

Matt.7:15-20
15. "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?
17. "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.

What particularly the spirit that we may communicate?

Jesus also said, “All that he has done, we, too, can do.” But we won’t ever get to those levels unless we first study and experiment until we become proficient in all things.

May I ask for proof that Jesus communicated with the spirits, and He taught us to do the same thing?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

From: The Spirits' Book

In the pursuit of Truth, we have many adversaries. Watch out for them. They are all around – here with you and in the Spirit World, as well. You will know them by their language and the thoughts that they express. If you allow them, they will prevent your progress. Be wise. See through their devises. Don’t let them distract you. You are stronger than they are:

THIRD ORDER - IMPERFECT SPIRITS

From: The Spirits' Book

Sixth Class - Noisy and Boisterous Spirits

Spirits of this kind do not, strictly speaking, form a distinct class in virtue of their personal qualities; they may belong to all the classes of the third order. They often manifest their presence by the production of phenomena perceptible by the senses, such as raps, the movement and abnormal displacing of solid bodies, the agitation of the air, etc. They appear to be, more than any other class of spirits, attached to matter; they seem to be the principal agents in determining the vicissitudes of the elements of the globe, and to act upon the air, water, fire and the various bodies in the entrails of the earth. Whenever these phenomena present a character of intention and intelligence, it is impossible to attribute them to a mere fortuitous and physical cause. All spirits are able to produce physical phenomena; but spirits of elevated degree usually leave them to those of a lower order, more apt for action upon matter than for the things of intelligence, and when they judge it to be useful to produce physical manifestations, employ spirits of subaltern degree as their auxiliaries.

Seventh Class - Neutral Spirits

They are not sufficiently advanced to take an active part in doing good, nor are they bad enough to be active in doing wrong. They incline sometimes to the one, sometimes to the other; and do not rise above the ordinary level of humanity, either in point of morality or of intelligence. They are strongly attached to the things of this world, whose gross satisfactions they regret.

Eight Class - Spirits Who Pretend to More Science than They Possess

Their knowledge is often considerable, but they imagine themselves to know a good deal more than they know in reality. Having made a certain amount of progress from various points of view, their language has an air of gravity that may easily give a false impression as to their capacities and enlightenment; but their ideas are generally nothing more than the reflection of the prejudices and false reasoning of the terrestrial life. Their statements contain a mixture of truths and absurdities, in the midst of which, traces of presumption, pride, jealousy and obstinacy, from which they have not yet freed themselves, are abundantly perceptible.

Ninth Class - Frivolous Spirits

They are ignorant, mischievous, unreasonable and addicted to mockery. They meddle with everything and reply to every question without paying any attention to truth. They delight in causing petty annoyances, in raising false hopes of petty joys, in misleading people by mystifications and trickery. The spirits vulgarly called hobgoblins, will-o'-the-wisps, gnomes, etc. belong to this class. They are under the orders of spirits of a higher category, who make use of them as we do of servants.

Tenth Class - Impure Spirits

They are inclined to evil, and make it an object of all their thoughts and activities. As spirits, they give to men perfidious counsels, stir up discord and distrust, and assume every sort of mask in order the more effectually to deceive. They beset those whose character is weak enough to lead them to yield to their suggestions, and whom they thus draw aside from the path of progress, rejoicing when they are to retard their advancement by causing them to succumb under the appointed trials of the corporeal life. Spirits of this class may be recognized by their language, for the employment of coarse or trivial expressions by spirits, as by men, is always an indication of moral, if not of intellectual, inferiority. Their communications show the baseness of their inclinations; and though they may try to impose upon us by speaking with an appearance of reason and propriety, they are unable to keep up that false appearance, and end by betraying their real quality. Certain nations have made of them infernal deities; others designate them by the name of demons, evil genii or evil spirits.

The human beings in whom they are incarnated are addicted to all the vices engendered by vile and degrading passions - sensuality, cruelty, roguery, hypocrisy, cupidity, avarice. They do evil for its own sake, without any definite motive; and, from hatred to all that is good, they generally choose their victims from among honest and worthy people. They are the pests of humanity, to whatever rank of society they belong; and the varnish of a civilized education is ineffectual to cure or to hide their degrading defects.

Hi Angel,

Let me start with some information about the Spirits’ Book. As stated below, this book is plainly about Spiritism. Mr. Allan Cardec claimed that a group of spirits identified themselves as the “Sprit of truth.” How can you reconcile the claimed “Spirit of Truth” by Mr. Cardec with Jesus’ “Spirit of Truth” mentioned in the Bible?

God forbid spiritism (spiritist), this is clearly stated in Deut. 18:9-13.

Deut. 18:9-13
Spiritism Forbidden
9. "When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
10. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
11. or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
12. "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you.
13. "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.

The Spirits' Book (Le Livre des Esprits in original French) is part of the Spiritist Codification, and is regarded as one of the five fundamental works of Spiritism. It was published by the French educator Allan Kardec on April 18, 1857. It was the first and remains the most important spiritist book, because it addresses in first hand all questions developed subsequently by Allan Kardec.

The book is structured as a collection of questions regarding the origin of the spirits, the purpose of the life, the order of the universe, evil and good and the afterlife. Its answers, according to Kardec, were given to him by a group of spirits who identified themselves as "The Spirit of Truth", with whom he communicated in several Spiritist sessions during the 1850s. Kardec, who considered himself an "organizer" rather than an author, grouped the questions and their answers by theme, occasionally including lengthier digressions the spirits had dictated to him on specific subjects, some signed by philosophers such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas and writers including Voltaire. from wikipedia

I’m interested to discuss with you about Spiritism, therefore can I create a separate thread for the discussion about the Spirits’ book?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

Who disallowed it? Again, first find out who said what. We should also not take things too literally, but apply a bit of common sense. If we don’t start with the simple, how can we get to the advanced forms of communication? Just be sure to follow the suggested rules and use the “powers” for good, to help others. And God will safeguard you.

Hi Angel,

God forbids those practices. If you want communication, it is through prayer, that is purely a common sense in consistent with the will of God--to safeguard us from harm.

Deut. 18:9-13
Spiritism Forbidden
9. "When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
10. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
11. or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
12. "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you.
13. "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.

Thanks

 

[Angel1]

Hi Angel,

Let me start with some information about the Spirits’ Book. As stated below, this book is plainly about Spiritism. Mr. Allan Cardec claimed that a group of spirits identified themselves as the “Sprit of truth.” How can you reconcile the claimed “Spirit of Truth” by Mr. Cardec with Jesus’ “Spirit of Truth” mentioned in the Bible?

God forbid spiritism (spiritist), this is clearly stated in Deut. 18:9-13.

Deut. 18:9-13
Spiritism Forbidden
9. "When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
10. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
11. or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
12. "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you.
13. "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.

The Spirits' Book (Le Livre des Esprits in original French) is part of the Spiritist Codification, and is regarded as one of the five fundamental works of Spiritism. It was published by the French educator Allan Kardec on April 18, 1857. It was the first and remains the most important spiritist book, because it addresses in first hand all questions developed subsequently by Allan Kardec.

The book is structured as a collection of questions regarding the origin of the spirits, the purpose of the life, the order of the universe, evil and good and the afterlife. Its answers, according to Kardec, were given to him by a group of spirits who identified themselves as "The Spirit of Truth", with whom he communicated in several Spiritist sessions during the 1850s. Kardec, who considered himself an "organizer" rather than an author, grouped the questions and their answers by theme, occasionally including lengthier digressions the spirits had dictated to him on specific subjects, some signed by philosophers such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas and writers including Voltaire. from wikipedia

I’m interested to discuss with you about Spiritism, therefore can I create a separate thread for the discussion about the Spirits’ book?

Thanks

A special team of highly evolved spirits composed of John, the Apostle, St. Augustine and others were tasked with providing new and upgraded divine instruction to the people in the world. They revealed that there is a hierarchy of spirits. For our purposes, in line with our capacity to understand, they outlined the hierarchy as follows:

From “The Spirits’ Book” http://goo.gl/7fLIQC

Different Orders of Spirits

(From the ‘Spirits' Book’)

FIRST ORDER — PURE SPIRITS

First Class — Pure Spirits

General Characteristics — The influence of matter, null; a superiority, both intellectual and moral, so absolute as to constitute what, in comparison with the spirits of all the other orders, may be termed perfection.

Spirits of this order have passed through every degree of the scale of progress and have freed themselves from all the impurities of materiality. Having attained the sum of perfection of which created beings are susceptible, they no longer have to undergo either trials or expiations. Being no longer subject to reincarnation in perishable bodies, they enter on the life of eternity in the immediate presence of God. They are in the enjoyment of a beatitude which is unalterable, because they are no longer subject to the wants and vicissitudes of material life; but this beatitude is not the monotonous idleness of perpetual contemplation. They are the messengers and ministers of God, the executors of His orders in the maintenance of universal harmony. They exercise a sovereign command over all spirits inferior to themselves, aid them in accomplishing the work of their purification, and assign to each of them a mission proportioned to the progress already made by them. To assist men in their distresses, to excite them to the love of good or to the expiation of the faults which keep them back on the road to the supreme felicity, are for them congenial occupations. They are sometimes spoken of as angels, archangels or seraphim. They can, when they choose to do so, enter into communication with men.

SECOND ORDER — GOOD SPIRITS

Second Class — High Spirits

These unite, in a very high degree, scientific knowledge, wisdom and goodness. Their language, inspired only by the purest benevolence, is always noble and elevated, often sublime. Their superiority renders them more apt than any others to impart to us just and true ideas in relation to the incorporeal world, within the limits of the knowledge permitted to mankind. They willingly enter into communication with those who seek for truth in simplicity and sincerity, and who are sufficiently freed from the bonds of materiality to be capable of understanding it; but they turn from those whose inquiries are prompted only by curiosity, or who are drawn away from the path of rectitude by the attractions of materiality.
When, under exceptional circumstances, they incarnate themselves in this earth, it is always for the accomplishment of a mission of progress; and they thus show us the highest type of perfection to which we can aspire in the present world.

Third Class — Wise Spirits

The most elevated moral qualities form their distinctive characteristics. Without having arrived at the possession of unlimited knowledge, they have reached a development of intellectual capacity that enables them to judge correctly of men and of things.

Fourth Class — Learned Spirits

They are specially distinguished by the extent of their knowledge. They are less interested in moral questions than in scientific investigation, for which they have a greater aptitude; but their scientific studies are always prosecuted with a view to practical utility, and they are entirely free from the base passions common to spirits of the lower degrees of advancement.

Fifth Class — Benevolent Spirits

Their dominant quality is kindness. They take pleasure in rendering service to men and in protecting them, but their knowledge is somewhat narrow. They have progressed in morality rather than in intelligence.

THIRD ORDER — IMPERFECT SPIRITS

The description corresponding to this third group was posted earlier

By all means, I don’t suppose that the moderators will object to your posting a thread on Spiritism.

Most of the Old Testament teachings have already been rendered obsolete by the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. We should prefer rather to listen to Jesus. He is the higher authority. Please refer to the “Jesus upgrades the Old Testament teachings” article posted in the Brewing rebellion in the Christian Churches thread.

 

[Yoshua]

Jesus gives us a simple rule. “You shall know them by their fruits.” This means that we may communicate provided we communicate with good spirits that won’t mislead or harm us. As soon as we realize that something is wrong, we should immediately disengage and terminate any and all such communications.

Practice makes better.

Hi Angel,

Matt. 7:15-20
15. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17. "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

When Jesus uttered this statement "you shall know them by their fruits," He is referring to the false prophets. Therefore, that would mean there is a false prophets and a true prophets of God. Determining who is true or false prophets is by knowing their teachings which they are proclaiming, that is why the "fruits" was used.
In His succeeding statements in verse 21-22, many will claimed that they did things that belongs to the Lord but they are the one who does not believe and follow Jesus Christ. Signs and Wonders like supernatural healings, deliverance, miracles, apparitions, etc...are those examples. Though there are still miracles, deliverance and healings today, man should be sensitive enough to discern spiritually what is counterfeit and not counterfeit. We may see by their "fruits" by knowing them in the light of the Scriptures.

21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

Thanks

 

[Angel1]

Hi Angel,

Matt. 7:15-20
15. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17. "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

When Jesus uttered this statement "you shall know them by their fruits," He is referring to the false prophets. Therefore, that would mean there is a false prophets and a true prophets of God. Determining who is true or false prophets is by knowing their teachings which they are proclaiming, that is why the "fruits" was used.
In His succeeding statements in verse 21-22, many will claimed that they did things that belongs to the Lord but they are the one who does not believe and follow Jesus Christ. Signs and Wonders like supernatural healings, deliverance, miracles, apparitions, etc...are those examples. Though there are still miracles, deliverance and healings today, man should be sensitive enough to discern spiritually what is counterfeit and not counterfeit. We may see by their "fruits" by knowing them in the light of the Scriptures.

21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

Thanks

Yes. Exactly. But keep it simple. And reconstruct everything in your own words. That way, you will never be misled.