Discernment of the Spirits

I have always enjoyed paranormal reality shows.  They are a source of information, education, and entertainment since I like scary movies and psychological thrillers.  However, when I learned that God denounces mediums and all paranormal, I began to feel shame and guilt.  At that time, I also began to wonder about the spiritual beliefs of those who work as paranormal investigators.  

I asked God to help me better understand his command on this topic, and He answered.  Because God is the creator of all, he knows and sees everything from beginning to end; not a blade of grass moves without his knowledge and approval. 

Therefore, God questions why anyone would seek information from anyone but Him, the creator himself, and tells us that the messages received through these sources are not of Him (it is understood that anything not of Jesus is of evil).

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

God also warns of dangers and encourages us not to engage with such evil we are not equipped to battle.  God's word also tells us that He has given the gift of discerning the spirits to those of His choosing.

"To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.  And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." Daniel 1:17 (NIV)

God's word warns there is evil in this world we cannot see that continually manipulates and deceives us with false beliefs and testimony working through others and within our thoughts. 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)    

God commands us to test the spirits to discern if they are from Him or of Satan.

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1 (NIV)

A spiritual realm coexists with us on earth that most cannot see or hear but can influence our emotions and thoughts if we do not arm ourselves with God's protection.

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

 God does not have a hand in the evil done on earth, but He uses the things intended for evil for good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)

In short, watching paranormal reality shows is not sinful, nor are the acts of those investigators whose purpose is to gather evidence that proves the spiritual realm exists.  However, if not aware and adequately armed with God's protection, watching the paranormal reality shows can lure one into engaging with the very evil that wants to devour them. 

I believe that God's intention for the paranormal shows is to prove to the non-believing that we continue to live after death and there is an eternity.  No one truly dies.  We will continue to live after our death and where we will spend eternity is a personal choice that needs to be decided before time runs out. 

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