In Reply to: Deceiving spirits posted by Kathy on June 28, 2003 at 18:43:19:
In common Christian usage, based upon the Scriptures, "familiar spirits" refers specifically to whispering, muttering, spirits operating through mediums. They are differentiated from regular "unclean spirits" or "evil spirits" which Jesus regularly cast out.
A good example of a familiar spirit was the spirit that possessed the girl who told fortunes in Philippi. So I'm confused by your statement, "I have found Christians to be some of the most confused people out there. For some reason, familiar spirits deceive them just as much." For this to happen, Christians would have to go to fortune tellers and mediums. Do you believe that to be the case, or are you using the term "familiar spirit" in a new way?
IMO, Christians are deceived by evil largely because of either their ignorance of the Scriptures, or their unwillingness to obey it. Evil spirits can be involved too, but for the most part I believe ignorance of what the Bible says is the main issue.