Externals: Gabriel and the Bogeymen
What do you think?
I believe in spiritual beings at work throughout the earth.
I doubt that anything unseen exists.
Spiritual beings are mentioned as part of my religion. The ones I can remember are…
Spiritual beings are considered, in my religion, an integral part of what goes on.
I expect that others would laugh at me for saying that.
I am fascinated by the supernatural, and relish a deeper understanding.
I feel that people talk about this with too much sensationalism.
I love the idea of more territory to explore.
I feel that people who believe in any unseen beings are irrational.
I have heard stories of angels, ghosts and demon worship but I think they contrived by people who are bored or crave power.
I believe that there are supernatural forces at work but they have their own agendas, and are not looking out for me. So it's safer to just stay out of it.
I think there is a lot out there that we will never understand.
I have no doubt there are angels to help us, but don't think there are bad forces against us.
I am already involved in the spiritual realm. This is the impact it seems to have on my life:
I have heard stories in the media that I want to believe. They were about:
I have heard stories in the media that I refuse to believe. They were about:
I have heard stories from friends of unusual spiritual forces. The ones I remember are:
I have stories of my own. The ones I remember are:
I feel that some of the powers that others acclaim are actually harmful.
I feel that there are dangers in exploring these areas.
I would like to understand more within my belief system about…
Bad guys
Is there a future planned or predicted for evil beings? Add details.
Continue as is, indefinitely
Succeed and reign
Embrace virtue
Vie with each other for power
Be thrown into lake of fire
Reign over their followers
Not applicable: no evil beings exist
Destroy the Earth and their followers
Other...
What intentions do the evil powers have?
Lower your confidence
Keep you from succeeding
Provide you power to change your circumstances
Provoke your God to botch plans
Get revenge, for lack of respect
Twist your words and actions
Compete for domination
Trample the underdog
Empower the underdog
Make the good guys look bad
Entice you with seemingly good things
Provide contrast
Other...
Do you have any authority over evil powers?
Resist their persuasions
Get into their minds and trick them
Visualize improvement
Argue or wrestle with them
Wear garlic cloves
Resist their criticisms and guilt-mustering
Speak promises of your Higher Power to back you up
Allow inevitable takeover
Use your Higher Power's power
Request angels or lesser beings to help fight
Various Adversaries
What are your biggest enemies?
Your desires
Death
Fear itself
Spirits
Persecution
Pollution
The devil
Dogmatic people
Other deities
Lack of vision
Negativity
Your self
Aliens
Ignorance
Nonbelievers
Pride
Corruption
Other…
Other…
How much authority do these have in your life?
What is your approach to resisting?
Some scripture references to supernatural beings:
Be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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 6:10-12 (and on) NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you, always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs" He said to them, "Go!"
Matthew 8:31 NIV
...David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
I Samuel 16:23 RSV
They worshipped those nations' false gods, till they found themselves entrapped, and sacrificed their own sons and their daughters to demons.
Psalm 106:36-37 JB
You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that -- and shudder.
James 2:19 NIV
No, in all theses things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anythings else in all creation, will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 RSV
No weapon forged against you will prevail....this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 NIV
And those who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to cast out demons.
Mark 16:17 NCV
The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him ,and rescues them. Taste and see that Yahweh is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Ps. 34:7, 8 JB
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone on the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
Acts 12:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
II Timothy 1:7 RSV
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 TLB
Apparently, you have offered me authority over spiritual and emotional oppression. You have the tools ready. I really appreciate the hope for change. Open my awareness of the undercurrents in situations. Give me the boldness to stand against any forces that intimidate, frighten, blame and harass me. Help me discern when voices in my head are leading me toward a destructive path.
I want to lean more on You, and less on my fleeting thoughts and impulses.
