There is something about spirits. In this life, there are good spirits and there are evil spirits. The reason you hear “evil spirits” or “unclean spirits” is because there are good ones. If there were no good spirits, there would have been no need to attach the word “evil” to the word spirit. There are good spirits—for example, the Holy Spirit. There is a spirit of prosperity and a spirit of poverty. There are different kinds of spirits in this world.
But here is the key: spirits—whether good or bad—cannot enter a person unless they make you believe something first. Even God Himself cannot enter you unless you believe His Word. This is why the Bible warns us: “Beloved, believe not every spirit” (1 John 4:1). If believing a spirit were harmless, there would have been no need for the warning. But believing certain spirits can introduce them into your life.
Your faith or fear opens your spirit to receive them. Both the Holy Spirit and evil spirits work in conjunction with believing. That is why it is important to be careful about what you read, who speaks to you, and what you believe. As you think on these things, you begin to see that the things you accept into your heart can affect your life in ways you cannot imagine. Don’t believe a lie about your health, finances, marriage or future. That act of believing a lie will disrupt things.
The Bible tells us to test the spirits: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” (1 John 4:1). And how do you test them? It becomes clear the moment you look into the Word of God. Your spiritual discernment grows as you measure everything against God’s Word.
There is power in believing God's Word. The Word itself works in you. The Bible gives an example: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Notice carefully—it works in you because you believe it.
If the Word of God is not working in your life, it is because you do not believe it. But once you believe, it starts working automatically. You don't have to force it or strive to make it happen. The Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. As you embrace this truth, you realize that your job is simply to receive it, believe it, and let it transform you and circumstances. The Word does not wait for your effort to act—it acts in you when you believe it.