"If you would receive communications from superior spirits, you must prepare yourselves for this favor by concentration of thought, purity of intention, and a sincere desire to help forward the cause of progress; selfishness is a barrier between you and them. Remember that, if God permits you to receive the inspiration of those of His children who have earned the happiness of comprehending His infinite goodness, it is in order that you may advance, and aid others to advance, on the appointed path of progress. Therefore, mediums! It is incumbent on you to make only a good use of the faculty that has been given you. Confiding in, and emulating, Our Master's kindness, let your charity, your tolerance for all about you, be inexhaustible. By scrupulously regulating your action according to your conscience, you will increase a hundred-fold greater happiness in the life to come."
"Pascal".  The Mediums Book,  Chapt. XXXI , item XIII

"Sent by the Highest with a message to those who are favored with the gift of mediumship, I come to remind them that the greater the favors which have been granted them by His Providence, the greater is the danger they will incur by any misuse of their gift. The faculties possessed by mediums attract to them admiration, adulation, and felicitations of men; therein lies the danger. Let all mediums remember their primitive incapacity, and let them never attribute to their own personal merit what they owe to God alone. When mediums lose sight of this truth, they are abandoned by the good spirits and having no longer a guide to direct them, they become the sport of evil ones. Those who attribute to themselves a value which is not theirs, are punished by the withdrawal of a faculty which could only be fatal to them."

"I cannot too strongly urge upon all mediums the necessity of maintaining a constant communication with their guardian angel, that he may be able to help them to keep clear of the pride which is their worst enemy. Bear constantly in mind, you who have the happiness of being the interpreters between spirits and men, that, without the support of our Divine Master, you are in danger of laying up for yourselves punishment that will be severe in proportion to the greatness of the mediumship faculty that has been confided to you. May this communication have the effect of inducing all mediums to avoid the rock of offence on which they are in danger of making shipwreck - pride."

"Joan of Arc" - The Mediums Book,  Chapt. XXXI, item XII

In general, regarding spirit communications, it is the message which is the most important thing. Spirits who communicate with us, who have an interest in us either from a past life or other reasons, does so for a purpose which has been permitted by God. That means this is very important and we should be blessed and honored by it.

But, we have our God-given reason and responsibility to listen and evaluate each communication as to its demeanor, tone, content, and purpose. Names are not as important as the message. Remember, we have had many, many past lives and the same number of names.

If the spirit message was basically logical, good, and moral, than we should consider it and how it applies to us. If the message was of the opposite mode, than we should reject it. It is better to reject one good message, if in doubt, than accept one bad one. Usually, the more superior the spirit, the shorter and more spiritually and morally meaningful their message is. Basically, just as you judge people on how and what they say, so judge the spirits.

Sometimes, ignorant, troubled, angry, or vengeful spirits may be permitted to communicate in order to let them "have their say" or to let them get things "off their chest", so to speak, and for us on our side to provide spiritual counseling and assistance (this work should be done by knowledgeable and experienced mediums). But, if it happens, never forget the superior spirits are always in control. This situation is something totally different. We have lead numerous lives in our spiritual pasts and we have done great harm to others as we have progressed. Some who we have harmed, have not forgotten nor forgiven us, on what we have done to them, or their families or friends, down through the ages. Mediums who help these types of spirits do charity work, assisted in partnership with their spirit guides, to help enlighten these sad and miserable souls so they can move beyond their terrible feelings and improve their spiritual situation. Pray for them