Quantcast
You are here: Home / Archives for Christians & The Occult

Can A Christian Be Tempted By the Occult?

May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

temptation Can A Christian Be Tempted By the Occult?Can a Christian be tempted by the occult?

My story proves the answer to that question is yes.

I'm sure there are some people who may try to explain away the eight years I spent as a witch, medium, and ghost hunter by insisting I could not possibly have been a true Christian.

The truth is, I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of six and re-committed my life to Christ at sixteen. I was blood bought, born again, filled with the Holy Spirit. However, there were two factors at work in my life which I believe contributed to my eventual choice to move from temptation to sin.

First–I was always interested in the occult. From the time I was a little girl I was aware of the spiritual world around me. I had varying degrees of supernatural encounters growing up (both angelic and demonic). The idea of psychics, magick, future-casting, and other activities associated with the occult intrigued me well into adulthood even as I tried to put away games I'd played as a child because I knew the Bible said I should have nothing to do with those things.

Second—As an adult I traded in a faith which understood God's mercy and grace for a religion based on rules. I became legalistic, attempting to achieve a perfection to which I mistakenly thought God wanted me to aspire. No Christian (no human being other than JESUS) can be perfect so I was doomed to failure with that endeavor (which was a temptation in its own right really). When I decided to give into those yearnings for mystical experiences (first in 1995 and ultimately 1999) it was after years of being subtly courted by the enemy.

A Christian can be tempted by an interest in the occult—or pornography—or excessive partying—or gambling—or sexual immorality–or ANYTHING this world has to offer. 

The good news is that God doesn't leave us hanging out here all by ourselves!

When I gave into that longing for magick and the occult the Holy Spirit never left me. Like the good shepherd who searches for the one lost sheep, the Holy Spirit followed my every move. He called to me, convicted me, protected me from harm so that when the day came for me to make that final choice, God was waiting to take me into His loving, forgiving arms. God welcomed me home as the father did the prodigal son.

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

YES—a Christian may be tempted by the things of this world (including the occult) but God will not let His children go without doing everything possible to give them the choice to come back home. In this life, no matter how far a person may wander, God will always be waiting to receive them into His grace and forgiveness.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Christians & The Occult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Be Afraid of My Past

May 3, 2012 By 4 Comments

witchcraft Dont Be Afraid of My PastLast year, I wrote a post about how some people regard me as spooky. 

I struggled for a long time with the idea my story made some people fearful or uncomfortable. My intention has always been to serve God, who has called me to bear witness to the truth.

I started telling people my story because our society has become influenced by the occult and paranormal in recent years. Many who profess Christ are being drawn (sometimes unwittingly) into occult practice. My desire is to inform Christians regarding the dangers of the occult so they can examine and understand what the Bible says about it. So following God's leading, in 2009 I began writing and speaking about my occult past.

I've learned a lot these last three years since I began sharing my testimony. 

While the church remains largely silent, I believe there are more people being confronted with paranormal or occult phenomenon than we know because spiritual doors are being opened. It frustrates me to realize some Christians are being ignored to the point they are seeking out mediums, psychics, and others associated with the occult for answers. 

There are Christians who are struggling with temptation from their occult past who feel they have no one in the church they can turn to for support. It disheartens me these former witches and Wiccans are not being encouraged in their faith. Some are even being told not to share about God's healing and restoration in their lives with other Christians because their past is too spooky. 

Nobody wants to think about things which are spiritually challenging or supernatural (as it relates to the occult, witchcraft, etc).

There is this belief that if issues such as witchcraft, the paranormal/supernatural, or occult are talked about by the church (especially its leadership) there will be some kind of fallout. Whether it's the idea Christians will be drawn into deception by learning about the occult or fear they will be targeted for demonic harassment, there are many who simply refuse to acknowledge the issue in the Christian community.

Except what I've learned is Christian's do want to talk about these issues. They want to understand spiritual warfare. They want to know what the Bible says about mediums, psychics, ghosts, and witchcraft. They want pastors and leaders who will stand with them in prayer if faced with a situation or beliefs dealing with witchcraft, the paranormal, or other occult related issues.

Simply saying "don't do it" isn't going to cut it anymore.

What we need is to understand the occult (and have an honest dialogue) from a Biblical perspective. I guess that's why God has put this issue so strongly on my heart. Even when I've tried (in the past) to move on to other ideas or subjects He always draws me back to this one as my major focus and ministry.

Granted—my past is kind of spooky.

I confess to forgetting that most of the time. The truth is, being a witch, medium, and ghost hunter was simply my life for eight years. Those experiences became my normal. So, I don't always take into account how very strange (or even frightening) my occult past may seem to readers or those who hear me share my testimony.

Please don't let the spooky nature of my story prevent you from hearing what God did for me five years ago. When the Holy Spirit (whom I'd been ignoring for years) prompted me to command a demon to leave in Jesus' name during a paranormal investigation—and to which I actually responded. Hear how God used the resulting EVP to reveal the truth to me of what was behind all I'd ever done as a witch, medium, and ghost hunter. And how I finally made the choice which brought me to redemption and freedom in Christ.

Be brave. Discover what an amazing God we serve.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Christians & The Occult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spirit Guides

May 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

spiritguides1 Spirit GuidesThere was a time when I had five spirit guides.

Over the eight years I was a medium, I went to psychic development classes, read many books on witchcraft (and other occult beliefs), and practiced Eastern meditation and visualization techniques. All of these activities served to draw me deeper into occult practice and strengthened my resolve to expand my abilities. 

One recurring concept which was encouraged in many of the books I read on psychic development was getting to know and working with spirit guides. 

Spirit guides (or "unseen helpers") are considered by those in the New Age and other occult belief systems to be benevolent spirits who are meant to assist people find their "higher selves" or advance in spiritual awareness through life. Various activities associated with spirit guides can include automatic writing, meditation, hypnotism, centering, self-actualization, etc. 

Honestly, I was resistant to the idea of contacting spirit guides. Never mind the fact I had been in deep communion (through meditation) for three years with various goddesses. Forget that I consulted a pendulum (which is similar in function to an Ouija Board) for the bulk of my important decisions. For some reason, the idea of acknowledging spirit guides was difficult for me. 

Personally, I believe it was the presence of the Holy Spirit (who never left me no matter how far I strayed from Him those eight years) which prevented me from seeking spirit guides for so long. However, in the end I decided to do it.

I would "meet" my guides.

I wanted to increase my abilities as a medium and had finished a book by a spiritualist who recommended an exercise for meeting personal spirit guides. What the exercise required was an extended visualization exercise where you purposefully seek your spirit guides. I had spent years learning how to meditate and use visualization techniques for spell casting. By the time I decided to take the plunge and meet my guides I was more than prepared.

The process took several weeks. The first spirit guide was the one I would meet with the most often in meditation. He called himself "Brother Marcus", claiming to be a monk who had lived many years in the past and who had taken an interest in helping me "advance in my spiritual journey".

As time went by I met the others one by one. They each had a different function in my life as a guide. One specifically helped me communicate with other spirits when I did readings while ghost hunting. Another was a "Shaman" who would assist me with spiritual or metaphysical concerns. One presented itself as the Archangel Michael, who promised to protect me during spiritual confrontations (again while ghost hunting).

Over time, these "guides" were the ones I sought whenever I had a spiritual need to address. When I began to experience paranormal phenomena in my home with increasing frequency and intensity I asked them for help. Their silence led me to believe that as a medium (and ghost hunter) these types of experiences were to be expected.

A "spiritual hazard" of the job, so to speak.

What I did not acknowledge was who those (deceptive) spirit beings actually were. Only when I was confronted with an audio file of a demon's scream and realized I had a choice to make. Only when I re-dedicated my life to Christ, renouncing all my occult activities, and rebuking the demonic spirits I had allowed into my life as "guides". Those spirit beings who had been deceiving and harassing me. Those spirit beings who were compelled to obey JESUS because of WHO HE IS.

Spirit guides are not benevolent. Spirit guides are not "ascended masters", "angels", or "advanced human spirits". They are demonic spirits bent on deception. They are what the Bible calls "familiar spirits" who pretend at being "angels of light" but dwell in spiritual darkness.

In 1 John 4:1 (ESV) we are told "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." If we examine what people write, teach, or believe based on "the guidance of spirits", it is discovered to be at odds with what the Bible teaches. For instance, these "guides" insist there are many paths to God or that truth is relative. The Bible teaches that there is only one way of salvation for man and only one truth—-JESUS. Spirit guides represent a worldview that is in opposition to the Gospel.

Throughout scripture we are warned not to dabble or seek out the spirit realm. Whether through mediums, psychics, necromancers, diviners, or seeking personal insight from "spirit guides", we are to have nothing to do with these practices or beliefs. Doing so leads us into deception and the realm of spiritual darkness.

As Christians, we are called to live in the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the only "guide" we should ever need.

"This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7 (NLT)

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Christians & The Occult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Protection from Witchcraft

May 1, 2012 By 4 Comments

pentacle seasons Protection from Witchcraft"How do I protect myself from witchcraft?"

Believe it or not, I have been asked that question by Christians a lot. Whether it's a parent concerned for their child or an individual seeking the information for themselves, there is one thing this question makes very clear to me.

Many Christians are operating from a place of fear.

Now, don't get me wrong. It is reasonable to be aware of the occult and the (underlying) deceptive powers which fuel its many beliefs and practices. I encourage Christians to search their Bibles for answers about such things as divination, spirit communication, psychic ability, the paranormal, and (obviously) witchcraft. I believe Christians should be talking about the occult, supernatural, and the paranormal rather than ignoring it all together.

But there is no reason to be fearful.

Neither do we want to be flippant when it comes to these topics or spiritual warfare (a lesson I've learned over the past five years). In fact, the Bible tells us in Jude 1: 8-9 (NLT) "In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

As Christians, we should approach spiritual warfare with humility. We take authority over spirits in JESUS name "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). The Bible (God's WORD) is our weapon which is "…alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 

We need to remember it is God who goes before us: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) Once we grab that truth, do you honestly believe we have any reason to be worried or fearful about witchcraft? 

Having said that, do we need to guard our hearts and minds with the truth? 

YES!

Even as we become aware of witchcraft (or other practices of the occult), our focus must always be on God, not the enemy. As Christians, we must be aware how we can be drawn into false teaching or sinful practices if we are not mindful of our relationship with the Lord. As much as people like to deny it, we can be drawn away from God's truth (the Bible) through what we read or watch or even the people we hang with regularly. 

Do Christians need to worry about witchcraft being used against them?

No. The majority of Wiccans and witches I know are concerned with their own lives and families. Most Wiccans follow The Rede, which admonishes "an it harm none, do what thou wilt". The Wiccans I know take that very seriously. Witches live by their own personal or ethical/religious standards. But even if witchcraft were to be employed against a believer in Christ—why should we be afraid?

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39 (NLT)

As a Christian, I try to focus on WHO I serve, rather than any potential weirdness or worries over what this world (or the enemy) might throw at me.

Operating in fear cripples our witness to friends, family, and other people within our sphere of influence. Fear calls God's power and love into question, tampering with our faith. Personally, I'd rather concentrate on the greatness of our God (who has already overcome the enemy and all his schemes) and share the Lord's way of salvation to all who will listen—especially those caught up in witchcraft.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

  

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Christians & The Occult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »
This site is protected by WP-CopyRightPro