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This is a disturbing story but it does illustrate an important point that I pray wakes up those dabbling in the occult. I myself was “into” the occult and after studying astrology for 20 years I had become quite adept at analyzing astrological charts and was able to accurately predict future events. Then one day I was analyzing my mother’s chart and discovered that her time was near, very near. It startled me and my reaction was to deny it, I didn’t want to believe it, and maybe I hadn’t read the chart right anyway.
Not long afterwards my mother fell ill with what we thought was the stomach flu. Concerned, I took her to the hospital where her doctor told me she had only 24 hours left to live. She didn’t have the stomach flu; she had a tumor the size of a grapefruit. So in the end I was right, she did die, and I was devastated. Years later, after realizing I was dealing in the demonic and looking back on this time, an eerie and disquieting sense surrounded me. I just can’t help but think that if I hadn’t been into the occult; or even better in communion with the Lord, that I might have saved my mother. Maybe that’s just guilt talking but still that’s nowhere anyone wants to be.
Let me tell you how I got into the occult and the bad decisions I made along the way, because I think a lot of people make the same mistakes. And maybe by sharing I can help guide those involved in the occult out of it. When I was growing up I was one of those people that denied that the “spirit world” existed at all. Whether divine or demonic, I only acknowledged what could be seen and felt. So then, when the reality of the “other side” became apparent to me I was completely awed by it. One day I purchased an astrology book, you know one of those that tell you whether you and your boyfriend are compatible or not. It seemed so innocuous. But it was shortly after that that I started experiencing the paranormal in a big way.
Suddenly I knew things I had no business knowing, very strong premonitions of future events and I had no way to explain how I knew them. I was uncomfortable with this ability and it became more frequent, and bizarre. I hadn’t connected the paranormal activity to my new interest in astrology, but years later the timing became apparent. I had opened the door to the occult and the devil came dancing in. I had a friend ask me if just reading horoscopes was enough to open the door to Satan, obviously my answer to that question is Yes! Absolutely!
I think there are a lot of people, like I used to be, who only believe in concrete reality. That’s a mistake. The “spirit world” is definitely a reality. Flowing from that mistake was the failure to discern that the “spirit world” contains both the divine and the demonic. I had assumed it was all coming from the same place; wrong again. A good education in Christianity would have taught me that much.
Then a major mistake, I didn’t acknowledge the devil. The adage that; “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist” is very, very true. And our generation has bought that hook, line and sinker. But consider this for a moment; if the devil doesn’t exist there is no need to distinguish between good and evil, is there? This is where everybody gets tripped up. Our generation’s party line “that it’s all good” or “we just keep reincarnating until we get it right” is a delusion created by Satan. In addition to being a lie, it fosters laziness in the pursuit of virtue.
Even if it’s done innocently, once you open the door to the demonic, no matter how slight, the devil will slither in. And may God help you if you don’t believe in the devil. You can’t fight something that you don’t even acknowledge. You will be subject to a power you can’t possibly fathom whose only objective is your destruction. The devil may be good to you for awhile, but he’s like a drug. He will get you addicted to “something”, perhaps a lifestyle that you can’t let go of, and then; bam! He will take you down.
If you have allowed the “evil one” into your life and you are lucky enough to realize that, what do you do? You of your own strength cannot win against the forces of evil. Funny, but when that reality sinks in the Bible and religion become very attractive. Perhaps an inner knowing that the truth is hidden there? I want you to do what the gospel says to do and repent! Repent and pray. Draw close to the Holy Spirit, the divine of the spirit world. Let Jesus Christ save you! Learn to discern between the divine and the demonic. And here are a few clues. If it’s in accord with the Ten Commandments you’re in good shape. If it’s patient and loving and charitable towards your neighbor you are probably OK. If you are in a state of anxiety, then you do not have the peace of the Lord. This is when you should consider that the demonic might be involved.
After my own conversion to Christianity I came to realize how sad my actions were. I could have been in a state of grace, praying to our Lord to save my mother. But instead I was far from the Lord. Even though I “felt” like I was doing good because I was a “spiritual” person I was really travelling down a road that not only put my own soul in danger, but also those I loved. But the grace of God saved me.
The bottom line is this, there is a reason God says over and over and over again NOT to get involved in the occult. Any form of divination is considered an offense against the First Commandment. God blesses us, but he also curses those who rebel against His Word. If you are involved in the occult, get out of it and make sure you repent. Shaking the devil off after you’ve let him in may well take some time and effort. I pray you persevere in your repentance and come into communion with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember, his name is Mercy!
