Question from a Site Viewer
When I was younger I was facinated by the paranormal. I practiced being a medium. The results were frightening. I could sense something was amiss. I then asked in my mind as I was walking home one day if I was being mislead. “Please help me, God.” Sure enough my abilities slowly faded away. That was around 3 years ago. It is only now I realize the severity of what I have done. I am not a particularly religous man and my confidence and fear of being judged is what may stop me attending church. Where does this leave me in my heart? I know I am good. I am now training to be a counselor to help others.
Tim’s Answer
I appreciate your question. Many are drawn to the paranormal by fascination, intrigue, curiosity, and a desire to experience the supernatural. But we should be careful for what we desire. There are spiritual powers that interact with human life, not all of which are good. The Bible teaches us that there are angels and demons. There are supernatural forces that are evil, and desire nothing more than our enslavement and ultimate death. There are people who are empowered by Satan to do amazing things (2 Thessalonians 2:9). But according to the Bible, Satan walks about as a roaring lion, seeking people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). And death always follows Satan. As Jesus said, Satan is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44).
Satan first lied to Adam and Eve and said that they would not surely die if they disobeyed God. But they did die. The story of humanity is that we live and we die, because we bought Satan’s lie.
However, Jesus came into the world to save us from sin and death. Jesus, who was the eternal God, died on our behalf, the holy and sinless one dying for our sins. He became our substitute. And because He is eternal, His death substituted for everyone, so that we might go free. In the book of Hebrews, we are told that through the death of Jesus, Jesus defeated the one who had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivered us from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Jesus Himself said that He was the resurrection and life, and the one who believes in Him will never die (John 11:25-26). The truth of Jesus’ claim is shown by the fact that after three days in the tomb He rose from the dead – the signature event all Christians celebrate every Easter. And as the Apostle Paul states, though our outward man perishes, our inward man is renewed and strengthened (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-8). And though this body may die, it will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
There is a power in the world that is good and far greater than the power of Satan. This is the power of God. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 that all power was given to Him in heaven and on earth. Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that His followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Those who are truly followers of Jesus experience a power and connection that leads to life. There is forgiveness of sin, and a sense of peace, love, joy, compassion, and self-control that marks those who have learned to walk in the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22-23).
Thus, I commend you for turning away from the paranormal. However, I also encourage you not to stop with simply turning away from a force that was not good. Rather, I encourage you to consider Jesus Christ.
You might want to get a Bible, or read it on-line, and begin with the gospel of John. God freely gives blessings in abundance to those who come to Him, blessings that the things of this world simply cannot buy. We gain acceptance in Jesus Christ, we gain an identity as friends of God, we join a group of select people who seek to make this world a better place by facing down hate with love, pain with compassion, cursings with blessings, lies with truth, and pride with a winsome humility. But most of all, we get to know the eternal God as a personal friend. And as He did with Adam of old, and Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, and countless other persons, He will do with us. He will talk with us and guide us and lead us and bless us in ways we can never imagine. He is not an aloof God to those who seek Him. He is a God who is near and wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5). When we love and serve Him, we will be blessed by Him in ways that truly count.
The blessings come to those who seek Him. And those who seek Him will find Him (Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 29:13).
You express some fear of being judged in a church. I hope you will not let that keep you away from finding others who share a love for God and joining with them. There will always be some in churches who are in different stations on the journey towards God, and who do not well live out the love of Christ. And there are some who will judge. But hopefully you will also find at church those who love as Christ taught us to love and will be a blessing to you in the journey we call life.
May the God of all kindness guide you to Himself, through the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
a person who has been amazed by God’s presence,
tim