| Author | Message | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1574 Registered: 11-2007  |
HI! Long time no write! I have missed being here, but life got insanely crazy busy and I had to drop a few things. I have a hard time with this forum not losing all track of time when I start reading/posting, so I decided I better step back for awhile.. But I'm moving toward a more sane schedule now and hope to stop in once in awhile. MY QUESTION: Did you or your family experience any demonic activity in your homes while SDA? If you are a born-again believer, have you had any disturbances in your home and family since coming to rest in Christ alone? I realize believers are open to attack - but I'm seeing another connection beginning to emerge. Would be interested in your stories. Thanks! I realize this is an extremely subjective topic.. but also one which people often don't share because they don't want others to think they are crazy. I have left this out of my testimony coming out of the Hebrew Roots Movement, but was in fact a significant part of our experience.. and realized it went all the way back to my childhood as an SDA. The enemy had full access to us and our home it seems. I appreciate in advance if there are any others out there who would be willing to share. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1924 Registered: 7-2007 |
For most of the time while I was an SDA, nothing like that happened. (I think the devil was satisfied that I was lost and didn't want to rock the boat.) But during the two years just prior to being rescued out of the SDA church, I may have seen something like that. I was just waking up or something and saw something like a shadowy being. It walked (or whatever) right through a tall wall mirror. I was never really sure about that, since I wasn't fully awake yet. Looking back, I know that some fierce spiritual warfare was going on in my behalf because a Christian friend was fasting and praying in my behalf, though I didn't know it at the time. Then when I was actually in the process of discovering that the Adventist church was false, I really did have an encounter! I came home from work one day and picked up the Bible again to study and my mind was completely blocked from understanding the slightest thing that the Bible was saying! I could think about anything else I wanted - just not the Bible. It was like trying to think through mud! At my first opportunity I mentioned it to a Christian friend. She immediately prayed and the weird fog quickly evaporated. That was definitely supernatural! (Also, all Christians who are effective for Christ, are attacked in various ways.) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12639 Registered: 12-2003  |
I've found it fascinating over the past few years that there is so much experimentation with occult games in SDA boarding schools. One memorable event happened shortly after we launched this forum. In the very early days there were no passwords needed in order to post, and one person who posted routinely was obviously a bit extreme in several ways. We ascertained that he was a real person (other people confirmed his identity), and he was definitely connected by a past in Adventism. One Friday afternoon, I happened to log onto the forum (I didn't generally go on on Fridays because of time constraints), but I discovered post after post using varying user names: "dying spirit", "angry spirit", etc. These posts were clearly written by the same person, but they began using passages from some of EGWs early works that are less well-kown. One in particular substituted the person's name into an EGW passage in which she was writing about Satan. In other words, instead of "satan desires" or "Satan does this or that", it used the person's name-- I called Richard who took one look at it and said, "It's [_________]'s harassing spirit writing," and immediately blocked the IP address. I realized he was right. Meanwhile, I had posted an online prayer asking God to protect the forum, protect the person, and stop the evil spirit at work. The next morning at 6:00 AM, I awoke. The rest of the family was asleep; I even got up and knew the house was quiet. I went back to bed and then I heard it: rhythmic knocking, grouped in two's and three's. It seemed to be coming from the wall between our master bath and the main hallway bath. Suddenly I knew what it was: "It's ______'s spirit," I realized. It had been discovered the day before, and the person's ability to post had been stopped. I distinctly remember lying in bed thinking, "Praying against an evil spirit is small potatoes compared to leaving Adventism under the barrage of spiritual warfare that accompanies that..." and I prayed that God would remove that spirit from our house, protect us, and protect the forum. I felt absolutely no fear...I knew what it was, and I knew the Lord Jesus had defeated evil with His blood. I continued praying as I listened to that knocking move down the hall and leave out the front door--without opening the door, of course. It was gone...and I know the Lord Jesus let me experience that for many reasons I don't even know, but I do know that He confirmed to me that the demonic connection with Adventism is very close, and He abundantly confirmed that He is sovereign over everything, every evil spirit, over me, over this forum...He is Lord, and when we are in Him, we need not fear. But Sondra, your question is good. Yes, I believe you are making an accurate connection... Colleen | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1575 Registered: 11-2007 |
Interesting stories! It is puzzling sometimes why God allows as much contact as He does, but I recently shared this with my mom too, that the enemy can do nothing outside of God's will and if He allows it, it's to strengthen us in some way, if we belong to Him. I know there is a connection with Adventism - but probably not an easy one to prove out because so many factors can play into this realm. So many doors/triggers. I also agree completely that for the believer, no fear. I have not feared these things for a long time, even while harassment taking place. This subject has come up from a couple different directions recently for me. Have seen two other testimonies of people in the Hebrew Roots Movement experiencing demonic activity, and I realized we had as well - very much so. I had thought it was something probably just to do with our own group, but suddenly realized it's a common thread with other HRM followers. THEN I realized it went deep into my SDA roots as well and if I were to tell you all the stories, there would be pages. It suddenly occurred to me that being under a false religion such as this that so terribly erodes the view of Christ and the gospel, puts people in a vulnerable position. I know my husband felt a physical/spiritual release when he was set free from the HRM. One time that we seemed to experience alot of activity was when I was first going back into Adventism as an adult. I thought it meant I was on the right track and the devil was trying to scare me - so I can see how people interpret these things is very much based on what they are already convinced is true. But thinking back on the number of stories my family had - does not now seem "normal" to me. I was wondering if other sda families had experienced this on the same level as we did. Not only was there a high quantity of stories, but the nature of them seems out of line as well with something a pastor would deal with. I have never heard of these things happening to an evangelical pastor. They seem to cross the boundaries of what most people would experience. Yet the claim is that they were victorious in prayer and my grandfather even did deliverance on a possessed person - but never seemed to be free form demonic pranks himself. I realize Christians come under attack - but it seems to come in a different form than these antics. The family always believed it was from his involvement with ouija board as a young man, and the devil had never left him alone. That made satan seem pretty strong to me - an attitude which I find has carried over still with some sda family members. My mom also had stories from sda boarding school, an sda cousin had the psychic ability to see auras, and another cousin also played with Ouija, as well as my brother & step-brothers. Maybe my family was exceptionally drawn to evil - I don't know? Now my oldest daughter is dealing with it to the extreme, in her stubborn rebellion toward God - and it's trying to destroy her, yet she refuses to turn to Him for help because she doesn't believe He will. I for one am ready to break this cycle of defeat! | ||
| Rossbondreturns Registered user Username: Rossbondreturns Post Number: 174 Registered: 10-2009  |
My Testimony from FAF Weekend this year The video is crap quality it was recorded on my digital camera but it's what I say that matters. But I say yes indeed...such a thing DID happen to me. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12644 Registered: 12-2003 |
Sondra, I agree with your assessment about the vulnerability resulting from a false gospel. There is no spiritually neutral territory; there are only the domain of darkness and the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Col 1:13). When we're in the domain of darkness and deceived by a false Jesus teaching a false atonement/Jesus, we are not hidden in Christ. We are vulnerable to evil. Repenting and being born again means leaving behind the spirit that is now at work in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-3). There is very real demonic harassment when we are in the domain of darkness. Colleen | ||
| Lucybugg Registered user Username: Lucybugg Post Number: 287 Registered: 2-2007 |
The demonic activity on my mother's side of the family goes back to their introduction to SDA. I always wondered why that side of the family was prone to it. Now I know. I have pages and pages of stories to tell too.... | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 2468 Registered: 5-2007  |
Sondra, I to have much to share but not here on the open forum. PS I will say one thing. The the person played by Russel Crowe in the movie 'A Beautiful Mind' portrays much of my life, even though the the details are much different. Phil (Message edited by philharris on May 31, 2011) | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1576 Registered: 11-2007 |
Ross... great testimony! Thanks for posting that! Thanks all for your thoughts and input, and Colleen for that experience as well. Anyone who would like to contact me may do so if they don't feel like sharing openly.. 8thday4life@gmail.org I am praying about addressing this issue in writing - but don't want to give attention to the details of what the enemy does, but the strength of God as our fortress, and the contrast between being a toy for the enemy and a warrior in Christ. | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1577 Registered: 11-2007 |
Phil - I know a young man in that situation now. | ||
| Grace1958_f Registered user Username: Grace1958_f Post Number: 55 Registered: 3-2011 |
My husband (fka SDA & fka Mormon, kna Born again Christian) and I (fka Catholic, kna Born again Christian) definately believe that demonic activity is indeed associated with SDAism. During the past 5 months we attempted to study the book of Galatians via email with his SDA son & DIL, in which we’ve encountered much demonic activity in our home and our personal lives. (Some manifestations have been: 1) husband’s nightmare that demons wanted to kill him; 2) unusual times of discord between my husband and I - at which time we perceived a spiritual attack and then immediately took it to prayer before the Lord, who would restore peace between us; 3) right in the midst of disclosing to his kids via email, truth in God’s word that is in opposition to what EGW teaches - we would suddenly get bombarded by abnormal amounts of distractions ie the phone started ringing off the hook & urgent work related matters demanded our immediate attention. 4) Many other things too numerable to mention.) The bible teaches Eph 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. We believe there is a big principality that rules over the SDA religion as well as the Mormon religion. My husband believes that it was not the holy spirit that EGW interacted with in her dreams and visions but that it was a *spirit guide.* So, if it was not the holy spirit, it was a demonic spirit resulting in heresy and doctrines of demons. The bible further discloses to us how we can deal with the battle against the evil one as you read further on in Eph 6:13-18. Vs 13 Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. vs 14 Stand firm then with the belt buckle of truth . . . . breastplate of righteousness. . . .feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace . . . take the shield of faith in which you can extinguish ALL (not just some, but ALL) the fiery darts of the evil one . . . . helmet of salvation . . . . sword of the spirit My husband was called out of the SDA church over 30 years ago. About 18 years ago the Holy Spirit impressed upon us to destroy and discard any SDA or Mormon publications of any sort that were in our home. That action, in itself, removed lingering demonic presence in our home. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 9223 Registered: 3-2004  |
I know when I got rid of all egw's books and all sda books out of my library, in back of me when I am on the computer, I felt so much more comfortable. Our awesome God is POWERFUL! Diana L | ||
| Thegoldenway Registered user Username: Thegoldenway Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2011 |
My name is Lynn. I just left the SDA church a couple of weeks ago. But the process has taken over 10 years. I was a sixth generation SDA. And to answer your question.... YES. I have had a lot of demonic activity in my life til I first received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They would harrass me at night. I would hear them. There would be times that I would sense their presence in my bedroom thru out the night. When my children were small they would have "night terrors". My husband has experienced physical attacks during the night. For me all demonic activity came to a complete stop the first day I received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I never thought to make the connection between demonic activity and being SDA..... but it makes sense. I think I was attacked simply because they knew that I was truly seeking God's face and that I have a "rebellious" nature. What I mean by that is that I was rebellious toward SDAism....I wasn't fully locked in SDAism. | ||
| Thegoldenway Registered user Username: Thegoldenway Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2011 |
Two weeks ago I was STRONGLY impressed to get rid of all my SDA books. When I did it changed the atmosphere of my home for the better. I put all my SDA books into plastic totes and dropped them all off at the front doors of the local SDA church. In my last post what I meant when I mentioned that I left the SDA church two weeks ago is that I repented and renounced SDAism. I actually stopped attending the SDA church 8 months ago. | ||
| Grace1958_f Registered user Username: Grace1958_f Post Number: 57 Registered: 3-2011 |
Thegoldenway: I appreciate the last 2 sentences of your post regarding having had a *rebellious* nature toward SDAism. My husband had a small falling out with a group of SDA's, over 30 years ago, about something he did on Sabbath that they reprimanded him for. That friction, along with a growing natural desire to just flat out rebel, was what launched his final rebellion toward the SDA church which lead him to leave the church, lock stock and barrel. The good news is, because he removed himself completely from their umbrella, his mind was more clear to accept God's truth when God revealed it to him because his mind was not entirely fogged up with SDA doctrines. It was his rebellion toward SDAism, that lead him down the path to discover freedom in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28 And we know in all things God works for the good of them who love him, who have been CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. | ||
| Thegoldenway Registered user Username: Thegoldenway Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2011 |
Grace1958: Romans 8:28 is a passage that is just playing over and over in my thoughts right now. As I look over the past 10 years, I am amazed and astounded at the mercy, patience, love, and compassion that God has shown me. Oh, He has been so gentle in leading me out of the SDA church. I know that I am definitely a walking miracle of God's grace and patience simply due to the fact that He has had to work thru six generations of SDAism with me. I used to tell people that SDAism is part of my DNA. heehee Well, now I am truly a new creation in Christ Jesus and I am FREE!!!!! All thanks and praise be to GOD! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 9224 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thegoldenway, welcome to FAF. It is so good to have you here. I see you just jumped right in and that is good. God took more than 25-30 years to get me out of adventism. He knew exactly how to extract me and I am so thankful. He is so awesome. Diana l | ||
| Foofighter Registered user Username: Foofighter Post Number: 160 Registered: 7-2005 |
Welcome Thegoldenway, Thanks for telling us about your and your husband's experiences. Thankfully, nothing, like some of you have experienced to report, but it seemed that Adventists talked about the devil a lot! Way too much, I thought. But, I guess since the other Christians were already deceived, they were Satan's number 1 target. In fact, I think some even expressed the idea that the devil worked extra hard on Adventists. Some times, at different Adventist places, I felt a heavy/oppressive feeling. (Message edited by foofighter on May 31, 2011) | ||
| Grace1958_f Registered user Username: Grace1958_f Post Number: 58 Registered: 3-2011 |
Thegoldenway: Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! Lots of Love & Hugs!!!! Abiding In His Grace, Laura & Victor S. | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 24 Registered: 2-2011 |
~WELCOME~ Thegoldenway~ Thank-you for telling about your experience with egw books~ Many years ago when I left adventism after being a 4th generation born & bred "in the bone"~ I took all my egw books plus all my numerous publications on astrology(which I then believed were just fine to read & put into practice as an sda) wraped them in paper & plastic bags & threw them into the trash bin~ I didn't want to take the chance a person looking through the bin for bottles & cans to find them! I look forward to sharing with you here at the Forum~ =) ~*~mj~*~ |
