Friend and the Occult

Mandahuff said:

Hello
I’m looking for some advice. I have a friend that I was friends with before I became a Christian. We have drifted apart quite a bit over the years, but every once and awhile she will message me or come by. The last time she came by she talked quite a bit about how she was into tarot readings, seances and astrology. I let her know that this wasn’t something I wanted to discuss. I have tried to be a witness to her in the past. I feel like I want to be more of a witness to her and use the opportunity that God has given me to do that. I’m also a photographer. She asked me to do coven pictures?? I let her know that wasn’t something I was willing to do. She also asked me to take her picture in a cemetery. I’m unsure at this point if I should just cut her out or use this as an opportunity to witness to her.

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I pray for wisdom for you. The temptations of Christ come to mind, when the devil tempted him, he responded with a verse of Scripture.
You need a Bible verse to reply with, always kindly and with love.
May the Lord bless you richly, in Jesus name

Hmmm... Have you ever asked her what she thinks about the afterlife... what happens when someone dies? If you take her picture at a cemetery, maybe that would be a good time to ask her and then start sharing the gospel with her about the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Definitely don't take photos at the cemetery because that will start the ball rolling and make it harder to say no to any requests along those lines. Keep praying for her and about this situation and God will show you what to do.

Use every opportunity to speak of Christ's loving truth and the inner peace you have gained because of Him. It is not about refusing her, but using every opportunity to witness. If you cut off from her who is going to tell her about Christ? So as she tells you about her life you tell her about yours.

Don't forbid her her reality/stories but use them to witness about God's truth and the dangers of meddling with the wicked. When those evil spirits begin to harm her she will be much more open to hear your side of the story so warn her about that. Warn her that the wicked kill her good life and bring her bondage to misery, unless she does as they say.

Always talk about your freedom in Christ. The freedom to love God and to love people. Prove to her that you are non judgemental and loving but not swayed by evil.

Be a voice of truth and love in her world of confusion and turmoil for the more she meddles with the wicked the worse her inner state of self will become. Try and love sin to death in her so Jesus can deliver her from the evil she now finds so interesting.

Mandahuff said:

Hello
I’m looking for some advice. I have a friend that I was friends with before I became a Christian. We have drifted apart quite a bit over the years, but every once and awhile she will message me or come by. The last time she came by she talked quite a bit about how she was into tarot readings, seances and astrology. I let her know that this wasn’t something I wanted to discuss. I have tried to be a witness to her in the past. I feel like I want to be more of a witness to her and use the opportunity that God has given me to do that. I’m also a photographer. She asked me to do coven pictures?? I let her know that wasn’t something I was willing to do. She also asked me to take her picture in a cemetery. I’m unsure at this point if I should just cut her out or use this as an opportunity to witness to her.

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Be kind and respectful, but have firm boundaries. Be a good friend and witness within those boundaries. Don't necessarily make spiritual conversations outside of those boundaries, she should feel safe to have spiritual conversations with you, but definitely don't let it get to anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Hi @Mandahuff

Tricky situation...

Mandahuff said:

I’m unsure at this point if I should just cut her out or use this as an opportunity to witness to her.

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I wouldn't cut her out of your life. At this point, you may be the only hope she has got.

It sounds like you are doing well in refusing to take pictures of her coven and other pictures glorifying her in a cemetery. Keep this up and don't give in.

But there might be another element at play here. She may be just trying to provoke you - sure. But she may be testing your faith and faithfulness on a subconscious level. Your friend is clearly accepting of spirituality and so the feasibility of one Almighty powerful being who created everything would have not escaped her thoughts. Therefore, it's crucial you don't show signs of compromise in your walk - as it sounds like you are not. Let her be impressed with your resolve, dedication and heart attitude.

If the Most High wills, she will see the light eventually and you might be the very means by which He accomplishes this. So be careful not to cut her out of your life but remain a strong and bright light in her life. Then, if/when things unravel or fall apart, she'll know who she turn to to find the right path.

Peace.

It seems unfair of her to ask you to do these things after you've said that you are uncomfortable with them and have a religious opposition to the whole idea. That being the case, it looks like politely continuing to say "No" is the right course.

Surely she will 'get the message' soon if you decline all such invitations and requests. I do not think that denouncing these occult practices would accomplish anything with her, although we'd like to think that witnessing of that sort would bring speedy results.

Mandahuff said:

Hello
I’m looking for some advice. I have a friend that I was friends with before I became a Christian. We have drifted apart quite a bit over the years, but every once and awhile she will message me or come by. The last time she came by she talked quite a bit about how she was into tarot readings, seances and astrology. I let her know that this wasn’t something I wanted to discuss. I have tried to be a witness to her in the past. I feel like I want to be more of a witness to her and use the opportunity that God has given me to do that. I’m also a photographer. She asked me to do coven pictures?? I let her know that wasn’t something I was willing to do. She also asked me to take her picture in a cemetery. I’m unsure at this point if I should just cut her out or use this as an opportunity to witness to her.

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Welcome. She needs to respect your boundaries that being said, take a moment with her, hold her hand and say a prayer that she can hear. The adversary is easily conquered with the power of the Holy Spirit. Be blessed.

Mandahuff said:

I’m unsure at this point if I should just cut her out or use this as an opportunity to witness to her.

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You are unwilling to discuss her beliefs, but want her to discuss your beliefs?

First as Leet has said don't do cemetery pictures, as others have said be straight and be firm you will not do pictures that comprise your belief.

Some questions you need to learn.

What do you gelief?

What evidence do you have for those beliefs?

What evidence would you accept ( to prove Bible, Christianity, Jesus' resurrection etc etc ) ?

Can you answer these questions without saying just believe or have faith?

Isn't it natural to think that it's unlikely that your witnessing about Jesus is not going to have much of an effect if you refuse to talk about spirituality with your friend? I can only guess it's someone that is curious about the supernatural and death and don't know what to seek or where to seek. I can understand that you feel it's difficult, and don't judge you, but merely try to answer honestly. I hope it works out. Being a true friend, doing things out of love and be careful not to seem arrogant or "holier-then-thou", but if you get so close to God that this lead to peace and joy, it would be natural for people to want what you have and be more open to Christianity.

Good luck, and God bless you.

Mandahuff said:

Thanks for the replies.

I know cutting her out sounds harsh, but I guess I failed to emphasize that she doesn’t respect boundaries very well and continues to be pushy at times. Not just with this particular issue but that is just how she presents herself on many things that she is into. This is the first time she has ever mentioned being into the occult, and she will push for me to participate with her. Which she already has. I have no plan to join in, but I cannot say I don’t feel tempted to give an inch at times. If I do she will try to take a mile. I want to learn how to be a better witness to her. She is also an alcoholic, and I use to be, and I had conversation with her once how God delivered me from that. She made the comment that she talks to God and prays often. I don’t know how to approach the whole occult topic with her. I once dabble in such and had a really negative experience. Which is why I feel uncomfortable discussing it, I did mention the experience I had to her, Thanks again for the replies.

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The way you describe it here present a totally different picture then how I understood the first post. Alcoholism is the worst fate I can possibly think of for myself, it's just really sad to see how those that have been drinking their whole life have become so reduced both in body and mind, yet I notice how I forget about my own previous lack of interest in drinking when I myself spend too much time with people that drink every day in my neighborhood. It's not healthy for me to spend too much time like that, since I've had serious addiction problems to drugs, and don't want to ever return to the life I once had, and that's an honest thing and perhaps keeping a polite distance would be far better for you, and if she don't respect your boundaries and try to directly tempt you to do things you feel is wrong, then you don't owe any such respect in return, since then it's a person not working for the things of God to become stronger in you.

I have also a lot of experience with occultism and could tell a lot about it, but I don't talk about those memories and how much it damaged me, unless to warn Christians that seem unaware of the immense danger of this.

I'd say: Continue to be a good witness of the good things in Christ, but don't feel as though you are doing wrong by not letting someone treating you in a way you feel is hurtful or harmful for you.

"Follow your heart" is perhaps a bit of a cliche, but it's also true.

God bless you greatly, you and yours, in all things, small and great, in the name of Jesus, amen.