Your experiences of spiritual attacks

[ChicanaRose]

Monday evening was weird too. It's mostly feelings that give ordinary things more significance. That's the problem with proving anything.

I think what you are referring to is premonitions. I've had a few of those also long time ago, but it was not same as intuition. Usually my intuition is not about what would happen specifically, but a general feeling that an attack may be directed at me.

 

[cloudyday2]

I think what you are referring to is premonitions. I've had a few of those also long time ago, but it was not same as intuition. Usually my intuition is not about what would happen specifically, but a general feeling that an attack may be directed at me.

What is your response to that feeling?

 

[ananda]

I was curious if anybody wanted to share their experiences that seemed to be spiritual attacks. I may have experienced such things in the past, and that is one reason why I call myself a "generic theist" instead of an atheist. I feel there is something more than the natural world, but I am pretty confused about it - especially now that I lack the Christian metaphysical framework. I suspect these things happen more often than skeptics realize, but those who experience them prefer not to talk openly due to the giggle factor and a desire to forget and return to normalcy afterwards.

Here are some of my questions:
- Was there a warning sign first?
- How did you react?
- How did the experience affect you long-term?

To be honest, this type of thing bothers me, because it adds a lot of uncertainty and confusion to an otherwise tidy naturalistic model of reality.

My friend had spiritual attacks on himself & his housemates, they experienced strong nightmares, burning sensations & bodily scratches over a period of time, and attributed the attacks to one of their relatives who was known to practice dark magic & had a grudge against them.

 

[ChicanaRose]

What is your response to that feeling?

Prayer for protection and asking others to pray for my protection.

 

[bèlla]

I’ve experienced them in the past. The most recent was this week. I was praying against a situation and the other was praying against me.

Was there a warning sign first?

Yes. Over familiarity and sexual innuendo. The lustful behavior became more overt and lewd.

How did you react?

Polite decline and disinterest. Additional remarks and increasing displays of inappropriate behavior set off a warning bell. The fascination was unhealthy.

I sought the Lord’s input and the following day He roused me at midnight and instructed me to pray against the situation. I was given the scriptures to pray.

At one point I felt something fighting back. The Holy Spirit told me to remove myself from their presence and discontinue communication.

How did the experience affect you long-term?

It confirmed my suspicion and provided a necessary reminder of similar scenarios (others have endured) and their outcome. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are plentiful and we must guard against them.

 

[ChicanaRose]

I was praying against a situation and the other was praying against me.

Was there a warning sign first?

Yes. Over familiarity and sexual innuendo.

There is a spiritual force behind it, whether it is done in the spirit realm (praying against someone), or done through the acts of the flesh (sexual innuendos). Both come from the dark places.

Some may dismiss the latter as natural (as opposed to supernatural) but it's not. Because for someone to continually hear God's Word where the Holy Spirit speaks to their conscience, and to be able to continually and shamelessly engage in ill acts against another person in ways that even non-believers would not typically--is not normal.

 

[bèlla]

Because for someone to continually hear God's Word where the Holy Spirit speaks to their conscience, and to be able to continually and shamelessly engage in ill acts against another person in ways that even non-believers would not typically--is not normal.

The Holy Spirit permitted me to experience the negative effects for a time so I’d understand it wasn’t the flesh but something demonic behind their actions.

Attractions aren’t uncommon. But when it crosses into lust and its evident the other does not reciprocate and you’ve chosen to feed it and demonstrate it openly without shame or conviction; that’s a problem.

It is never appropriate to foist your sexual longings on others. To do so to a fellow believer is significantly worse.

 

[cloudyday2]

My friend had spiritual attacks on himself & his housemates, they experienced strong nightmares, burning sensations & bodily scratches over a period of time, and attributed the attacks to one of their relatives who was known to practice dark magic & had a grudge against them.

Do you have any thoughts about whether dark magic (or even friendly magic) exists beyond psychology? I believe @awitch has said in the past that he believes magic is 99% psychological (I may me misrepresenting his opinion, so hopefully he will correct as needed). Of course the mind is a powerful thing. There is the placebo and nocebo effects in medicine. If the effects happen before the subject is even remotely suspicious of magic then it might rule-out psychology. Ideally the spell-caster should secretly specify the expected effects in a sealed envelope that can be opened later to compare with the actual results. Also the effects need to be unlikely to happen by chance. Like a nightmare happens sometimes anyway and sometimes people get scratches and forget the cause. Typically a curse requires the spell-caster to signal the target in some way. I saw an old Sherlock Holmes TV show where a chicken's foot was the signal. Of course that signal puts and expectation and worry in the target's psyche which probably facilitates the curse. ... But anyway I was curious about your thoughts on these things. I go back and forth on what I believe about paranormal.

 

[ananda]

Do you have any thoughts about whether dark magic (or even friendly magic) exists beyond psychology? I believe @awitch has said in the past that he believes magic is 99% psychological (I may me misrepresenting his opinion, so hopefully he will correct as needed). Of course the mind is a powerful thing. There is the placebo and nocebo effects in medicine. If the effects happen before the subject is even remotely suspicious of magic then it might rule-out psychology. Ideally the spell-caster should secretly specify the expected effects in a sealed envelope that can be opened later to compare with the actual results. Also the effects need to be unlikely to happen by chance. Like a nightmare happens sometimes anyway and sometimes people get scratches and forget the cause. Typically a curse requires the spell-caster to signal the target in some way. I saw an old Sherlock Holmes TV show where a chicken's foot was the signal. Of course that signal puts and expectation and worry in the target's psyche which probably facilitates the curse. ... But anyway I was curious about your thoughts on these things. I go back and forth on what I believe about paranormal.

I agree that magic is mostly psychological (which doesn't mean "fake"). Its driving force is centered in conscious intention which expresses itself mainly through mind, and then mind through body.

Any effect(s) produced is dependent on the strength & skill of the originator's conscious intention and mind, attenuated (or amplified!) by the strength & skill, acceptance or rejection, conditioning, etc. of the "target's" consciousness and mind, and that of any third parties involved. So, there are many variables involved which determines the final outcome.

 

[cloudyday2]

I agree that magic is mostly psychological (which doesn't mean "fake"). Its driving force is centered in conscious intention which expresses itself mainly through mind, and then mind through body.

Any effect(s) produced is dependent on the strength & skill of the originator's conscious intention and mind, attenuated (or amplified!) by the strength & skill, acceptance or rejection, conditioning, etc. of the "target's" consciousness and mind, and that of any third parties involved. So, there are many variables involved which determines the final outcome.

Do you think magic can produce effects on non-humans and non-animals? In other words does the target need a mind for the magic to work?

 

[ChicanaRose]

I go back and forth on what I believe about paranormal.

For me personally, what's important as a Christian is to not directly address the paranormal. Like if the spirit were to start talking to me, I shouldn't open the door of communication. I should pray to God to take it away and protect me.

 

[awitch]

Do you have any thoughts about whether dark magic (or even friendly magic) exists beyond psychology? I believe @awitch has said in the past that he believes magic is 99% psychological (I may me misrepresenting his opinion, so hopefully he will correct as needed).

Yes, that's still my stance.
If you believe in curses, I can do enough mumbo jumbo to make you think you're cursed. At that point you start to associate every negative thing to the curse. You expect it, you anticipate it, you second guess yourself and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and life becomes miserable.

But it's all in your head. There is nothing super natural involved; no magic, no deals with devils, no mysterious forces.

 

[bèlla]

Prayers are God’s domain and curses are the realm of demons.

 

[cloudyday2]

Yes, that's still my stance.
If you believe in curses, I can do enough mumbo jumbo to make you think you're cursed. At that point you start to associate every negative thing to the curse. You expect it, you anticipate it, you second guess yourself and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and life becomes miserable.

But it's all in your head. There is nothing super natural involved; no magic, no deals with devils, no mysterious forces.

Would you say the mechanism of magic is 100% psychological or only 99%? I know that you have sincere reverence for gods, and you also have had some spiritual experiences. So I don't know how that fits with the percentages. 100% seems a bit atheistic, but it depends.

 

[cloudyday2]

Prayers are God’s domain and curses are the realm of demons.

I don't know the exact verse, but when the Hebrews enter the Promised Land, the covenant with God has blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. I suppose it might be argued that the curses are the removal of God's blessings, or that the Law is an owner's manual for successful life in the Promised Land, but the rewards and punishments are described as blessings and curses.

 

[awitch]

Would you say the mechanism of magic is 100% psychological or only 99%? I know that you have sincere reverence for gods, and you also have had some spiritual experiences. So I don't know how that fits with the percentages. 100% seems a bit atheistic, but it depends.

Couldn't give you exact figures, of course, but I like to leave just a hint of wiggle room

 

[bèlla]

@cloudyday2

Personal works undertaken through spells and magic are not of God. You’re cavorting with demons.

We are never told to participate in paranormal activities. You will open yourself to a heap of problems.

 

[ananda]

Do you think magic can produce effects on non-humans and non-animals? In other words does the target need a mind for the magic to work?

No, the target doesn't need a mind, but then the degree of influence depends mainly on the skill & strength of the originator in correspondence with the realm he or she is attempting to influence.

 

[ChicanaRose]

I don't know the exact verse, but when the Hebrews enter the Promised Land, the covenant with God has blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

That's right, paranormal practices are disobedience to God's law and will bring you the opposite of blessings.

 

[Noxot]

There Is No Escape From the paranormal. in general Christians avoid occultism because the goal is not the same as mysticism. But if there is some kind of Christian magic then it's probably called theurgy. I don't know anything about it. But even praying might be a Paranormal Activity. right now I don't see a point in praying for others very much since I already believe that God is already caring a lot about them.

I don't even consider it a hellish attack but the last one I had was my last dream. I saw and experienced a hellish Union but I don't know how many souls it is. It's just a disgusting deformed combined mass of Flesh. I guess it was an expression of hellish love. Of course I have to stop and think about such experiences though I don't think that I would be part of them.

Recently I also had another dream that was partially evil. There was an innocent being and I was the evil one. My thoughts were how could I corrupt and take advantage of the innocent one. So at least I know how those evil spirits Act.