Gift or Curse?

[Okie]

Before I tell you my tale, let me say, I am a God Fearing Literal Bible Believing Southern Christian Woman.

I also have an ability most folks scoff at. I see Ghosts. I call them ghosts because I see people no one else sees. I have never tried to conjure these visions, they are just there. These people NEVER try to interact with me or seem to notice my presents at all. It is simular to a soundless Film clip. Most I see are from other eras of time. I also pick up "Feelings" from objects. I don't see anything real clear, but I can tell you whether the object was ever used for evil purposes and I can generally tell whether the owner or builder of the object was a Good or Bad person. I will give a couple of examples and then you folks can tell me whether this is a gift or a curse and why.

I once picked up a knife at a Yardsale and instantly knew it had been used to kill a person. I could see it covered in blood in a man's hand and a blurry body laying beyond. I have no idea when or where  the item was used.

Here is one more example. I was given a Book of Mormon. I recieved the most horrid sence of Evil anytime I tried to read it, that I finally burned the thing.

Ok, you tell me. Gift from God? If so, How am I supposed to use it to Glorify God?
Curse from Satan? If so, How do I get rid of it?

[HimAll4]

A quick response so you know I've read this............
There is a spirit world, it's very real.
As far as visions from the past?  We are eternal, and there is no time in eternity.

I've gotta study on this!  I look forward to seeing what others answer.........

[Okie]

A quick response so you know I've read this............
There is a spirit world, it's very real.
As far as visions from the past?  We are eternal, and there is no time in eternity.

I've gotta study on this!  I look forward to seeing what others answer.........

Thanks Terri,
 I have asked this question on other forums, but discussion either got shut down real quick, or entered the space alien type thing. I would really like see some real Christian's thoughts on this.

[HimAll4]

Well, Okie, I've kind of "been there", only it was a little different than what you've experienced.  I had come to the conclusion it was of an evil nature, and ended up praying against it.  It took a while, and I prayed the Blood a number of times, but I don't understand why we should shun discussion of it.  The spirit world is real, and we need to know how to deal with it or we could end up lukewarm.  I think that's why horror movies, Halloween, etc. are so popular.  Satan wants us to be lukewarm and unaffected.  JMHO anyway!
I'll keep studying!

[2nd Timothy]

Not ever experiencing such myself, I can only offer what scripture says....

1Jo 4:1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
1Jo 4:3  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.


I believe John is speaking about not only SPIRITS, but doctrine or teaching as well when he says "every spirit".   I would say if this is a gift from God, it should point toward all truth in Christ, with the soundness of scripture lining up perfectly.  I'm not sure how picking up a knife and knowing its previous owner was good or bad does that, so I really don't know.

Let me ask you this....Did you have this ability before you surrendered your life to Christ?  I ask, because we do not receive gifts of the spirit until we are given the Holy Spirit through salvation.   I do know that there are many folks who are unbelievers who claim to have such abilities, but I'm not sure I would attribute those cases as God given.

That's all I can offer at the moment, but I will give it some more thought and prayer.

Blessings!

[Okie]

You know, I have been sitting here thinking, I can't remember whether I had these feelings and sightings before I accepted Christ as my savior or not. I was raised in a Church of Christ Church and I just really don't remember ever not being a believer. The sightings and feelsing were there before I was Baptized, but I was a believer and accepter of Jesus Christ as my savior for many years before I was Baptized.

[2nd Timothy]

Ok, you tell me. Gift from God? If so, How am I supposed to use it to Glorify God?
Curse from Satan? If so, How do I get rid of it?

OK, a few more thought to my previous post...

Any spiritual gift we receive from God, will point to and Glorify Jesus Christ.  Thats not something we Will to happen....its the Spirit working through us which brings Glory to Him automatically.   Also, God is not the author of confusion 1Co 14:33, which this thing seems to be causing some for you.

I want to be very careful here...because I don't want to say it is or isn't from God.  Obviously this is something you need to take up with God, but If it is a gift of God, it should apparent as it would bring ultimate Glory to Christ through its working.

A few more verses following those from the previous post as food for though...

1Jo 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jo 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Do believers about you, know and sense Gods truth when this ability shows itself?  On the other hand, do Unbelievers take notice when it happens?  

So...

Gift of God...Points to Christ in the Flesh, believers knowing Christ, hear His word and see His workings.

Not a gift of God - denies Christ in the flesh, speaks of worldly things (could be laced with some truth), and unbelievers listen and take notice.


Again, please take this to the Lord in prayer.   Ask Him to reveal His truth to you regarding this.  I don't want to speak for Him in this matter, but I certainly have some concerns, as its not clear to me which way this works yet.

Blessings!

[Soldier4Christ]

I would have to agree that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for God's glory and His alone. With that thought in mind what purpose would this have to glorify Him? I'm not saying that it can't but at this moment I can not think of any.

I am glad to hear that there is no interaction between you and them for we are told in several places that we are not to have association with "familiar spirits", wizards and such.

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the "discerning of spirits". With this gift a person is able to discern whether that spirit is good or evil and is normally one of the spirit in those that are still alive in the flesh.

We are also told in the last days that "your young men shall see visions" but it says nothing about seeing spirits.

We do know from scripture that evil spirits can bother even Christians although they cannot possess us.

I do believe that I would be spending a lot of time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal the truth of this matter to me and that if it is not from Him then to remove it from me.

[Okie]

I have prayed over this for years. LOL
It isn't like I see these things constantly or feel vibrations from ever object. I have wondered about the visions being like a recording in time that somehow bleeds through and somehow I am able to see them. If that were true, then they are not truely spirits at all but simular to an echo that I pick up on my odd frequency.
 As for the vibrations I get from objects. Again maybe it is an odd frequency. I don't know. That is why I asked. But I guess most Christians think anything they can't put a label on must be from Satan.
That is what I have gotten from most Christians, except for a few that also have these abilities and questions as to where they came from and why.

Oh and just for the record. My spirits or whatever are not "familiar" to me. I have never had a vision of anyone I recognized.

[Soldier4Christ]

The word familiar here does not mean spirits that we know. It was a term that was used for those that spoke to any dead and then some that faked it through ventriloquism. As you said you have no interaction with them therefore this is not the case as you describe it.

I don't see anyone here that has said that this is definitely of the devil. So far we have all said that we don't know if it is of the devil or of God. Many have seen spirits thinking they are of God when they are not.

I will join you in prayer asking that the truth be revealed to you.

 

[HimAll4]

  But I guess most Christians think anything they can't put a label on must be from Satan.
That is what I have gotten from most Christians, except for a few that also have these abilities and questions as to where they came from and why.

Okie, I "examined" what I was experiencing and found it to be evil in nature.  What I experienced was not the same as you, like I said, and hope you don't think I've drawn the same conclusion from your experience.  I think probably God is the one who can give you that conclusion, like has been suggested.  I'll be praying for you over this matter.

[Okie]

I am sorry if my previous post sounded like I was pointing fingers or if it sounded too harsh. I have had many Christians imply that If something abnormal is happening and you can't prove it is God given, it has to be from Satan.
I admit, I don't see how these things can glorify God. Maybe the sencing vibs could in some cases, but it is too random and seldom of an occuring thing to count on. 

On the other hand. How would either of these things glorify Satan? I don't see how they would unless I used them in some sort of way.

I guess I will leave them chalked up as one of those Mysteries God tells us exist.

[2nd Timothy]

Yeah, Like PR and HimAll4, I certainly have not drawn any conclusions either, nor am I seeking a label to call it by.  I don't doubt that it is frustrating wanting answers, and having a hard time finding them.

I will say however, as you pointed out in another thread, scripture is our ultimate truth, and guide.  Knowing this, truth regarding our spirituality - label or not, can be found within those pages in fullness!.  I do believe the verses I provided are relevant to your situation.  I only wish I could tell you how to apply it better to your particular experiences.

With certainty I can say.... if these happenings are not specifically bringing glory to Christ, and in perfect agreement with scripture, its prudent to exercise caution, and test whether or not they be of God as the Word says.  Certainly God would not be upset about following His own instructions in regards to such a thing, right?

I do sense your frustration with this though, and will be praying with you about it Sister. 

Blessings!

Edit to add:  I was responding while you posted, and wanted to say....   I didn't take it like you were pointing fingers sis.  Like I said, I'm sure its frustrating and can understand perhaps others not being able to relate.  Let me assure you God knows whats going on with all of this, and you are not alone in that regard.     In that we can stand on common ground together, and believe that God will provide you with the answers for this.   

[Shammu]

I will be praying for you Okie.

[Debp]

Okie, just an honest question as I also do not wish to put a "label'' on this.

Have you ever been involved in the occult in any way?  Or have you ever read any books on the occult?  These answers might provide more insight.

As others have recommended, I would plead the Blood of Jesus in prayer, that if this is not of God, that the Lord would protect you and remove it.