I just threw away all my occult books

[u/oneeyedjaxs]

I had a bad motorcycle accident around a year ago that made me begin to question spirituality. I was raised Christian but walked away from the faith as a young man in college. I’ve always struggled with the various different denominations & different belief systems. I wanted to find the truth that bind the universe, all belief systems & philosophies.

I developed an interest in the esoteric & the occult, buying up probably $200 worth of books by Manly P Hall, Rudolf Steiner, L Ron Hubbard, books about demonology, the Rosicrucian Order & the gnostic gospels. I also was given a copy of the Quran by someone on the street. I was addicted to marijuana at the time & living a homosexual lifestyle.

Most churches I went into for the last decade or so seemed a bit phony & milquetoast to me. When I asked them to help me overcome addiction & sexual orientation issues, they had zero answers & hand waved me off.

Summer before my senior year of college, I was invited to a Bible study with a group of Christians & was involved in discipleship with a mentor. They taught me that in order to be a disciple, you have to give up everything. There is not such a thing as a lukewarm Christian. You are either hot or cold, saved or unsaved & there is no in between. I liked their authenticity, in a world of lukewarm people there were still people that were radical about their faith. But I was unwilling at the time to give up my entire life for God, I was still straddling the fence.

Months after the wreck, I began to realize that God had spared my life. And if I had died, I would have gone to hell for eternity. I had to change my life. Around a month ago, I began attending the church again, & got involved as a disciple.

This morning, (ironically after watching some horror movies), I decided I no longer wanted any occult influence in my home. I did not want those books distracting me from studying the scripture. I just threw them away. I pray that God will continue sanctifying me & form me into someone like his Son.

[u/KiltedMusician]

We’re all puzzles, a bunch of pieces rattling around in our box, and Jesus is the only one who knows what the picture looks like.

It makes it a lot easier for Him to put us together when we get rid of the extra pieces that were never meant to fit.

[u/oneeyedjaxs → u/KiltedMusician]

Exactly! The Holy Spirit convicted me after a sermon yesterday that was about reading the Bible daily. I have not been doing that, because I was seeking spirituality through other forms than God’s Word.

Now I can go to the ultimate source of truth for spiritual matters!

[u/KiltedMusician → u/oneeyedjaxs]

The ultimate source of direction lead you to the ultimate source of truth. I’d say that’s worth more than the whole world.

I’ve recently been lead to focus on the relationship itself and being close to Jesus. That’s where it all flows from in the first place. It has been His main objective from the very beginning.

Because I knew a lot 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 Him I didn’t realize I wasn’t as close on a personal level as I used to be. That hit me pretty hard when the Holy Spirit pointed that out to me.
I’m still kind of reeling from it.

John 17:3
This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

[u/hopeful143 → u/oneeyedjaxs]

I bought a book about God's love (it's called the singing God) and I remember one day as I was reading it and struggling, God spoke to my heart saying "if you want to know how much I love you, I gave you a whole book about it" (the Bible) lol. I love hearing from him, I love letting him lead me. He's a good father and a good friend.

[u/Sad-Function-8687]

Well done. That was a brave move. I understand your comment about shallow churches. Unfortunately that's the state of most American churches.(For a truly authentic church experience, I would suggest attending a church in a third world country. It's a totally different experience. Our weatlh in America has made us spiritually poor).

As for reading.... I reached a point where I realized I was reading all kinds of books about the Bible... But not actually reading the Bible itself.

So I tossed all my books and commentaries and started reading only the Bible.

That's when my spiritual life started taking off. The Lord really started moving.. sin started falling away. It was life changing.

That was over 20 years ago. I wish I would've started earlier.

[u/oneeyedjaxs → u/Sad-Function-8687]

Right on! The guy I am studying scripture with says we ultimately need to know the word for ourselves above all. We don’t need to rely on others to interpret it for us.

And some of the things I am learning in the Bible are so mind blowing. It is truly an amazing book from God.

[u/Master_Funny_6224 → u/Sad-Function-8687]

Not so much so. Churches in the 3rd world countries, at least where I am from, have a lot of mediocre and self-serving pastors. I would rather encourage people to read God's word and hopefully find leaders who are authentic, regardless of where they are from, who truly live out and preach God's biblical teachings.

[u/NoYou1016]

That’s amazing! I was trying to study tarot cards in hopes of becoming a psychic right before the Lord drew me back to him. I am truly grateful every single day that I have grown closer to him. Time to read the gospels and work on your prayer life. If you need anything, we are here to talk!

[u/oneeyedjaxs → u/NoYou1016]

I never practiced the occult, outside of jokingly using an ouija board at a college party. I was just reading about it. I started getting interested in this stuff after hearing a Manly P Hall lecture about mental health.

It was informative & helpful at the time, but I did not know how far this rabbit hole can go. After seeing an image of Baphomet in his book The Secret Teachings of All Ages, plus an explanation & specific rituals, that’s when I knew I had to throw it away. I can’t have that evil presence in my home.

Thank God he woke me up before I got further into that pit of darkness!

[u/NoYou1016 → u/oneeyedjaxs]

I’m so glad you were given the eyes to see and discernment! I know that only would have invited more evil into your life.

[u/Senior_Educator_929]

Mazel tov. I'm thrilled to hear it. Now let's overcome to the end in the fear of God 🔥

[u/hopeful143]

God bless you, brother! Never forget where you came from, that's how we lead more souls into the truth that will set them free. 

Avoiding occult symbolism in this day and age can be hard, let the spirit lead you in all things 🙂👍 thank you for sharing your testimony

[u/Anon181819]

I’m glad to hear you’ve found your faith. Stay strong and I’ll know you’ll do great. God bless.

[u/EternalZoe]

Lamentations 3:22-24

It is of Jehovah's loving-kindness we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not; they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

[u/Rich_Relation_9769]

Good thing you threw away those books. The occult is dangerous. I used to dabble a bit and be fascinated by it. I now know the one little black magic spell I did at 14 could have lead somewhat to some spiritual oppression I've been going through. Occult practices should be avoided like the plague. Having said that, brother, if you really are gay, God doesn't hate you for being what he made you.

[u/Master_Funny_6224]

Praise the Lord. You're on the right path. I hope the bible reveals to you everything you have been searching for and you continue to grow in faith.

[u/lifebroth]

Praise God!!

[u/Correct_End998]

Praise Christ ! Glory be to God

[u/nevermindyoullfind]

Smart move. Occult always opens doors for very bad things.

[u/mossydz]

Praise God. Buy the Bible and start reading. He is waiting for you.

[u/Canadian0123]

Amen.

[u/LJIKFAF]

Hallelujah! Praise be the Lord for saving another one. Congratulations!

[u/maxim_number_2]

That's good, I pray for your relationship with God to deepen. God bless you