Help with signs of the devil

[misfitz]

Does anyone know if the devil is capable of showing the cross or being seen with the cross?

Also, I read somewhere that one of the saints would receive visions that she did not know if it was from God or from the devil. She apparently asked to be shown the wounds of Christ and because of this being unable to be shown to her that it proved the signs were from the devil.

Is there anyone who can help me with this?

Thanks!

 

[Harmony1988]

I don’t see why not, the cross has many uses that aren’t religious. Plus the inverted cross is generally considered to be an anti-christian sign.

 

[misfitz]

I don’t see why not, the cross has many uses that aren’t religious. Plus the inverted cross is generally considered to be an anti-christian sign.

Even in the mass at the altar? Can the devil show things during mass at the altar?

I’ve posted here before about my mother having visions. She claims they are from God and that at times they are shown to her at the altar during the mass. I’m trying to find out if the devil is capable of doing this. My argument to her is that these could be the devil and not necessarily from God.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

If it was my mother- who does not have visions BTW- I would remind her that sometimes God gives individuals private revelations that aren’t meant for anybody but the person who sees them. If it kept up, I’d tell my dad (who would probably be more likely to have visions than my mother). If it kept up and dad was not in the picture, I’d simply say I don’t care to discuss it, and perhaps Mother should see a priest about it.

Change the subject. Look at her kitchen and say, “Oh did you paint in here?” Talk about the grandkids. Talk about a sports team, Oprah, anything else but her visions.

 

[misfitz]

If it was my mother- who does not have visions BTW- I would remind her that sometimes God gives individuals private revelations that aren’t meant for anybody but the person who sees them. If it kept up, I’d tell my dad (who would probably be more likely to have visions than my mother). If it kept up and dad was not in the picture, I’d simply say I don’t care to discuss it, and perhaps Mother should see a priest about it.

Change the subject. Look at her kitchen and say, “Oh did you paint in here?” Talk about the grandkids. Talk about a sports team, Oprah, anything else but her visions.

I’ve tried that. I’d really like to find a book to read that might give me more insight to the devil and his works. How to spot him. Things such as pornography are obviously the devil. However, I’m sure there are many times when he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Thanks.

 

[Layman]

1. Get her to say the Prayer To St. Michael the Archangel.
2. If an entity claims to be from God, get it to say “Praise The Lord Jesus Christ”.

If the phenomena sticks around after that, it is holy, and you are lucky.

If not, you’ve seen off the Devil or one of his accomplices.

 

[misfitz]

1. Get her to say the Prayer To St. Michael the Archangel.
2. If an entity claims to be from God, get it to say “Praise The Lord Jesus Christ”.

If the phenomena sticks around after that, it is holy, and you are lucky.

If not, you’ve seen off the Devil or one of his accomplices.

It’s not an entity she sees. For example, she might be shown a neighbor or someone she knows as being all black (not black as in African American, but black as in evil).

She claims to be shown things, actions. For example, she tells me that she is shown that my fiance is evil or she has been shown two men looking at a map of her property.

It sounds like she sees things in a manner like what psychic claim.

She has told me that she has had these visions while attending Mass and that she sees them when she is looking at the altar.

I’ve talked to a priest who only confused me more. That her visions could be from God or they could be from the devil.

Dear God, why me?

 

[beckycmarie]

Dear misfitz,

Yes it is possible that the devil can deceive us with visions and locutions, but that does not mean that your mother’s visions are definitely demonic. Sometimes people do receive extraordinary gifts that are meant to build up the church.

The average layperson is not qualified to make that call whether the “gift” is real or a deception. Anyone experiencing extraordinary phenomena needs to be under the guidance of a wise spiritual director or priest to discern whether the visions are from God or not. I would recommend talking to her about seeking the advice of a priest or spiritual director, rather than trying to sort all this out yourself.

 

[misfitz]

Dear misfitz,

Yes it is possible that the devil can deceive us with visions and locutions, but that does not mean that your mother’s visions are definitely demonic. Sometimes people do receive extraordinary gifts that are meant to build up the church.

The average layperson is not qualified to make that call whether the “gift” is real or a deception. Anyone experiencing extraordinary phenomena needs to be under the guidance of a wise spiritual director or priest to discern whether the visions are from God or not. I would recommend talking to her about seeking the advice of a priest or spiritual director, rather than trying to sort all this out yourself.

I’ve told her she needs to talk to a priest and she refused. She told me her visions are between her and God. Yet she continues to share them with me. Maybe I should suggest to her that God might not be happy with her sharing them with me. Maybe that might have her keep them to herself. But I doubt it.

Thanks.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I’ve told her she needs to talk to a priest and she refused. She told me her visions are between her and God. Yet she continues to share them with me. Maybe I should suggest to her that God might not be happy with her sharing them with me. Maybe that might have her keep them to herself. But I doubt it.

Thanks.

You know, you have the right not to be bothered with your mother’s visions. You set the tone. I realize you are her child, but you do not have to listen to what she says, as you are an adult.

I don’t think books about the devil and such are going to help your situation. I think, if you tried to change the subject and that failed, your next step, should you decide you want to be done with this, is to tell her you refuse to discuss it ever again, period. If she keeps it up, you go see a priest and see how to deal with her. You also have the right when she does this, after having been warned, to leave the room or the place where she is.

BTW- It might not be the devil or God. It might be your mother’s vivid, pious imagination. It might be your mother wants attention. The devil doesn’t always like a show, ya know.

 

[Sierrah]

If your gut feeling is telling you her visions are from the Devil then it’s probably so. God’s probably warning you not to take them seriously. I’m sure the Devil has used christian symbols before to deceive that’s nothing new. The most important thing now would be to consult a priest.

 

[beckycmarie]

I’ve told her she needs to talk to a priest and she refused. She told me her visions are between her and God. Yet she continues to share them with me. Maybe I should suggest to her that God might not be happy with her sharing them with me. Maybe that might have her keep them to herself. But I doubt it.

Thanks.

I’d pray for her then and as others have said here, set the boundary that you will not discuss her visions as long as she refuses proper guidance on the issue. I think you will have to be the one to enforce that boundary either verbally or non verbally by walking away if she persists in sharing these visions.

BTW- It might not be the devil or God. It might be your mother’s vivid, pious imagination. It might be your mother wants attention. The devil doesn’t always like a show, ya know.

Good point; there is the possibility that it is psychiatric or otherwise “all in her head.”

 

[royal_archer]

If your gut feeling is telling you her visions are from the Devil then it’s probably so. God’s probably warning you not to take them seriously. I’m sure the Devil has used christian symbols before to deceive that’s nothing new. The most important thing now would be to consult a priest.

I’ll take issue with “God’s probably warning you not to take them seriously” This is something that should be taken seriously. I agree with the rest, especially seeing the priest.

 

[royal_archer]

Does anyone know if the devil is capable of showing the cross or being seen with the cross?

Also, I read somewhere that one of the saints would receive visions that she did not know if it was from God or from the devil. She apparently asked to be shown the wounds of Christ and because of this being unable to be shown to her that it proved the signs were from the devil.

Is there anyone who can help me with this?

Thanks!

Just some random thoughts:

• There are medical explanations for visions that would need to be ruled out.
• What is the message recieved? Is your mother being asked to act in a non christian manner? Are the messages possitive? If the visions are leading your mother to do good things, then I would be less concerned, If they are leading your mother to do bad things, I would seek immediate help.
• Are the messages true? If the visions accuse someone of wrong doing can you verify if the wrong doing occured?

 

[Joan_M]

I would suggest that you pose this question at the following web-site:

saint-mike.org/qa/sw/ask.asp

Bro. Ignatius Mary will be able to guide you better than we can.

 

[misfitz]

I would suggest that you pose this question at the following web-site:

saint-mike.org/qa/sw/ask.asp

Bro. Ignatius Mary will be able to guide you better than we can.

Thanks!! I have found a book through that site and I have also posted my question(s) concerning this.

I appreciate it!

 

[kage_ar]

Go speak with your Priest about this. Let him know what your concerns are, and that your mother will not speak to him about it. He will know the best pastoral way to deal with this.

 

[Linda_Marie]

You could tell her that you consider that her refusal to see a priest about these visions indicates that their source is not of God and on that basis, you don’t want to hear about them anymore, especially if she is telling you that your fiancé is evil.

There is something else to consider. It might not be supernatural at all. There could be a medical reason for her to be seeing things beyond having a vivid imagination.

 

[blossom02]

Why wouldn’t you want your mother to tell you what she is going through?

 

[misfitz]

Why wouldn’t you want your mother to tell you what she is going through?

Would you like for your mother to tell you she is having visions about you and your life and the people around you? I’d prefer that she speak with a priest.