Occult influences

[Serap]

Hi Serap,

What you’re describing sounds like a bit more than your typical harrassment. If the thoughts are not coming from you, and it doesn’t sound like they are, there is no need to ask for forgiveness. What you should ask is for God to deliver you from the blasphemous thoughts that are likely being sent by demons.

One of the best spiritual warfare prayers is the Hail Mary - a good one to say the moment you have such unwanted thoughts.

The thoughts are definitely not mine. Ok perhaps this sounds silly, but why would demons be concerned with ME? I don’t see myself as being the next saint and I’m no Mother Theresa. I don’t understand why I would be so important to attract demon intimidation?

Honestly, up until 6 months ago, I thought all this demon stuff was kind of silly. When I read Padre Pio’s profile 4 months ago…I thought…“come on…really?” Now that I am closer to God, I find it much easier to believe and accept Padre Pio’s life.

The only thing I can think of is that I’m a very giving and loving person and perhaps this is a threat if I become a devout Catholic b/c of the potential spiritual impact I can have on other peoples’ lives? I’m also teaching the Children’s Liturgy and I LOVE children…perhaps this is a threat also b/c of the influence I can have to bring little ones closer to God??

The Rosary has really helped me with the night terrors (I guess that’s what they are). I don’t get them as often anymore. It would get really bad everytime I thought about becoming more religious. Now the Rosary helps to block it. I never thought of asking Blessed Mary to help me with it. I honestly don’t believe that anything can hurt me especially after praying the Rosary.

I also now wear a blessed Rosary bracelet with the Miraculous Medal. I love it…I never take it off.

What do you make of all this? Your insights would be appreciated.

 

[beckycmarie]

Before I get to this post there are a few things I missed from your first post that I’d like to respond to.

One is the movie The Exorcist - avoid watching that one ever again. For some reason that movie seems to be a trigger that kicks off problems for people, or make existing problems even worse.

If you are feeling a threatening presence in your home, it’s time for a house blessing. Here’s one recommended by the SPCDC: House Cleansing and Blessing (PDF file)

Also, we have a Bedtime Protection Prayer as well - a good one if you’re having demonic nightmares.

The thoughts are definitely not mine. Ok perhaps this sounds silly, but why would demons be concerned with ME? I don’t see myself as being the next saint and I’m no Mother Theresa. I don’t understand why I would be so important to attract demon intimidation?

You don’t have to be a saint (yet) . All it takes is for you to be in a state of grace and live the Christ life to get on Satan’s radar. Or just make an effort to begin doing those things. Often Satan will leave a sinful or lukewarm person alone, since they are not a threat to his kingdom. But when a person gets serious about holiness, that person tends to have a positive effect on those around them, leading them to conversion as well. Demons have had many centuries of observing people to tell when someone is making a sincere conversion - and they like to attack early on since it’s easier to defeat a beginner. Often their worst attacks come when a person is trying to get to confession - they can fill someone’s mind with fear and doubts, or get them to rationalize their sin so they are not truly repentant, etc. Fr. Gabriele Amorth says the Confessional takes more souls from Satan than Exorcism takes back bodies from him.

The only thing I can think of is that I’m a very giving and loving person and perhaps this is a threat if I become a devout Catholic b/c of the potential spiritual impact I can have on other peoples’ lives? I’m also teaching the Children’s Liturgy and I LOVE children…perhaps this is a threat also b/c of the influence I can have to bring little ones closer to God??

Bingo.

The Rosary has really helped me with the night terrors (I guess that’s what they are). I don’t get them as often anymore. It would get really bad everytime I thought about becoming more religious. Now the Rosary helps to block it. I never thought of asking Blessed Mary to help me with it. I honestly don’t believe that anything can hurt me especially after praying the Rosary.

I also now wear a blessed Rosary bracelet with the Miraculous Medal. I love it…I never take it off.

Demons are utterly terrified of Our Lady. In her humility and obedience, she is the opposite of them. Marian prayers tend to be very effective against demons.

What do you make of all this? Your insights would be appreciated.

The last thing I’d like to mention is that demons can do nothing to us unless God permits them to, and if He does, it’s for the good of our soul in the long run. (See Romans 8:28-39).

From the Catechism:

395 The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature- to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but “we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.”

 

[Serap]

If you are feeling a threatening presence in your home, it’s time for a house blessing.

Demons are utterly terrified of Our Lady. In her humility and obedience, she is the opposite of them. Marian prayers tend to be very effective against demons.

The last thing I’d like to mention is that demons can do nothing to us unless God permits them to, and if He does, it’s for the good of our soul in the long run.

I don’t like to read into what’s happening too much. I prefer to focus on God and prayer, but I will begin to ask Mary for her intercession to help rid me of whatever is trying to get to me. It’s more of an annoyance than anything.

I am happy to have found my way back to God. I feel at peace for the first time in my life. I’d rather focus on the good stuff

Thanks so much for your help. This thread has been very helpful!!

 

[juliasmith]

The Rosary helps me tremendously.

I often get that annoying voice also when I read the Bible that says to me ‘this is all a lie’. These demons are very persistent. I believe that God allows it to continue because it teaches more and more reliance on him. I pray when it happens. Endurance is the key, I think. Consider these things as an illusion, a lie and pray every time it happens (out loud).
Avoid any movies or other media that might trigger ‘night terrors’ or similar mental images or thoughts.
I will pray for you. I’ll be here if you want to talk. We all need new friends, don’t we?

 

[beckycmarie]

I don’t like to read into what’s happening too much. I prefer to focus on God and prayer, but I will begin to ask Mary for her intercession to help rid me of whatever is trying to get to me. It’s more of an annoyance than anything.

I am happy to have found my way back to God. I feel at peace for the first time in my life. I’d rather focus on the good stuff

Sounds like you’re on the right track.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 

[beckycmarie]

The Rosary helps me tremendously.

I often get that annoying voice also when I read the Bible that says to me ‘this is all a lie’. These demons are very persistent. I believe that God allows it to continue because it teaches more and more reliance on him. I pray when it happens. Endurance is the key, I think. Consider these things as an illusion, a lie and pray every time it happens (out loud).
Avoid any movies or other media that might trigger ‘night terrors’ or similar mental images or thoughts.
I will pray for you. I’ll be here if you want to talk. We all need new friends, don’t we?

Hi Julia,

They are annoying with their temptations to doubt, but they will eventually give up when they see you’re ignoring their lies and persevering in faith.

God is allowing this for the good of your soul; He has a way with making lemonade from lemons. Some words from Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea:

Why does God allow temptation?

If God does not want us to sin, why does He allow temptation at all? We have the answer in the verse that says: Count it all joy, brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2)

Without temptation, there would be no opportunity for us to grow in virtue every time we successfully resist the allure of sin and remain faithful to God’s will. It is true that God could restrain the demons so that they would be unable to interfere in the history of humanity, but He allows their diabolical work so that it can be an occasion of virtue for us. In other words, we could say that God permits a certain amount of darkness in this world (i.e., temptation and sin) so that a purer and brighter light (i.e., virtue and salvation) can be gained. So God allows temptation because He knows that much good can come from it if we resist.

Source: Interview with an Exorcist: An Insider’s Look at the Devil, Demonic Possession, and the Path to Deliverance p. 51-52

 

[dawid]

The Rosary helps me tremendously.

I often get that annoying voice also when I read the Bible that says to me ‘this is all a lie’. These demons are very persistent.

I recently read Lee Strobel’s book “The case for the real Jesus”.
Strobel was a legal journalist and an agnostic who delved into Christianity to seek proof. In this book, he interviews respected historical theologians and arrives at the conclusion that the Bible is solidly inerrant and historically correct. Although the people he interviewed were not Catholics and didn’t know or understand sacred Traditions, the book left me with a sense of awe of the Magesterium and the Pope of the time who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to select those books that were indeed inspired and inerrant.

I recently found “Proving Inspiration” on catholic.com/library/Proving_Inspiration.asp
This gives an even more inspiring (and very, very much shorter, although less comprehensive) version of how the Bible is inerrant.
Unlike Strobel’s book, it shows how the Bible was compiled with the authority of the Church

I believe that God allows it to continue because it teaches more and more reliance on him. I pray when it happens. Endurance is the key, I think. Consider these things as an illusion, a lie and pray every time it happens (out loud).

At Mass today, the priest reminded us that “Intimacy with God cannot take place without sacrifice” - like we make an effort with people, we should do the the same with our Creator.
Julia provides good examples!

I will pray for you. I’ll be here if you want to talk. We all need new friends, don’t we?

Please do - all of us!
It seems that Julia opened a thread that is needed - she is a needed instrument.