“Any paranormal event is honestly nothing more than smoke and mirrors, designed to frighten but with no real power to harm you or your family.
The real danger is giving demonic spirits more attention than they deserve. Choose to focus on God instead.”
~ Kristine Mcguire from “Escaping The Cauldron”
Have you ever wanted to reach beyond the living world and make contact with the supernatural?
An old fashioned word for seeking out paranormal activity is ghost hunting. It’s actually in vogue nowadays with successful cable shows like VH1’s Celebrity Paranormal Project and A&E’s Paranormal State. It’s big business hiring people as professional ghost busters, except it’s not a comedy starring Bill Murray or Harold Ramis as Egon.
As first time author Kristine Mcguire chronicles in her book, “Escaping The Cauldron“, becoming a Christian witch and ghost hunter started out exciting, but eventually led to an eight year life ensnared in the occult, obsessed with dangerous demonic spirits.
When I first got a review copy of ETC, I was skeptical of the pairing of words “Christian” and “witch”. Why would a real believer in Jesus Christ pursue powers of darkness or want to dabble with sorcery?
As the author described her desire for something beyond the mundane and isolation of everyday life, I began to understand how mystery and adventure enticingly deliver the allure of the supernatural.
While searching on the internet for paranormal activity, Mcguire stumbled onto a website that offered the promise of combining Christianity with witchcraft. It was the match that ignited a long standing curiosity, giving license to hold onto Jesus while falling headlong into engaging with spirits, which she later admits could only be demonic.
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out
spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.
I am the Lord your God”. ~Leviticus 19:31“So do not listen to your prophets, your
diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your
mediums or your sorcerers…”
~ Jeremiah 27:9
The book reads like a powerful testimony, which I would have loved to hear her present live. Although the author doesn’t get into the how-to’s of deliverance from the occult, she offers credible witness, having given “reading parties” and capturing ghost activity on recorders and video clips.
The most powerful climax of the book peaks at the end. After spending nearly a decade of work in paranormal activity, Mcguire quit that life in a split second.
The life turning event stunned her on what became her final ghost hunting project. Mcguire altered her course and now dedicates herself to revealing the truth about the occult through her writing and speaking.
Don’t be fooled, demonic spiritual activity is real and dangerous, but the following myths are debunked in “Escaping The Cauldron“.
The Truth About Ghosts & Witches: Myths Debunked in ETC
1. We cannot communicate with the dead. They are in fact dead and cannot be reached by the living. “Ghosts” are evil spirits masquerading as the dead. (Luke 16:19-31)
2. Messages passed on by “mediums” (who seem to know secret things about you) operate under the control of evil spirits, whose goal is to gain your trust, in order to guide your decisions. (2 Cor 11:13-15)
3. Ghost activity is not “good” spiritual activity. It is used as distraction tactic by Satan to pull you away from seeking God who is the only source of goodness and wisdom. (2 Cor 11:13-15)
4. If you suspect or experience a haunting, Mcguire gives this advice: “Don’t bother with an investigation or seeking evidential proof [of] a hostile spiritual take over. Kick the deceptive spirit to the curb in Jesus’ name.” (Mark 16:16-17)
Why I Stay Away From The Dark
After finishing ETC, I wished the author spoke more about the dangers of the occult.
The author was amazingly fortunate having escaped unharmed by demonic attack during her years in communication with the paranormal. Maybe in her case, it was the devil’s way of keeping her one foot practicing the occult, because it appeared harmless. Thank God she escaped when she did. It’s scary to imagine how the story could have continued.
There’s an old Chinese proverb, “Once you’ve seen ghosts, you’re always afraid of the dark.” I stay away from dabblings with the dark side of spiritual activity because I have looked into the eyes of people attacked by an evil spirit.
Paying respects by burning incense and bowing down to dead ancestors is a common practice in the Chinese culture. Incense candles are burned as prayers in Buddhist temples, food and drink offered, as spirits are summoned and actively invited to guide decisions to avoid the bad or ensure the good.
Westerners have even popularized feng shui, which is the rearrangement of furniture or building design in order to please the gods, to bring good fortune and avoid bad energy. What is dangerous about even these seemingly superstitious activities is that it gives the devil permission to speak into and influence your life.
At first glance, superstition might appear harmless. But once a person’s heart is intrigued, a trust builds as the lure of palm readings, horoscope checking and other supernatural interests begin.
This is how I have seen people, even Christians who are curious in the paranormal, harmed by demonic intrusion. In other words, just like Christians can be addicted to drugs or any other sin, a believer can become susceptible to demonic activity.
Although the Holy Spirit lives in a believer and is sealed into eternity (Eph.1:13-14), we have freedom over how we use our minds, where we place our trust (our will), and what we attach to our hearts (our emotions). We still decide the degree to which we give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit, our own desires, or in the case of the paranormal — evil spirits.
Why We Have Power In Jesus
I can’t emphasize enough the greater power of Jesus Christ in us. I have exercised the spiritual authority in Jesus to see God free people from demonic strongholds. The name of Jesus — even if prayed silently — in a believer’s heart will cause the demons to flee. Immediately.
If you happen to be experiencing anxieties about the spiritual realm, I encourage you to unashamedly reach out to spiritually mature believers. Talk through what’s going on and get prayer and support. You can live free, with peace of mind.
This Halloween
Whenever the topic of the paranormal comes up, it’s a great chance to talk about the supernatural. It’s a popular topic around Halloween. People are open to a conversation about spiritual realities.
I once had a roommate in college who was an atheist. I had witnessed to her for three years, making zero headway. One night, having heard about a true “ghost” story, my friend confessed she had always been afraid of ghosts.
When she learned she could put her trust in a God who loved her and had authority to protect her from anything evil, she gave me the biggest shock. She announced she wanted to become a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
After she prayed, she cried tears of joy, expressing a deep peace and the presence of God in her heart.
As the supernatural takes front and center stage this Halloween, engage confidently on the topic of paranormal happenings. Listen and ask questions. You might find yourself presented with an opportunity to share the greatest spiritual pursuit. Pursuing the presence of Jesus Christ is the most loving and powerful life-changing choice to make. It’s out of this world.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
~ James 4:7
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…
God who is in you is greater
than the [evil] one who is in the world.”
~ 1 John 4:1-4
Are you fascinated with the paranormal?
What have been your experiences in finding Jesus in the mix of the supernatural?
Feel free to ask questions, as author Kristine Mcguire has been invited to comment here at Faith Barista!
Please share this Halloween-timely post on Facebook or Twitter by clicking on the “Share/Save” button at the end of the post.
For more of Kristine Mcguire’s writing, stop by her blog Kristine Remix. “Escaping the Cauldron” is currently available on Amazon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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41 Comments
Thanks for this timely post! It’s great to see Christians taking this issue seriously. I can’t believe how many Christians participate in things like Halloween and say it’s no big deal!
One thing I have to disagree with is the quote at the beginning – paranormal activity can be very real, and if you don’t have the protection of Jesus, it can harm you and even kill you. I’ve ministered in West Africa, and believe me – the witch doctors and their curses do kill people. When you proclaim the power of Jesus to protect from curses, people listen! And when you don’t die from the curses the witch doctors are putting on you – then people believe. But it’s a real spiritual battle that takes prayer and preparation.
Amazing stuff, the spiritual world. It’s definitely a place to rely on God, and STAY AWAY from the lies of the enemy.
Anna ~ I agree that paranormal activity is very real, and the book does talk about the reality of the demonic activity behind it. My point in that particular quote is that many people who experience what would be considered a traditional haunting have no reason to be afraid IF they have Jesus as their Savior and Lord. As Christians we have the authority and power of Jesus standing with us. The real danger for Christians is believing these paranormal events are more powerful than faith in Christ.
Thank you, Anna, for putting the reality behind the evil of dark spirits into this post. There is a real spiritual battle going on physically and spiritually to people caught in the fire. Thank you for adding powerful eye-witness from the frontlines, that evil harm that is real!
Bonnie
There is a huge undercurrent of the paranormal, and we have let it infilter into our Christian beleifs. My son lives in New mexico an dthere is a huge mixing of the occult and christianity, kind of a weird Indian-Satanic-Voodoo-Christianity.
We need to be pure. Now that I said all that, read my last post on Zombies 🙂
.-= rupzip´s last blog ..Zombies a cautionary tale =-.
Thanks for sharing from a real-life example, David.
I’m currently working my way through the book, to be honest it is taking me time as Kristine’s story is very close to mine. I to followed the path i shouldnt for me it was spiritualism. I was blessed when God brought my pastor into my life who simply asked the question. “Can you be sure who is giving the messages” a lot of things dropped into place for me at that moment. The questions i had been asking were valid. Jesus didnt belong with this but he did belong with me.
Everyday i feel guilty for the pathway i have chosen and Kristine bless her so much has helped me leave this at Jesus’ feet. One thing the experience has proved more than ever is that if you are searching for truth you will find it in Jesus x
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Escape The post I wasnt going to post. =-.
Sara, that voice of guilt is definitely a LIE. Thank you for being courageous to share your testimony here! How awesome and powerful.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,a because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom 8:1,2
God would only convict us to draw us back to Him and His love — NOT to have us fear Him or be imprisoned by our past.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” 2 Cor 5:17
Amen!
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Encouragement =-.
Thank you for this thoughtful review of Escaping the Cauldron, Bonnie.
It’s so important that Christians understand the dangers and allure of the occult. This is the ministry God has placed on my heart through writing this book, speaking to church’s and at Christian events, sharing my testimony, etc. I appreciate that you are putting the issue out there.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Encouragement =-.
Thanks for your courageous testimony, Kristine! Keep on keepin’!
WOW!!!
I would like to read this and pass it on to a friend whose dad is heavy into this very subject. Thank you for sharing!!
I am being led to getting into a study on Spiritual Warfare…!!!
Many blessings,
Tina
Blessings, Tina!
That’s really great, Bonnie. We have to live in the light and expose the darkness. The devil is not a creator but a counterfeiter. The supernatural life and miracles that God does in our hearts and lives and in His leading us–they are astounding and wonderful. Interesting how you talk about the demons manipulating to gain trust and influence decisions. God reveals His heart and presence to gain our trust and direct our paths, but He always brings righteousness.
Good to think about. We want to stay close to Him! Thank you.
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Making and Keeping It Personal =-.
Wonderful way you put it, Jason! The devils is counterfeit, not creator! We want to stay close to Him — He’s powerful because He is both creator and goodness.
Never been much of a ghosty type. Always took it very seriously.
And yet I have no qualms about taking my kids out for Halloween, as princesses, a starry night, or whatever else they dream up that is light and not darkness.
.-= L.L. Barkat´s last blog ..I Am Currently Jealous of Walt Whitman Robert Desnos and David K. Wheeler =-.
Enjoy the starry night with your little lights, Laura. The allure of mystery, adventure and imagination are beautiful gifts from a supernaturally good and loving God! 🙂
Interesting story, Bonnie. This is definitely a timely post. Thank you for addressing this topic and reminding us to be careful about the influences we allow into our lives.
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..On Love =-.
I hope many will be encouraged. Thanks, Melissa!
Perfect timing for this post!
I’ve actually been to Kristine’s blog before and read some of her posts. Good stuff.
I love that this isn’t directed against Halloween, but instead uses this day to encourage us to be active in listening and sharing our beliefs.
Thanks to Bonnie for sharing, and Kristine, this book is officially on my wish list!
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..Me Me Me MeA Guest Post at incourage =-.
Awesome, Amy! Halloween is a part of the culture. We can confidently be engaged and at ease to be available to mingle. We carry the Light! 🙂
I need to read Kristine’s book. I love her blog and I’ve learned a lot from it. My oldest is 9 and he frequently asks questions about ghosts and magic, mostly from reading Harry Potter and watching Disney Channel. We’ve had some good discussions about it especially lately as halloween approaches. It’s been hard for me to answer his questions at times. I want him to realize that the spiritual world is very real, but I don’t want him to be having nightmares, either. It’s a fine line to walk as I answer him as honestly as I can, but stay within his maturity level.
I praise God for the open dialogue with him! I can only pray that in my answers, I can point him to God and His power over darkness.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Friday PhotoPlay Ball =-.
Parenting is really tough! I am always getting myself into conversations where I give too much info and sometimes I’m afraid I’m giving too little. 🙂 Thankfully, God gives us wisdom when we ask and fills in where we fall short. Love never fails, I’m sure your oldest will keep returning to this truth in you, Rachel!
Great review Bonnie. I’m so glad to see you reviewed this book, Kristine shared some insightful answers during an interview on my blog, and it’s good to see the message is getting out there, especially this time of year. I have met several young men in prison who were roped into occult stuff, and the effects on them were devastating. It’s easy to dismiss occult stuff as something small, but it’s out there in a variety of forms, and it ruins lives. Thankfully these men have been delivered.
Would you mind posting a link to it here, Ed? It would add to the post! Thanks!
Thank you, both of you, for writing the book and this review. I shared it on Facebook as I have many friends who are interested in paranormal. I’ve always believed that whatever was happening was real, but suspected it was demonic. This really helped clarify that for me.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Listen =-.
Thank you for passing the post on, Joy!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robert Blackburn, Jr, pattyann56. pattyann56 said: https://www.thebonniegray.com/2010/10/are-you-fascinated-with-pursuing-the-paranormal-the-truth-about-ghosts-witches/#more-8307 […]
A very good post, Bonnie. I love the 4 truths you share from the book. I grew up with a healthy fear of evil spirits. What I did not get was the assurance that he who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Thus, I especially love number 4. Thanks for introducing us to Kristine.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..New Creation =-.
[…] you read the insightful review Escaping the Cauldron received from Bonnie Gray, Faith Barista? Check it out! Share and […]
So much I could say here about this topic, but instead I’ll say this: Satan is real, and loves to counterfeit the good and perfect (and supernatural) things of God. Definitely timely, and worth a RT and FB share!
.-= Cheryl Smith´s last blog ..Songs that Speak- Give Me Your Eyes =-.
Thank you, Bonnie and Kristine, for publishing the truth. I pray that all who need to read it, will.
Hey Bonnie! I thought you might be interested to know my testimony will be airing on The 700 Club this Tuesday.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Movie Preview- The Grace Card =-.
Wow. I’m so glad to see Christians talking about this and know there is a book like this out there. I grew up under the strong influence of my grandmother who practiced occult spirituality. It actually reaches far back into my family. I had tarot cards as a young girl, summoned spirits, and was frightened of their power on a regular basis. Any time it was dark, I knew I wasn’t alone but I was afraid of what that meant. I learned about energy, healing, and learning to “read” people.
I’m pretty sure my grandmother’s house is haunted (if its not now, it used to be for sure). I will not spend the night in her home any more (for more than just spiritual reasons). Our relationship is pretty broken, unfortunately.
I’m relieved to see that it isn’t unusual for believers to feel drawn to these kinds of practices. I am but haven’t told many people for fear of their lack of understanding. I’m drawn to it but I’m no longer willing to open my life up to this kind of darkness. It’s a temptation but will never be a reality again for me.
After becoming a believer, I could find no answers to my questions about demonic activity and oppression. I got the most bizarre blank stares from people (in church leadership!). So thank you for talking about it. I can’t wait to read the book!
Thank you so much. I want you to know you are the reason I speak to churches, and the reason I wrote the book…because of those blank stares so often given to people in circumstances like yours or mine. God bless you as you walk closely with our Lord Jesus!
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..A Ghost Hunter Calls on Christ =-.
[…] How some people can be fascinated with darkness and all that paranormal, occult or demonic side of l… completely blows me away. I am such a chicken and a wimp when it comes to all that stuff, I admit it. All I know is I’m no fool and as for those who entertain that side of life and actually believe it’s all just innocent and fun, they truly are only fooling themselves, straight up!!! […]
Thank you so much for sharing this post – I, too, got involved deeply in that kind of life (and I was raised a Christian) and am lucky I escaped unharmed. (And I didn’t escape, really – but was set free.) Thanks especially for the comment on “guilt” – I look back and couldn’t figure out how I got so very entrenched – thanks for the truth about where that guilt was coming from. Sneaky tactic…and designed to take my eyes (and heart) away from where they should be.
Horoscopes, ghosts, tv shows dealing with the paranormal, movies, good luck charms, “harmless” superstitions (and yes, feng shui) – are gateways and allow an entrance for demonic influence and activity. I would encourage people to be very careful. It is very real and very dangerous – no matter how innocuous it seems. I would even say that much of the self-help today is a gateway that leads to dark places. The focus on the “self” that these books encourage is not healthy – nor is “self” the place for answers. (Not opposed to personal growth but there is room for much caution.)
I’m so glad to see someone speaking on this topic so that those oppressed/harassed can recognize it for what it is because as one commenter said, those in church often discount or deny the existence of demonic activity.
Thank you, Sandra. God has put it on my heart to share my story with people, get the church talking about these things which have been routinely avoided in discussion, and encourage people to stand firm in their faith.
The book which Bonnie reviewed for this post was self-published and is now out of print.
God in his amazing grace has made it possible for Escaping the Cauldron to be published this upcoming September 2012 by Charisma House. The new book is larger, more of a memoir, and will include questions for discussion.
Escaping the Cauldron has been re-written, expanded, and is being published by Charisma House. The new book will be available in book stores on September 4, 2012 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
[…] you read the insightful review Escaping the Cauldron received from Bonnie Gray, Faith Barista? Check it out! Share […]
[…] I sent Bonnie an email, asking if she'd be willing to review my self-pubbed Escaping the Cauldron:Ghosts and the Paranomal (this early version is no longer in print since Charisma House published Escaping the […]
Hi there, I don’t know if I can still post here, since this is a pretty old article, but I felt the need to do so. You see, I was raised a Christian but I was always very interested and drawn to the occult. I felt Christianity was very limited and all the fun stuff was forbidden. Everything different was ‘occult’ and I was a very rebellious teenager, so I was really drawn to that. I didn’t do anything with it, though, until I was a young mother. Being a Mom and seeing the vulnerability of young children, I became very upset with the child abuse stories in the news. I started blaming God for all the pain and suffering in the world. After all, He created it and gave us free will. He knew we would misuse it and therefore I figured it was all His fault. I didn’t want anything to do with Him anymore, I was so angry and frustrated with God!
So, I spent years in investigating the occult. I had Tarot cards, I practiced to become a medium, I did channeling, horoscopes, healing with gemstones, I became a reiki master, etc etc. You name it, I did it. I even went so far as to become a satanist. Not in a group, although I had some contact with another satanist. It had nothing to do with scary sacrifices or that kind of Hollywood stuff you see in movies, but I guess for me it was simply because I was so fed up with God, I chose to get involved with his opponent.
I never had much paranormal activity going on, even thought I tried very hard to experience it, because I really wanted that! But, for some reason, nothing much happened. No apparitions, no moving objects, no psychic visions, nothing much, basically. At that time, I was very dissapointed.
This is years ago, I abandoned God, but thankfully He didn’t abandon me. I asked for his forgiveness, severed all ties I had with the occult and after a few years, I was baptized. But still, until today, the paranormal holds great fascination to me.
The Discovery Channel had a ‘documentary’ series called ‘a Haunting’ and I must admit, I watched them all. I feel torn between a longing for these things and my obligation to God to stay as far away as possible from this stuff. I feel very ashamed for the way I treated God these year and I’m very ashamed for endagering myself AND my family by messing with the occult. I think God has been very protective of me during that period and I think that is the reason why so little things occured, even though I wanted them to at that time. But even now, I still find, it still pulls at me. I have ordered your book, I can’t wait to start reading it.
I hope you read my post, I would really like some feedback on it, I guess I’m still struggling to stay away from the occult. I’m just wondering what I can do to get rid of that, and if you recognize this ‘pull’? I don’t know how else to describe it.
Thank you and God bless you!