The full text of this tract is shown below in the NIV version. (Do you want to print this tract in a different version than the one listed? Contact us and let us know what you're looking for—we may be able to create the alternate version for you at no charge.)

Greetings! Blessings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. My name is Jack and this is God’s story of how He delivered me from a very troubled life. This is my testimony about how, as a born again Christian, saved by Jesus Christ, I overcame the disaster that is the occult. The occult is anything relating to magic, astrology, or any system of supernatural power that is not from God. People may get into the occult for different reasons: mine was out of anxiety and fear. So, please, this is a warning to all who either practice or seek those engaged in divination, witchcraft, the casting of spells, fortune telling, predicting the future, and attempting to talk to the dead. In addition, I also warn you against reading horoscopes, using Ouija boards, and using a pendulum to determine the gender of an infant while still in the mother’s womb. These things are evil.

Now, before throwing this tract away, thinking that I’m some crazy Bible-thumping Christian trying to make something of nothing, please read this entire message before making a decision.

I grew up attending a Lutheran church, was baptized as an infant, and confirmed as a teenager. For the most part, however, I didn’t have any desire to learn more about Jesus. I was a very, very nervous child and worried my way through much of my childhood. This anxiety often led to a constant state of fear and anger over school, grades, tests, papers, and simply navigating through the school day. I also ended up playing with both an Ouija board and one of those magic 8 balls, which is not a good idea.

Eventually, by the time I was eighteen, I began to drink. Yes, this temporarily took away the anxiety and anger, but the obvious consequences (like drunk driving and inappropriate social behavior) began and I ended up disappointing many people throughout the years. I once, for example, failed to attend a job interview at a convention because I was too hung over to get out of bed. At another convention, I had an arrogant attitude, while drunk, towards a former student I went to college with. I was a train wreck emotionally. The Bible describes a person like me. Galatians 5:19-21 says,

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealously, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

As the years went by, I had a decent professional life, but I still could not wait to get out of work so that I could drink. I had some particularly stressful jobs, which did not fit well with my anxious temperament. I would often worry and fret to the point that I would stay awake all night. Eventually, on a few occasions, I ended up talking with someone who knew a seer, or one who could predict the future. I would ask them the outcome of something that worried me and asked if everything would be all right. That person would get back to me with an answer, stating not to worry and that everything would be fine. As the Old Testament says in Deuteronomy 18:10-12:

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

Now, these supernatural inquires from a seer did temporarily decrease and even eliminate my anxiety and worry about a particular situation, but I continued to be nervous and drink. What my actions did do was to open myself up to demonic harassment and even more fear. In one place where I lived, I would be physically choked at night while trying to sleep.

As the years went by, I ended up having more troublesome and scary experiences. While in bed at night, a demon would place tremendous pressure on my chest, or a hand would cover my mouth preventing me from talking. One night, I even awoke in fear to have a black sheet hovering over my head as if it was blown by the wind. Small objects placed in a particular area would be moved, and occasionally various types of voices could be heard in the home.

At that point, I sought my Pastor at my church, and told him that I had been involved in the occult in the past. I confessed these things (sins), repented of them (recognized they were wrong and felt truly sorry), and forsook them (left them, never to do those things again). I felt great relief.

From that point on, God began to transform me in many ways. My anxiety and fear began to decrease. When I was completing a research study and thought I had made a mistake, I would begin to have a panic attack. However, all of a sudden, a wave of peace from the Holy Spirit would come over me and I would have instant peace and relaxation. Praise God! I gradually had a closer relationship with the Lord and would pray and honor Him with great joy. I am still a “work in progress”, but He has helped me overcome anxiety, worry, rage, and drinking.

Please, if you are a Christian and have done any of the things I have written about, please confess your sins to God and repent.

Please, I beg you, if you are not a Christian and have done any of these things I said above, PLEASE seek a relationship with Jesus Christ and find a Bible-believing church to go to. Please ask God for forgiveness and never do any of these things again.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Grace and peace to you to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Back to top of page