Were you attacked as a new believer?

[Depleted]

I think I/we were attacked continuously, before and during coming to Christ.

I think as the veil comes off I/we begin to notice it more distinctly.

Before coming to Christ we were just led to believe that those attacks weren't attacks but thoughts and actions of our actual selves... Part of the lie/deception.

Honestly. I don't get it. I was stupid before saved and stupid after, so how am I supposed to know when it's my stupidity or Satan? (I don't pay much attention to him to notice. Even that could be my stupidity, but it just seems wiser to focus on God than if Satan is messing with me... most of the time. Lately, I wonder.)

 

[Depleted]

All I am saying is that we often times cause our own problems and life in general has suffering has illness and yes satan does attack us but I wouldn't confuse his attacks with our own doing and with how suffering is as much part of life as peace and love.

If you wouldn't confuse it can you tell the difference? Or, since you have that veil torn between the spiritual world and this world, do you simply, literally, see it? Because I think my veil between the two is made out of iron. (No sarcasm here. Truly asking.)

 

[Depleted]

well if you mean a full out frontal assault like Job suffered, I would suspect those are rarer

however, we can be sure if we are committed to following Christ, we are going to have some fiery darts shot our way

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

The Bible readily identifies the devil as our enemy...it follows that we will then be attacked...that does not mean he personally attacks us; he has 'minions' who are glad to help out there as the Bible describes many encounters with the devil in both testaments by those whose faith is in God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Ephesians 6

Those straight on frontal attacks may not be as rare as you think. I've known enough believers that have been stripped of so much, I stopped asking "What else could go wrong" because I kept seeing, lived through, and/or am living through what else could go wrong. And more and more stuff ends up seeming so wrong. (It's not wrong, since Satan still has to get approval from God, but it feels unfair much of the time.)

 

[Depleted]

Well in all honesty I have yet to fully understand the whole satan attacking us and us causing our own problems, which is why the question in my mind still remains what classifies as satan attacking us

Oops, asked, and the found your answer later. Nuts! Thought maybe you knew.

 

[oldethennew]

Those straight on frontal attacks may not be as rare as you think. I've known enough believers that have been stripped of so much, I stopped asking "What else could go wrong" because I kept seeing, lived through, and/or am living through what else could go wrong. And more and more stuff ends up seeming so wrong. (It's not wrong, since Satan still has to get approval from God, but it feels unfair much of the time.)

===========================================

oh yes, it often seems unfair, but as we grow in our Love for Christ, and especially when we can witness
our own successes of over-coming things one-by-one through our Love and thankfulness to Him,
we are assured that it is Him, lovingly teaching us how frail and weak we were until we
totally surrendered all and acknowledged/hated/surrendered our 'old-man' to be crucified with Him.

 

[Blain]

If you wouldn't confuse it can you tell the difference? Or, since you have that veil torn between the spiritual world and this world, do you simply, literally, see it? Because I think my veil between the two is made out of iron. (No sarcasm here. Truly asking.)

When it comes to suffering and sickness and pain in the world I wouldn't know if it is satan or life or my doing but I have been attacked by him and demons face to face before.
I don't know what you mean by a veil between this world and the spiritual but I am able to sometimes see in the spiritual realm and have been in the spiritual realm several times. I was attacked by satan directly he was trying to strangle me

 

[ember]

Those straight on frontal attacks may not be as rare as you think. I've known enough believers that have been stripped of so much, I stopped asking "What else could go wrong" because I kept seeing, lived through, and/or am living through what else could go wrong. And more and more stuff ends up seeming so wrong. (It's not wrong, since Satan still has to get approval from God, but it feels unfair much of the time.)

ok.. I see what you are saying, but I maintain what I said because the devil is not omnipresent as is God

unfortunately we are far more open to attack in the western world then most would like to admit due to ignorance and just plain poo pooing the idea the devil...et al...can harm a believer

Paul wrote that the recipients of his letter were not ignorant of the schemes of the devil...much of the church (body of Christ) is ignorant...the devil does not play according to our rules

everything is about what is legal and not legal

a Christian has to come to the point where they realize NOTHING is legal ground for satan...he is defeated and has no more rights...BUT we have to take that stand

I've done that...I'm still doing it...and I fully expect to continue to have to do it

I am far from ignorant of his methods ...I wish I knew less actually

 

[Yeraza_Bats]

I definitely experienced that when first coming to Christ. In more than one way, too.
(This is somewhat of a long story : p)

I spent alot of time on a very secular online forum based on a popular video game franchise, in fact I was even well liked and respected there, they even made me a moderator and everything. They all knew who I was at the time, I was very outspoken about that life and defended it to the death : p

When I went through what I went through and came to Christ in hopes of receiving help, the very morning after what I had experienced, I went to my forum and told them a little bit about what happened. I didnt give too many details, because I know these people : p They would have dismissed it off the bat and said I was mentally ill : p But I did tell them I was under an unbearable amount of anxiety, and I actually did tell them about how my bible was opened up to the verse in Deuteronomy 22:5, and some of the other verses I was shown, too.

This was a very big site at the time, it boasted 1000s of members. So I got plenty of responses, and pretty much all of them were negative : p There were some that just told me that I needed to take a break, and then there were some that went to insulting the word of God entirely, even a few who tried to make verses into something they werent to make me lose faith : p And there was one atheist who, at that time, I looked up to, who decided to help me by telling me it wasnt a sin to lie with another man because "men dont have vaginas, so they cant lie with men like they would with women". I guess he thought he was helping me here : p

Of all the people on this site, there was one Christian girl who did support me, and sent me a PM in support over doing it publically : p She was the only one, though : p

From that forum I did have a small "clique" I was friends with, and still am to this day, and while not hostile, they like to make jokes about my past life and coming to God, as if its just a big joke. And the guy I was together with at the time, he took it pretty hard, and did do things like mock me and coming to God to them, encouraging them to make jokes about it and believe its nonsense. He still gets kinda angry time to time.

Aside from the people I knew, my coming to Christ was from a spiritual attack, and that actually did continue on for a little while even after coming to Christ. I was repenting of my life and reaching out to Him as much as I could, but at that time He was still letting me be attacked for a bit, which I understand. I believe He was testing me to see if I would actually stay faithful to Him during times of trouble. But I was still in pain and fear when coming to Him, and it actually got worse when I reached out to God, the spirit harming me working to make me believe He wouldnt save me from him.

But I kept in mind the story of Job, and one night I prayed to God for help again, and read a random chapter of the bible online, and found the story where Paul wrote he was being tormented by a messenger of satan, and when pleading for help the 3rd time the Lord told Him no, that His grace was sufficient for him, and that His power was made perfect in weakness. I kept these in mind and continued reaching out to Him, believing that though I was being harmed now, the Lord would help me when He was ready. And eventually the pain and terror did pass, and I began to feel more calm and safe, and I have decided to follow Him forever since.

If you managed to read this all the way through, youre a real trooper : p

 

[mailmandan]

As a new believer, I was certainly attacked by family and friends and co-workers. I actually lost a good friend. I was very excited as a new believer and I felt like someone in a room with bright lights, music playing and a lot of people in the room, but as I jumped for joy and shouted, "praise Jesus, I'm saved," it was like people slowly left the room until I stood there alone and the lights slowly dimmed until it was a dim lit room and the music volume slowly turned down until you could no longer hear the music and there I stood ALONE in a dim lit room and afterwards all I could hear was crickets.

 

[Depleted]

===========================================

oh yes, it often seems unfair, but as we grow in our Love for Christ, and especially when we can witness
our own successes of over-coming things one-by-one through our Love and thankfulness to Him,
we are assured that it is Him, lovingly teaching us how frail and weak we were until we
totally surrendered all and acknowledged/hated/surrendered our 'old-man' to be crucified with Him.

What happens with our failures then? (I see a string of failures.)

 

[p_rehbein]

With regards to the question asked in the Title...........

Yes, and even now, as a mature believer.......however, having grown in Christ, the attacks are far less effective, and far easier to defeat because of Him.

 

[Depleted]

When it comes to suffering and sickness and pain in the world I wouldn't know if it is satan or life or my doing but I have been attacked by him and demons face to face before.
I don't know what you mean by a veil between this world and the spiritual but I am able to sometimes see in the spiritual realm and have been in the spiritual realm several times. I was attacked by satan directly he was trying to strangle me

Spiritual world /// Physical World.

That /// represents the veil between the two worlds. I have never ever seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted demons, ghosts, spirits, etc. Never.

And yet, I believe you because I have had friends who have and they weren't liars. (And you're not a liar.) So, I do get there is one. I know there is spiritual world, or how could I possibly know there is God? I honestly don't sense him at all either. I know from the signs he gives and what he has done.

So that veil -- that /// -- to me is thick. I can't penetrate it. (Don't want to either.) But that same veil is / to you. You have seen. You have experienced it.

Outside of the senses -- the seeing and feeling you have had -- can you tell if something in this physical world happening to you is demonic or not? Ever? (Since you already said you can't tell with the sicknesses, suffering and pain. Maybe you can tell in other things.)

I'll give a for-instance on something I've wondered about. The second I open up the Bible to study, a slew of housework, errands, tasks, phone calls, I'm hungry thoughts hit. I didn't need to do dishes the minute before I opened up the Bible? I didn't remember I should call in for my prescriptions a minute before? Really? Now I remember I should add shampoo to my shopping list? I haven't shampooed since last night and don't have to again, until later. And, why do I get STARVING right then?

I do wonder if that's just me or if that's demons pestering me, but my veil is thick so I honestly don't know. Since yours is thin, I thought maybe you do know and can explain it to me.

 

[Depleted]

I definitely experienced that when first coming to Christ. In more than one way, too.
(This is somewhat of a long story : p)

I spent alot of time on a very secular online forum based on a popular video game franchise, in fact I was even well liked and respected there, they even made me a moderator and everything. They all knew who I was at the time, I was very outspoken about that life and defended it to the death : p

When I went through what I went through and came to Christ in hopes of receiving help, the very morning after what I had experienced, I went to my forum and told them a little bit about what happened. I didnt give too many details, because I know these people : p They would have dismissed it off the bat and said I was mentally ill : p But I did tell them I was under an unbearable amount of anxiety, and I actually did tell them about how my bible was opened up to the verse in Deuteronomy 22:5, and some of the other verses I was shown, too.

This was a very big site at the time, it boasted 1000s of members. So I got plenty of responses, and pretty much all of them were negative : p There were some that just told me that I needed to take a break, and then there were some that went to insulting the word of God entirely, even a few who tried to make verses into something they werent to make me lose faith : p And there was one atheist who, at that time, I looked up to, who decided to help me by telling me it wasnt a sin to lie with another man because "men dont have vaginas, so they cant lie with men like they would with women". I guess he thought he was helping me here : p

Of all the people on this site, there was one Christian girl who did support me, and sent me a PM in support over doing it publically : p She was the only one, though : p

From that forum I did have a small "clique" I was friends with, and still am to this day, and while not hostile, they like to make jokes about my past life and coming to God, as if its just a big joke. And the guy I was together with at the time, he took it pretty hard, and did do things like mock me and coming to God to them, encouraging them to make jokes about it and believe its nonsense. He still gets kinda angry time to time.

Aside from the people I knew, my coming to Christ was from a spiritual attack, and that actually did continue on for a little while even after coming to Christ. I was repenting of my life and reaching out to Him as much as I could, but at that time He was still letting me be attacked for a bit, which I understand. I believe He was testing me to see if I would actually stay faithful to Him during times of trouble. But I was still in pain and fear when coming to Him, and it actually got worse when I reached out to God, the spirit harming me working to make me believe He wouldnt save me from him.

But I kept in mind the story of Job, and one night I prayed to God for help again, and read a random chapter of the bible online, and found the story where Paul wrote he was being tormented by a messenger of satan, and when pleading for help the 3rd time the Lord told Him no, that His grace was sufficient for him, and that His power was made perfect in weakness. I kept these in mind and continued reaching out to Him, believing that though I was being harmed now, the Lord would help me when He was ready. And eventually the pain and terror did pass, and I began to feel more calm and safe, and I have decided to follow Him forever since.

If you managed to read this all the way through, youre a real trooper : p

I recommend everyone read this all the way through. Something weird happened as I read.

First, I had to check your age when you were talking about a gaming forum. I was a big contributor to one long ago, so checked your age to see if it could be the same one. (Only if you were a young child when all this happened. lol)

But as I read your story static happened in my mind. Have you ever walked down a street while a car with bad ball bearings drove up that street? At first, you hear the squeals two blocks away -- very quiet. Then the closer it comes the louder the sound. If the car's in really bad shape, you want to hold your ears as it goes by. And for some reason, once it goes by the sound diminishes quicker than when it started. And the quiet at the end, when it goes away, makes the heart rise in joy. That's the static I heard in your story. And the joy at the end! A very peaceful feeling came over it at the end, and I mean this literally. I really heard satan's static in the middle haunting you while you were just telling the story. The reality had to be a louder noise.

BUT, I disagree with you. God wasn't testing to see if you'd hang on. He's God. He already knows you will/are/have. And he knows it because he is God. He caused it. That wasn't testing your stick-to-it-ness. That was God showing you his stick-to-it-ness. He is FOR you. Always has been. Always will. Not because of something you've done, but because he has determined to shower his love on you.

That's the kind of sign I keep looking for -- proof God has, so I know he will! And here's another sign for you, during that statically middle of your story Paul's thorn came to my mind too. Paul had his. You have yours. I have mine.

I also have a physical thorn in my left hand. I was deweeding my cactus a few years ago and got all kinds of thorns all over both hands. In the week or two afterward, either tweezers or soaking my hands (doing those dishes that I like to put off lol), all but one came out. Skin covered the one that didn't come out. Now it's a tiny cyst on my hand. I will likely die with that thorn in my hand. God doesn't care. He takes care of me even with the thorn. Just like he does for you.

I think God leaves some thorns in us to remind us he is our perfect despite our weakness.

 

[Depleted]

With regards to the question asked in the Title...........

Yes, and even now, as a mature believer.......however, having grown in Christ, the attacks are far less effective, and far easier to defeat because of Him.

If these are attacks, mine have gotten worse. The only thing that seems to have changed is knowing more that God is holding on to me... despite.

 

[Depleted]

As a new believer, I was certainly attacked by family and friends and co-workers. I actually lost a good friend. I was very excited as a new believer and I felt like someone in a room with bright lights, music playing and a lot of people in the room, but as I jumped for joy and shouted, "praise Jesus, I'm saved," it was like people slowly left the room until I stood there alone and the lights slowly dimmed until it was a dim lit room and the music volume slowly turned down until you could no longer hear the music and there I stood ALONE in a dim lit room and afterwards all I could hear was crickets.

Sounds familiar.

 

[pwrnJC]

ember...
I applaud your spin on this question "Were you attacked as a new believer?" It shows maturity and an ever-increasing walk with JESUS. As for me, I was 9 yrs old in Vacation Bible School, so my friends were not involved nor did they care if I were a new CHRISTIAN or not. However, as I grew in my relationship with JESUS...things got deeper, spiritually speaking. I began to see evil in lots of my music, my friends, my world in general. Now I see it as discernment. By the time I surrendered to a call into the ministry (my dad is still a pastor), then things got heated up with the satanic attacks. Satan never bothered me as long as I thought I was in this protective little bubble, going to Sunday School, singing in a choir, and living a sheltered life. Once I was on my own, digging deeper into GOD's Word, I became a threat to old lucifer. I began to sense 'vibes" and negativity from people. My discernment radar was on an all time high. I began to enjoy CHRISTIAN chatrooms online and was exposed to all kinds of demonic activity in the old AOL days. GOD was preparing me for things to come. I ran across all kinds of evil twisted people, intent on destroying anything that lifts up the name of JESUS. When I look back, I shared company with former satanic priests, witches, wiccans, tolteca ideologists, and a few possessed folks who actually would shift-change into other entities, porno stars and more...all because I was naive, but those are the people that JESUS Is seeking. On the other hand, I have experienced many Supernatural miracles and holy spirit touch downs, angels, sign and wonders, and more! It's a busy, interactive life, walking in the Holy Spirit..not knowing what is around the next corner, but having the assurance that CHRIST is there for me, holding my hand in that valley, while looking up at the mountain top experiences.

 

[Born_Again]

I first read this topic as "Were you attacked BY a new believer" LOL Funny thing, I pondered it for a moment. lol

 

[ArtsieSteph]

Not really as a new believer, but as one later on in life. Granted I was rash and totally wrong about how I handled something. My friend as Buddhist and she wanted me to be involved in something with her anime concept. It sounded magic ish which I was against so I sort of backed up, but then she asked bluntly "is it because I'm Buddhist?" I not thinking about it said yes, and she got so upset at me. She railed at me online, but the thing was that I really hurt her.

So to say I deserved it, that's up for debate because I think I did. But I just stood my ground and never got defensive of her angry words. Poor thing... I have made so many bad decisions in regards to other people....

 

[Blain]

Spiritual world /// Physical World.

That /// represents the veil between the two worlds. I have never ever seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted demons, ghosts, spirits, etc. Never.

And yet, I believe you because I have had friends who have and they weren't liars. (And you're not a liar.) So, I do get there is one. I know there is spiritual world, or how could I possibly know there is God? I honestly don't sense him at all either. I know from the signs he gives and what he has done.

So that veil -- that /// -- to me is thick. I can't penetrate it. (Don't want to either.) But that same veil is / to you. You have seen. You have experienced it.

Outside of the senses -- the seeing and feeling you have had -- can you tell if something in this physical world happening to you is demonic or not? Ever? (Since you already said you can't tell with the sicknesses, suffering and pain. Maybe you can tell in other things.)

I'll give a for-instance on something I've wondered about. The second I open up the Bible to study, a slew of housework, errands, tasks, phone calls, I'm hungry thoughts hit. I didn't need to do dishes the minute before I opened up the Bible? I didn't remember I should call in for my prescriptions a minute before? Really? Now I remember I should add shampoo to my shopping list? I haven't shampooed since last night and don't have to again, until later. And, why do I get STARVING right then?

I do wonder if that's just me or if that's demons pestering me, but my veil is thick so I honestly don't know. Since yours is thin, I thought maybe you do know and can explain it to me.

From my understand the enemy whispers to us. A major difference I noticed with being in the spiritual realm compared to this world is that those distracting thoughts and doubts are no longer there, in the spiritual realm I never thought or acting with my mind whatever i thought however I reacted or acted was all based upon what was in my heart. usually I am only taken there to be tested or for him to show me something and there is no sense of time there either.
But satan doesn't normally whisper to us directly that is what fallen angels are for but normally they whisper doubts they put worries in your mind anything they know will distract you from God or make you weak.

Things like doing the dishes first before reading the bible is sort of half and half, our minds tend to get distracted and busy and while not always they like to enhance that. I can easily see them wanting you to be worried about doing the dishes putting things on your shopping list anything to get you to not read the bible. But at the same time we have a choice in it they are only allowed to do so much there are absolute laws in this world like Gravity physics mechanics of this world and there are absolute laws in the spiritual as well which is why satan abides by them even in the book of job.

But While I am not the strongest or the best in this area of seeing and experiencing the veil of the spiritual many people would love to see and experience what I do however they are unaware how scary it can be. I met a demon face to face in this world i met a demon in the spiritual I met an angel face to face in this world as well. But being taken to the spiritual realm always happens when I am asleep and so it easily can be seen as a dream but no dream can allow you to actually go to such a place or be taken there.

When I went to hell the actual place with the lake of fire and everything the heat alone was beyond horrible but the humidity made it so much worse, even though I fell asleep before I was taken there i was seating so severely that my shirt was glued to my skin the thirst was beyond terrible I didn't know if I was in my physical or spiritual body at the time.
Even though I was saved i was taken there but there was a good reason for it and I even had one of my prayers answered in this experience to hear Jesus's laugh. I met Jesus face to face for the first time there a very unlikely place to meet him, but even so there was more to it my heart was tested in that place as well.

I often times receive what I used to call prophetic daydreams, a scenario or image plays in my mind and I can see feel what I am seeing, I can remember the texture and the feeling of the dirt the exact color and feeling of the sky the exact taste and smell. Some might call these visions but i can't say they are visions it's more like God is allowing me to see into the spiritual realm even as I would be typing in a thread on cc it's as if I was there physically and yet I was here physically.

I have been told by many I am something called a seer, apparently a seer is a type of prophet can see into the spiritual realm and such, I also will at times have a sense of knowing about things I hear God's voice words through my heart and will without meaning to sometimes because I always speak from my heart say something very prophetic. however I cannot see myself or even believe I am a prophet

 

[Depleted]

ember...
I applaud your spin on this question "Were you attacked as a new believer?" It shows maturity and an ever-increasing walk with JESUS. As for me, I was 9 yrs old in Vacation Bible School, so my friends were not involved nor did they care if I were a new CHRISTIAN or not. However, as I grew in my relationship with JESUS...things got deeper, spiritually speaking. I began to see evil in lots of my music, my friends, my world in general. Now I see it as discernment. By the time I surrendered to a call into the ministry (my dad is still a pastor), then things got heated up with the satanic attacks. Satan never bothered me as long as I thought I was in this protective little bubble, going to Sunday School, singing in a choir, and living a sheltered life. Once I was on my own, digging deeper into GOD's Word, I became a threat to old lucifer. I began to sense 'vibes" and negativity from people. My discernment radar was on an all time high. I began to enjoy CHRISTIAN chatrooms online and was exposed to all kinds of demonic activity in the old AOL days. GOD was preparing me for things to come. I ran across all kinds of evil twisted people, intent on destroying anything that lifts up the name of JESUS. When I look back, I shared company with former satanic priests, witches, wiccans, tolteca ideologists, and a few possessed folks who actually would shift-change into other entities, porno stars and more...all because I was naive, but those are the people that JESUS Is seeking. On the other hand, I have experienced many Supernatural miracles and holy spirit touch downs, angels, sign and wonders, and more! It's a busy, interactive life, walking in the Holy Spirit..not knowing what is around the next corner, but having the assurance that CHRIST is there for me, holding my hand in that valley, while looking up at the mountain top experiences.

AOL? That's where I started online too. Born Again Online chat room? I was (still) AtWhatCost. Do you remember your username?