From Heavy Metal to Faith

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sacardian

New member
Jan 28, 2025
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#1
Hello. I’d like to share my story and introduce myself.

Short Story:
I was raised with the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventists but became deeply involved in heavy metal music, sin, and destructive behaviors. After a difficult period of emptiness and depression, I encountered God's word again, began studying the Bible daily, and experienced a profound inner transformation. Now, I seek to live a life aligned with God's will, away from my past, and hope to share and learn more about His word with others. And I really need to change my life...

Long Story:
From a young age, I was regularly taught the principles of the Seventh-day Adventists. My grandparents spent their entire lives studying the Bible and religious writings. They were very devout, kind, honest people who lived by the Bible, preaching nothing but love and couldn’t harm a fly.
From a very early age, I was fascinated by Satan and his demons, and became intrigued by the occult. Long story short, I became deeply involved in music and hypnosis, particularly in how they affect the mind and people. At the same time, I learned to play many instruments and now play guitar, piano, and drums. I got caught up in conspiracy theories related to the world and Satan, and thought I could never be foolish enough to listen to his music and works. It’s clear in the lyrics of famous metal and even pop bands on the radio, with references to God and sin—it was obvious it was wrong.

But then came a girlfriend, alcohol, parties, and my environment, and suddenly, out of nowhere, I became a massive heavy metal fan. It escalated quickly. Over the years, I forgot God’s word. Sometimes, I would think about returning, but I was unsuccessful. Life went on, I started bands, and with one band, I became somewhat successful, playing live in front of 1,000 people and becoming well-known locally. Long hair, tattoos, blasphemy, alcohol, cigarettes, women for fun, and many other sins filled my years. It’s still present, and changing my life is incredibly challenging right now. I know it’s wrong—I've been in a deep hole, and now I'm in the hole I dug for myself, needing God's hand to help me escape. I hope I have enough time to stay on the path and truly repent. My heart is already starting to change. Overall, I’ve always been a good person—though loud, sarcastic, extroverted, and cheeky—but at my core, I believe I’ve always had a good heart. Yet, I'm still surrounded by sin. I won’t sugarcoat it—I know I am a sinner and always will be. I pray for forgiveness and a pure heart and change my life, so I can minimize my sins.

Last year was incredibly difficult for me. I felt completely empty, lost, and for the first time, deeply depressed without a plan. Everything annoyed me, and I even had thoughts that if I crashed my car into a tree, it would all be over. I didn’t care. Not suicidal thoughts, but I wouldn’t have minded if something happened. Thankfully, it was only for a short time.

And then, suddenly, I started encountering God’s word more and more, from YouTube, advertisements, people—no matter where I went, it was always there, almost as if it was following me. Without truly seeking, it came to me. So, I began reading, studying, and researching. I now study the Bible daily. I ask for forgiveness, for a pure heart, and I want to change my life. I’ve had some intense prayers, and suddenly, it overtook me, and I wept like a child. I feel more love, peace, and tranquility inside me now. I pray daily to stay on the path and not let my surroundings drag me back into the past. Because no matter where I go, I’m surrounded by sin—friends, hobbies, work... it’s overwhelming. I hope I don’t let go of God’s hand.

I never thought it was possible to feel such an internal change. I can’t put it into words, but I’ve read about it as a non-believer before. To feel it firsthand is indescribable. I encourage anyone to engage with Scripture and build a relationship, not just to believe, not just to pray, but to study the Bible and get to know Jesus. It is transforming my life right now.

For example, I prayed for a Bible, and shortly after, I received from mom call saying my aunt and uncle will buy me a Bible and the five books of Ellen White, which summarize the entire Bible. I’m truly happy right now and know that difficult times are ahead. The hardest burden for me is the music and the band—it will be my toughest trial. I must not deny God, and my first step is to share my thoughts here online, so I can also talk about God face to face. I know many friends will distance themselves from me because of what I’ve built over the years, but that should and cannot be an obstacle for me, because eternal life is worth more than this temporary life.

But my struggle lies in my surroundings; I desperately need help breaking free from them, yet my heart still longs for them. I am sincerely praying for a pure heart, one that can despise the things I do, so I can draw closer to God.


Thank you for your attention. I look forward to conversations with you all and hope to gain more wisdom and understanding of God’s word. I hope we can share and exchange with one another. Perhaps there are some Adventists here who would like to talk and share thoughts? I have not yet chosen a church or religion for myself, as I have read the Bible independently of any denomination, but I was raised with the teachings of the Adventists. After doing extensive research, I must say that the Adventists truly align most closely with the Bible for me. They diligently study it, and what could be more important than the word of God? I find their views extremely interesting, but I’ll discuss that mabye in another thread.
 
Nov 14, 2024
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#2
Welcome, sacardian.
Long story short, I became deeply involved in music and hypnosis, particularly in how they affect the mind and people.
This reminds me of what Jimi Hendrix once said.

hend.jpg
For example, I prayed for a Bible, and shortly after, I received from mom call saying my aunt and uncle will buy me a Bible and the five books of Ellen White, which summarize the entire Bible.
I would admonish you to be careful of anyone's summary of the entire Bible. As Christians, we all presently know in part, so be leery of anyone who claims to know otherwise.

1Co 13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1Co 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Your best bet is to read the entire Bible yourself while asking the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who inspired the writing of scripture to teach you what it truly means. This does not mean that you can never look at anybody else's commentaries on the Bible, but those commentaries should not be your primary source of research or understanding.
 

sacardian

New member
Jan 28, 2025
3
5
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#3
Welcome, sacardian.
This reminds me of what Jimi Hendrix once said.

View attachment 272693
I would admonish you to be careful of anyone's summary of the entire Bible. As Christians, we all presently know in part, so be leery of anyone who claims to know otherwise.

1Co 13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1Co 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Your best bet is to read the entire Bible yourself while asking the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who inspired the writing of scripture to teach you what it truly means. This does not mean that you can never look at anybody else's commentaries on the Bible, but those commentaries should not be your primary source of research or understanding.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree that the Bible is the primary source, and I study it daily, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. Ellen G. White, one of the founders of 7th Day Adventist Church herself always emphasized that the Bible is the ultimate authority and that her writings were meant to point people back to it, not replace it. She wrote, 'The Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.' (The Great Controversy, great book!). Her works, like Steps to Christ, are helpful resources for understanding biblical principles, but they’re always secondary to Scripture. My goal is to grow closer to God through the Bible, with the Holy Spirit’s help, but for better understanding Im using tools for my bible study. Her books are well known for bible study, and give a better understanding. But primary always bible! Thats for sure :D
 

sacardian

New member
Jan 28, 2025
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#4
PS: Jimi Hendrix was one of the reasons I started learning guitar. I even have his skull tattoo on my hand, that's how deeply I was immersed in trance and sin, separated from God. Jimi knew exactly how music works and it shakes it to my core now, how Satan got me.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,451
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#6
Hi sacardian, welcome and thanks for sharing your wonderful testimony! I know many SDA's and they are lovely people. However, as with my Mormon galfriend who wanted me to read their side books, I don't need it. Glad you are here and may you find many new friends and encouragement. God bless & keep you🙏✝✡!
 
Feb 12, 2025
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#7
Sacardian, Hello there! Wow! That was amazing! I love it when someone opens up and is deeply REAL and honest. That makes for THE best original content and songs but also is a danger to writing because you take these very deeply personal things and turn them into what people buy. Anyhow, I loved your story of how God could reach you even right where you were and are. As I read about the metal music, I remembered where God caught me. You see I am a U.S. Army Infantry combat veteran. I was a trucker driving the highways for a living in my transportation career. I am a HUGE Metal music fan who grew up in the Midwest. I was a Gen X 1980's kid who gravitated to the OLD 1980's metal bands like ACDC, Motley Crue, OZZY, Metallica, Dokken, and others. My father was one of the very first U.S. Navy SEALS and well, my upbringing was quite different than probably most kids growing up. Especially since my father was a part of Seal Teams 1 and 2. THE first SEALS. He hated metal music! OJK so fast forward to after I got out of the Army and into being a trucker. I was running so hard from God. I went through a very nasty divorce and lost everything! One night, while driving through Kentucky along Interstate 64, I was playing the song Enter Sandman by Metallica off of their Black album. What happened next I will NEVER forget. I was angry at the world! I was almost to the end of my rope. Everything in my life was imploding! So I popped in the Black album and started singing along; "Exit light, Enter night! Take my hand cross to never never land!" and of course head banging to the powerful guitar rifs and screaming my head off at the whole world! "Of course all while driving down a highway." Ok so I will NEVER EVER forget what happened next! Suddenly I felt something! What is that? A presence, an undeniable presence filled the cab of my truck! I hear this inner voice say to me, "OK son, if that's what you truly want!". I was like; "HUH? Wait, what?". I shrugged my shoulders and continued again!; "Exit light! Enter night, Take my---" suddenly interrupted again, "OK son if THATS what you want!". Mman by that time I got the CREEPS! Suddenly something very chilling ran all up and down my spine! I felt like a demon had crawled up into my cab and was about to NAIL me! I looked up at my player and popped that album out, rolled down the window and tossed it out onto the highway! When I did, that creepiness left! I breathed in a very HEAVY breath! "PHEW! What was that!?". I mean it freaked me out! Then as if that wasn't good enough, later on, I had experienced 2 near-death trucking accidents and an encounter with the Lord I would NEVER forget! While parked in Memphis, Tennessee at a trucking terminal for my company I was on my required hours of service 8 hour break. I laid down in my sleeper birth in the back for some much-needed "shut-eye." I had a dream. OK, buckle up! This is gonna be a ride!

In the dream, I thought I was floating over a pure black cavern. Turns out, God had me by the very collar of my jacket/shirt and He screamed at me; "Do you see that!? This is where you are going if;;;;" and Suddenly I heard screams, wailing! Wailing and gnashing of teeth! I look down and see it! That lake of FIRE! I see people in that lake! The smell! Too much! AH!!! I start looking at my arms and they are smoking! The sulfur smell could knock you out! My eyes watering heavily, and suddenly I am back in my TRUCK! I wake up suddenly but, I can still SMELL the sulfur! I can still feel that tremendous HEAT! I closed my eyes and suddenly I saw everyone who I had ever done wrong or who had ever wronged me and I collapsed right there on the floor in the cab of my truck! I, um, I gave my heart and life back to God Almighty right then and there! In the cab of a semi-truck 18-wheeler. I walked into the drivers lounge area where we could take showers and do laundry and I stood there and said; "OK Lord, you're the boss now. I go where you tell me to go from now on." after that I never looked back!
After that experience, OH I can not bring myself to ever listen to another Metalica song! I just can not do it. That experience didn't just "rattle me" it forever changed me! Oh I still love Metal style of music but I am careful of what lyrics and the "spirit" by which these artists and musicians operate in.