The Spirits That Deceived Me
From Spiritualism to Salvation Through Jesus Christ
The powerful story of Laura Maxwell
A Childhood Fascination with the Paranormal
Paranormal phenomena fascinated me since childhood. I loved reading Ghost Stories or watching Ghost Hunting on TV. Some psychic experiences growing up added to my intrigue. My mother also had supernatural encounters since childhood. When I reached High School, my mum and I were invited to join a Spiritualist Church in Glasgow, Scotland.
Our Journey into Spiritualism and Psychic Development
Mum joined an Open Circle and became engrossed, attending psychic development groups, yoga classes, etc, to improve her clairvoyant abilities. Regular meditation and yoga were encouraged to ‘raise our vibrations,’ thus help channel spirits. Also keen, I participated in these spiritual activities too.
Each time we received Life Readings from Mediums, it amazed us how these short sessions contained so much communication from spirits. Specific details were relayed about our lives. Precise names, places and dates were mentioned, proving Mediums weren’t charlatans, or falling upon facts by chance. They accurately described physical appearances and personalities of our apparent dead relatives.
Searching for Spiritual Enlightenment
We devoured information on astrology, auras, chakras, crystal and energy healing, reincarnation, and more. As Truth Seekers, visiting New Age Centres and Psychic Fairs, we absorbed everything on our journey towards attaining ‘spiritual enlightenment.’ At Transfiguration Sessions, we watched ectoplasm form, as Mediums drifted into trance. Mum began Automatic Writing. Meanwhile, Mediums predicted I’d become a Psychic Artist, drawing portraits of ‘dead relatives and Spirit Guides’ for clients. So, I briefly explored Kirlian Photography; using infra-red film, planning to progress after completing my college art course.
When Contacting Spirits Became a Nightmare
Over the next 10-15 years, we’d often hear of Mediums who could no longer control when spirits spoke to, or through them. Some had nervous breakdowns, were admitted to psychiatric wards, or were even taken over by their Spirit Guides to attack people! We heard reports of poltergeist activity in many Mediums’ homes. Initially, we accepted explanations that obnoxious spirits sometimes ‘come through,’ thus a potential hazard of the job. But when this nightmare also began for us, it became intolerable and impossible to function properly.
Our good hearted Medium friends, kindly tried, but failed to cleanse our home. Spirits spoke to Mum constantly, giving her no rest. They deprived her of sleep, attacking her physically, banging loudly from within closets, slamming doors, furniture, etc.
Terrifying Experiences We Could No Longer Explain Away
Once, spirits forced her into trance against her will, when she was frying food. Fire quickly consumed our kitchen. Thankfully, the Fire Brigade extinguished it. We realised Mum and our pets could’ve been killed. One day, my great aunt, (also a Spiritualist, who had witnessed a UFO with me), felt invisible hands grab her and throw her downstairs, breaking her wrist. Once, she saw her heavy crystal vase explode into tiny pieces for no reason! Another time, while shopping with Mum, myself and others watched horrified as she was lifted and catapulted, landing on the bonnet of a passing car.
The Shocking Betrayal of Our Spirit Guides
Deciding to leave Spiritualism, we politely told our ‘Spirit Guides.’ To our shock, they laughed, verbally and physically attacking us. We were perplexed. They’d provided guidance for years! Clearly, they’d deceived us, faking kindness, although evil all along.
Then the fiercest shock hit. Even spirits claiming to be ‘dead relatives’ turned against us! They also mocked and hit us, warning we couldn’t leave the Occult, as they’d gained control from the day we invited them into our lives! We realised Spiritualism was dangerous and deceptive––especially as Medium friends never discerned true spiritual identities of counterfeit ‘spirit guides and dead relatives,’ when they’d channeled them.
Discovering JesusChrist: A New Path to Truth
Later, at university, a Christian invited me to church. She’d heard of Mediums experiencing similar horrors. They’d left Spiritualism, repenting and accepting the Biblical Jesus, as their Saviour, (not the cosmic, New Age fake Christ). He saved them from spiritual attacks!
I soon found apologetics resources–research by university professors, historians, and investigative journalists containing evidence for the life of Jesus, His crucifixion on Calvary’s cross and resurrection from the dead!
Having a divine revelation the Bible was true, I renounced Spiritualism, and came to Jesus of Nazareth. I received this risen Christ’s forgiveness; accepting Him as my beloved personal Saviour. Much to my own surprise, I’d become a Christian!
My Mother’s TragicStory: A Church That Was Not Prepared
But, Mum’s situation deteriorated. My friend’s church had not yet ministered casting out spirits. (Our experience led them to it later). Mum’s doctor couldn’t accept demonic harassment. Diagnosed as Schizophrenic, Mum was detained in a psychiatric hospital, discharged after months of heavy sedation. But due to shameful absence of church deliverance ministry, she endured further demonic assaults. To our utter shock and dismay, she tragically committed suicide. Since then, thirty years ago, I’ve often heard this disastrous outcome is not rare. The Church needs to wake up!
I searched and found another Christian church that was experienced in deliverance ministry. Two ministers visited Mum’s home just once, successfully cleansing it as they prayed. At the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, all spirits left. Praise God! Later, I sold it knowing new tenants wouldn’t be harassed.
What the Bible Reveals About the Occult
The church I eventually joined, didn’t follow dead religious traditions. The gifts of the Holy Spirit operated, for example people were physically healed. In a few years, I saw more people healed in Christian churches than I ever saw in over ten years of Spiritualist meetings. I realised the truth and read Biblical warnings of the Occult, e.g., Deuteronomy 18:9-12.
When ‘dead relatives and Spirit Guides’ attacked us, lying spirits merely impersonated them, deceiving us. Christians explained ghosts don’t exist. The Bible shows the impossibility of ‘dead souls’ visiting us. They remain in heaven or hell for eternity, unable to communicate with us from those realms. (Luke 16:22-31.)
Scripture describes these spirits as evil fallen angels–demons. Existing before our creation, they retain vast knowledge of families and historical figures down the generations! With shape-shifting abilities, they morph, disguising their evil form. They convincingly pose as deceased family, pretend to be any entity, Alien Spirit Guide, or mythical figure that humankind has ever believed in. They induce false visions of false religions, reincarnated past lives, or the afterlife, causing many to disregard biblical repentance, or its accounts of heaven and hell.
As 2 Corinthians 11-14 states,“…and no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade...” Tragically, most people don’t realise entities working through religions, divination and channeling, are actually evil demons. After Paul cast a divination spirit out of a Fortune Teller, she lost her psychic abilities––these are not spiritual gifts! (Acts 16:16). Demons were cast from me too, otherwise I might have committed suicide like my mother. Leviticus 19:31 warns, “Do not seek out Mediums, for you will be defiled by them.”
The Real Purpose Behind Spiritual Deception
Demons serve Satan, deceiving us, appearing as ancestors, ascended masters, the virgin Mary, dead saints, goddesses, etc. Lies about the afterlife, taught through spirits and false religions, have abounded since ancient times. Their purpose for such deception, is to distract you from trusting the Bible, seeking forgiveness from Jesus––the only Saviour and also luring you away from following Him.
1 John 4 lovingly warns, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test whether they are of God…every spirit that does not confess Jesus has come in the flesh… is the spirit of Antichrist…”
I’ve known and heard of many who challenged entities, in Christ’s name, demanding their true identity. While protesting, spirits may shape-shift, reveal their evil form, then vanish! (See 1 Tim. 4:1, Mark 13:21-22).
As a Spiritualist, I saw Jesus as a reincarnated alien-god, a Psychic Healer, or ‘Christ Consciousness.’ Since my 1994 conversion, I’ve heard of countless ex Mediums, Ghost Hunters, Pagans, Tarot Readers and Witches, also former tutors of meditation, reiki and yoga, from ex-Astrologers, Shamanic Healers to Satanists, all discovered from experience ‘spirit guides and dead relatives,’ are imposters. They were also set free from demonic attack, after inviting Christ into their lives. Just like myself and Witches who burned their Magic books in repentance, (Acts 19:19), they received His loving forgiveness and His deliverance from evil spirits. Hallelujah!
Over the years, I’ve joyfully interviewed such people on my radio shows, or featured them on my blog. They shared, that even during suffering or tribulation, Jesus can bless you with a pure love, joy and peace you never knew existed!
Christ and His blood are more powerful and real than any dramatic encounters experienced within Spiritualism, New Age or any mystical practices. It is His truth alone that will genuinely set you free!
Since my conversion, thirty years ago, no demons disguised as dead relatives, spirit guides, aliens, etc, ever appeared to me again––what a significant fact!
Since 2008, I’ve spoken at events, conferences, and on satellite TV and radio worldwide. Like many, we rejoice, hearing of an exodus of people globally who turned from Spiritualism, meditation, tarot, yoga, reiki, reflexology, New Age, and other spirit-empowered practices to Jesus Christ. My blog exposes such practices and features testimonies of myself and others.
A Final Message: Turn to Jesus Today
Remember friends, virtually all historians and scholars agree Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person. Whether you have engaged in occult practices or not, everyone needs to be forgiven by the only Saviour, Jesus Christ and to follow Him as Lord. Otherwise, we can’t enter heaven for eternity, upon our deaths. Please pray, receiving Him now and don’t delay. Your response determines your eternity.
Laura Maxwell, BA (Hons) Psych.
Laura’s Resources:
Articles by me and others published in magazines and newspapers, as well as interviews with me and other former occultists:
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