"I had seen various ministers on Christian television programs speak in tongues, give words of knowledge, prophesy, even heal people of their physical problems. I wanted God to be part of my life like He was part of theirs.. One TV minister would even talk about the gift of tongues being the subsequent evidence of the born-again experience. I knew I qualified for that because I had Christ in my heart. So, I expectantly waited for His hand to move the same way in my life. I looked forward to those moments with a secret hope that the Lord might have a special word just for me, through [my roommate] especially since something supernatural would happen each time during Bible studies and activities in Word of Faith and other churches.
"A spirit would come over my friend as we prayed. It was a holy one, I thought. I watched the reaction as her breathing would change and get deeper. Her torso moved back and forth as she yielded to the spirit's will. Then, her hands would raise and the words would come. Beautiful words. Spiritual words. Words that spoke of beauty of the courts of Heaven. I was amazed!
"My friend would also see visions. There were tingling sensations in her hands as if she possessed the power to heal. The "Lord" we prayed to would further extend his grace by directly answering our questions through her. Another presence would come over us bringing a lovely, light feeling and a release of laughter from our souls. It was as if angels had come down to minister to us. This "Lord" we were experiencing gave much personal attention and I felt privileged to be a part of it.
"One evening as we were praying she turned to me and said with a knowing assurance, "You want to be a prophet." I thought to myself, of course I do, anything to show that I was accepted by God! We are supposed to desire spiritual gifts, aren't we?.. So she laid her hand on my shoulder and prayed for me to receive the gift of prophecy. I echoed to the "Lord" my willingness to receive. That's when things really began. Transference of spirits. All those incredible things I saw in her came to me. I didn't feel a thing at first, but they were there. Except the spirits that came were not from God at all. They were from Satan, spirits sent to counterfeit the true gifts of the Spirit and deceive the Church. And I was totally unaware of it.
"It took months of discovery and practice to understand exactly what "Lord" (who I didn't know was false) was saying through his "gifts" that began to develop in me. What a precious thing (I thought) it was to hear "that still small voice" the Bible talks about. I rejoiced in ignorance that I could finally hear his voice like so many Christians said they could.
"I began sharing.. people began to approach me asking for prophecy.. until one day the pastor asked if I would come to his office.. he did not have a witness in his spirit that what I was saying was entirely of the Lord. He wanted me to spend time in prayer for six months.. I knew another pastor.. the congregation gasped in awe as I spoke out the words given to me..
"Things started to change after that. I started to hear voices, thoughts in my mind, other than my "jesus". There was a mocking voice, a sexually perverted voice. Another one threatened me and imitated voices of people I knew. I didn't know what was happening. I thought I was being attacked by Satan and his army because the "Lord" had so gifted me for a special mission. I couldn't control their thoughts going through my mind and they were beginning to take over. I was so frightened. Week after week the battle for my mind continued. I struggled to find the voice of my "Lord" to follow once again, but the were too many voices in my head.
"In desperation I drove out to a deserted area on the edge of a canyon... and cried out, "Jesus, help me!.. and for the first time, the real Jesus spoke to me and said, "I only offer you truth.".. Not comprehending the meaning I repeated the words. "You only offer me truth? Truth? What is the truth, Jesus? [The Word of God].
"The spirit I had been listening to for the past nine months was not Jesus, was not my Lord at all, but in fact, a demon. I was in shock.. too horrifying to face.. The battle since then has been a difficult one... Christ has led me through repentance for the sins of witchcraft, wrong desires and has shown me the broken areas of my heart and the idols I have worshiped instead of Him.. His wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit are real, are active in our day, and will humbly yield to the light of thorough examination. Seek Him, the Truth, through the Word and in prayer. Christ is waiting to help. Thank you, Gayle Rogers." (excerpts taken from Today, The Bible & You, October 1998)