Encountering Martial Arts as a Kid
When I was twelve years old, I studied martial arts at a local dojo. I avidly read martial arts magazines such as Karate Magazine, Black Belt Magazine, and Kung Fu Magazine. Additionally, I owned ESPY TV martial arts videos and numerous kung fu movies. (This was during the VHS tape era.)
In one of those magazines, I found a small article on how to increase one's chi power and martial abilities. In Eastern martial arts, practitioners believe a person can manipulate and move internal energy for purposes like healing, enhancing intellect, and boosting striking power. The Chinese refer to this energy as "chi," while the Japanese call it "ki." Chi or ki can be harnessed for feats like breaking boards, smashing coconuts with one's palms, or performing the Mystical Palm Technique.
Returning to the advertisement, I mailed in $35 to purchase the course it offered. It arrived five to six weeks later. I recall it included three single-page sheets and a poster depicting the human body and its energy centers. One of the pages was orange with instructions on both sides. This particular sheet explained how to gain power by leaving one's body and entering the invisible world.
At that time, I saw no issue with this practice, as I had previously experienced several spirit-realm encounters that I believed were divinely granted. Part of me felt destined for these supernatural experiences, so I had no reservations about following the instructions. Moreover, I was unaware of any biblical prohibitions against such practices.
I closed my bedroom door, lay on the bed, and attempted the exercises. They didn't work, and I felt nothing. There was a phone number on the paper to call for assistance with the procedure. I called the number, which I believe was in Maryland. An older man answered; he was very monotone yet friendly. He offered additional tips: focusing on breathing and directing energy to specific parts of the body. (Photo via Pexels)
Strangely, he also mentioned that if I happened to see any "strange beings" while out of my body, I shouldn't be alarmed, as they weren't real, and I should use the words on the paper (I'll elaborate on this later).
I resumed my attempt to have my spirit body leave my physical body, using the additional instructions provided.
To my surprise, I felt an internal energy move through me and sensed my spirit body beginning to lift, as if it were going to separate from my physical form lying on the bed. Immediately, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit command me authoritatively, "STOP!"
Upon hearing these audible words, I willed my spirit not to lift higher or separate from my body. I knew that spirit travel was possible, but I also instinctively sensed some danger involved. The fear of the Lord gripped me, and I abandoned any further attempts at this activity.
What Would Have Happened?
God never allowed me to know what would have happened if I had fully succeeded. However, here are my thoughts: I probably would have suffered some form of mental breakdown and/or demonic torment.
Unbeknownst to me at that time, this practice is called astral projection.
There are instances in Scripture where God translated a person's spirit into the spiritual realm. In these cases, the experiences were always instigated and controlled by the Holy Spirit. There are no biblical accounts of individuals seeking or initiating such experiences on their own; they were always conducted for holy purposes, according to God's will (2 Corinthians 12:2; Revelation 4:1; 2 Kings 5:26).
When God causes a Believer's spirit to travel in the spirit, it's called "being translated in the spirit." Any other instance of this (where individuals seek to initiate it on their own) is astral projection.
Astral projection can be attempted through self-will (meditation), psychoactive substances (drugs/sorcery), or ritual magic (demonic spirits). All methods are dangerous. Those who use ritual magic and invocations are aware they are employing demonic powers for this activity. Self-willed astral projection through meditation may seem more innocent; however, it still exposes a person to negative consequences.
I read a story of an unbeliever who used meditation to astral project. He ended up being held in what he called a "spiritual prison" by some monks who interrogated and tortured him before he was able to escape. This incident caused him never to attempt it again!
Without the Holy Spirit, there is no protection from evil forces in the spiritual realm. Those who engage in this practice are entering the spiritual realm "illegally" (John 10:1–5, 7–9). (Photo via Unsplash)
Some individuals who have engaged in such practices have reported experiencing difficulty in returning to their bodies, tormenting nightmares afterward, seeing strange beings (demons) that almost caused them to lose their minds, and/or feeling their spirits start to leave their bodies at night without their consent or control. I believe it makes those those who dabble in this arena a target for astral spirits (witches/wizards) and demonic powers to prey upon. Additionally, it's been reported by New Agers of group astral projection sessions that certain individuals were not able to return to their physical bodies and died during the exercises.
What Does the Bible Say about Astral Projection?
While astral projection is not specifically listed in Scripture, it falls under the categories of sorcery and divination, which are forbidden (Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19–21; Deuteronomy 18:10–14). Beware of any ministries teaching such practices and/or how to open one's third eye. I warn about both of these in my book Discerning of Spirits: Seven Dimensions of Revelation.
It's almost comical that the words given to me to counter any strange or evil beings I might have encountered while I astral projected, had I succeeded, were described as "the Joshua Jericho shout"! Yes, these New Agers or spiritualist martial artists (whoever they were) printed on their paper to use this shout! The shout was "YAHEWWWWWWWWW!" James 2:19 states, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." Fortunately, God stopped me from doing this, and I never had that issue. My advice to anyone engaged in or attempting to engage in such practices is the same that the Holy Spirit gave me: "STOP!"
When the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ doesn't rise to its rightful position and supernatural grace, it creates greater room for satan to bring his counterfeit abilities and powers.
Isaiah 8:18–19: "Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?"
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Demontae Edmonds
Destiny 4 the Nations
Email:Â INFO@F4Nations.com
Website:Â www.d4tn.org
Demontae Edmonds is the founder of Destiny 4 the Nations, host of "This is Freedom" podcast on Charisma Podcast Network, and host of Atlanta's "Highways" TV program. He travels the nations preaching the Gospel with notable signs, wonders, and miracles. His heart is to share the reality of Jesus Christ with the world through demonstrations of the Holy Spirit's power and presence. He has authored the books "Grab Hold of Your Miracle," "Discerning of Spirits: 7 Dimensions of Revelation," and "The Supernatural Gift of Faith."
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