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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Spiritual Vampires

The Lord recently showed me something – or someone -- spiritual vampires. Yes, vampires! I’m not sure if I can take credit for coining this phrase, but it refers to those men and women who enter your life “talking the talk” and end up sucking the ever-lovin’ life out of you! Creative people, like writers, seem particularly vulnerable, but anyone can get bitten.

Do you know a spiritual vampire? Perhaps you do.

These spiritual vampires might seem in need of your help at first and, as a Christian, you set out to do your duty. Then, slowly, spiritual vampires take over your life in one way or another. Others might wonder about the frequency of their phone calls, texts or visits. If a family member says, “So-and-so is weird” ask him or her why. Define “weird.”  For myself, in trying hard not to pass judgments, I occasionally lose my God-given discernment. So, my advice is to pay attention to subtle observations. If you don’t, your thoughts and very life can become consumed by a spiritual vampire.

Spiritual vampires can also disguise themselves as people in powerful positions, like therapists, priests, pastors or even popular and trusted brothers or sisters in Christ. They might appear to be serving the Lord, but if they counsel you, their drama suddenly becomes yours too (instead of them helping you deal with the issues in your life). Their personal ambition becomes the church’s mission – and it’s not the will of God. Their “special gift” suddenly causes you to feel oppressed and intimidated.

These are the warning signs. A spiritual vampire may have a word for you, but sift it through Scripture (God’s Word) before you accept it. You see, not only can spiritual vampires appear as though they are needy, but they may also appear as ones who not only know God but are as God. Um…isn’t that what got Lucifer and his host kicked out of heaven? (Ezekiel 28)

A true test to see if someone is a spiritual vampire is while he or she is speaking with authority, listen to how many times the words “I” and “me” are used. This excludes a friend who is attempting to confide in you about her troubles. This is different. Spiritual vampires will say things like “God told me thus-and-such about you.” (The truth is God doesn’t gossip, okay? God will tell you directly about you!) A spiritual vampire will say something like, “I know I’m right because I have the gift of discernment.” (So how can you argue? In their minds, they are never wrong!)

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not insinuating that we shouldn’t help others in need or that we shouldn’t serve our local churches and respect our pastors and fellow believers. I’m not saying other believers don’t have special God-given gifts either. But the truth is we ALL have God-given gifts.  My only warning in this post is that the voice of the spiritual vampire can become louder than God’s “still small voice.”

Wherever spiritual vampires are you’ll find pride is there too. Pride is different from confidence. We can be confident in God and in ourselves because of God; but spiritual vampires feel they are more special than everyone else. We don’t want to doubt folks, but don’t idolize them either. Spiritual vampires want to be idolized. Their hearts are “lifted up” because of their gifts just like Lucifer’s heart was lifted up because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28).

Another warning sign: Spiritual vampires will never apologize – because they never think they make mistakes!

If you know a spiritual vampire run. Run far and run fast! The Lord will surely bring the individual down – just like He did Lucifer. Pride always goes before a fall.
However, the Lord showed me that I don’t have to get hurt anymore. I just have to get out of the way!

And here’s the best news of all: Spiritual vampires can be transformed. But it takes the Sword of the Spirit getting driven deep into their hearts and that’s something which can only be accomplished through prayer.

12 comments:

Dawn M Turner said...

So very true, Andrea! And the warning to run far and run fast is absolutely on target. I've dealt with several "spiritual vampires." They not only can and will destroy you as an individual, they are also destructive to the church, meanwhile they will often claim that everything they do/say (no matter how hatefully they do it) for your "good" or the good of the church. When a person causes division, strife and makes people feel bad about themselves by tearing them down, the best choice is to get them out of your life as much as you can. And pray that God either changes their heart or removes them from your church before they destroy it!

Nike Chillemi said...

There are spiritual vampires, and not all talk the talk. They're not all Christian. Of course then how spiritual are they. But many Christians have new age folks in their families or jobs who suck the energy out of you.

There can also be psychic vampires who are toxic people who suck the life out of you.

If they're taking up a lot of time, if they're causing drama, if they're cutting you off from people who have loved you for years...they might be a spiritual or psychic vampire.

You've written an EXCELLENT article!!!

Cathy said...

Wow, Andrea this really hits home. I've been so concerned about the direction our nation is going. We each need a double gift of discernment and wisdom. We need to be constantly seeking God's will. We need to keep our hearts and minds on Him. Only then will we know His will. Thank you for posting on this sensitive issue.

Judith Rolfs said...

Excellent counseling advice. God's gifted you as a writer and a counselor Andrea!

www.judithrolfs.com

Sherri Wilson Johnson said...

Amen! This was great!

Andrea said...

Thank you all for your comments and support!

Sharon said...

Andrea - Lots of truth in this post. I have learned the hard way. Glad my husband has the gift of discernment and is willing to spend time in prayer with me during those time when confronting a spiritual vampire, excellent description.
Sharon

Linda Kozar said...

Andrea--I just read your post about spiritual vampires and oh, me oh my, I realized how many times I've been "bitten." I've had my run-ins with people who suck the life out of you when you could be spending time ministering to others. The devil uses people like this time and again because the tactic is successful. If there isn't a spiritual vampire in your life right now, there will be down the road. The advantage is in recognizing and discerning who they are through prayer, God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for sharing this.

Linda Kozar said...

Andrea--I just read your post about spiritual vampires and oh, me oh my, I realized how many times I've been "bitten." I've had my run-ins with people who suck the life out of you when you could be spending time ministering to others. The devil uses people like this time and again because the tactic is successful. If there isn't a spiritual vampire in your life right now, there will be down the road. The advantage is in recognizing and discerning who they are through prayer, God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for this spot-on article! As a small group leader in my church, I was burned by a girl with a VS. At the height of the drama, I penned my experience . . .
The Song of the Vampiric Spirit:
"I need you. You can help me. Flatter. Flatter. You are so wise, so spiritual. Not like other people.
Minister to me. Feel sorry for me. I will stroke. Stroke your ego.
I'm such a mess, and maybe you can help me sort it out. Maybe God wants you to help me sort it out. Give me, give me help. Give me advice.
(I won't follow it for too long of course. I'm too addicted to the drama. But I'm going to keep involving you, as long as you will let me).
I will really listen to you at times. That's why I'm attractive. Someone who esteems what you have to say; in a world of people who mostly dont listen or care.
I'll even repeat your words of wisdom from time to time. (A hearer but not a doer. Never real repentance).
And when I rage, I addict you even more. The challenge and nobility of the fight. The rush of the clash. The elation of your apparent victory.
At first you feel like you have me under control. You are coping. You are not being affected . .
. . . but eventually . . . you realise you've given untold hours and energies. For what gain? Yet by now you're determined not to give up. You've invested too much. The soul tie is fierce. The ever-allusive dream of taming the wind. Visions of a day when I'm subdued and transformed.
Oh the aching longing. Often it seems so close; just beyond your fingertips. Maybe just one more round and it will end. When the current crisis resolves, that will be it.
But I have stolen your heart. And as your affection for me increases, it dwindles toward God and others. You are losing interest in all else. I consume your thoughts and emotions. You are mine".

Unknown said...

I was attacked by a vampire in a dream and the key is not to have fear. Fear is satan's greatest weapon. Fear causes anxiety and everyone knows that anxiety causes us to think irrationally. Vampires are really weak. You have to fear them in order for them to win. If you run he will surely consume you. Stand your ground and stay still. Dont fear death. All of us die at some point in life. Life on earth is just a trial of our faith that will decide whether we belong to the world or to god. I have the gift of discernment but i dont shove it down peoples throats. I also can speak to angels, prophecy, and translate the angels voices, that is the gift that jesus gave us. The gift of the holy spirit. The word becomes human but you wont believe me because the pharisees didn't beleive jesus. These gifts are promised to us in 1 corinthians 12 and 13. Do you believe? Do you believe that jesus gave us these gifts? It says in john that moses wrote about his coming. Moses is the judge and jesus is the holy spirit brought down as an example to show us that he who doesnt sin can be given the gifts of the holy spirit. These gifts are used to save others, but only the ones who will listen. The rest will be given over to the sins that they commit. Satan uses sin to baptize people into iniquity because sin causes feelings of inadequacy in the subconcious mind. A fear of rejection, or discernment. A fear of being thought of as lesser than another person. Hurting someones pride by discovering their lies, or sins of lust, sloth, covetousnous, wrath, or pride. Satans most powerful tool is fear. He makes you fear the truth. God will always forgive you. Just as you would always forgive your son or daughter. Revelations is symbolic. It talks about what sins are doing to us in the here and now. All over revelations it says that these things are shortly to come. Every person must suffer these things in order to see the kingdom of god. Dont be afraid. You dont have to hide. A person with the gift of discernment already knows what you are hiding because the angels have told him what you did. They are all around us and always watching us. Dont be afraid of the truth. Embrace it for it will save you. Then no one can call you a liar or a bad person.

Anonymous said...

I Will Not Run Away. I Will Always Stand My Ground. I Will Always Fight Back Spiritually. God Gave Me This World And The Sinners Within It As My Footstool And As My Servants. I Arm Myself With The Holy Christian Bible And Righteousness. If an Hindu wants to attempt to astral project to attack me and drain me in my sleep, I will ask for forgiveness and curse them diligently with my own unique imprecatory psalms! God approves of granting all His Children the ability to lay curses upon all spiritual enemies, just try it! You will feel and witness the effects and the powers God has granted you in the asking of forgiveness and living in righteousness through Jesus! The Word and The Holy Spirit allows and encourages this! Only brothers and sisters In Christ are our neighbours, everyone else is an Anti-Christ! Keep your distance and words away from Arabs, Asians, Africans and Aborigines. Keep your positivity between God and yourself. You may need to act negatively enough to teach these heathens to keep their distance from you. Never accept their "gifts", never touch them, avoid them, if they speak to you ignore them most of the time and shut them down verbally as required. There are even a good number of Albinos who are also Satanist by nature. Always judge people, always stereotype people, always be racist even against your own people if they are unsaved, and always curse those who curse you! If they swear by Satan and his demons, be they from any nation, Quickly Ask God and Jesus for forgiveness for your sins, name them one by one, and Ask the Lord to curse the individual(s) in any way you please! Start with small requests and try out the medium to large imprecatory psalmatory curses to be granted once in a while and they may work as well! Praise be The Lord! Keep On Fighting The Good Fight! Keep asking for forgiveness when you trip! Keep cursing these heathens in the Name of the Lord that they may end their evil ways and Turn to the Christ! Always continue to research your problems and your enemies, continue to read The Holy Christian Bible, related articles, videos, booklets/books and explanations, continue to live rightfully, continually ask for forgiveness as required, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, and curse those through the LORD whomever may try to curse you through Satan! VICTORY THROUGH THE GOD OF ISRAEL, GRACE THROUGH THE KING OF THE JEWS, POWER THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF HIS HOLINESS!