I heard a teaching the other day from a Calvary Chapel pastor and he mentioned 'shadow people'. A lot of times I have a teaching going in by headphones or in the background and sometimes realize I'm not even listening. Every once in a while something is said that really reaches out and grabs me. This reference to shadow people did just that.
I read quite a bit. Believe it or not, I don't read near as much as I used to. I do more bible study and writing now. But when I was reading all the time, I was always drawn to books about the paranormal. I wasn't into ghost chasing or anything like that, but I was always fascinated with things like séances, Ouija boards, ghosts, spirits and things of that sort. I've read every Stephen King book and many Dean Koonce books. The Twilight Zone is probably my favorite TV show. The eerie and strange appeal to me. Maybe we are all that way. I don't know.
I always knew these things were somewhat dangerous to dabble in. I had one experience with a Ouija board when I was a kid and somewhere in my early teens I remember some girls dabbling in séances and witchcraft. I was there but don't remember taking part. I was fascinated but didn't want to get involved in it. Anyway, these things interested me and continue to do so today. So when I heard this discussion about shadow people I needed to know more.
Shadow people are defined as shadow like creatures. They appear as dark forms in the peripheral of people's vision. They appear, disintegrate, move through walls and disappear like smoke. Shadow people aren't like ghosts because they don't have human features, they don't appear with period clothing, and they don't try to communicate. Witnesses have reported being chased or terrorized by them. The encounters typically accompany a feeling of dread.
There are a gazillion stories and testimonies about people seeing these things. Who knows what is true and what isn't. (Only the shadow knows!) It seems that one of the common denominators of many witnesses is drug use. Crystal Meth addicts see shadow people all the time. My first response was 'so what, drug users hallucinate all the time.' But it's rare for a group to hallucinate the same thing. When groups of crystal meth users were together they reported seeing the same gathering of shadow people, moving in the same way, in the same place. They all saw the same number of them.
One recovering meth addict says:
They were so dark that they were blacker than the black in the room and they would sometimes be in groups. Sometimes they had dark clothes hanging like gypsy clothes. He always felt like they needed something from him or wanted something from him, like they were weak.
Another former addict gave this testimony:
I would see what looked like patches of smoke or mist. It seemed there was a person lurking in every shadow, THE SHADOW PEOPLE. I would hear voices and see things that weren't there. The voices were faint whispers faint whispers plotting against me
In looking into this it becomes clear there is a sure link between the shadow people and drug use. I found a couple testimonies where folks weren't drug addicts but they were seeing a doctor for a mental illness. The doctor had given them prescriptions just prior to starting to see shadow people. There is a movement out there in the world that believes the pharmaceutical industry is poisoning us. I'm not hearing and seeing black helicopters on that yet. But a drug is a drug, right. If I start seeing shadow people when I take my blood pressure med, I'm done!!
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Word 'sorcery' is the Greek word Pharmakeia. It means the use of the administering of drugs, poisoning, sorcery, and magical arts. It is often associated with idol worship. It's interesting to note that
So the bible says there is a connection between drug use and the spirit world. The bible clearly tells us we aren't to indulge in these things. The spirit world is real and since we live in a fallen world there are dark things around us all the time. Satan and his demons get to move freely around the earth at this time. I'm sure if we really knew what was going on around us it would really test our faith.
There are a few CC pastors who came out of life of drug abuse. Several attested to seeing demons and being offered power from these evil things. But the message is the same from all of those guys. There is a greater power. That power comes from the Holy Spirit and through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no good reason some of these guys are alive other than God called out to them and they answered. Through the fog they saw a light of hope.
It seems the meth craze is everywhere. I've seen this affect people I never dreamed of. That seems to be the common story. The addiction is strong. The drug removes your ability to reason. The high is attractive and keeps you coming back to find that place again. We use to think drug use was limited to the young and foolish. Not any more. It's a drug that affects every age. And I imagine if we all look around we will find that it is touching a life near you. Are you prepared to deal with that?
Ephesians 6:10-13 says:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
You can call them demons, shadow people, ghosts, goblins, aliens and a host of other things. I believe they all come from the same place. They smell like smoke for a reason! Ephesians tells us these things are real, they are around us and we must be prepared. There is a battle, we are in it. It's not if, but when.
I uploaded the testimony of Mike Mcintosh. It's ten minutes and worth hearing. Go here and listen. Look for "Mike McIntosh Testimony".
You can read the stories of the Calvary Chapel guys here:
Some of this stuff is scary. But the spirit of fear comes from the devil. As a believer you are marked or sealed with the Holy Spirit. This kind of evil may mess with you but it can only do what God allows. If you've been purchased by the blood of Jesus then you are not at the mercy of evil spirits. You serve the All-Powerful God.
Just thinking.
Doug