Rescued Out of Darkness and Confusion: Robin’sTestimony

September 16, 2013

By Robin Campbell

I was raised in anon-Christian home, and exposed to pagan practices from a very young age. I believed these to be the truth. These practices made me feel special. My friends at the time also influenced me into thinking some of these things were cool to follow.

From about the age of 13, I started practicing astrology, psychic readings, higher consciousness meditation, spirit guides, palm readings, and angel cards, and more. These practices enslaved me. I thought I was in control and that everything happened by random chance. I believed in so many lies like superstitious, and also believed in karma. I thought that bad things would happen to me if I was too negative.

I attempted for many years developing psychic powers and tapping into things that I could not explain. I would tell people whom I didn’t even know about things in their life that I could not have known through normal channels. I would later find out that this information was from demonic powers of darkness. In spite of all this involvement, I was empty and still seeking happiness. I was angry and bitter,and my life was filled with lies and guilt and shame for things I had done. There was even a period of time in my life that getting high and drinking became the norm. I also tried to find fulfillment in things or people, but that never satisfied me.

I felt alone and trapped, and around my late teens and early 20’s, I began meditation and learning about freeing my spirit. I did this by trying to practice a “higher consciousness” and even just thinking more positive thoughts. I read New Ager Eckhart Tolle, medium Sylvia Brown, watched “The Secret” DVD numerous times,tried to live out the so-called Law of Attraction, and sought spirit guides. However,all of these things gave me only a temporary escape. I lived my life trusting in my feelings and my own understanding, taking bits and pieces from different books and religions, like Buddhism. I went as far as trusting in psychics.Again, this brought temporary relief, but soon enough I was back in a vortex of darkness with no light.

Living for myself was depressing. I even tried to be a better person morally, or think more positive and not allow circumstances to control me. I wondered why these things that I had cherished and believed in for years had given me no peace, comfort,or security. There were absolutely no answers to the deep questions I had about life, like why I am here and what happens after I die. I was filled with anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. I was even eager that doctors would diagnose me with some disorder in the hopes that they could fix me. These things were myi dols; they were my God. I was searching for something to free me.

I had no idea that I was enslaved to the lies of the enemy and to my own depravity. I also strongly believed at one point that I was a product of reincarnation. I thought that I was an old soul who had lived over 200 times (I gullibly accepted what a psychic said). I also had an experience in which I felt like a different person in a different era. This was a lie, because Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed for man to die once and then to face judgment.

In 2008, my friend Sharon Ortiz shared her faith with me. That was the first time I had heard the real Gospel message. She pressed the issue of repentance and faith in Christ’s finished work alone. I still thought that I was a pretty good person until God showed me my wickedness and His holiness. As it is written,

“There is none righteous, no, not one,” (Romans3:10).

Sharon and her parents spent much time with me. They shared God’s word with me and answered many questions. It was through the book of Romans that God convicted my heart and I realized I was lost and apart from Him. I started to get an understanding of who the true God is.

I originally came to Christ for relief from my anxiety but learned that the real problem was my need for forgiveness of sins and that I needed a Savior. I repented of my former ways of doing things, and believed in Christ alone to save me.

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” Deut. 18:10-12

I understood that God is holy and that I deserved judgment, and that I was dead in my sins. But praise be to God, He made a way for me through Jesus Christ! I now have peace,security, and hope. I learned that Jesus bore the wrath of God for me, and I now have his righteousness. I am justified by faith alone in Christ alone.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”Romans 8:1, 2

How marvelous!Jesus lived the perfect life that no one can live. Since God is holy, He demands perfection, and He himself is that perfection!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works,so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9