Though it may be rare or not talked about that much I am a Spirit-filled Christian that has experienced a long-term haunting that I would like to tell you about. My purpose in telling you about this is that I want to encourage any other Christians (or non-Christians) that may be experiencing paranormal activity, that God still loves you, He has not forsaken you, and He has a plan to set you free completely if you are willing to trust Him and obey His directions for your particular situation.

   Let me give you a little background first in order to help you to better understand my situation. Back in 1997 I moved into the basement apartment of a high rise building and things were fine for a while. But then out of the blue unexplainable things began to happen; like loud bangs on the walls (I had no neighbors on any side of me), things visibly moving on their own, things vanishing and then reappearing, new batteries being drained, being touched at night, strange putrid smells, lights flickering on and off, visible orbs, and just generally a tense feeling like you were not alone anymore. This activity went on for several years, and just when it seemed it would end it would flare up again for no apparent reason.

   Since I was a Christian I did my best to rebuke this activity but still it persisted. I then began to question why this was happening, and especially why this was happening to me as a Christian. I had been active in ministry for many years and I had done a number of deliverance sessions on people but I had never experienced what most people considered a haunting, so I was perplexed to say the least. I began to examine my life wondering if there was some sin that would allow an evil spirit to come in but I really couldn't think of anything serious enough to allow this to happen. I then spoke to the superintendent of the building and he told me that there had been several recent suicides in the building, but the activity that I was experiencing seemed more demonic in nature. So the bottom line was; there did not seem to be any logical reason for this to happen, and I would just have to trust in God.

   I tried calling and emailing people in order to get help, but most people were either too far into the dark side of the paranormal to help, or they were Christians that didn't seem to have a clue about how to handle a haunting (like myself) and who didn't seem to want to get involved. I have to admit I felt embarrassed that this was happening to me as a Christian and I was afraid that Christians would just judge me as though I was secretly playing with a Ouija board behind their back. So in the end it was just me, the Holy Spirit, and God's word that had to face this nasty thing whatever it was. Much of the time I felt very alone, weary, frightened, and helpless. It was tough. Evil spirits seem to relish intimidating humans and making them think that God will not help them. But then the spiritual tide began to change.

   One day while I was doing some work with a roll of duct tape that I had just set down, it literally vanished before my eyes. I had to search all over the house for it again (as I had to do many times before when this would happen), and it turned up behind some boxes in my bedroom closet where I had not been for years. I only had one roll of duct tape like this so it had to be the same roll. At this point, I felt a strong surge of faith and holy indignation rise up from within my spirit and I shouted, "IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST I COMMAND YOU TO LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK!" All at once the house became completely peaceful and serene, and you could sense the presence of angels all around. I had tried this before but this time I did it with God's faith and timing, and it worked. I also smelled the sweet smell of cinnamon all throughout the home. It was a beautiful and wonderful moment.

   The spirit never returned after that and I continued to live in the apartment for many more years without incident. My point in telling you all this is to encourage you that if you are a Christian and you are experiencing paranormal behavior to try not to take it personally and to trust in the Lord as to how to get rid of the problem. Do whatever the Holy Spirit instructs you to do and eventually the spirit will leave. Also, repent of any occult activity and commit yourself afresh to Jesus and His help will come to you. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help from a Spirit-filled ministry that does deliverance. And above all know this, that God has promised that He will never leave or forsake you, so no matter what darkness tries to do in order to intimidate you, know that Jesus Christ is still very much right by your side.

DT 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.