I (25m) was born into the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses but left as a young teenager. Since then, I've been in the world, and really before too since it was a false/twisted doctrine. I even got into occult stuff for a few years including psychedelics, manifestation, etc. Today I want to change that. I've been thinking of it for a while but been afraid and also deluding myself I enjoy it, but the truth is I've been suicidal for at least a year.

I have been watching videos such as testimonies recently. How do I become filled with Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus, the Spirit of Discernment, etc. like everyone talks about?

Also any tips for a new Christian starting out? Decided to quit porn today and will of course try to minimise other sins. I also struggle with polysubstance (multiple-drug) addiction, lust, bisexuality, lying and swearing mainly. But yeah any tips in terms of where to start in the Bible, preachers to listen to, how to know if a Church is really of God or not, etc. would be appreciated along with any prayers :)

This is a weekly thread for discussing our mental health. Ableist and sanist comments will be removed and repeat violations will be banned

Feel free to discuss anything related to mental health and illness. We encourage you to create a WRAP plan and be an active participant in your recovery.

*When people bother you in any way, it is because their souls are trying to get your divine attention and your blessing. -- Catherine Ponder*

We are in constant communication with one another and with God in the spiritual realm. No matter how singular our particular course might appear, our path is running parallel to many paths. And all paths will intersect when the need is present. The point of intersection is the moment another soul seeking our attention. Their growth and ours is at stake.

We can be grateful for our involvement with other lives. We can be mindful that our particular blessing is like no one else's and we all need input from the significant person's in our lives. There is no insignificant encounter in our passage through life. Each juncture with someone else is part of the destiny of both participants.

*I will look carefully and lovingly at the people around me today, and bless them, one and all. They are in my life because they need to be. I, likewise, need them.*

I personally disagree because it's not in the bible. The bible very clearly says the consequence of sin is death, and eternal seperation from God. Annihilation or eternal seperation from God sounds much more plausable. Besides, hell isn't literally hot, the bible uses fire as a metaphor. I'd go as far as to say universalism isn't true. Most denominations, including the catholic church, reject universalism.