My brother's apparition obsession

[of_the_rose]

I really need some advice about how to deal with my brother and his new beliefs.
You see, my brother is a devout Roman Catholic.
It's not that my problem is his Catholic beliefs, its his new additional beliefs.
-Its actually quite scary :

You see, my brother started reading about apparitions of Mary and Medjigore sightings.
He is slowly getting sucked in to this culture of intense Mary worship. He is thouroughly convinced that she is appearing to people to give them salvation. He believes that she's the new "ark of the covenant," and the new co-redeemer. And lastly, he wants to spend all of his hard earned money on going to these "holy sites" to be in her presence.

He spends so much time obsessing over Mary, that I'm convinced that he doesnt understand Jesus' sacrifice for us.

I've tried recommending him to read the bible more-but he doesnt take it as God's word.
And I've tried to talk him more about Jesus and how he is saviour-But he in not convinced that Christ's work was enough!

How do I help him come to the real saviour?

 

[Jesuslovesu]

Sister

I am praying for your brother. I would refrence the scripture where Jesus calls those more blessed who hear and act on His words more than His mother.

Luke 11:27

 

[shepherdsgrace]

This is a tough one because when people get caught up in the various supernatural occurences which are not of God then the flesh is excited and eager for more - always more. I would share facts with him. There is some really good material out there concerning these different apparitions and why they cannot be of God. And of course pray that He be enlightened by the Word and Spirit of God. Put your hope in the LOVE of God. He has a way of bringing us to ourselves!

 

[Fellowservant]

Tell him about the Antichrist, book of revelation chapter 13, who also will expect worship from the masses, and that these apparitions could very well be from Satan in order to take his mind off of Christ for his salvation. Then warn him about Idol worship in the Catholic faith.

This Church is not even supposed to make, and or reverence or bow to anything that resembles any form or likeness of anything that is in heaven or on earth. This is forbidden in scripture as Idol worship "second commandment". Try to show him Gods word is Gods word, and he must come to Jesus Christ the Son of God for salvation, and no one else. Or else he will be decieved, and don't hesitate to tell him so. And pray for him...i will add him to my prayer list. But be patient with him, we can win more with sugar than we can with vinegar...


Get him to read the below scripture, Christ says that a man must do the will of the father to be his follower. And not his own will, and certainly not follow his mother, but to follow him.



Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

God bless

 

[of_the_rose]

Thank you for your support!

I have been trying to find material to lead my brother back, to where he should be.
Alot of it seems to have a strong biblical basis to it, which is great.

I once brought up the idea of the antiChrist and how he tries to decieve people, but he seems to be just so certain. He even says that he has the "full package" of the bible AND apparitions which is more complete for him. (even thought the bible clearly doesnt promote any of the false teachings of the apparitions..)
It also really doesnt help when my mother, grandma, and aunts believe in it too.
(they were all brought up on Mary apparitions, and one of my aunts is a Roman Catholic nun).

I think I should just try to be more patient with him, and try to find a gentle way of introducing him to biblical truth.

-The last thing I want is for him to be lead astray to the point of no return!

 

[of_the_rose]

I'm sorry to say that I dont entirely get what that scripture means, or how I would explain it to my brother. Could you re-explain it, please?
-sorry!

 

[shepherdsgrace]

After reading what you had to say about your Catholic background in the family, I would resort to prayer. I would plead the blood of Jesus.....the work of the cross and I would REST in the power and ability of God to break through demonic strongholds. The family ties are so strong that it is going to take more than talk to change your brother's mind. It is going to take GOD! So just seek the Lord and trust in HIM. He is able and willing. And it is for sure that it is God's desire for everything to drive us to Him...Let Him lead you in what to do and what to say. I am sure that He will.

 

[Chad]

Greetings sister,

My family (huge family, devout Mary worshippers) are the same. They drive me crazy with their nonsense belief. I call it nonsense because it is just that, the Lord told us what is truth and what is not. Yet, people choose to walk blindly.

Please read this article:
http://www.talkjesus.com/showthread.php?t=5886

It will show you some common catholic 'doctrine' that that does not line up with Scripture whatsoever. Show it to your brother.

I will pray for him as well.

 

[stephen]

I am praying for you 'of_the_rose' and that is the greatest thing I could do. The following paragraphs are from an article written by Dave Hunt, a godly man. It brought home to me how many R.C. are away from the truth, in Jesus.

Our hearts broke for these poor deceived people arriving at Lourdes in a
continual stream by the thousands each day, many in wheel chairs or on
pallets. As the long line moves slowly through the grotto, where "Mary"
appeared to Bernadette in 1858, hands reach out to caress its walls, hoping
to receive a healing or blessing.

Some are whispering under their breath the
"Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes: 'O immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy,
you are the refuge of sinners, the health of the sick, and the comfort of
the afflicted....By your appearance at the Grotto of Lourdes you made it a
privileged sanctuary where your favors are given to people streaming to it
from the whole world....Therefore I come to you with limitless
confidence....Obtain, O loving Mother...my requests...I will endeavor to
imitate Your virtues, that I may one day share in your glory.'" Mother of
Mercy...refuge of sinners...your glory? What blasphemy!

This Catholic "Mary" is the dominant figure everywhere one turns. Jesus
appears only as a babe in her arms (even in heaven!), hanging on the Cross,
or lifeless on her lap at the foot of the Cross. In the main cathedral,
behind the altar hovers a huge "Mary," with the words, Par Marie à Jésus
["Through Mary to Jesus"]. Yes, Jesus is the acknowledged mediator with God,
but Mary is the only way to Jesus. Any exaltation of Jesus is conspicuously
absent. On hundreds of the stones with which the cathedral has been built
are inscribed praises of and prayers to "Mary."

Throngs of deluded souls, bearing candles of many sizes (purchased nearby at
varying prices), walk the 100 yards or so past the grotto to two rows of
adjoining metal stalls, where candles are put into position and lit with the
flame of another to add to the continual conflagration. Thousands of these
candles burn simultaneously, day and night, the melting wax dripping down
through the grill into metal boxes that are replaced with empty ones and
wheeled back to the factory to be recycled into more candles to make more
money for the Church. Above and behind the candles in each section are
written the words in several languages: in French-Cette lumière prolonge ma
prière ["this light extends my prayer"].

The devout followers of "Mary" can also purchase Masses to be said for one's
"intention" somewhere in the world. Outside the fenced grounds, the town
streets are lined with shops whose cash registers are ringing up sales of
indulgences, crucifixes, and all manner of holy hardware that the Church has
devised for passing on blessings from the "Virgin"-at a price. Among the
biggest sellers are varying sizes of plastic bottles shaped like the "Virgin
Mary" to be filled with water from the sacred spring.

Praying for you

 

[of_the_rose]

Thank you so much for your help/concern. This is really a rough issue.

I will continue to pray for him as much as I can. Thank you very much for you prayers-they are really appreciated. I also thought that Dave Hunt's article was a good read, as well as the Catholic or Christian post here at talkjesus.

When I find material for him-with the intentions of gently exposing the truth to him- I really need to find words that do not come across as an attack on him or strong hate speech. (Even though the same material is plain and fundamental truth to Christ-followers).
Cause if I offend him too much, we will just end up debating, or he will walk away.

But on a positive note, there is some silver lining to this situation. You see, one of his close friends started attending a bible-based Church (also raised Catholic himself), and he has been telling him how increadable the bible's message really is without all of the Chruch doctrine.
I really hope that his friend can be God's hands and feet, and help my brother out somemore.

Once again, thanks!