Stigmata: Is this real?

[Natasha Mayes]

Over the years I have, from time to time, come across a magazine or newspaper article recording insidents of people claiming to be stigmatics. Stigmata is the appearence of Jesus's crusifixion wounds on people. Now I want to ask the question: Is this for real? Does some people realy get afflicted with these wounds or is it just propoganda? These people claim to receive the wounds inflicted by the crown of thorns, wounds through their hands and feet, slashes on their backs and in some extreme cases, even the wound in the side.

[littlesheep88]

What?! I've never heard of such a thing happening. I don't understand, are these people just have these markings on their body out of nowhere?...when they have done nothing to receive these markings? This sounds like some kind of cult-like expression of worship. To my knowledge, nothing like this has been expressed in the Bible. This seems like another attempt to generalize the things of God (and now the wonderful sacrifice of his only begotten son Jesus Christ!?). This is so crazy. I've never heard anything like it..

[Ron Payne]

Remember when Aaron performed miracles in front of Pharaoh as instructed by God, Pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate the miracles. Exodus ch. 7:8-12. God allows this for reasons of His own. The release of the Hebrew slaves was the final result.
What is the reason for the stigmata, it is as others have responded to you when they say: "From the Dark side only."

People who practice this witchcraft WANT to "SEE" evidence of a spiritual nature and God allows demonic forces to give it to them. But God Himself instructs true men and women of God that: "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" and certainly not by sight. As they say: "If you wish to sup with the devil, you must be prepared to pay the price." This is what those who go against God's Word will pay.

To fulfill their wishes God promises to send them strong delusions in order for them to believe the lies.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Isaiah 66:4

The Lord keep you close to His side as you walk down the path He has already prepared for you.
Your brother and friend in Christ
Ron

[Natasha Mayes]

I have done a web search on this phenomenon and an interesting fact to note is that it is mostly people belonging to the Catholic fath that reports these insidents. Apparently it is well documented. I myself do not believe such a thing is from God. i didn't delve too deep either.

[Jared Wells]

I have seen and heard some hype about stigmata. I can find nothing about these "stigmata"in the Holy Bible other than the origional wounds suffered by Christ himself. Either A. I am unaware of scripture relating to stigmata or B. The subject is insignificant

[Mary Munsey]

We can judge such things by: if it leads the people to come and worship the object or person that has the stigmata, it is of the devil. If it leads people to Jesus, it is of God. God can use any sign he wants to, after all, He is God.

[celine martinz]

I agree with Mary, that if the supernatural apparitions and signs lead more to God, they are from God, like the apparations of the Blessed Mother, where thousands and thousands are converted to Christianity and are healed of illnesses miraculously. Many are also drawn to God seeing people afflicted with the stigmata. As Jesus said we judge by the fruits of the tree, whether it is good or evil.Usually only the very good and saintly people are blessed with the stigmata.

[Don Cui]

Miracles do not settle the issue! Remember that Jesus performed many miracles and signs and wonders, but they still Crucified Him. On the other side, cultures which practice black and white magic will often demonstrate various signs in the cultic practices. We see this commonly in 3rd world countries where occult practices exists. The key here is who is getting the glory and which Jesus is being lifted up. Satan produces counterfeit miracles to confuse the believer, but miracles from God are used to draw the unbelievable to Jesus.

[Damask Lewis]

There are many saints in the Roman Catholic Church who experienced the stigmata, among them Padre Pio, a Franciscan priest renowned for his godly and humble ways. He claimed he felt excrutiating pain in these wounds. I read his life story decades ago and recall he was sorely tempted by satan, actually seeing demons in the fles. He appears to have been revered by his fellow priests as a stalwart follower of Jesus, reflecting the love of Jesus throughout his life. He was not an exhibitionist about his stigmata as I recall, bvecause he wore fingerless gloves so that when he was saying mass the bleeding wounds on his hands would not be visible. It's a mystery but I am not convinced it is of satan. Someone shining with the humility and love of Jesus could not be double dealing. As Jesus p;ointed out, one cannot serve two masters. Google his name and have a read.

[Ron Payne]

Hi Damask,
I understand how one might, when reading about a pious priest, feel that because of the priest's piety there could surely be no sorcery in the "stigmata" they experience.

As one looks at the activities of many Roman Catholics, it leaves one with the impression that they are
godly and pious people.

But! Pick out any Roman Catholic Priest and tell him that you are a "Saved, Born Again" Child of God and believe that when you die, you will go straight to heaven, because of your faith in the sacrifice of Christ for your sins.
His answer to you will be: "It is wrong to believe that you are saved and will go to heaven once you die. It is a sin to believe this, as it is a "SIN OF ASSUMPTION". i.e. "You have assumed that you will go to heaven"

They believe this, despite what the Word of God says about the way of salvation. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Act 4:12
Sadly, It also explains why they place such importance on piety. Salvation for them is first by works, Christ is secondary.

This belief that one attains heaven by good works and Christlike behaviour, they know does have flaws, because no one can really be perfect. Therefore they have created the doctrine of Purgatory.
If, one has not been good enough to go to heaven, one will first go to Purgatory (A place of lesser punishment than hell) where one will remain, until he or she has either served their time, or friends and relatives have prayed either to Mother Mary or Jesus on the sinners behalf and asked for intervention that the sinner may be released from Purgatory earlier.)
Think about it! This does away with the cross, because friends, relatives or priests not Christ, can get one out and into heaven because of their prayers.

Having taken the time to explain why the need for piety amongst them, let's get to the original question or concern that these are pious men and there would surely be no sorcery.

Damask, when I read of all that piety displayed by these Priests and Monks, I think of them as simply the blind leading the blind. My question then is: Would not Satan encourage this form of piety by using "stigmata" on "pious' priests to lure people into believing that God is at work and have these poor people believing what they see.. Not realising "that faith is the substance in things not seen." Heb 11:1

It would be far better if we all followed the noble Christians at Berea. Act 17:11 These (The Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

[Paula Olufsen]

Natasha

The question should be, is this the work of God or the work of Satan and the answer should be pretty clear. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, it is the Lord Jesus Christ alone who was slain for the sin of the world. Read Isaiah 53. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Saviour. By His precious blood we are cleansed and made righteous in the sight of God.

Are these people who have these awful things happen to them, born again in to the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the Word of God? These manifestations are not from the Loving God who gave His life so that we might be set free from sin. Absolutely no way!

The Lord God that gave His life for me, heals, makes whole, redeems, calms, assures, gives us a living hope, strengthens us, cleanses us, lifts us up in joy when we are faced with trials and tribulations, is kind, long suffering towards us, is forgiving, is patient. I Corinthians 13.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

May the Lord encourage us with the faithfulness of His word.
Paula

[Charles Burwell]

I have heard of this before and, in my opinion only, cannot believe that such occurances are from God. As has been stated Christ is the One and ONLY one who has paid the penalty for our sins. There was a reference to people having this affliction ( perhaps not the best word) being pious and humble . I have absolutely no way of knowing one way or the other if they were or not.

However Paul says in 2Corinthians12- 15

"B ut what I do , I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity
to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

For such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

And no wonder! FOR SATAN HIMSELF TRANSFORMS HIMSELF INTO AN ANGELS OF LIGHT.

THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES INTO
MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHOSE END WILL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. " (capitals mine)

Am I saying that these 'pious' people were/are ministers of satan? I have no way of knowing that one way or the other. I simply know , as others have stated, that the it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that we come to God. It is the 'fruit of the Spirit ' that bears witness to the indwelling of the Spirit and people can be very sincere and yet be ' sincerely wrong ' .

Does this phenomenon bring people closer to God or to the messenger, as was commented on earlier? This type of
'sign' or 'wonder' is the very thing Christ spoke against ( Matthew 12: 38 - 42 ). If it takes something like this ( stigmata or any other sign )to bring someone to Christ then what is the Spirits mission? Jesus rebuked the people for looking for 'signs' and 'wonders' as evidence of the truth of the gospel and instead guided their thinking back to Himself by telling them that the only sign they need will be Him rising from the dead and that can be experienced only through faith and the Holy Spirit's enlightening.

Anytime something brings attention to a man , for whatever reason, it turns our full attention from the grace of God alone in our walk and this , again in my opinion , can never be a good thing.

As far as the 'apparitions of Mary' , I feel that the bible speaks clearly on that

I Timothy 2:5 - " For there is one God and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.'

and in Hebrews 4: 14-16 it states

" Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens , JESUS THE SON OF GOD, let us hold fast our profession.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as are,
yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

There is no indication that there is any other 'mediator' except Christ Jesus, or that there is any 'need' for any other 'mediator than Jesus.

While we are encourage to pray for ourselves and one another there is no scripture to indicate that our prayer will go or will 'need' to go through any other that Jesus Himself. Although scripture states that the Spirit interceeds for us also
( Romans 8:26 - 27 ).

This is simply how I see things. There is no intention to offend , but I will also not be persuaded otherwise as I feel the scriptures support my opinion and I need no other confirmation

God bless you all and may He give you a greater vision and awareness of Himself through the scriptures and the working of His Spirit.

In His service

[Paula Olufsen]

Thank you Charles. Thank you. According to the Scriptures, you've spoken and encouraged and corrected.

Isaiah 8:20 (King James Version)

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.