what does 'selling your soul' mean in john ramirez's account?
ramirez clarifies that you don't literally sell your soul but rather sell your allegiance, time, and devotion to demonic powers; he adds that the soul ultimately belongs to god.
Video Summary
john ramirez, once a high‑ranking warlock, details initiation rites, hierarchy, and the ceremony where he pledged allegiance to demons.
after a terrifying near‑death encounter and a visit from jesus, he renounced witchcraft, was baptized, and now ministers deliverance.
witchcraft operates like a business—using money, fear, and spiritual contracts to control people; many practices create open doors for demons.
christians are urged to renounce past covenants, avoid mixing new‑age practices with faith, and rely on genuine relationship with god.
ramirez clarifies that you don't literally sell your soul but rather sell your allegiance, time, and devotion to demonic powers; he adds that the soul ultimately belongs to god.
after a vivid near‑death experience where jesus intervened, ramirez pursued baptism and discipleship, which he describes as tearing ceremonies from his life and initiating his deliverance.
the testimony describes witchcraft as a business: practitioners charge for rituals, create dependence by diagnosing spiritual problems, and use fear to keep clients returning for costly ceremonies.
ramirez warns against mixing new‑age practices (yoga, crystals, horoscopes), engaging in addictive or immoral behaviors, and failing to renounce past covenants—these can open doors to demonic influence.
"The devil asked me, 'How much do you love me?' I said, 'Of course I love you.' He replied, 'Prove it.'"
"John Ramirez, who is an evangelist, was once a high-ranking warlock in New York City."
"The witch of the town killed my grandpa through witchcraft."
"We brought all the witchcraft stuff with us when we moved to New York City."
"We thought because we had statues and they looked like saints, it was okay to worship them."
“He would take me and my little brothers and turn the whole entire living room into fire, and he passed us through the fire to purify us.”
The speaker recounts how their involvement with witchcraft began at a young age, where rituals included passing through fire for purification.
They mention being sent to a botanica, a witchcraft shop, to collect various ingredients needed for rituals, emphasizing the normalization of their experiences with demons, which they viewed as an ordinary part of life.
“We had demonic people that were demon-possessed that would bring mediums…to bring down powerful deities through their body.”
The speaker describes participating in what they refer to as "demon church," which lasted from the evening until early morning and involved intense rituals conducted by mediums.
These gatherings included learning various ceremonies, rituals, and contracts with demons, where they aimed to gain knowledge and skills to navigate the demonic world, much like a spiritual education.
“I was eight and my mom and my aunt used to tell my mom, we’re going to go to the witch house to get a tarot card reading.”
At age eight, the speaker accompanied their family to a witch for a tarot reading, which marked their entry into the darkness of witchcraft.
The witch perceived special potential in the speaker, leading to a ritual ceremony involving the sacrifice of their mother's furniture to dedicate them to the dark deities, solidifying their involvement with witchcraft from a young age.
“They use numbers like Christians…seven for perfection, five is for grace.”
The speaker further explains how the demonic world mirrors Christianity through the use of numbers and rituals, with specific meanings attached to each.
They detail the various marine spirits and deities related to ocean and river rituals, emphasizing the structure and hierarchy within their practice that mimicked religious frameworks.
“In the demonic world, promotion comes from demons and principalities.”
The speaker notes how rank and promotion within the demonic hierarchy operate differently than in religious contexts, outlining that advancements come from pleasing the demons rather than divine favor.
This emphasized the need to understand and navigate the intricacies of the demonic world, including what behaviors are suitable and what risks surround crossing boundaries established by these entities.
"Every demonic world has layers to get there. It's like climbing stairs until you reach the top, and that's when you sell your soul."
"I was talking to Satan way before I sold my soul."
"The worst ceremony I received was when I sold my soul to the devil."
"You could feel him walking in. The atmosphere changed; everything changed."
"You no longer are who you were; you've been called by a new name."
"The initiation granted me demonic powers and access to the entire demonic world."
"Astral projection is real, but it's a contract with the demon."
"The prayers of the righteous know how to separate the demon from the person."
Astral projection, as described by the ex-warlock, was a practice he engaged in for about 15 years. He recounted losing battles against Christians, highlighting their ability to effectively pray and confront demonic entities. This provided them with a significant advantage in spiritual warfare.
The separation of an individual from their body during astral projection presents a risk where the person may not be able to return, leading to potential spiritual chaos. This situation arises when a demon successfully disrupts the connection between a person and their physical body.
"Witchcraft is really a business."
The ex-warlock outlined how demons leverage money, power, and fear to manipulate individuals, revealing that the rituals and ceremonies associated with witchcraft can be prohibitively expensive.
He recounted paying a substantial amount, around $3,500, to sell his soul, indicating the high costs involved in deepening one's involvement in the demonic realm.
With reference to the costs of rituals, the ex-warlock explained that basic cleansing ceremonies could start at $171, while more elaborate initiations could escalate to as much as $15,000.
"They operate with the spirit of fear."
The ex-warlock described how spiritual healers conduct readings to diagnose spiritual ailments and convince clients of the necessity for cleansing and rituals. These readings focus on past and present events, creating a sense of infallibility and authority that captivates clients.
By accurately detailing an individual’s past and present troubles, the spiritual practitioner instills a powerful fear of future calamities, thereby making them susceptible to continual financial exploitation and manipulation.
The demonic influence often persists even after an individual leaves the practitioner, with the practitioner leveraging these fears to keep their clients returning for costly services.
"I hated them. They weren't my favorite."
Initially, the ex-warlock expressed disdain for Christians, admitting that those who portrayed a lukewarm commitment to their faith were particularly easy targets for witchcraft. His experiences revealed that individuals straddling both the secular and spiritual worlds were more vulnerable to demonic infiltration.
A specific story he shared involved a scenario where he attempted witchcraft against a Christian woman, spurred by a desire to teach her a lesson; however, he encountered unexpected resistance stemming from her faith.
"Her God said to leave her alone."
A pivotal moment in the ex-warlock’s narrative occurred when he received a direct message from the devil about a witchcraft target, indicating that her spiritual protection was too powerful for his efforts to succeed. This acknowledgment of protective divine intervention served as a testament to the efficacy of a believer’s faith.
Despite her involvement in sin, it was her unwavering faith that rendered her immune to the witchcraft aimed at her, demonstrating the strength of spiritual defenses afforded by a genuine commitment to faith.
"She was brought to the feet of Jesus."
A woman was presented to Jesus under mysterious circumstances, which the Bible does not clarify.
It is suggested that she was set up, perhaps having faced a moment of weakness, having made a mistake despite her love for God.
The narrative emphasizes God's mercy, highlighting how His grace prevailed over the situation.
"I hated Christians because the evangelistic was wicked."
The speaker expresses deep resentment towards Christians, attributing this feeling to what they perceive as hypocritical evangelism.
Having experienced a broken family, the speaker felt that some Christians presented themselves as superior to others, damaging the image of Jesus.
Today, the speaker focuses their efforts on evangelism by inviting others to experience God's love rather than criticising their sins or threats of hell.
"Demonic covenants and contracts are the legal rights that you give the devil."
The speaker explains how individuals can unwittingly give the devil legal rights over them through specific lifestyles and behaviors, such as substance abuse or sexual immorality.
Even after salvation, people may need to actively renounce these covenants to prevent the enemy from maintaining a hold over them.
It is pointed out that merely becoming a Christian does not automatically nullify all previous unhealthy ties to demonic influences.
"There are addictions that a person has, right?"
The speaker notes that various modern habits, like smoking or consuming alcohol, can create open doors for demonic influence in Christians' lives.
Watching suggestive content or engaging in borderline inappropriate behavior, such as viewing soft pornography, can also pave the way for demonic interference.
They assert that experiences like having demonic dreams are signs that one is under unwanted spiritual influence and that recognizing these patterns is crucial for deliverance.
"They were in the clubs… there was no difference between them."
The speaker recounts experiences where Christians were indistinguishable from non-believers, especially in environments like clubs and parties.
The absence of distinctive behavior raises questions about the sincerity of their faith and the overall effectiveness of Christian outreach.
They challenge the notion of what it means to be a Christian in today's society, particularly in recreational settings that may contradict Christian values.
"Witches copy everything that the church does."
According to the speaker, demonic counterparts to Christian practices exist, such as fasting and speaking in tongues, reflecting a form of spiritual mimicry.
They draw parallels between the experiences in both realms, highlighting rituals performed in the demonic world that mirror Christian practices, which raises questions about authenticity in spiritual experiences.
The perception of a lack of distinction between the two worlds fuels frustration and confusion about faith and spiritual authority.
"What you did over there was a copycat of what's real here. What you didn't have over there that they have here is my presence."
"Christians that dabble in yoga, burning incense, crystals, and horoscopes are not being disciplined in their faith."
"Trick or treat is saying I'm here to change my identity."
"I had a whole list of hits I was going to put on people."
"I asked the devil permission and the devil said 'You weak people go, you got more power than they do.'"
"The voice of the devil sounds hollow, heavy, filthy, and dirty."
"I felt like between two worlds. I felt like the devil was pulling me this way, and Jesus was pulling me this way."
"I was in this train going hellbound, faster than anything in the world."
"Hell is alive. The ground in hell breathes like a person."
"You’re going to leave me. I gave you power. I loved you like my son."
"When I came back to life, you could feel everything functioning again."
"It was hell on earth because all the witch doctors... got together. We have to kill him."
"I wanted to see how much you love me and trust me. They'll never touch you again."
"I got my deliverance through baptism... The hands of Jesus came into the water and ripped all the ceremonies out of my body."
"A supernatural cry came over me... I was being healed from the inside out."
"None of the Jehovah's Witness came to pray for my mom... The Holy Spirit came into the hospital and touched my mom."
"I need to volunteer for something... What's wrong with cleaning God's house?"
"I was going to write a book, and the pastor challenged me to improve my Christian language."
The speaker shares a personal story about walking with Nicky Cruz, a notable figure in Christian ministry, which serves as a turning point for him.
He recalls how Cruz inspired him to write a book and presented it to his pastor, who focused on the need for appropriate Christian language.
This interaction highlights the importance of mentorship and proper guidance in developing one's voice and message as an author.
"You are putting your life at risk every time you speak about that part of your life."
The speaker discusses the risks of exposing the darkness associated with his past as a warlock, noting ongoing spiritual warfare.
He mentions a significant personal event involving his daughter, who experienced a crisis of faith and suicidal ideation after college.
Through prayer and dedication to God, he was able to support her recovery, illustrating how overcoming dark challenges can lead to personal victories and restoration in relationships.
"Just because I lost my eyesight for one year doesn't mean I lost the fight."
The speaker emphasizes the importance of renouncing past agreements made during his involvement with witchcraft.
He describes the situation where he and his mother formally renounced their past after realizing its impact on their lives.
The consequences of this renouncement were severe; he faced health issues, and his mother battled cancer, showing that breaking free from curses can lead to significant challenges.
Nonetheless, he remained resolute in his commitment to God, demonstrating faith amidst trials and affirming the belief that living for God is paramount despite hardships.
"For years, my life didn't get better after becoming a Christian."
The transition from a high-ranking warlock to a Christian significantly changed the speaker's life, where he faced isolation and financial struggles.
He recalls times of extreme resourcefulness, emphasizing the drastic shift in lifestyle from luxury to frugality.
This period highlighted the misconception that accepting Christ would immediately resolve all life issues, revealing a more complex journey of faith that includes enduring trials and learning resilience.
"I fell in love with Jesus. I only want to go to heaven because He is there."
John Ramirez shares a profound turning point in his life where he transitioned from darkness to light, expressing his love for Jesus as the sole reason for desiring eternal life.
He emphasizes that true happiness comes from the presence of God, noting, "The reason you can't call hell heaven is because it's the absence of God."
Despite facing pain and challenges, Ramirez is committed to fulfilling his purpose on earth, desiring God's approval rather than feeling like a disappointment.
"When you die and leave your body, you have a peace that comes over you."
Ramirez vividly recounts his near-death experience on March 11, 2019, where he felt an immense peace and joy as he left his physical body.
He describes seeing his body from a distance and realizing he was dead, yet instead of despair, he felt a deep connection with God, thinking about all he could still do for Him.
The experience left him feeling both awed and scared; after being revived, he was hesitant to return to the sofa where he had laid down, fearing the experience could repeat.
"I'm not in love with the things I do for God. I'm in love with Him."
Ramirez emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine love for God rather than becoming fixated on religious activities.
He mentions a biblical reference where a church did everything right but lost its "first love," warning against the danger of becoming spiritually complacent.
He practices reminding himself of God's goodness to keep his love for God vibrant and fresh, acknowledging that his life is a testament to God's grace and mercy.
"The devil never gave you the eyesight. I gave it back to you because I had my eye on you."
Ramirez reflects on a challenging period in his past when he lost his sight due to complications from witchcraft. He shares how his sight was restored after a year of blindness, attributing this miracle solely to God, not the devil.
He underscores that many people often give credit to the devil for things that are actually from God, highlighting how God works even in the backgrounds of those who have turned from Him.
Ramirez's past experiences serve as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s love, emphasizing that no matter the depth of one's sins, redemption is always available.
"Your biggest desire is not to be in love with the work you do for God, but to be in love with the God of the work."
This highlights the necessity of having a personal relationship with God rather than being solely focused on religious activities.
John encourages people to recognize that true fulfillment comes from loving God and understanding His purpose for one's life.
"Man, you try everything... but God is not done with you."
John speaks to those who are struggling and have tried various methods to cope with their pain, emphasizing that there is hope and a divine purpose for everyone.
He shares a personal story of loss and trauma, reinforcing that God has a plan for those who feel lost or broken.
"You don't even have to be fancy. All you have to say is, 'Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me for my sins. Be my Lord and Savior.'"
John explains that a heartfelt prayer does not require eloquence or formalities; sincerity is what matters most.
The call to action encourages viewers to invite Jesus into their lives, promising transformative experiences as a result.
"All that stuff disappeared... because he tried Jesus and his life was never the same."
John shares the miraculous transformation of his brother, who overcame his past struggles through faith in Jesus.
This powerful testimony serves as a testament to the life-changing impact of accepting Jesus into one’s heart.
"You can go to johnramirez.org. Everything is there."
John provides details about where viewers can find additional resources, including books and courses geared towards spiritual warfare and personal growth in faith.
He emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship in spiritual development and encourages people to engage with the materials available on his website.