Thomas Dabney Tannehill - Testimony for Jesus

Have you ever felt like you were just going through the motions of religion, but the spiritual world felt more like a dark, heavy weight than a source of life? Maybe you’ve experimented with things you shouldn't have—tarot cards, Ouija boards, or even psychedelic drugs—hoping to find a connection to something "more," only to find yourself trapped in a nightmare. It’s a terrifying place to be when the "spiritual" experiences you’re having aren't coming from God, but from the darkness.

Many people today are "confirmed heathens." They know the creeds, they can recite the Lord's Prayer, and they might even sit in a pew every Sunday, but they have no actual relationship with the living Jesus. They have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof. This disconnection leaves a void that we often try to fill with worldly pursuits or dangerous spiritual counterfeits, leading to a life that feels like it’s convulsing under the weight of sin and demonic oppression.

But here is the good news: the Light is stronger than the darkness. There is a way out of the "outer darkness" and into a personal, vibrant relationship with the Creator of the universe. It doesn't happen through religious rituals or self-effort; it happens through a supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit that changes your heart forever.

In today’s post, I’m sharing an incredible testimony from my friend Thomas Dabney Tannahill. His journey from a broken home in Jackson to the drug-fueled "hill" in Boulder, Colorado, is a vivid picture of how Jesus can reach into the deepest pit of demonic activity and pull a soul into His marvelous light. If you feel stuck, bound, or spiritually blind, Thomas’s story is proof that Jesus is still in the business of opening eyes and setting captives free.

The Confirmed Heathen and the Open Door

Thomas grew up in a household where religion and the occult were strangely mixed. While his mother took the family to an Episcopal church, she also allowed tarot cards and Ouija boards into the home. Thomas recalls sensory details of a "Poltergeist" in their house—items sliding across level tables and falling off for no reason. This is exactly what I talk about in my books, blog, and podcasts; when we play with these "toys," we are literally inviting demonic entities to take up residence.

By age 13, Thomas had memorized the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. He went through the ritual of confirmation, but as he puts it, he was just a "confirmed heathen." There was no heart change, no spiritual life. He was a "church Christian" who didn't actually know Christ. This lack of spiritual reality led him straight into the rock band scene, which eventually led to heavy drug use and a move to Colorado.

In Boulder, the air was thick with Eastern religions and swamis. Thomas felt the presence of demons constantly. They would whisper promises of occult power if he would only bow down and worship Satan. Even in his darkness, he had a shred of principle left—likely from those creeds he’d memorized—and he refused. But the door was open, and the enemy was moving in.

The Vision of the Outer Darkness

One night, after taking a drug he couldn't even identify, Thomas had a supernatural experience that changed everything. He describes a scene where he saw himself from above: a body on a bed, convulsing. He saw symbolic visions—wheels on fire, serpents, and candles. Then, the "spotlights" of heaven seemed to shine down, revealing the truth of his condition.

He flashed from that room into a place he describes as "outer darkness," packed with demons "like sardines." It was a moment of total isolation and terror. In that darkness, he realized his thinking was deliberate and clear, but he was utterly lost. He cried out, "Is anybody there?" There was no audible answer, but a realization hit him: God can hear me even if I can't talk.

He made a deal with God: "If you bring me down and get me straight again, I promise I’ll never do this again." Instantly, he was "down." The hallucinations didn't stop immediately—he still saw the walls melting—but he was back in his body. While he didn't keep that promise perfectly right away, the trajectory of his life had been struck by a Divine Hotline.

The Light That Kicks You Down the Road

God often sends men to lead us the rest of the way. Enter Mickey Stevens, an old musician friend who had become a Christian. For nine months, Mickey witnessed to Thomas, answering the "hard questions" that other Christians couldn't. Mickey didn't just give him platitudes; he talked about how Jesus died for sins because nobody else could.

The breaking point came two weeks after Thomas decided to "try" being a Christian on his own strength. He realized he couldn't quit his addictions. He couldn't change his heart. He prayed a raw, honest prayer: "God, I've tried... I can't do it. If you want me to go down that road, you’re going to have to kick me down it."

That night, Thomas woke up to a room filled with supernatural light and glory. He saw his life flash before him—all the "ugly" parts and the sins. But in that light, Jesus was comforting him, telling him it would be alright. He wept for joy. The change was immediate and practical. He told his girlfriend they were stopping their physical relationship until marriage, and the next morning, he moved into a "brother's house" to begin a life of structured discipleship.

Personal Reflections

Listening to Thomas, I couldn't help but see the parallels to my own journey—moving from spiritual counterfeits and the occult into the things of God. Like Thomas, I had to learn that Jesus isn't just a set of rules or a creed to be memorized; He is a Person.

One thing Thomas mentioned really struck me: the struggle between the "cerebral" Christians and the "spiritual" ones. He moved back to Jackson and found himself among "cessationists"—people who believe the supernatural gifts of the Spirit stopped with the Apostles. When he told them God spoke to him, they mocked him, asking if God had a Southern accent.

I’ve learned over the years that the Word and the Spirit must agree. The Spirit wields the Word like a sword. If you have all Spirit and no Word, you're "flaky" and prone to deception. If you have all Word and no Spirit, you're "dry" and lack the power to actually live the life. As Thomas found, you need both. You need to hide the Word in your heart so the Spirit can highlight it and give you revelation.

Biblical References

The Bible is clear that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness. Thomas’s experience with demons and "outer darkness" is a sobering reminder of the reality described in the scriptures.

Jesus spoke often about the "outer darkness" (Matthew 22:13 KJV), a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thomas literally saw a glimpse of this. But he also experienced the promise of Colossians 1:13 KJV: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

His struggle to change himself before his encounter with the Light is a perfect illustration of Romans 7. We want to do good, but we find another law at work in our members. It’s only when we move into Romans 8—the life of the Spirit—that we are set free. As Thomas said, the Spirit of Truth guides us into all truth (John 16:13 KJV). This isn't an intellectual exercise; it's a supernatural guidance.

We must also remember the importance of discernment. Thomas mentioned seeing demons with "long claws" embedded in people's heads while Mickey was preaching. This aligns with Hebrews 5:14 KJV: "But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." We need our spiritual senses exercised to navigate this world.

Key Takeaways

• Religious Ritual is Not Relationship: You can be "confirmed" in a church and still be a "heathen" in your heart. Salvation requires a supernatural new birth.
• The Occult is a Dangerous Door: Ouija boards, tarot cards, and drugs provide "entry" into a spirit realm, but it is a realm of darkness and oppression, not the Holy Spirit.
• God Hears the Cry of the Bound: Even in the midst of a "bad trip" or deep demonic oppression, God can hear the sincere cry of a soul reaching for Him.
• The Word and Spirit Must Lock Together: Revelation comes when the Holy Spirit highlights the written Word of God in your heart. One without the other leads to imbalance.
• Fellowship is Essential: We were designed to live in community. Finding "decent fellowship" is often the key to staying "straight" and growing in the Lord.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Thomas Tannehill’s story is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone. Whether you are trapped in addictions, lost in the "outer darkness" of the occult, or simply bored and dead in a religious ritual, Jesus is ready to "kick you down the road" of righteousness if you will only ask Him.

He wants to move you from knowing about Him to having a personal, spiritual relationship with Him. He is the Light that invades the darkness. If you want to dive deeper into these themes, I highly recommend picking up a copy of my book OPEN YOUR EYES. It deals with these very same issues of the unseen world and how to truly see the Kingdom of God.

Are you ready to stop trying and start trusting? Have you had a supernatural encounter that changed your life? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Action Items

1. Repent and Renounce: If you have any occult items in your home (tarot cards, Ouija boards, etc.), get rid of them immediately and ask Jesus to close those doors.
2. Cry Out Honestly: If you’ve been "trying" to be a Christian and failing, pray Thomas’s prayer: "God, I can't do it. You have to do something."
3. Get "Worded Up": Start reading the New Testament daily. Don't worry if you don't understand it all yet; just get the "sword" into your heart so the Spirit has something to use.
4. Seek Spirit-Filled Fellowship: Find a group of believers who believe in the full power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Bible.
5. Exercise Your Senses: Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes and give you the gift of discerning spirits so you can navigate the supernatural world safely.

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I want to thank you for being in my life. Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher!