False Manifestations
| False manifestations We may be living in the end times and beginning to witness God moving in the earth and His Holy Spirit being revealed, but make no mistake, we are also living in the age of deception. Satan doesn't spend much time at the bars and casino's. He already owns them. Satan and his demonic forces have concentrated a full scale attack on the church, and in the church. New false doctrines and false teachings seem to manifest daily. I have already mentioned prosperity theology and feel good theology in a previous article. There is also a false teaching that has been around for years known as replacement theology. Replacement theology teaches that the church has replaced Israel and they are no longer part of God's divine plan. This is beyond the state of falling into the dogmatic category. God's plan for the Jewish nation and all of mankind is made clear in the scriptures. A few liberal denominations teach that you are saved by grace and seem to overlook the work of the cross. You are saved by grace, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. This generation has also recently witnessed the open declaration and ordainment of homosexual and lesbian ministers. The great apostasy has begun. There have also been reports in Mexico of mother Mary apparitions witnessed by thousands. I can assure you if God wanted create a theophany to reveal Himself it would not be through Mary. She was blessed among women and chosen by God, but there is no mother of heaven! Only the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This vision was not of God. Satan is not so dull, he knows that Mexico is predominantly Catholic and many would be deceived by this apparition. In the same manner, many are being deceived every day. Unfortunately some Christian denominations are too focused primarily on signs and wonders, leaving themselves open for deception as a result. I have witnessed the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and felt the joy only God can give. At the same time I have witnessed false manifestations. The Holy Spirit might visit a church and Satan will come with his date the jezebel spirit in order to deceive, and people will run to the deception. Do not be deceived, you can test the spirits by knowing Biblical truth. The Holy Spirit is just that - HOLY. When the Holy Spirit arrives it's not as if the circus is in town. The Holy Spirit will not seek attention by being loud, distracting and obnoxious. The Holy Spirit is NOT a spirit of confusion. The Holy Spirit is not a spirit that will cause division, but rather unity and edification. People that get loud, babbling, yelling, jerking wildly, this behavior is not the Holy Spirit, but rather jezebel or the flesh. The Holy Spirit does not manifest foolish behavior; however, people filled with the Spirit may often weep and be rendered speechless. Most often, as I have witnessed, the former behavior usually takes place in women and to people that lack Biblical knowledge (spiritual infants). Usually these false manifestations occur in the spiritually immature and after receiving the counterfeit experience they claim to be on a higher spiritual plain. As Christians the scriptures teach us to seek the Holy Spirit, His sanctification, His filling, His gifts, not specific manifestations. And we must remember, Christ said the Holy Spirit testifies about Him (Jesus), not about Himself. Churches that give primary attention to the Holy Spirit (usually emphasising fire, a flame, a dove), giving Him center stage are in danger of erroneous teaching. It may come as a surprise to the more charismatic denominations but similar manifestations have been documented during the 18th century Great Awakening almost 200 years prior to the Azusa street event that birthed Pentecostalism. I believe seeking specific spiritual manifestations, especially as a requirement, can open the door to invite false manifestations, demonic activity and lead to spiritual deception. When the Holy Spirit manifests a deeper presence in the life of a believer, usually the phenomena was not sought. Christians must keep focused on their relationship with God, not gifts, signs, wonders or creation. Priority should be placed on an intimate relationship with our creator and knowing Him. As Christians, we know God by the diligent study of His word, and we must know His word to escape deception. Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2Co 11:13-15) and continues to deceive even the church. There are many who preach in the name of Jesus but a different gospel. Most times the difference is so small many are deceived because they lack Biblical knowledge. I have personally been a witness in a service where people have received gold fillings in their teeth. You may have read about similar events that occurred in Canada. I can testify that this phenomena was anything but Spirit filled. Later I found that this traveling prophet (self proclaimed) believed we had no need for the Bible if we are led by and have the spirit. What I want to know is what spirit did he have? |
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