Try the spirits whether they are of God (1 Jn. 4:1) “…and Believe not every spirit”. All people are commanded to examine all spiritual things with our critical faculties to see if the Word of God being presented. There are evil spirits that can produce paranormal phenomena therefore we are exhorted by the Scripture to prove the spirits or test the spirits; prove all things; hold fast only to that which is good.
Proving all things requires the use of our reasoning and understanding but we cannot rely only on our intellect. We cannot be swayed by our inward feelings but we can trust the illumination and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Moreover, the greatest principle concerning the testing of spirits are the Scriptures themselves because the Bible is the Truth. (1 Cor. 12:3), “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit God calleth Jesus accused: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost”. The is the supreme test of discerning spiritual things.
John, said the same thing: “Hereby know ye the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God,” (l Jn. 4:23).
SIGNS OF HIS COMING
(Matthew 24:34), “While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Be careful that no man misleads you.”
This exchange is highly instructive as the disciples asked Jesus for THE sign of His coming and of the accompanying End of the Age and Jesus gave them many signs. When a person gives a complex answer to any question, he is likely to prioritize the answers, beginning with the most important. In this case, the first sign Jesus gave was to warn of the unparalleled deception of the Christian believer the hallmark characteristic of the End of the Age is unparalleled deception.
(Matt. 24:11), “And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.”
We should expect false “Christian” leaders to arise, to give false assurances to Christians and lead them astray. The fact that we are seeing such a huge number of just such false leaders calling themselves “Christian” is proof positive that we are living in the Last Days of Time.
(Matt. 24:24)”For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
This last warning even gives us the clue that such false “Christian” ministries and ministers will be able to perform many of the same “lying signs and wonders” foretold of the Antichrist. Such false ministers will employ great power, but it will be the power of the occult, and will be exercised for the express purpose of leading both believer and unbeliever astray.
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At first, I thought it was just my flesh. But soon I recognized it was the Lord telling me to leave the church I had attended for a couple of years. I wasn’t growing; it was time to leave and I had no place to go. I’m up in age now with questionable means of transportation since I no longer drive. So I talked to my Father about it and asked Him to find a place for me. Little did I know when He introduced me to Pastor Pat that there was such a place as Miracle Internet Church! I hadn’t even dreamed of such (Ephesians 3:20).
We have to praise the Lord for Miracle Internet Church! Here is one unusual fellowship where one can learn who they are in-Christ; what authority and power He has entrusted to His followers (Luke 10:19) and how it is to be applied. Praise the Lord!!! Moreover, Miracle Internet Church provides opportunity to put these powerful blessings into practice, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Sincere people, honest in their desire to follow Christ, are wandering away from luke-warm, powerless churches, often with no place to go. But they have become bored, unfulfilled and discouraged with routine performances which yet leave them unequipped to defend themselves and their loved ones when the enemy strikes. Not having been taught the things they need to know, these unwary Christians often walk into an heretical snare. Not so at Miracle Internet Church where we get the real deal; and plenty of it. We are well fed, in Jesus’ name.
This article is so true. There is a need for discernment in our churches. My wife and I recently withdrew from a church in Ohio that we were members of for 13 years. It was once a strong Bible-believing and preaching ministry. Over a period of time, we noticed radical changes taking place that didn’t feel right. That church began to allow “christian” concerts, karate (power team) and comedians to come and “minister” at the church. That church has also adopted one of the “Seeker Friendly” models to help spark numerical growth. We could no longer be a part of this “church”. I’m talking about a national ministry in which if I named the Pastor (and I won’t) you would fall out of your chair as you read this. I’m grieved as people are being taught that they cannot leave their “covering” and if they do it will open the door to calamity, while at the same time these “leaders” are leading them into apostasy. I once respected the leadesrship of this “church” but not anymore. I believe that scripture warns us to leave “churches” like this instead of staying and “believing” for them to change and go back to the truth.