The Maze That I Sometimes See

This is the word that I use to describe some of the things that have taken place within the visible Christian Church within the last four or five decades. There is definitely history involved, in teachings, manifestations and what has transpired during this time. Gotquestions.org has a  quick overview on some of the aspects which you can view here.  To be candid with you, I still haven’t figured all of it out, but I have backed away from some of it, actually a lot of it, because of excesses, false teachings, false prophecies and what I would deem as false manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit, such as “Holy Laughter” and being “slayed in the spirit”, to name but a couple. 

That’s not to say that I don’t believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not still in operation.  I definitely do, but there is a distinct difference between what I believe is God’s power manifested in us through His Holy Spirit, and the power that can be manifested in others that is not of God. I’ve seen both and experienced the former a few times. One is in accordance with God’s Holy Word and the other is clearly not. The former is totally of God and not planned or anticipated, while the other is orchestrated within and through man, according to their own purposes, as a means of authenticating their so called works in the spirit. I believe that Satan is having a field day distorting spiritual truth and spiritual reality.

I’m not here to argue about any of the various judgements that are available to justify the pros or the cons. It’s not even remotely possible to briefly cover just some of what has transpired throughout these last few decades in a singular post. What I do see however, is Satan trying to warp what is real, so that the reality of what is real is moved away from and most of all, discouraged or offset by Satan producing delusionary signs and wonders, that draw many to seek the signs and wonders, rather than trust and have faith in God Himself and His Holy Word. The work and power of God’s Holy Spirit is entirely of God. The minute you start dispensing (commercializing) what is solely God’s sovereignty, you’re running into serious trouble.

There will be some who write me off because of my differing views about the reality of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  I can accept that and I am not offended if you do. In my mind, there are no more Apostles as per the Apostles of the New Testament that Jesus personally gathered together and I personally have never met any modern day Prophets like the Prophets of old. Teachers, for sure, but few and far between. The other gifts as per 1 Corinthians 12:27-29, some yes, some no.

What I do see is Satan taking what is meant for good and distorting it almost beyond recognition. And for the life of me, I cannot understand how anyone can realistically take a good hard look at what is put forward as vibrant Christianity within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement and even remotely correlate it with God’s Holy Word. 

False teachings, false prophecies and false manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit abound and yet there are those who are drawn to it like a moth is drawn to a light on a dark night. The sovereignty and purposes of God are continually violated and it matters not.  One of the flagships of the NAR movement is the website called “The Elijah List” where prophetic words, news and prophecies are propagated 24/7 with hardly a crumb of Biblical discernment being exercised or tested. It’s almost like there is a need within some, to be within the movement that fosters all, to be as God, versus subject to God. The subtly and association with Satan’s words in the Garden of Eden are noteworthy (Genesis 3:5). 

Matthew 7:22-23 NASB
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Lawlessness, that is where God’s ways and thoughts are supplanted or replaced with our own. Satan, as you recall, had/has the same problem (Isaiah 14:12-14).

There is a distinct difference between the thoughts and ways of man (lawlessness), as opposed to the thoughts and ways of God. And God’s thoughts and ways are declared in the whole counsel of His Holy Word, and in the person of His Son, and if we ignore His thoughts and ways, and the warning of His Son, we his sheep, do so at our own peril.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!