… but you are dead

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charismatic movement, church, cults, death, deception, discerning the spirits, exhortation, experience, false revival, following Jesus, heart, leadership, life, mind, RCC, Satan

Just lately I have been preoccupied with a specific religious orientation of Christianity. Not that I had chosen to focus once again on what I had known myself a quarter of a century ago. However, a few people I have known for years were more and more drawn into this kind of charismatic church. It is a modern branch of Christendom that more often than not appeals to younger people who do not like to sit in a pew without moving their body for a long time. If you enter such a church, you will surely meet a group of kind people who extend a warm welcome to you (the welcome team). There is also a variety of modern music presented by what is called the worship team. The bigger the church, the more qualified musicians you will find there. They and the majority of the church members who serve in any kind of ministry don’t work for money, no. Whether it is the welcome team, the kitchen team, the worship team, the child care team, whatever. All these people work for charity’s sake. But this does not apply to the pastor and the whole leadership; they usually live from what the congregation offers up. You know, from tithes and donations…

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Why Positive Thinking Does Not Work

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experience, following Jesus, Gloria Copeland, Joel Osteen, joy, Kenneth Copeland, peace, positive thinking, prosperity gospel, Robert H. Schuller, thought life, Victoria Osteen, Word of Faith

(Picture taken from https://florentflora.files.wordpress.com/2012/02)

Actually, the Bible gave us some good advice as to how we could stay in God’s peace continually. But oh, on our own we might find it pretty difficult to follow what Paul told the Philippians as he said,

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Phil 4:6-9 KJV)

It seems to me that ‘Positive Thinkers’, esp. of the Christian kind, took part of these verses and gave them a completely new meaning they originally did not have. Just giving you a few examples in the form of quotes here.

When the Morning Star rises…

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behavior, discerning the spirits, dreams, feelings, goals, God, God's love, health, Joel Osteen, lies, light, love, mindset, Morning Star, Satan, thought life, thoughts, truth

On the Way between Darkness and Light
(Photo by Susanne Schuberth)

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pt 1:19-21 ESV)

Q: Do we need the Bible?

According to the verses quoted above, the prophetic word of the whole Bible is suitable for giving some light on our path so that we can make the next step toward Him who eventually gives us full-spectrum light. Or in other words,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105 ESV)

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (Jn 8:12 ESV)

So, it appears to be a way…

Spotting Sectarian Spirits

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charismatic, church, doctrine, end time spirit, eschatology, false prophets, false teachers, Jesus Christ, nothing but grace, pentecostal, prosperity gospel, RCC, truth

Some Churches seem to be so “cute” (Painting in watercolors by Susanne Schuberth)

It is not always that easy for us to discover sectarian spirits which, indeed, infiltrated the Church from her very beginning, as the apostle Paul prophesied,

“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30 ESV)

Looking at the RCC, the distortion of Scripture is readily identifiable, since the Spirit of Christ indeed left their leaders, who adhered to the idea that (pagan) tradition could be at eye level with Scripture, long since. Also, adding self-invented sacraments and works to mere faith in Christ, who alone can save us from our sins, was definitely the outcome of listening to evil spirits.

But how can we discern evil spirits masquerading themselves as if coming from the Lord Jesus Christ right at the outset?