|
14. Question: Are there any stated cautions in the Bible against receiving a counterfeit spirit that is not really the Holy Spirit?
Answer: Yes! For it is written: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 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: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1st John 4:1-3
Now if you will notice, John never said here that every professing Believer who confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. He said “every spirit.” And there is a very big difference between a person confessing by the words of their mouth and a person confessing by the way of their actions. And that which John is teaching us here, is the difference between accepting one’s verbal confession of faith against accepting one’s visible confession of faith. In other words, what does the motivational spirit in their lives confess? For as Jesus said:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20
It’s really a very simple question. Do their lives confess that Jesus has indeed come in the flesh by the supernatural transformation that has taken place in their lives in becoming new creatures in Christ Jesus? Are old things past away? And have they been turned from the power of Satan to the power of God?
Or do their lives and testimonies deny the life changing reality that Jesus has indeed come in the flesh; in that, they are conformed to this world and they are fashioning themselves according to their former lust? Are the sinful things of this world still a part of their lives? And are they still walking under the power of Satan by having a form of godliness but are denying the power thereof?
Remember that we have just read that: “…every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist.” And as we know, John was speaking of worldliness here, in the life of professing Believers because he had already written:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1st John 2:15-19
The Apostle Paul also warns us writing: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4
This phrase "...the simplicity that is in Christ." in the preceding text, means: "a single minded devotion for Christ" and/or "a singleness of heart for Christ." And what Paul is telling us is that if we are not pure from the corruption that is in the world in our motives in coming to and/or serving Christ. Then we are in effect opening ourselves up to being deceived by coming seducers into the reception of another Jesus, another spirit and another gospel that is counterfeit. And we might very well bear with such seducers to the loss of our salvation. This is why it is written:
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" 1st Timothy 4:1-2
Notice that "some shall depart from the faith," meaning that they have left "the faith." And if they have left the faith, that means they are no longer in the faith. Therefore it is indeed possible to fall away and lose one's salvation because without true faith no man shall see God. And yet it is by "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" that such have been thus deceived. Because such as these are said to be: "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron..." So we understand that such have been seduced into a false faith which gives them the illusion of spiritual truth and reality when all the while they are following another Jesus, having received another spirit which has blinded them into accepting another gospel.
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit in the life of a Believer will never lead them to be a partaker in any sinful life style which confesses compromise and conformity with the lustful practices of the world. For such a testimony is not a visible confession that Jesus has indeed come in the flesh. Thus, any spirit which confesses not that Jesus is come in the flesh, is a spirit of antichrist. And our Churches are full of them.
Though the Articles and Poetic Contemplations on this Website are copyrighted, you are most welcome to make printed copies for free distribution only according to these conditions: You must copy them in their entirety, including the copyright notice at the end of each poem along with this notice of permission. Thank You. RemnantLifeMinistries.Net <<<<{{{{((((((((R.L.M.)))))))}}}}>>>> |