Missteps

1. Lying spirits: teaching

 - (Eph 2:2) Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

- (2 Cor 4:4) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.

- (2 Cor 11:13,14) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Many missteps are caused by the actions of false spirits. Honest souls may be deceived because of a lack of recognition of imitation of God's work and false guidance. We do not take into account that no one immediately after being reborn receives a complete understanding of God, Satan, and the principles of divine guidance. We may also be mistaken because we do not know how God works and because we do not take seriously warnings about the prince of the power of the air, false spirits, and also false prophets, even though the Bible teaches about these things.

Lying spirits can operate under the shell of Christianity

Sometimes it's really hard to tell which activity is from God and which isn't. Is it the Holy Spirit of God or false spirits that work through man? This means that the message we are hearing may sound fully Christian: the information provided may be correct and biblical, but the underlying source of the message is a false spirit.Such false anointing is evidenced by the following examples. They describe two trance preachers, who referred to God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost and gave supernatural information. However, the power behind them was evil:

One illiterate woman was the sleep preacher Ovaskainen. People came to hear her in great numbers. That sleep preacher spirit always came to her every day, around 5 p.m. I went to hear to find out if that activity was from God. When I arrived at her home, people had already filled the room. The sleep preacher girl was behind the table and when the clock came to five, she came under the power, said the verse number and so the song began. When the song was over, it looked like the girl browsed through a large Bible. She read the text. Her voice was unnatural, like that of an old priest. The beginning of the sermon was like this: "The soul is a white ball that the Holy Spirit carries in the palm of his hand before the Father's mercy seat.

    But now God intervened. The Spirit of God urged me to deny the spirit working in the girl with these words: "Be still, spirit, and survive, woman!" The girl woke up from hibernation and stopped talking. Usually she had been talking for half an hour. People were wondering why she didn't speak more. I held the normal spiritual meeting and the people returned to their homes. A few more times after this the girl had spoken, but no more. She had said that it was good when that spirit left me when it troubled me. Here's how the Lord fulfilled His promises: ”they shall cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). ”These signs shall follow them that believe.” - After that, this daughter married a widower. (1)

A young, curly-haired sleep preacher appeared at Rautavaara. When I heard about her, I went to hear her myself... I went inside, maybe in the second or third pew from the front. The prophet begins to enter an ecstatic state and begins to bless and distribute crowns of life to unsaved people. Then I understood that it was not from God, because the Bible says: "Woe to him who justifies the wicked." To someone it said: "You are a murderer, you have expelled your fetus." Then the sleep preacher came to an older man, almost grabbed his hair and said, “You practitioner of the sin of homosexuality!” The man was ashamed, went out and did not come to faith any more than the killer of his child. Now I understood even better that God's Spirit does not dishonor souls and give gossip aunts a reason to speak evil.

    The Spirit of God is, admittedly, the Spirit of knowledge, but tactful, does not desecrate the soul. When Peter talked on the day of Pentecost, he did not name people's sins; nevertheless, the Holy Spirit acted in such a way that the listening people received a sting in their hearts and came and confessed their sins themselves. Such is the action of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:36-48. (2)

Lying spirits alter biblical teaching, adding something to it or removing something essential 

- (Rom 16:17,18) Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

- (1 Tim 1:3,4) As I sought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

- (Acts 20:29,30) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

The activity of false spirits can be related to teaching that becomes distorted. During the time of the early church, correct doctrine and teaching was not just a small matter that could be forgotten if necessary, but was held in high esteem. A correct understanding of the Gospel was a condition for people to be saved. If it were rejected, people would not know what Jesus has done for them and how they can receive grace through him. That is why it was important to preserve the purity of the gospel in all preaching work and teaching.

    Despite everything, already during the early church there were false teachers and false apostles, who tried to distort the gospel. Even then, the congregation had to fight against such teachings that turned people's minds away from God and Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Jesus and the apostles prophesied that false prophets would come and people would be misguided after the apostles would have stopped their activities. Some of the prophecies are especially focused on the last days.

   The following quote is related to the topic. It is part of a prophecy received by Stanley Frodsham in 1965, and it is about misguidance. Many people who misguide others can at first say the right things but at some point their message becomes distorted. At that point, it becomes apparent that they are not of us (1 John 2:19: 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.). We see that they are being guided by a false spirit. This spirit is trying to turn people’s minds away from God and Jesus Christ.

"Beware of deceivers. Do you think that a deceiver will invent a new heresy and brag about it? He speaks words of righteousness and truth and appears as an apostle and herald of light. This is how to win people's hearts. Only when people's hearts are won, they present their own doctrines and lead people astray. Then people say: 'Didn't he say so and so? And didn't we check his teachings on the Word? That is why he is a righteous pastor. Although this teaching of his is not in the Word of God, it must be right because what he spoke before was also true.'

    "Don't be fooled. For the deceiver first wins the hearts of many and only then presents his insidious doctrine. At the beginning of their teaching, you cannot distinguish between those who are of Me and those who are not of Me. But seek Me constantly, so that when these begin to teach their insidious doctrines, you will be assured within yourselves that they are not of Me...

    "A righteous teacher is like this: his life proves his words to be true, and from his lips comes only the truth, not a mixture of truth and falsehood. When there is a mixture of truth and falsehood, you know that he is not a righteous worker. Misleaders speak first truth and then delusion to cover their own sins, which they love…” (3)

So, one indication of the activity of false spirits is false teaching. It means that something is taken away from the teaching of the Bible - for example, the incarnation, divinity, virgin birth and resurrection of Jesus - or something is added to it. Often new doctrines begin by revelation or voice; someone sees a vision or hears a voice and it leads to those teachings. Many Christian cults and sects have started in this way, but they deny important basic doctrines.

Teaching about God: speaking of many gods, the divinity of everything, or misrepresenting God's character

Teaching about God can vary, e.g. in the following ways:

• It is talked about many gods, although according to the Bible there is only one God:

- (1 Tim 1:17) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

- (Isaiah 45:21) Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time?  have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.

- (Isaiah 46:9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

• It is talked about the divinity of everything (New Age, Hinduism), even though the Bible teaches that God is separate from His creation and that He Himself created it:

- (Gen 1:1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

- (Rev 4:11) You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

- (Rev 10:5,6) And the angel which I saw stand on the sea and on the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

6 And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer

- (Rev 14:7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

• Wrong teaching about the nature of God. He is considered just a mere love or a stern judge, but the Bible teaches that there are both sides to Him. He is a loving God who wants all people to be saved and a merciful Father for those who turn to Him. But He is also a righteous judge who does not forgive unrepentant people:

- (1 John 4:8) He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

- (2 Cor 1:3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort

- (Rom 1:18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

- (1 John 1:5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Teaching about Jesus: denying Jesus' atonement, the divinity of Jesus, and other essential matters

Many heresies feature "another Jesus" (2 Cor 11:4). They deny or distort important teachings related to Him. Here are some examples:

• Many heretical movements deny Jesus' work of atonement for us and that only through Him can we be saved. They can present many ways of salvation or that salvation is only possible in their group (e.g. Jehovah's Witnesses). It goes against many verses in the Bible:

- (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (Acts 4:11,12) This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

• The divinity of Jesus is tried to be denied in heretical movements. They can talk about the cosmic Christ, the attainment of Christ-consciousness, or Jesus is considered only as a prophet, a teacher and an ordinary person, but not as God and God's only Son who came from heaven. Or we may be taught that He is one of many masters, of which there are many. He is brought down to the level of others. There is no understanding of His unique significance, His divinity, and that He has come from the Father, from heaven.

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

• About the coming of Jesus, there have been and usually are two types of false teaching. In the first teaching, exact times are set for his coming, even though the Bible forbids this. Another teaching is that he has already arrived secretly. That is also contrary to Jesus' own teaching.

- (Matt 24:27-30) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Why if they shall say to you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wherever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

- (Matt 24:36,37,42) But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

42 Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.

• One false teaching is to nominally accept Jesus' work of salvation and atonement for us, but then say that it alone is not enough (Acts 15:1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.) It is said that some prescribed rituals or complete surrender are required, otherwise God will not give His grace and approval. Salvation depends on the change that takes place in a person.

    The following testimony of a former member of the Unification Church describes the wrong legalistic teaching. In the movement it was believed that Jesus' work of atonement was not perfect, and that man had to influence salvation with his actions. In the end, this person realized that it is impossible and that a person can be forgiven all his sins at once through the atonement of Jesus. This is the only way for every person, because everyone is sinful and imperfect in himself.

A person joining the Moonism had to give up everything and concede that the leader of the movement, Sun Myung Moon, was the new messiah. To be ready to do anything and go wherever the leaders ordered.

    All property, all time, all that was had to be sacrificed for the sake of the movement. Those who were married had to dissolve their union. It was not allowed to get married or date again until Moon himself had chosen a spouse and blessed the new union.

   There were very strict rules about dressing. Everything was clearly defined, starting from how long your sideburns could be.

    The purpose of all this was to save oneself, to atone for one's sins, to achieve spiritual perfection. In it, you had to fast, pray, give, completely sacrifice yourself for the movement, even to the point of death. All this, according to the Moonians, is the correction of Jesus' failed work of salvation.

... Finally I realized that man is so sinful, so utterly unworthy before God, that no one is able to purify himself. Moon answered the question of sin by simply doing and suffering. Jesus responded with love. He came to die for the sins of mankind, to give himself as a ransom. When I realized this, I was about to jump and bounce and ask if it's really like this!

    At first I had done everything I could to save myself and finally found it to be  pursuit of the wind. Then comes someone who has done everything for me!

    It was a great thing for the former Moonian. (4)

• About the death of Jesus may have been taught in a different way than what the Bible says about it. According to the so-called JDS-doctrine, Jesus' work of salvation did not realized until in hell. According to it, Jesus first became a sinner by nature when he died, then he went to hell where He was justified, and after that He defeated Satan and his forces and solved the sin issue. The focus of salvation has been shifted from the cross to hell.

    However, we find numerous evidences of how Jesus' work of atonement and defeating Satan already took place on the cross, not in hell. He said on the cross “It is finished”. He promised the robber entry to paradise on the same day. The curtain of the temple tore, showing the way to God already at the time of Jesus' death and not, for example, three days later. In addition, there are other verses that show that the atonement took place in the sacrifice of Jesus' body on the cross and not in hell:

- (John 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

- (Luke 23:42,43) And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, To day shall you be with me in paradise.

- (Mark 15:37-39) And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38 And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.

39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

- (Hebr 10:19,20) Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

- (Hebr 2:14) For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

- (Col 2:13,14) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

- (Col 1:19-22) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and unreproveable in his sight:

- (Eph 2:15,16) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

- (1 Cor 1:17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Teaching about man: focusing on human inner resources or divinity

The teaching about man in false revelations is different from the teaching of the Bible. It is common for them to emphasize a person's internal resources or even divinity: "there is something more in you and you should be aware of it". This is a common teaching in Hinduism and New Age type religions. They deny man's sinful nature and depravity, and how he needs salvation from the outside, i.e. from the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

    However, understanding our own sinfulness and inadequacy is the key to salvation. When we understand that and turn to God through Jesus Christ, we can have a connection with God in heaven and the forgiveness of sins. The following verses talk about original sin and man's sinfulness before God. None of us is perfect in ourselves and that is why we need the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.

- (Rom 5:12) Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned

- (1 John 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

- (Rom 3:23,24) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Teaching about afterlife: teaching reincarnation, that a person has a chance to be saved after death, or completely denying the existence of damnation

False spirits teach differently about life after death. It means teaching about reincarnation, that a person has a chance to be saved after death, or completely denying the existence of hell. However, the Bible teaches that we only have one life, after which there will be judgment. Furthermore, it teaches that if we have not received Jesus Christ as our Savior during this life, we will go to eternal hell, which is not mere nothingness but a place of punishment for unrepentant sinners.

- (Hebr 9:27) And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment

- (Matt 8:11,12) And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Morality: denying the moral teachings of Jesus and the apostles, or reducing evil to a mere illusion

Legalistic teaching, which presents a harsh and demanding image of God, and which emphasizes the effect of works in achieving salvation, is one indication of false teaching. It does not clearly show God's grace through Jesus Christ.

    Another extreme and indication of the influence of lying spirits is also the rejection of biblical morality. The sense of right and wrong is lost, and evil becomes just an illusion. This teaching is common in Hinduism and New Age religions but also in Christian cults. In them, sinful behavior – especially extramarital affairs and homosexuality – may be considered acceptable and reasonable, as long as it feels good. There is no difference between right and wrong, good and evil (Isaiah 5:20 Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!) It is not understood that sin and impenitence lead a person to separation from God and ultimately to hell:

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Rev 22:14,15) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

- (Luke 13:1-5) There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all men that dwelled in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Lawlessness

Deviant movements are characterized by immorality. Another similar feature in them may be lawlessness, anarchy and neglect of family relations. However, the Bible teaches a lot about these things. It talks about obeying authority, obeying laws, and if someone does not take care of his family, such a person has abandoned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. In addition, it is taught that one must respect the king, the employer (1 Tim 6:1), the parents and the elders of the church (1 Tim 5:17). These are good guidelines to follow. The only exception to them can be a situation where the superior authority urges you to do something wrong. Then you should obey God more than people (Acts 5:29). Fortunately, such situations are rare.

- (Rom 13:1,2) Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

- (Pro 24:21,22) My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?

- (1 Peter 2:13,14,17) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or to governors, as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

- (Ex 20:13) You shall not kill.

- (1 Tim 5:8) But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

The other side of the issue is that the leader must not abuse his power - something that occurs in many cults. True shepherding in the church is not lust for power and dominating people, but being an example and helping people find their place in the spiritual field. If we drift away from this, we will go astray.

- (1 Peter 5:1-5) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.

5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

- (2 Cor 1:24) Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

The following example shows how one can go astray in a biblical matter in itself. Right leadership and respect is a good thing, but it has to happen at the right level, otherwise we go away from God's purpose. Common sense is needed in this area to know how to stay within the right limits.

In my view, a discipleship movement got out of control in the church in the 1970s, and obedience to leaders was thrown out of balance. The parishioners asked the pastors if they could take a vacation, buy a certain brand of car or make some other big purchase or marry a certain person. I wasn't involved then, so I don't know exactly how far the matter went then, but some who were involved have said that the activity eventually became unbiblical. (5)

False teaching about prosperity

The wrong teaching about prosperity has led many astray. It may have been said that if a person turns to God, all their problems will be solved immediately. He is healed, receives worldly mammon and through positive confession can ward off all trials, sufferings, shortcomings and financial difficulties. Or if that doesn't happen, there's something wrong with his faith.

    However, this doctrine distorts the teaching of the Bible and can be similar kind of burden as legalistic teaching. It is true that God can bless materially, heal the body and do other good things, but it is wrong to emphasize success only in material things. We should seek God, not only because of the blessings, but even when we do not experience them.

    Many examples from the Bible and practical life show that people do not always get rid of their problems. For example, Paul often had to suffer, live in want and starve (1 Cor 4:11-14, 2 Cor 11:26-30). The fault was certainly not in his confession or unbelief, but that God allowed these things into his life. As a result, he learned to live in all kinds of conditions.

- (Phil 4:11-13) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

For others, money or specifically the desire for money can also be a stumbling block. There is nothing wrong with money and possessions in themselves, but it is worth asking where our treasure is if we need luxurious apartments, luxurious cars, expensive suits or a luxurious lifestyle.

    This does not give a very reliable picture to the world, and it easily shows that our treasure is only in this world. Much has been written in the Bible on the subject:

- (Matt 19:21-23) Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus to his disciples, Truly I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

- (Matt 6:19-21) Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

- (1 Tim 6:6-10) But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

- (1 Tim 6: 17-19) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

- (Rom 12:16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

2. Lying spirits: guidance

False spirits can lead a person astray in the area of guidance and give false gifts that resemble God's grace gifts and are difficult to distinguish from the real ones. In this chapter, we will highlight a few signs that are related to the activities of false spirits.

Lying spirits lead a person into sin

If a person is under the influence of lying spirits, they lead him to depravity and to accept actions that are wrong before God. The Holy Spirit wants to bring purity into our lives, but demons work in the opposite way. They make a person abandon their spouse - "because this is not spiritual enough" - or accept actions that are clearly against God's will:

I know married people, including Spirit-filled Christians, who believe that God has led them into extramarital affairs. They were so blinded by their love and longing and claimed that they prayed to God to guide them step by step. At some point in their journey, they must have listened to another voice. God's Word is very clear and simple, and God does not change His principles. Adultery is a sin. God would never lead anyone to sin. (6)

Many wrong relationships have started from soul care, when people of the opposite sex have confided in each other in situations where no one else has been involved. It has led to a fall. However, the Bible advises that it is primarily women who should help other women with their marital problems, not men. Or if that is not possible, such a discussion should take place in public spaces where others are present. We should strive for this.

- (Tit 2:1-5) But speak you the things which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Lying spirits exalt man

They make him think that he is a special recipient, higher and more advanced than others, or chosen for some great and important task that no one else has. They make a person complacent and to imagine that he is closer to God than others. Instead, God does the opposite and leads us to see that we are nothing in ourselves. He wants us to value ourselves in a healthy way, but to hold others in higher esteem (Phil 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.). If a person emphasizes his own greatness and infallibility, he is under deception.

These deluding spirits appeal to man's pride. One of the greatest sorrows in my ministry has been to see how some leaders who had been operating in the genuine anointing of the Spirit and were powerfully used by the Lord suddenly changed because they had been exposed to the influence of misleading spirits. Suddenly their former humility disappeared, and pride reared its head in them, which in time weakened their ministry. (7)

The reason for pride is usually that we haven't experienced enough failures. When a person experiences them and realizes that he is not capable of anything himself, the danger of boasting is lower. He knows that if he experiences success and big wins at work, it is not his own merit or talent, but God's blessing. He has noticed his own limits and knows that success is not only up to him.

   On the other hand, a young Christian who has not yet experienced failure and powerlessness is in greater danger because of success. He can't deal with it in the right way and instead takes pride in it. That's why Paul warned that a newly converted person is not very well suited to the office of overseer of the church (1 Tim 3:6,7: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.). The greatest falls have always occurred after great victories:

Saying this, Wisdom pulled me forward, as if saving me from something. I looked back and saw that even though I had been on the broad "Galatians two twenty" level, I had drifted right to the edge without even knowing it. I had come very close to falling off the mountain. I looked into the eyes of Wisdom again, and He said with utmost seriousness: “When you think you are standing, see that you do not fall. In this life, you can fall from any level.”

   I thought about this for a long time. I had become careless because of the great victory we were about to achieve and because of the closeness of my brothers. It was nobler to fall because of an enemy raid than because of carelessness. (8)

Passivity of mind and body does not belong to true guidance

Passivity is the state that false spirits require to operate. They need the person to be like an automaton through which they act. Good examples are automatic writers and mediums who may be in a trance state and not even know what messages they are conveying. To reach this state, they have usually practiced passive meditation, clearing the mind, breathing and relaxation exercises, or listening to mystical new age music. The result has been an empty mind and a passive state that has led to the activities of false spirits.

    Instead, God never wants man to empty his mind, suppress his consciousness, or be like an automaton and in a passive state of death, so that God can work and "flow" through him or speak to him. This is a completely wrong idea and against God's way of working. He expects us to actively seek Him, to keep our minds fresh and alert, and to be in full strength of soul and body. He never displaces our personality, walks over us, or "takes over" our body in such a way that our own will and mind is aloof and inactive. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, there are no passives either, but the person himself/herself wills, loves, speaks, makes decisions, evaluates everything, prays to God in heaven and speaks in tongues. Often when the Holy Spirit acts, it is difficult to notice what is from Him and what is from the person himself.

About six months after his rescue, Ron was asked to attend a youth revival camp. He went there and thoroughly enjoyed his weekend. It was a good camp except for one thing; there was wrongly taught about the fullness of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the last, very emotional part of the camp, an invitation was given to all those who wanted to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Of course Ron wanted it, so he went to the altar to pray. Unfortunately, the people who came before the altar were told to raise their hands, then shake their hands and arms to relax them, and then completely stop controlling them, and then empty their minds and surrender control of their minds and bodies to the "Holy Spirit." They were told that if they did this, the Holy Spirit would be free to come upon them and take full control. Ron was too young a Christian to understand the fallacy of such a teaching, so he tried to follow the instructions to the best of his ability.

    Ron said that as he tried to relax his hands and arms and clear his mind of thoughts, he suddenly felt someone grab his hands. He then felt a charge of energy travel down his arms and further into his stomach with such force that it threw him backwards. He felt like there was a ball of fire in his stomach that spread to his chest and he began to speak in tongues. He was extremely happy and he returned home from the camp thinking that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, Ron had fulfilled the conditions for getting a demon by emptying his mind and surrendering control of his body.

    Shortly after camp, someone gave Ron a book called: "How to Hear the Lord Speak to You?" This book taught that a Christian must empty his mind of all thoughts and wait quietly on the Lord so that the Holy Spirit can speak to him. This is of course a complete mistake, but Ron accepted it as the truth because that was how he had started speaking in tongues at the camp meeting. As Ron practiced emptying his mind, he soon learned it and many times experienced emotional ecstasy that he interpreted as the presence of the Lord. During these moments of contemplation, Ron received three spirit guides. What would you imagine them naming themselves? Of course "Father, Son and Holy Spirit"! By what other name would demonic spirit guides call themselves when talking to a Christian! Of course Ron didn't realize that in reality these were demonic spirit guides. He imagined he was hearing the Lord speak and had long conversations with him and these spirits gave him many instructions. However, Ron should have realized that he was not hearing the true Lord, as these spirits began to lead him into sin. They told Ron that he was in a "special position" and they twisted and turned the word of the Bible to allow all kinds of sins that were completely against the commandments of God. (9)

Increasing compulsion demonstrates the operation of lying spirits

When a person is driven by a force that compels him to do things against his basic nature, it is the pressure of evil spirits. Forced swearing or incitement to murder and suicide are common. In the same way, lying spirits can pressure a person (including Christians) into actions that lead nowhere, that put a person in a bad light and spoil his testimony in the eyes of others. It includes forced public confessions, testimonies, or “prophecies” that a person must utter in order to experience liberation. However, proper confession of sin is never forced, but should be done voluntarily and only to God or to those who have been transgressed against. Compulsive public confessions should be watched out and avoided.

    God's action differs from the previous one in that he never forces man but calls him. If we are filled with the Spirit, even then we are not forced to do something against our will, but we can always restrain our speech and behavior. Whenever we experience pressure and simultaneous anxiety, it is necessary to resist it in the name of Jesus Christ:

- (1 Peter 5:8,9) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.

Obedience to voices. A person may hear voices or promptings they assume to be from God

A person may hear voices or promptings that they think are from God. He does not take into account that there is another source from which messages can be received: Satan and the evil spirit world. It is possible that they will mislead a person if he is not careful. Voices and guidance from the evil spirit world are characterized by the following factors:

• They make a person brag about a special, direct guidance, how he is more developed than others, very close to God or on a higher spiritual level than others.

• Voices can accuse, crush or threaten a person so that he falls into despair and judgment in his relationship with God, fearing that he may have committed an unforgivable sin. For a person who is in this state, God's holiness can arouse terror and slavish fear, in which he does not dare to investigate the source of the sounds.

    Instead, God is never impatient and angry with his children who sincerely want to follow him. Jesus is the good shepherd and the perfect image of the Father:

- (John 10:11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (Hebr 1:3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

• Voices can urge and lead a person to sin, such as to extramarital sex affairs, homosexuality, or to harm themselves or their loved ones. The last mentioned things clearly show that it is the devil who is a murderer (John 8:44) and has come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10: The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.). These voices can even quote isolated verses of the Bible to make a person go astray and do things against God's will. However, we should always consider the entire revelation of the Bible, not just individual verses.

• Contradiction. Messages from the evil spirit world can sometimes be very specific so that it is not a coincidence. But if there is a single contradiction in the messages or something promised doesn't come true, you should be careful. It's probably about lying spirits.

• Voices can incite, pressure and rush a person to do sudden actions without consideration: "Say yourself out of work right away, start living by faith, do this or that now immediately". The result of these things is always fruitless.

• Voices try to dishonor a person. A person can wear worn clothes "as a sign of humility or obedience", he can deny himself food and sleep, he can experience "birth pangs" because of souls, "vicarious suffering" for others, or he, "because of obedience to God", is afraid to take even the smallest step in the simplest things, such as in shopping visits, in shaking the carpets or in what coat he puts on. He does not understand that God has given us common sense and freedom of choice in such matters. We can choose how we act in them and at what time.

The devil can also quote Bible passages, he can talk about spiritual things and give the impression of a great fervor of the spirit.

    I had a conversation with a woman who had been exposed to wrong spiritual influence. The voices told her to fast and pray, to keep vigil, to wear long black robes. She was not allowed to read newspapers or listen to music. She was under great spiritual compulsion. It was necessary for her to look at things from a completely new point of view and realize that even "spiritual" guidance can come from the devil.

    We can distinguish between God's voice and the devil's counterfeit with our sense of peace. The voice of God speaks peace. The compelling voice comes from either the devil or a person's own mind. God leads, the devil drives us by force.

    A compelling voice says: “Resign right away from your work! Don't wait until tomorrow. You are disobedient if you wait.” If we follow that kind of advice, we will be in trouble. After all, God rarely speaks like that, except in an emergency. (10) 

• Advice from others. Usually, a person who receives messages thinks they are from God. He tries to be obedient to the voices - "because of obedience to God" - and does not consider the possibility of deception. He may reject the advice of others because he is "in direct and special guidance and close to God".

    Sometimes, however, it is worth asking for the advice of others. God has given the church pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers), who may have more knowledge and experience than the person himself. It is humility and wisdom to ask the advice of others. If you're in a situation where you're getting messages, don't hesitate to ask what others think.

We have another such example in our circle that might be of help to you in setting someone free. There were some girls who had this spirit, but they were not aware of it. They were zealous for God. Eager to follow Him. They began to follow this spirit and thought it was Jesus. They used to tell about their guidance. The people around them began to flinch a little and know that the guidance was not from God. He doesn't lead like that. It was hard to say exactly where the problem was, but it wasn't Jesus.

    Eventually, the situation got to the point where their guidance started getting more and more wrong. Because of some cases, they were approached by the elders of the church, about nine men, who agreed that some of their guidance situations were not from God. The girls couldn't see this because they were blinded. They had lost their wit.

    ... These girls had to walk this road, and finally they said something like this: "We are subject to you because we made that choice." In this situation, the girls could hear the voice of Jesus. Sometimes they heard Jesus speak, but other times they heard the voice of another spirit. They allowed men anyway to drive the spirit of fornication out of them, and when it was driven out they could understand. It was as if the gauze had been removed. First, someone realized, "Well, what you did was not of God." And then another said, "That act of yours was not of God." First they saw it in others, then they began to be able to see it in themselves. When the spirit was gone, their understanding returned, but when the spirit was in them, they did not understand that they were being deceived. This is characteristic of spirit. (11)

False understanding of guidance and surrender to God. God does not guide through spirit guides

A wrong understanding of guidance can lead one to fall under false spirits. Especially the situation when a person gives himself wholeheartedly to the Holy Spirit poses a danger. Because when a person surrenders to "blind obedience" to the Holy Spirit, he does not take into account the fact that there are other spirits in the atmosphere that can mislead him by pretending to be the Holy Spirit. He can get lost because he follows a spirit that he thinks is the Holy Spirit, Jesus or, for example, an angel of God, even though it is a false spirit.

    In the guidance, it is good to understand that if a person has a spirit guide or angel by his side all the time, or if he sees almost all the time to the spirit world, it is a case of a deception by the enemy of the soul. God never leads us in this way. He can speak to people through his Holy Spirit, but the constant presence of a guide - even if it appears as Jesus, God's angel or the Holy Spirit - always points to false spirits. Paul warns about such people who are fond of humility, of serving angels or who brag about their visions. Here's a question about a similar thing:

- (Col 2:18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

When a person surrenders to God, he must understand that he is turning to God in heaven. The Holy Spirit can indeed give strength to that, but a person's mind and prayer must always be directed towards God and Christ in heaven, otherwise he is in danger of being led astray.

- (Matt 6:9) After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

Lying spirits hinder prayer or cause people to misdirect it

If a person has difficulty praying and loses consciousness, it is an indication of the activity of false spirits. They try to prevent a person from genuine prayer and also from reading and understanding the Bible. This is common for those who turn from the occult to God. Another possibility is that false spirits make a person pray in the wrong direction or in the wrong way. Here are some examples.

• Man begins to pray to some god in nearness or within himself - one that he can constantly see as an inner vision. This leads before long to praying to evil spirits. 

• Another mistake is that the prayer is aimed directly at the person who is being prayed for. This type of "prayer" belongs to the realm of magic and hypnosis, where one is led astray by evil spirits. Genuine prayer is directed only to God in heaven and Jesus Christ.

• Visualization is one way to go astray. It means that a person can build an image in his mind of, for example, Jesus and speak to this image. Or he may visualize a cure in which healthy cells attack and defeat cancer cells. In both cases, he does not turn to God in heaven and trust his word, but acts apart from God. All such technique – e.g. in inner healing – is separate from God in heaven and leads to the domination of lying spirits. We must always pray to God in heaven, trust his promises in the Bible, otherwise we are operating in the realm of magic.

• Devil-centeredness is one danger. It means that a person engages in spiritual warfare against the devil and forgets about genuine prayer. It can include the languages of warfare, using praise as a weapon against the devil (the emphasis is on that and not praising God's greatness), and spending hours talking to the enemy. The result of such warfare is that man himself becomes full of darkness because he is devil-centered and not God- centered. We can resist the devil when he is there, but at other times there is no need. Devil-centeredness always leads to idolatry because too much attention is given to the enemy. Michael Howard, who has received great answers to prayer through sustained prayer, teaches:

The whole idea of an intercessor attacking the devil and waging melee against hordes of demons is simply not biblical. We intercede with the Lord of hosts, and He gives orders, and His angels do battle with the powers of darkness. My business is to break through with God and see His mighty work of salvation. God's mighty work is never achieved without prolonged intercession...

    We began to bombard heaven with our cries for the Lord's perfect guidance and the fulfillment of the will, and for the state of the nation, and for the gospel to spread in the most powerful way... We cannot talk about intercession without also talking about long periods of prayer and fasting. We have fasted countless days to touch His throne as Esther touched the golden scepter. For years I have been interceding myself, and intercessory meetings were of course held in Yei in the mornings, middays and evenings... Even if any other work demanded our time, intercession took priority. We oiled the nation. We begged for souls. We were looking for a powerful awakening of the Holy Spirit to light a fire in an enslaved nation... Intercessory prayer has nothing to do with fighting the devil – it is about touching the heart of God, asking Him to intervene. (12)

• Deliverance work can be devil-centered. It means looking for evil spirits instead of focusing on a person's relationship with God. The problem is that no one can be freed permanently if they do not want to forgive or give up their false connection to the spirit world and their occult abilities. These things must first be recognized as sin and renounced, otherwise no one can experience lasting freedom.

    The following quote tells how the congregation needs divine guidance and wisdom in how and when to pray - we are often too hasty. If someone prays to be filled with the Holy Spirit before he has surrendered his life to Christ, renounced bitterness and other sins, and confessed his negative attitudes to God, such a person may come under pressure from the enemy.

Once a woman came to me and asked me to pray for her to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I asked Jesus what He wanted me to do. He said, "Don't pray for her, she's not ready." So I explained to the woman that I could not pray for her. Later that day she asked some others to pray for her, which they did. That night the woman had to be taken to a mental hospital. She was not subject to Jesus and possibly not born again. We later heard that the woman had been suffering from mental illness, and when someone prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon her, the demons inside her reared up and possessed her to prevent the Holy Spirit from coming. Jesus knew that. He also knows how to deal with a person like her: step by step, so that Satan does not gain power. She would have needed a lot of teaching and prayer first to get rid of bitterness etc. I was very thankful to Jesus that I had listened and obeyed. It's worth a listen! (13)

So false spirits can prevent prayer. However, God's will is that we pray persistently. It should not be neglected, but time should be set aside for it. Only prayer can break the spiritual walls and lies in people's minds. If we forget that and use only other means, such work is usually fruitless. We need lasting prayer because the Bible teaches:

- (James 4:2) You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

- (Matt 7:7,8) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:

8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

- (Luke 18:1-7) And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

- (Luke 11:5-8) And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of my in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you.

8 I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

- (Luke 2:36,37) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

- (John 14:13,14) And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

- (Col 4:2-4) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 With praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

If long-term prayer is a problem for you, prayer lists can be helpful. It means making a list of all the important prayer topics you know. It can include many factors (e.g. the salvation of relatives, neighbors and friends, colleagues, people's leaders and city leaders, the media, missionary work, one's own personal needs). Once you have written this list on paper, you may not need paper later because you will remember the prayer topics anyway. When you go through the same list several times during the day, it can add up to several hours of prayer.

    We look at a quote that tells how Yonggi Cho has urged the pastors of his congregation to pray for at least three hours every day. It is also a good model for western churches, where the meaning of prayer has not been understood. We pray too little here.

Only through prayer you can touch your neighbors and friends… Usually I notice that people do not know how to pray for more than an hour to achieve their goal. I ask my parishioners to pray for more than an hour every day. I call that kind of prayer the "Gethsemane" prayer". In Gethsemane, Jesus scolded his disciples because they could not pray for even an hour. If you should start praying more than an hour a day, something would definitely happen in your life. People come up with all kinds of excuses. They are in a hurry here and there. Jesus did not accept any excuses. 746 full-time assistant pastors work under me. They have a full job of caring for 700,000 souls, yet I always urge them to spend at least three hours in prayer every day. I tell them, even if they feel they don't know how to advise people; they must spend three hours in prayer before they set out and go to people in need of salvation.

    And many of you have heard what God has done in our church because of the prayer life of believers. They have power in the company of God, but also among people. (14)

Lying spirits can impart demonic gifts

Lying spirits can impart demonic gifts that are easily confused with God's grace gifts. It is not understood that many bound people and occultists can have speaking in tongues, supernatural knowledge or spiritual healing that originate from evil spirits. They resemble the gifts of God, but they are difficult to recognize if one does not have the gift of discerning of spirits.

    Problems arise when bound people come to the church. In her books, Rebecca Brown tells a few cases where a bound person has come to church, fallen to the ground and started speaking in a demonic language - it was not a gift from God, because time showed that these people were still bound. Others assumed that man was liberated and saved because he had experienced all this, but in reality this was not the case. The person had not even properly understood the gospel because it had not been explained to him.

    We can see from the following description how demonic imitations can occur. Nicky Cruz tells how both of her parents worked in the field of spirit healing, transmitted supernatural knowledge and spoke in foreign languages. The description is about speaking in tongues:

My mother never knew a word of English, but one time when I came home from school a few minutes after my brother Salvador, I met her shaking with laughter. "Listen to mom!" he whispered.

    Mom was in the living room saying something in a language that at first sounded like gibberish, but I caught it when Salvador translated.

    We had studied English at school, and now Mother spoke that language in a voice that sounded exactly like that of a civilized Englishman. I can't remember now what she said. I remember that Salvador was so taken aback by the whole thing that he suddenly turned pale and fainted, and my father thought at first that the spirit had possessed him too.

    When the mother returned from her trance, Salvador asked her in English, “Hello, mother. What are we having for dinner?”

    The mother looked at him in dismay and blurted out in Spanish: "Why don't you speak in a way that I can understand?"

    She had no idea that she had just spoken English herself. (15)

3. Lying spirits and experiences. The movement of God can become corrupted due to astray deceivers

False spirits can give feelings and experiences. Most revivals seem to suffer from the same problem: religious frenzy and fanaticism. It means people who have boisterousness, enthusiasm, judgmental spirit and who talk a lot about their experiences, but whose fruit in the long run is not good after all. Many are not even reborn. These deluded souls may become involved in the action, talk about their experiences and feelings, but also go to extremes. Because there is no spirit of humility and balance in their lives, they create division, confusion, and turn many away from God. This is a common consequence, because it is not always easy for people to distinguish genuine activity from wrong.

    The following quote from the Orivesi revival from the 18th century describes well how people can get lost. The revival was a genuine move of God, but then the enemy sowed tares among the wheat (Matt 13:25: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.). A few people were led astray by false spirits:

1. Lord the Christ has an enemy, the prince of darkness, who cunningly lets people believe that they are building the Lord’s congregation. Henrik Erkinpoika Eerola was the instrument of evil.

2. A power that cannot be seen from the outside encourages people, teases them, corrupts their minds, sometimes speaks like Lord the Christ or an angel and sometimes entices them as the father of darkness.

3. Christians burning in spirit are rare. The external signs are usually expressions of natural man, not of faith. If they are tested, it can be seen that they are products of humans or caused by mental illness.

4. If a revival is intense, awakened souls will be upset and may fall into the temptation of ecstasy. Teachers of a congregation need to be careful to be able to help such people. If a revival turns into ecstasy, the teacher of the congregation is in trouble. The teacher should be like a burn-beater, using fire to make the ground fertile. Sometimes the fire gets out of hand and races into the forest. This is because a dangerous outside fire has spread to burn more than was intended. This is what happened to me. I rejoiced in the beginning of the revival but not at the end. The damage would not have occurred if my fellow priest had been careful.

5. When the fervour dies down, you are left with people whose souls and bodies are hurt – especially those who are sensitive in their minds and quickly ignited in their emotions, whose feelings moved between anger, sadness, joy, fear, hope, spiritual and bodily. Utter’s supporters thought that once having received the Spirit of God, a person was no longer in his own control – this meant that everything was good, even if it was madness. Certain fervour may be good, provided that the person keeps it in reign, it comes from the word of God, it listens to reason and it follows the right path.

6. Among those people, touched by the Word, there are so many broken hearts and humble Christians who fear God and love his word. But there are many among them who are much worse than before, who are full of spiritual pride, imagining themselves to be gods in human form and considering it their right to do what they want, in the name of spirituality. Because of that, a few live in rough, visible acts of flesh. When the enthusiasm runs out, they become liberals, even atheists. If a person makes himself a god, what else could you call it than atheism?

7. When a revival is influencing people, nothing is as bad as disputes among teachers. They should be the persons who keep the newly awakened in check when one among them wants to rule others and others claim that some people have not turned to God. With such accusations, people who consider themselves most pious can crush the holiest and humblest. People are divided into two groups: the bad and the good. This is not the way to build a congregation of God; in such a situation, godlessness will win. I hoped that I would never have to experience such dispersion – but that was what happened. I have already noted that if the dangerous fire had not been kept in check, it would have led to major madness. (16)

Has a change occurred? Powerful speech about spiritual matters does not prove an experience authentic

Those who have been led astray by lying spirits may be characterized by loud talk about their experiences. They may talk about their visions, how Christ has appeared to them, and their religious feelings. All of these can be good experiences in themselves if they are truly from God, but it is also possible that Satan has given them to people. For example, Jonathan Edwards has written in his book "The Experience that Counts" how this happened during the great revival in the 18th century.

    Next, we will bring up things that must be taken into account when evaluating all spiritual activity. We start with teaching.

Is the teaching correct?

Teaching must be evaluated. Is it in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and does it exalt Jesus Christ or man himself? If the teaching comes from God, it leads people to freedom in Christ and to seek God and his will.

Fruit – talk of spiritual matters, visions, and ecstatic states do not prove genuine conversion; only fruit does. Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits 

- (Matt 7:15-20) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Why by their fruits you shall know them.

Fruit is another thing that can be used to judge a person. The Bible nowhere says that visions of Christ, enthusiasm, states of ecstasy, talk of spiritual matters, or religious experiences are sure signs of conversion. Instead, something can be inferred from the quality of the fruit. If the fruit is good and the person is constantly changing for the better, it can be considered a good sign. It testifies much better for a living faith than experiences, visions, boisterous enthusiasm or talk about one's own spirituality.

    Self-righteous thinking - a deceived person can make a big deal out of his humility, sinfulness, love for Christ and how close he is to God - or a selfish, envious, quarrelsome and angry spirit proves even more clearly that a person is not under God's influence. Every person can fall into previous sins, but the question is in which direction the development goes.

    The wisdom that comes from above is pure, calm, gentle, flexible, full of mercy and good fruits, and if there is no change in this direction even after years, it is worth asking whether such a person is saved. If he does not have Christian humility, peace and love, even though he boasts of his spiritual experiences, these experiences should be questioned.

- (James 3:14-17) But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

- (Gal 5:22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Yonggi Cho brings up the same idea. If a person has a bitter, fierce judgmental mind or praises himself and his spirituality, God has probably not yet been able to influence his life.

When a person who claims to have received the Holy Spirit does nothing but threaten and blackmail others, when he does not hesitate to use curses and abusive language, we must be careful.

    A sister who claimed to have received the Holy Spirit carried with her a cloud of terror instead of love and peace. If someone corrected her, she let out a curse. How can the person of God's Holy Spirit, who is gentle and humble, dwell in a person who uses such words?

    How can such a person (who claims to speak through the Holy Spirit and to have received a special blessing from Him) knock on the door of believers, whisper insults to church members and ruthlessly demand payment for silence? (17)

Testing the spirits 

- (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The third way to gain an understanding of whether an action is from God is testing the spirits. This is something that we haven't really followed and few have experience with, yet the Bible talks about it. Sometimes the doctrine may sound right and one cannot immediately draw great conclusions from the fruit of a person, but the person himself or others can test the spirits that influences the action. The spirits can be asked, "Is Jesus Christ incarnate (=Messiah), who is God, almighty, who died on the cross and on the third day rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God the Father, so is this Jesus Christ their own Lord?" If the answer is negative or vague, it is an evil spirit.

    Donald Gee tells about his experiences from the early days of the Pentecostal movement:

There is something that can be used to test this. I've seen it time and time again. When phenomena of the spirit have appeared through someone and we have been asking whether it is from God or not, we have turned to them when they were under the influence of that external power, and we have said to the spirit they were under: "Is Jesus Christ in the flesh come?” And sometimes the answer they give is absolutely amazing. An evil spirit never gives a clear answer. But while I believe that this is the right way to test spirits, I do want to say that we must be very careful how we proceed in this regard. (18)

The advice of others is worth considering. The illusion of one's own infallibility and being under "special guidance" is a hallmark of deception

One way to avoid making mistakes is to take advice from others. If a person does not want to listen to what others say, that is the first step to error.

    Many who are under lying spirits can often be quite sure they are right because "God has appeared to them and they have a direct special connection with Him," even though others see contradictions in their lives. They are not ready to listen to others and it leads them astray.

    The following description of the meeting situation describes the issue. All phenomena in the meeting are not from God, but can also be from human flesh or from the devil and should not be allowed. (For example, Kathryn Kuhlman removed all features related to fanaticism or overly disturbing phenomena from her meetings. Still, the Holy Spirit worked powerfully in them). Michael Howard tells how he dealt with the situation, and how the person had enough humility to take the advice:

If people do not agree to be taught and corrected in a spirit of humility, then they must be reprimanded... I once followed a woman in horror at a conference. She stood up and began to writhe in an unusually sensual way as if she were an Egyptian pole dancer. Her every move was demonic and an abomination to the Lord and to the entire ongoing worship service. I expected that one of the church leaders would have corrected her for her actions, which were clearly inappropriate, but the correction never came. Finally, I marched up to that young woman and told her, "Stop that silly babbling right away and sit down." She shook her head. She was clearly in a state of demonic trance, but when she was spoken to, she instantly returned to reality and humbly sat down on her bench. Everyone was immensely relieved at what I had done. Unfortunately, however, leaders are more ready to stop entire forms of activity than to scold and insult a private person. It is a bad thing if such a person is offended by a biblical rebuke, because it is perfectly in accordance with God's order and justified. (19)

Emotions – two extremes: bone-dry Christianity or an overemphasis on emotions and experiences

There is an opportunity to go to two extremes in spiritual activity. The other is dry Christianity, where the preacher speaks in a monotonous voice and where all emotional expressions and phenomena are viewed critically. In such meetings, no gifts of grace usually work and people do not get help for their troubles. Many such people are not even saved.

    The other extreme is fanaticism, where emotions (If God touches a person, of course, it's a different matter), screams and everything strange are given power. Improper phenomena are not addressed. There is much frothing, chatter, pretentiousness, self-aggrandizement, hard-hearted zeal and fervour, but no sign of divine love and goodness. The following description of T.B. Barratt's biography suggests something like this. He himself was the "apostle of the Northern European Pentecostal revival" and just before the next experience he had received the powerful baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues.

In New York, during the first meetings, he paid attention to some special "cries" and the behavior of some, which was incomprehensible to him. Just a few days after that miraculous November 15, 1906 —with crowns of fire, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues — he attended a meeting in New York. "A strange spirit crept into the meeting I was in on Monday night while someone was testifying. It was completely against the Spirit God gave me. I cannot agree with the carnal tumult that some make, nor with those wild leaps, as if they were in the playground. I left the meeting together with my sister, who by a strange coincidence was also there. I rejoice and may shout hallelujah with the joyful souls in Zion, but wild shouts are quite another. However, I do not judge anyone, but I need not work side by side with those who let the flesh rule instead of the Spirit, unless I can raise them higher or impart to their hearts a greater light of the Holy Spirit. When I got home and laid my head on the pillow, an indescribable peace flowed into my soul. God wants to protect me with His grace." (20)

And what is the biblical model? Surely that also includes feelings, because only the dead don't have them. It is a mistake to imagine that when God touches a person, that it does not somehow affect his inner world. It can lead to crying and other emotions simply because God made us this way. We react with emotions to many things because they affect us. If someone does not respond to the Gospel at all, it is only because the Word has not touched him and his inner world.

     We can see the same thing in the life of Paul. Although he was hateful and cruel before his conversion, he became a different man when God's love touched him. He learned to love other people and often preached with tears in his eyes. George Whitefield, a well-known and powerful preacher who lived in the 18th century, also wept often while preaching about the cross.

- (Acts 20:19,31) Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

- (Phil 3:1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

What is emphasized? The most essential element of Christianity is not visions, ecstatic states, or phenomena, but the biblical emphasis is on good works, humility, and love

A person under the influence of false spirits always goes to extremes. He can harm himself or others, act out his spirituality or consider visions, phenomena and ecstatic states to be the most important essence of Christianity. He draws attention to things that the Bible does not emphasize at all, and that can occur without a relationship with God.

    Instead, the Bible puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of actions. The greatest is not the one who has miraculous experiences, but the one who serves others (Matt 23:11,12: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.). Jesus said (John 14:15): ”If you love me, keep my commandments”, and here is some kind of yardstick for spiritual life. It means that if a person does not live in the will of God and Christ in his everyday life, he is far from perfection. No one can do this by themselves, but if a person does not strive in that direction, he has certainly not received salvation. The meaning of deeds comes up in many verses:

- (James 1:22) But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

- (Matt 7:22,23) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

- (Tit 3:14) And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

- (2 Tim 2:20,21) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work.

- (Tit 2:7,8) In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing soundness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

REFERENCES:

1. Viljam Kuosmanen: Jumalan ihmeitä, p. 13

2. Viljam Kuosmanen: Jumalan ihmeitä, p. 15

3. Mary K. Baxter: Näkyjä tulevasta, p. 222

4. Paavo Hiltunen / Leo Meller: Eksyttäjät, p. 183,184

5. John Bevere: Turvapaikka (Under Cover), p. 242

6. Bob Mumford: Suunnitelma sinua varten (Take another look at guidance), p. 91

7. Colin Qrquhart: Eksytys (Explaining Deception), p. 74

8. Rick Joyner: Petos, taistelu, voitto (Final Quest), p. 29

9. Rebecca Brown: Astiaksi jaloon käyttöön (Becoming a Vessel of Honor), p. 223,224

10. Bob Mumford: Suunnitelma sinua varten (Take another look at guidance), p. 91

11. Gordon & Emily Binning: Olkaa Jumalalle alamaiset (Submit... to God. Resist the Devil and He Will Flee from You), p. 109,110

12. Michael Howard: Pelasta kansakunta (To Save a Nation) p. 133-135,275

13. Gordon & Emily Binning: Olkaa Jumalalle alamaiset (Submit... to God. Resist the Devil and He Will Flee from You), p. 14

14. David Yonggi Cho: Kokemuksiani rukouksesta (DR. CHO’S PATTERNS OF PRAYER), p. 39-41

15. Nicky Cruz: Juokse henkesi edestä (Devil on the Run), p. 27

16. Oriveden seurakunta 450 vuotta: Juhlakirja 1990. Oriveden seurakunta 1990 (Quote from ”Väkevä eksytys”, Jouni Forsström)

17. Yonggi Cho: Pyhä henki ja sinä, p. 106

18. Donald Gee: Hengen lahjoista, p. 78

19. Michael Howard: Ylistä ja palvo (Praise and Worship), p. 117

20. Martin Ski: T.B. Barratt – helluntaiapostoli (T.B. Barratt – Dopt I Ånd Og Ild), p. 149,150

More on this topic:

A healthy christian faith. What things does it contain? A few key factors

The question of guidance. How can a false guidance be distinguished from a right one, that is, how does God lead and in what way do false spirits mislead?

Which power influences you? It is possible that man thinks he is acting in the power of God, but he is not. What are the characteristics of such lubrication from the wrong source?

Horoscopes. Horoscopes, Zodiac signs, astrology. Why not believe the astrological view that zodiac stars affect our destiny?

How to find a suitable spouse? How to find a suitable spouse and partner? What things to consider when looking for a spouse?