How To Be a Good Pharisee

Above all a good Pharisee must appear as; 

christian, holy, righteous, spiritual, leader, involved, caring, pious, committed, devoted, godly, reverent, god-fearing

Godly traits to be sure, however when exhibited by Pharisees they are for appearance-sake traits as religious mask covering the true personality. A personality not of a leader nor of a servant but rather a self-serving leader that are religious for personal gain; caring for personal gain, involved for personal gain, a leader for personal gain, always seeking that of personal gain. Therefore they must con by appearance outwardly to deceive while inwardly seek for personal gain. Thus Pharisees are hypocrites-actors.

True servant leaders are the antithesis of these self-seeking traits.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness’ Matt. 23:27

~ Michael Smith

Destiny vs God's Purposes

For a number of years I have heard messages on destiny and what that might entail. Told that as Christians we have a destiny we are to seek or to enter. The problem I have had is whenever I would hear the words “My Destiny” or “Our Destiny” I felt a sense of, well “Me” Could God have a place for “Me” to enter and have “My Destiny” planed that need to seek this place for me? In some ways it smells of fleshly self as in “Me” Could it really be about “Me” though? How much I get, how much I attain, how much I benefit? Destiny sounds good in a worldly sorta way, but there sure are many “I’s” and “Me’s” in that destiny seeking stuff that is troubling. 

Having never been a strong proponent of “destiny” teachings as they can reek of twisted teaching. I prefer the term, the purposes of God” Now that is a view I can support and most importantly scripturally support. As I pick up the cross daily and die to the self of “Me” I no longer desire to seek out “My Destiny” rather I choose to seek the purposes and plans of God for a lost and dying world whereas I find true freedom, true relationship and true purpose and not the self serving pursuit of “My Destiny”

~ Michael Smith

THE 5 KEYS to DISCERNMENT

Practical tips for the End-time church.

Some people say that knowing Scripture is the only real key to
discernment that we need. And yes - Scripture is very important -
especially in exposing false doctrine. But it is not only doctrines
or teachings that are the greatest danger today. It is just as likely
to be false `anointings´ or spirits - perhaps even "lying signs and
wonders". And we may need more than just a good understanding
of Scripture to spot these things. Remember, a lot of the people
caught up in today's "manifestations mania" actually know their
Bible quite well. And yet they could still be deceived. So what
are the things that can help us avoid deception in similar situations?

Some of the most basic keys to discernment that God has shown
me are as follows:
(1) Know your HOLY GOD intimately. (-When you have seen His
glory, His holiness and His love - by drawing close to Him in prayer -
then you can usually see through any "counterfeits" because you
know the 'real thing' so well).
(2) Know your Bible. It is very important to be able to spot teachings
that are either extra-biblical or directly opposed to what the Scriptures
teach. However, it is important to remember that the Scribes and
Pharisees were extremely learned in the Scriptures and yet they
missed the very Messiah that was prophesied! So knowing the
Bible is important - especially for doctrinal issues - but we need
to be able to "discern the spirits" also.
(3) Be a "lover of truth". This is very crucial. Are you someone who
will actually stand up for TRUTH - even against the crowd? Or do
you remain silent even when you feel something is very wrong?
(4) Purity of heart and Humility. Many deceptions only appeal to
us because there is something inside us that "wants" to believe
them. They are seductive because of darkness and wrong motives
in our own lives. We must search our hearts and root these out.
(5) The 'inner witness' of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to NEVER
over-ride this "still small voice", as it will save us from deception
again and again. (-More on this below).

Did you know that even an unbeliever can often spot a 'con-man'
or a snake-oil salesman? They get a kind-of "gut feeling" about
such things. And they are often right! In fact, they are often less
gullible than the Christians! (-Because we are told in the church-
"Do not judge", 'Touch not the Lord's anointed', "You have a critical
spirit if you do not join in", etc, etc. This is the very reason why
Christians are often the most gullible and easily deceived). We
need to realize that the Bible says to "Test the spirits" and warns
very strongly that the Last Days will be a time of "seducing spirits"
and great deception. So how can we become more alert to these things?

I believe that God has placed within every human being at least a
measure of an inner "warning system" to protect us from being
easily deceived - just as He has given us all a conscience. It is
something that He has built into every one of us, in His mercy. (I
guess a lot of it is simply `common sense´). However, Christians
should have an even greater advantage in this area, because we
have the "inner witness" of the Holy Spirit, and the `still small
voice´ of the Lord speaking to us every day.

But what I have found again and again with people who give
themselves over to some form of deception is that they often
"override" these alarm bells. They go against their 'better
judgement'. They ignore the little voice deep inside them that is
telling them that there is something wrong. Christians do this all
the time. That is how they get themselves involved in such foolish
deceptions.

This may all sound very obvious, but I am telling you, this one
basic area alone could wipe out half the deception in the church
right now. If only people would listen to these internal 'alarm bells'
and act with common sense, half of it would be gone overnight.

The Bible is very clear that the Last Days are a time of such
widespread deception that it would "deceive if possible the very
elect". It also shows that much of this deception will arise from
WITHIN the church - luring believers with "itching ears". Do we see
evidence of this kind of thing taking place today? Certainly!  In fact,
some of it is at a level that is truly shocking. And yet it is all
accepted as perfectly "normal" by many Christians.

One of the problems, of course, is that those who bring in these
deceptions are 'trusted' by the congregation. They have a reputation
and they put across some very convincing-sounding arguments
and surround the whole thing with Biblical terminology. And thus
the deception is harder to spot. (After all, if it were not "deceptive"
then it would not be called 'deception'!) People see spiritual power
operating and assume that it "must be God". But this is a very
dangerous assumption to make in these days.

As I said in a previous article, there is also a lot of "peer pressure"
involved as well. For if everyone in the church is getting into
something, then shouldn't you just ignore those little 'alarm bells'
and jump right in? This is what is happening all the time in the
church right now. And some preachers are very good at making
people feel that they are 'hindering the Spirit' if they do not get involved.

So how do you avoid being deceived in this way?

Very simply, you do not go along to these meetings in a "gullible"
frame of mind. And you do not allow yourself to be carried along
with the crowd. You listen carefully to the preaching and make
sure that it truly is Biblical. Then you watch the ministry happening
down the front of the meeting and discern whether it really is of
God or not. You do not "override" any feelings of unease or any
'alarm bells' going off inside you. And you do not allow yourself to
be swayed by 'peer pressure'. Even if the whole church is getting
into something, it does not mean that you have to. If you do not
feel quite "right" about it then DO NOT GET INVOLVED. If you
need to, make some excuse and get out of there! You do not have
to get involved in things that do not feel spiritually "right" to you.

A lot of people today will go down the front to get something
"imparted" to them by almost every visiting speaker - almost as a
matter of course. I tell you, in today's climate this can be a very
dangerous thing to do. In fact, some of this 'impartation' business
has very flimsy backing in Scripture. Who knows what on earth
these preachers are imparting? And who knows where they picked
it up?  I tell you, deceiving spirits are commonplace today, and
I believe they are being imparted to Christians on a large scale.

Let me give you an example. I received the following account from
a preacher in England recently:
"There were about 20 fellow ministers all gathered together in one
large room at a local minister's house. We were introduced to the
special guest... The next 3 hours were the weirdest three hours I
have ever had to endure, we started listening to [her] testimony
which seemed very powerful, next she spoke of the times that she
meets with the Angel Gabriel and other spiritual beings, next we
moved on to portals between this world and the next and then finally
to how she was going to open up a portal to Heaven in the room that
we were all in.  Now things started to happen, really crazy things
and strange noises... As [she] moved around the room ministering
to individual people they were crashing to the ground, bouncing up
and down, running around as if on fire and making all sorts of sounds.
When she came to me she had no prophetic words for me and nothing
happened to me so she just moved on.  My Vineyard friend was the
first to crash to the floor. Since that day his church has taken on a
different guise, it is not the same church any more."

Now, you should know that this 'guest speaker' was one of the very
people I mentioned in my "Naming Names" article. I believe that
this is a true account, because it is very similar to what I myself
observed happening under the same ministry. In fact, what I saw
was people making involuntary "bat"-like movements all over the
building and an eery 'wailing' noise filling the air. It was truly awful.

Now, it should not surprise us that there are strong deceptions or
"powerful delusions" around today, for this is exactly what the
Scriptures predict will happen. All the way through the New
Testament we are warned of these days - over and over again.

However, one of the problems we have is that God actually does
'strange and unusual' things Himself. (-Think of the Book of Acts,
for instance). So we cannot simply throw out everything "unusual".
Angelic visitations DO HAPPEN. Strange prophetic signs DO
OCCUR. And being a strong Charismatic Christian myself, I expect
to see believers speaking in tongues and moving in the gifts of the
Holy Spirit as well. Now, there is no doubt that many of these
things could be termed 'unusual' phenomena. So how do we tell
the difference?

Well, God never goes against His own holy character. Or against
Scripture. And as I often say, we may see Him do 'unusual' things
but I believe we need to draw the line at "weird" or 'ugly'. Some of
the deception that is around right now has a 'touchy-feely' New Age
sense about it. Remember that the New Age movement majors on
"inner healing" and unusual spiritual experiences. I do not believe
in 'guided visualisation' or anything of that kind. And neither am I
very fond of the writings of Catholic mystics or the like.

However, I have personally found it very helpful to immerse myself
in the writings of past Revivalists and the accounts of great moves
of God. A lot of the men and women involved in these Revivals lived
very close to God and knew Him intimately. They knew His holiness,
they knew His glory, and they knew His love. And it is enormously
helpful to one's discernment to immerse oneself in these writings,
I have found. I would recommend this to all Christians everywhere.

If you have been touched or involved in any way with manifestations
or experiences that you think may not have been from God, then
I urge you to utterly RENOUNCE (with your mouth, but also from
the depths of your heart and soul) any links or involvement with
that experience or 'anointing'. Please do not put this off, my friends.
Some of this stuff is extremely dangerous. RENOUNCE IT today.

by Andrew Strom

EYEWITNESS TO REVIVAL

"A revival almost always begins among the laity [ordinary common
people not trained in theology or holding any rank in the church].
The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History
repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated
as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their
part. And God´s fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives
no fire. Cold intellectualism, formal ecclesiasticism, and priestly
domination are altogether outside the genius of the Gospel.
Thank God there are exceptions among the leaders. But we
are saved to serve. The true minister is a servant."

-From 'Azusa Street' by Frank Bartleman

THE MARK OF A MATURE BELIEVER by David Wilkerson

The mark of a mature believer is a refusal to be "tossed to and fro
... with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). Such believers
cannot be manipulated by any teacher. They do not need to run
around, because they are feasting in green pastures, growing up
in Christ. They have learned Christ. They will not be captivated
by music, friends, personalities or miracles, but by a hunger for
the pure Word.

Paul said, "That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior
in all things" (Titus 2:10). What is Christ's doctrine? The grace
of God teaches us that "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world (Titus 2:11-12). The doctrine of Christ will conform you
to the image of Christ. It will expose every hidden sin and every
evil longing.

Is your teacher rebuking with authority, speaking and exhorting
you to forsake sin and lay down all idols as instructed in Titus 2?
Are you learning to hate sin passionately? Or do you leave church,
still not deeply convicted? The message of the doctrine of Christ
is, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Many write to us saying that their pastors tell them, "I'm not here
to preach against sin; I'm here to lift up Jesus." Or, "You´ll hear
none of that condemnation preaching from this pulpit! I'm here to
lift the fear and depression off my people." Even Pentecostal
preachers have two extremes. Some scream a hard, legalistic
gospel without love, merely of works; others preach against sin
like cowards, taking it all back in the same message.

The doctrine of Christ is a doctrine of godliness and holiness. "If
any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words,
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which
is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting
about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings" (1 Timothy 6:3-4).

The preaching of Christ's doctrine will bless, strengthen and
encourage you, but it will also convict you so deeply you cannot
sit under it and still cling to a secret sin.

-Source-

http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/23048

© 2013 World Challenge - a registered trademark of David Wilkerson

The Pharisaical Creed

We are Pharisees; the Christian elites.

We are to be sought; for our guidance.

We are the mature; the more experienced.

We determine; then declare whats true. 

We speak; others are to listen.

We command; and expect to be followed.

We do not allow; our decisions to be challenged.

We are seasoned; who dares questions us.

We are teachers; on the righteousness of God.

We are not taught; by the unqualified.

We assassinate; character and reputations.

We will destroy; any who choose to rebel.

We will force; the unfit from church.

We will rule; though it may kill you.

~ Michael Smith

Some Leaders Are Pharisees

Some church leaders are more akin to Pharisees than true servants. The religious spirit of Pharisees will always kill spiritual life. They operate from an elitist mindset referring to themselves as, “seasoned from years of experience, more mature than others, God’s chosen saints” As they enforce their views upon others their traditions became laws and in their zeal to keep their traditions they actually are breaking God's law. Jesus said they were hypocrites not practicing what they preached. 

The Pharisees will put emphasis on externals and those they rule over must conform to their traditional views. Yet true Christianity is, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” Rom. 14:17 not a set of rules. 

The spiritual standing of others is measured by external compliance to their rules according to Pharisees. Those who do not conform are not accepted within the church, group, leadership or sect. Pharisees will argue strongly defending their traditional positions especially when their practices are questioned, expect it.

If a church member begins to discern the Pharisaical entrapment and leaves, that leaving member is then vilified as Jesus was when His nonconformance to traditions and rules angered the Pharisees of His day. Why? That others might not follow after those who have ears to hear and eyes to see by leaving as well. Pharisees need members to seek them out because of their lust for positions of power and recognition. Matt. 23:5-7

Pharisees need, crave, demand followers to rule over believing they are more learned so others should seek them out. Gal. 4:17 Leaders serve, not rule. I concur with apostle Paul, do I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Gal. 4:16

~ Michael Smith

THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM

God gave Moses a frightening directive: "Depart, and go up hence,
thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of
Egypt, unto the land which I swore unto Abraham, to Isaac, and
to Jacob, saying, Unto they seed will I give it: and I will send an
angel before thee . . . for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for
thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way"
(Exodus 33:1-3).

The people of God had spun completely out of control because of
lust and idolatry (Exodus 32:25). Gold had become their god.
They wanted to dance, play and follow their lustful appetites.
Only the sons of Levi stood up for the holiness of God.

Then followed the dreaded revelation that the Lord had removed
Himself from them; He had departed lest He slay them. But still
they were commanded to move on to claim their inheritance.
God said, "I will give you what I promised." They could claim all
their rights and His protection but not His presence.

Today we are seeing the sad spectacle of multitudes of God's
people moving on in their religious quest for promised rights,
boasting of angelic help against enemies, but having no holy,
awesome, convicting presence of Christ in them.

What could be worse than hearing the Lord command them to
go up to a land flowing with milk and honey and yet say that He
would not go up with them (see Exodus 33:3)? God said to them,
"You are an obstinate people. If I should go up in your midst for
one moment, I would destroy you" (see Exodus 33:5).

Moses wanted something greater than a land flowing with milk
and honey. He wanted to know and experience the Lord's
presence. He prayed, "Thou hast said, I know thee by name,
and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray
thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way,
that I may know thee" (Exodus 33:12-13).

No wonder this precious servant of God convicted his generation!
No wonder there was so much glory in his face. He wanted only
to know the Lord. The only favor he wanted was the abiding
presence of his Lord. So it was with Paul, whose heart cried out,
"Oh, that I might know Him!" (see Philippians 3:10).

by David Wilkerson

The Pharisaic Perspective

So incompatible were the Pharisees views from those of Jesus that when the Pharisees posed a question to Jesus, it appeared that He was answering an entirely different question. On such a completely different level were His answers that the Pharisees who did not have eyes to see nor ears to hear could not perceive the truth presented to them and they were Gods leaders of His day. 

Why is this?

Because the Pharisees perspective was from tradition, rules and law. They saw everything and everyone relating to their religion.

Jesus was a fierce critic of the Pharisaical system of His day, openly declaring its evil. Warning those who would hear, not do as the Pharisees or receive their leaven (teachings).

Regrettably, there is a great deal of pharisaism in the church today. Leaders that view others through the lens of their system neglecting the weightier provisions of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matt. 23:23

When we partake of the tree of life we can resist the clothing being tailored by the pharisaic elite. Because the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth and witness in our hearts the bondage that lies in following after a Pharisee.

The Pharisee declares proudly, we have a law” John 19:7

The Holy Spirit affirms, you are free from the law” Rom. 8:2

~ Michael

Insidious Ways

In•sid•i•ous 

Intended to entrap or beguile, stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy.

Operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous, subtle or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect:

Awaiting a chance to entrap

Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner

“If something is slowly and secretly causing harm, it's insidious — like the rumors no one seems to listen to until suddenly someone's reputation is ruined. Insidious is related to the Latin noun, īnsidiae meaning "ambush" which comes from the Latin verb, īnsidēre "to lie in wait for." This is very fitting as an insidious rumor or problem is one whose negative effect is not realized until the damage is already done”
source:Vocabulary.com

Someone can be insidious, lurking subtly and we not be aware. We are not to go about suspicious of everyone, looking for the devil in all things but we are to be aware and listen to the Holy spirit concerning those in whom we relate. In todays narcissistic and evil world there are those who can knowingly or unknowingly do much harm to the naive and unsuspecting. 

Jesus commanded His disciples to watch out for those spreading or teaching their hypocrisies.
And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” Mark 8:15
Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the ‘teaching’ of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matt. 16:12
He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 1:1
And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matt. 16:6

We are to be aware as Jesus was aware of the intentions of those meaning harm through their insidious ways.

But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Matt. 12:15

But Jesus, aware of this, said, Matt. 16:8

Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, *said to them, Mark 2:8

For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Mark 15:10

The Holy Spirit can and will guide us into all truth. Trust Him, watch out and be aware for there are those who operate in insidious ways.

~ Michael

Walking In Todays World

As Christians living in a time of so much deception to walk in the spirit and not the flesh is paramount to spiritual survival. The truth behind the many voices screaming for our attention can be so difficult to perceive that even the very elect can be in danger of being led astray.

Many voices vie for our attention demanding allegiance. Some of us can fall prey to the herd mentality and become followers. Various causes such as political, boycotts and anti-whatever. Others seek to persuade us to act in the interest of self. Still others demand we support causes such as, feed the poor, save our planet or be good earth citizens and condemn us if were not involved.

Though not intentionally we can at times succumb to these voices of what I call distractions. Distractions that purposefully distract us from pursuing and being who we are called to be. A kingdom people walking in an unredeemed world with a ministry of reconciliation. Nothing else, not saving the planet, not angrily fighting politically, not chasing after the latest trend nor the satisfaction of self matters.

No, as Christians we are to proclaim Christ and Him alone. We are to seek His kingdom, His purposes, His will and then share the wonderful news of His truth with all in whom we come in contact. To do otherwise is to fall short of our calling, to become entangled with this world and its desperate attempts to save itself. ~ Michael Smith

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, John 18:36

Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

 2 Cor. 5:19

In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Eph. 2:2

So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, Phil. 2:15

They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 1 John 4:5

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Col. 2:8

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19

Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5

~Michael

Gods Word Never Fails

Imagine, you are on the cusp of the greatest victory of your life — within months of achieving that which you labored and believed for years to achieve, something truly worthy of a heroic effort. You can almost feel victory within reach, when subtly you hear your opponent announce that defeat is inevitable and it's time for you to quit, stop trying and just give up.

Would I give up the fight, would I resign simply because he who opposes me proclaims it's inevitable that I lose? 

Of course I shouldn't! The very notion is outrageous — yet that is what many of us often do!

Tenacity, perseverance, steadfastness, endurance are stances of a determined persistence to overcome in the face of defeat and disappointment. They are the words that convey an unfailing determination to persevere and never give up, never!

We only learn how close we are to achieving our victory when we DO NOT QUIT!

Naysayers and those used of the enemy can at times speak words of defeatism without realizing their destructive words. I have learned to not listen choosing rather to follow the still small voice with strength of purpose and resolve. Not being deterred, I run the race set before me to win. I do not stop long enough to receive words of can’t or shouldn’t from those on the sidelines content with the safety of the status quo. 

I endeavor to overcome, agreeing with the still small voice that I can do all things”

Gods word never fails.

~ Michael Smith

When Contending Costs Everything - by Jan Markell

When leaders decide to reject discernment in favor of ecumenism, then innocent, unsuspecting people are, in effect, targeted by Satan’s unrelenting plan to move the church away from the truth of God’s Word.
-Eric Barger

False Prophets, Fruit and the Unwitting Wolf

When some of us picture a false prophet, we imagine an evil, sinister man (or woman) maliciously rubbing their hands together as they devise a wicked scheme to rob some poor, defenseless widow out of her last few dollars. Others may picture a character from history, like Nostradamus, who grew quite popular for a time, but had a terrible track record.

According to Jesus’ own Words in Matthew 7, both of these stereotypes are very inaccurate.

As we look deeper into this passage, we will find that the false prophets at the End of the Age are people who probably have the best intentions. They may genuinely believe that they are doing God’s Will and have the signs and wonders to back up their claims! But when it’s all said and done, the miraculous signs and wonders are not God’s “Seal of Approval” on their lives and ministry.

Jesus will say “I never knew you, depart from me”.

Let’s take a closer look at Matthew 7, which will explain how to spot a wolf (and by extension, false prophets).

Read More,,,

David Wilkerson Blasts Faith Preachers

(Charisma Magazine: October 1999)

In a sermon preached six months ago and circulated widely on cassette tapes, New York pastor David Wilkerson blasts prosperity doctrines, “holy laughter”, and the flamboyance of Evangelist Benny Hinn.

In Wilkerson’s April 11 sermon titled “Reproach of the Solemn Assembly”, Wilkerson warned his 7,000 member Times Square Church to burn books written by any propagators of these doctrines.  He also told his parishioners to stay away from Evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne’s Good News New York crusades that ran from July 7 to August 14…

In his sermon, Wilkerson leveled blasphemy charges at the prosperity doctrine of Bible Teacher Kenneth Copeland with one mention of Word-Faith preacher Kenneth Hagin Sr.  “It’s an American Gospel invented and spread by rich, American evangelists and pastors,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson described how one of the speakers at a Copeland conference bragged about owning a $15,000 dog, a $32,000 ring and was selling his 8,000-square-foot house to buy a larger home. Wilkerson says he takes issue with the notion that “the Holy Spirit cannot be poured out until you first are in the money flow.”

 Wilkerson also attacked manifestations common to modern revivals:  “I weep when I see these videos that are sent to me from all over the country.  Whole groups of bodies jerking out of control, falling on the floor, laughing hysterically, staggering around like drunkards … Anything that cannot be found in Scripture has to be rejected outright  –  totally rejected,” Wilkerson said.

Read More,,,,,

Sex, Soul Ties and Jezebel’s Seducing Spirit

Spiritual Warfare and Prayer

Jezebel uses the bewitching powers of seduction to lure her victims and create soul ties. The Jezebel spirit is a strong man spirit. What’s in you that the Jezebel spirit can see? She works a network of demon powers to climb her ladder of control. Some of the arrows in her quiver that create soul ties include the spirit of witchcraft, the spirit of divination, and the spirit of seduction. Jezebel is a master of seduction. The word seduction means literally to lead astray. It is a deliberate “step-by-step” process of temptation and enticement causing someone to do something they wouldn’t normally do. The spirit of seduction and the spirit of witchcraft are cousins. They are a similar class of evil spirits both used by the spirit of Jezebel.

THE BAIT OF JEZEBEL THAT CREATES SOUL TIES

How does this spirit create soul ties? When Jezebel releases the spirit of seduction a “spiritual force” is released against your mind, imagination, and emotions. Just as a fisherman may use various baits and lures so does the Jezebel spirit. Her baits and lures are all seductive in nature. Seduction is the bait that leads to a soul tie. You are the fish.

The purpose of the seduction is to create soul ties that can be used to control you. A soul tie is a spiritual or emotional attachment to another person. In this case the bond is with a demonic spirit called Jezebel. Soul ties can be created in a myriad of ways such as; 

1. Shared life experiences
2. Personal tragedies
3. Loss of a loved one
4. Flattery of the prideful
5. Consoling another
6. Reaching out to the lonely
7. Agreeing with Jezebel’s offenses, hurts, wounds, and unforgiveness towards those in authority or leadership.
8. Financial crisis.
9. Sexual relationships
10. Emotional manipulation

Once soul ties have been established, Jezebel’s victim becomes a eunuch. A eunuch is a child of the Jezebel spirit. This has nothing to do with the male gender. A castrated male, our example, is a eunuch. In other words, a eunuch is a person without strength that can no longer reproduce. A Jezebel eunuch has no life outside the controlling world of Jezebel. Again, a eunuch has no strength of their own, looks to the Jezebel spirit for approval, instruction, validation, and companionship.

SOUL TIES

Here is the testimony of a man struggling with Jezebel's soul ties.

“I am with a wonderful and godly woman that is everything I have ever wanted. I love her and would give my life for hers without a second thought. I struggle with imaginations, however, from another relationship with a cold hearted abusive woman. I need help. I can’t get this other woman out of my head and out of my heart. A relative gave me a prayer that helps me get a little relief and regain control of my mind but the relief doesn’t last very long before my mind returns to this other woman.”

This man is still under the control (spell) of the Jezebel spirit. There is something in him, the soul ties with that spirit, which needs to be broken. This is an example of the bewitching powers of the Jezebel spirit. You can hear the desperation in his voice. He has been seduced, bewitched, and taken captive in his emotions. The Soul ties that have been created and need to be broken in prayer by the delivering power of the Holy Ghost. He must repent, renounce, forgive, and cry out to God for deliverance. Notice again what he wrote, “I can’t get this other woman out of my head.” Here is another example controlling soul ties.

"I almost left my husband for someone with a Jezebel spirit. I didn't realize how the spirit of seduction could get such a strong hold over my mind. I was an easy person to control while growing up always being told what I could and could not do in my life. During my encounter with Jezebel’s seduction I got to the point where I couldn't even think straight, my judgment was clouded and things I used to be able to do I couldn't do anymore. My marriage has been restored and we just celebrated thirty one years of marriage. I still have trouble with my mind and pray for complete restoration."

This woman almost lost a wonderful marriage to the Jezebel spirit. Here again we see soul ties created and Jezebel’s witchcraft released against someone’s mind. In both these examples soul ties was created by the Jezebel spirit. Jezebel is a seducing spirit that found something inside these people to bond with. Jezebel is the seducing goddess of war. As already said it’s soul ties that are the cords that the Jezebel spirit wraps around her victims.

BEWITCHED BY THE STRANGE WOMAN'S SOUL TIES

Paul used the term bewitched to describe demonic influence of soul ties. Paul wrote, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1). Bewitched, Greek baskainō, means to be charmed with words. Just as the strange woman uses flattering words to capture its victim so do the Jezebel seducing spirits. The seducing goddess of war uses enticing words to sweeten you up.

“To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” (Proverbs 2:16)

“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil.” (Proverbs 5:3)

“And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?” (Proverbs 5:20)

“To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.” (Proverbs 6:24)

“That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” (Proverbs 7:5)

The spirit of Jezebel can’t deceive you without seducing you first. To accomplish that goal she will use several spirits in her network including the seducing spirit. There are several demonic pneuma spirits mentioned in scripture including: Pneuma poneron, an evil spirit (Acts 19:15). Pneuma python, a python spirit or spirit of divination (Acts 16:16). Pneuma astheneias, the spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11). Pneuma alalon, a dumb spirit, one without speech (Mark 9:17). Pneuma akathartos, an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23). Pneuma plana, a seducing spirit or spirit of error (1 Timothy 4:1).

Christ did not ignore demonic spirits, he cast them out. Christ never taught his followers to ignore demonic spirits. He modeled the way for us regarding confrontations with demon powers and healing the sick. Scripture declares, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). The Jezebel spirit and her unholy network is included.

SPIRIT OF ERROR

Pneumata plana is a seducing spirit or a spirit of error. Scripture says, “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” (1 Timothy 4:1). The Jezebel spirit can lure one into sexual sin but also into scriptural error and idolatry. Peneumata plana, the seducing spirit, is also known as the spirit of error. It means…

1. To cause to stray.
2. To lead astray.
3. To lead into error.
4. To deceive.
5. To fall away from truth.

The Jezebel spirit is a prophetic teaching spirit that leads people away from truth into sin, rebellion, error and idolatry. She is a controlling manipulator that usurps authority at every opportunity. Jezebel needs to be in control publically or behind the scenes. If you don’t submit to her leadership she will belittle, degrade, put you down and destroy your life. She loves to steal your influence, spouse, ideas, job, money, innocence, and take credit for things she didn’t accomplish. She makes you feel powerless, out of control, confused with severe bouts of depression and vain imaginations raging against your mind.

This woman was raised with a Jezebel mother that used the bible to manipulate and make her feel guilty. Look for the words injured and damaged.

“The Jezebel spirit injured my life. It's was like a tornado and a hurricane put together that left me damaged on the inside. To me the hardest thing was breaking free from her web of deception. My mom had a Jezebel spirit and used the Bible to make me feel guilty if I didn’t do what she wanted. I don’t hate my mom and still show her love and respect but now I know what’s at work. It helps to remember we're not fighting against flesh and blood but the Jezebel spirit. I've been doing studying about family curses and declaring they will not affect my kids or grandkids.”

Jezebel targets the ignorant, the spiritually weak, the hurting, wounded, offended, the lonely, even the corrected rebellious. Jezebel works in spiritual deception and guile to advance her own agenda. If she needs to get religious and use the bible against you she will.

EUNUCHS OF JEZEBEL'S SOUL TIES

As already said the spirit of Jezebel forms soul ties with her victims while working her demonic plan. The control of others gives her a sense of value and satisfaction. To the Jezebel spirit people are only tools used to advance her demonic agenda. Eunuchs are “tied” to Jezebel. They look to her for approval, instruction, and validation. When puzzled, confused, confronted or corrected they run to her.

Once a eunuch always a eunuch if you don’t get free that is. Without deliverance a eunuch of Jezebel will always be a eunuch of Jezebel. Eunuchs are drawn to Jezebel like a moth to bright light. If you have eunuchs in your church or organization and one with a Jezebel spirit attends the eunuchs will gather around her. That’s right, they will move from one controlling Jezebel to another. Remember eunuchs do that because of what’s in them.

Jezebel can only use what’s in you. You have probably heard it said that a Jezebel spirit can’t function without an Ahab. There is a lot of truth in that statement. It means that the Jezebel spirit looks for something in you to operate. Jesus said, “For the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). As mentioned before the only thing the Jezebel spirit can latch on to is what’s already in you.

To create soul ties the Jezebel spirit must first seduce you. They flatter and make you feel special or good about yourself. This works for some that have never felt special or never had anyone say much good about them. The Jezebel spirit knows how to “feed you” with compliments if that’s what it takes to build a relationship with you. Others may have a lack of personal confidence or lack of faith in Christ. The Jezebel spirit takes advantage of all our flaws and weaknesses. As your relationship with Jezebel continues she makes you feel that you can’t live without her and need her in order to be successful.

The control of Jezebel doesn’t happen overnight. The control is little by little and bit by bit. This spirit beats you down a little at a time. At some point you will feel like you don’t have any value, your ministry is over, and God is finished with you. Jezebel’s demonic power sucks the life out of you and makes you want to give up and quit. You say things to yourself like, “What’s the use?”

Perhaps the Jezebel spirit entered your life when you were the most vulnerable. Maybe you needed help and the Jezebel spirit was there. Maybe you lost a loved-one and Jezebel was there to console you. The bottom line is Jezebel uses the Ahab in you to create soul ties. When Ahab dies in you then Jezebel loses her control.

Your partner,

Jonas Clark
p.s. If you want to Stop the Jezebel Spirit Now find out how.

www.jonasclark.com

Read more: http://www.jonasclark.com/spiritual-warfare-prayer/sex-soul-ties-jezebel-seducing-spirit.html#ixzz2esULIZmZ 

Copyrights (c) Jonas Clark Ministries - Permission Only 

THE LONELINESS of THE CHRISTIAN

The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world.

His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorptions in the love of Christ; and because with his circle of friends there are few who share his inner experiences, he's forced to walk alone.

The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord himself suffered in the same way.

The man (or woman) who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious,
so he is avoided, and the gulf between him and society widens.

He searches for the friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none, he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.

by A.W. Tozer

What Might Have Been

To ignore the past yet fail to plan for the future leads us to the edge of what “might have been.”

God wants us to learn from the past, not pitch a tent there. Just as we can’t safely drive a car forward by constantly looking in the rearview mirror, neither can we move into our future by living in the past. If we try, we become a relic of the past rather than a promise for the future.

When God calls us home, we don’t want to be shown “what might have been,” for that would mean we missed it!

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).

(From Spiritual Snack Food, Vol 1, by Walter Manning)

More books by Walt Manning

Syncretism

syn·cre·tism

  [sing-kri-tiz-uh m, sin-]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.