While I was reading 2 Corinthians, these verses POPPED OUT at me……and I knew that the LORD was wanting to show me something:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. “ 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
The Scripture says that there are actually FALSE APOSTLES, and DECEITFUL WORKERS (false prophets, and teachers) lurking within the BODY OF CHRIST. They are ‘incognito,’ as they disguise themselves as ‘POWER LEADERS’ within the Church.
I believe that many actually think they are doing the ‘work of GOD,’ but, instead, are subtly bringing in false doctrines, false teachings, and even false signs & wonders:
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24
The word ‘FALSE APOSTLE’ in the Greek Strongs, means:
- ‘one who falsely claims to be an ambassador of Christ’
- ‘lying’ (root word
- ‘deceitful’ (root word)
This ‘ungodly power’ is seen many times in the Bible. In the Book of Exodus, it is called ‘bewitchments,’ and ‘enchantments.’ ( Exodus 7:22; 8:7) For instance, Pharaoh’s wise-men used it to show Moses they were magically empowered. They did so by bringing three of the same plagues that MOSES brought forth through the POWER OF GOD.
“But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.” Exodus 7:11
GIFT OF DIVINATION
In today’s world there are people who are SELF-APPOINTED APOSTLES (and ‘deceitful workers),’ but they are definitely not APPOINTED BY GOD!!! Even though they might do SIGNS, WONDERS, and even HEALINGS….their power, is not the ‘DUNAMIS POWER’ of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Many times, their ‘POWER’ comes in the form of DIVINATION……which is like a spiritual gift, but not from the LORD. It is a lying, familiar spirit, that is counterfeit to the HOLY SPIRIT. It can produce MIRACLES and SIGNS, and can actually LOOK like they are from ALMIGHTY GOD…..but instead is used to fool people.
‘DIVINATION’ means:
“the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers” [1]
We can see this ‘GIFT OF DIVINATION’ in the Book of Acts, where there a girl had this FORTUNE-TELLER ability……which she used it to make her masters rich.
“Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a ‘SPIRIT OF DIVINATION’ met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.” Acts 16:16
If you read a little further, you will notice that Paul, after a few days, was able to DISCERN that this ‘power’ that the girl possessed, was not from the LORD…..even though she was SAYING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS!!! Here is what she said:
“These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” Acts. 16:17
Notice that Paul did not recognize this right away…..it took a ‘few days’….however, once it was revealed to him that she was not of GOD….. he then rebuked her, and ‘casted out’ that spirit of divination.
“And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.” Acts 16:18
FIRST WARNING SIGN OF THE LAST DAYS:
To understand how VERY IMPORTANT it is to DISCERN those among us, JESUS WARNS HIS disciples, in Matthew 24. The very FIRST WARNING HE GAVE of the LAST DAYS was to watch out for those who seemed CHRIST-LIKE, but are deceivers!
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:4
JESUS knew that in the LAST DAYS deception would be easier, to creep into the BODY OF CHRIST, with the development of technology…..mainly the internet, and now AI. For there are so many VOICES, out there, claiming to be ‘of GOD,’ or teaching the ‘things of GOD.’ Unfortunately this can bring confusion as to who to watch or listen to……or who has the SPIRIT OF GOD, or a COUNTERFEIT? Knowing the difference can help people stay on the straight, and narrow path to JESUS.
GIFT OF PROPHECY
In some churches, the GIFT OF PROPHECY is very prominent, which is very different from the OFFICE of a PROPHET. Many times these two things are not discerned correctly, or even taught. This calls for the need to be close enough to the LORD that one can hear the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT. We must pray everyday for the HOLY SPIRIT to open our spirital ears, and eyes to the truth!
This GIFT OF PROPHECY can be confused with the SPIRIT OF FORTUNE-TELLING (divinition!) that counterfeits the GIFT OF PROPHECY in many churches today.
This can lead people astray, and even down a road that is not from the LORD! This is why we MUST learn how to diligently to TEST and DISCERN the spirits, and the spiritual gifts of others.
Again, JESUS addresses this issue, but from a different angle. HE taught that there will be those that possess some sort of spiritual gifts….such as casting out demons, or doing miracles…. but that HE never even knew them…..in other words, the POWER they used was NOT from HIM!!!
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23
STRATEGIES:
As the enemy weasels his way into the very inner circles of the BODY OF CHRIST, as well as into the PROPHETIC MOVEMENT, the believers must find STRATEGIES to use, so that we recoognize FALSE APOSTLES, SPIRITS OF DIVINATION and FORTUNE TELLING. We are then to do, like Paul did, and cast it out of our midst!
1. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD:
The most obvious way to detect these FALSE SPIRITS that operate in people, is to KNOW THE WORD OF GOD well enough, so that you can recognize when deception and lies come forth.
2. STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD:
Staying close to the LORD on a daily basis so that we can HEAR HIS VOICE. HE can reveal truths to you through DREAMS, SIGNS, RHEMA, and SCRIPTURE.
3. PRAY FOR OPEN EARS AND EYES:
Pray daily, and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to open up our spiritual EARS and EYES so that we can DISCERN the truth. Also, ask for DISCLOSURES of any RED FLAGS concerning the person in question…..BEFORE you follow them!
I have done this often, and have foundthe HOLY SPIRIT to be faithful into LEADING me into all the truth!
4. CHECK FOR SIN:
Another way to recognize a FALSE REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST, is to see if there is any continual sin manifesting behind the scenes. Sometimes this is hard to do, because of the internet!!! However, the LORD sees, and knows everything……so ask HIM to reveal the TRUTH about the person.
5. TEST for GOOD FRUITS:
The TESTING OF FRUITS is also a great way to DISCERN if someone is from the LORD, or not. Again, ask the HOLY SPIRIT to show you their FRUITS …..whether GOOD or BAD!
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? “Even so, every good tree bears good frui, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.“E very tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:16-20
The FRUITS of the SPIRIT are:
“ love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
6. WAIT UPON THE LORD, AND LOOK FOR YOUR PEACE
Last, but not least, be PATIENT, and SEEK PEACE as you wait for an an answer to your prayers. If you are at PEACE, while you wait, then this is a good sign! However, if there is an agitation, or disquietness about that person, in your spirit,….then it could definitely be a RED FLAG!
SO, WAIT UPON THE LORD! Remember that even Paul did NOT discern this SPIRIT OF DIVINATION at first! So we too, must not jump to any final conclusions, until we hear clearly from the LORD!!!
“Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalms 27:14
Originally published by Elizabeth Marie’s Substack.
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