Demons, Devils, and The Holy Ghost
Matthew 7:22
& 23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.
1 Corinthians 10:21
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye
cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of
devils.
Alot of people are into 'Jesus Talk' these days. It has become popular among the 'church set' to appear super spiritual. This is very common on the so called Christian Web. The chat rooms are full of people talking the talk, how many do you think are really walking the walk? Very few are. Many go to church every week, chat in the rooms nightly, but in "real life" you wouldn't even know they are Christian. It is easy to get up and praise GOD in a room full of people doing the same, it is actually harder not to. It is our human nature to go along with the crowd. If everyone else is dancing, we dance. If everyone speaks in tongues, we speak. In the company of prophets, we prophecy. But is it all real, or imitation? How much of this has more to do with self, and emotion, than with the Spirit of Truth?
Jesus said in the last days many would exhibit false signs and wonders, but the Spirit was not in them. Many would fall away into the doctrine of devils. This is happening today. The demons, devils, and fallen angels are still very active in our world and in the church. And many of those who follow their doctrines are completely deceived. They feel they are following GOD. After all, they are 'good' people. But Jesus said "no man is good, only our Father in Heaven". If we think we are 'good' or that we are 'spiritual' we are in deception. We are wretched, poor, and naked before GOD. We can do no good work. All our works are as filthy rags. If we take the path of the spiritual superman, using that spirit within us to perform 'good' works, and powerful miracles, then we are allowing the wrong "spirit" to fill us. The true signs and wonders of GOD are done by the Holy Spirit as He overflows us and pours out. He is not under our control, we are controlled by Him.
Spirits surround us. They are everywhere we turn. Demons, devils, angels, there are millions, even billions. The battle line is drawn. But the enemy tries always to blur that line. Satan can appear as an angel of light, and his followers can as well. They are subtle, and patient. They walk among us, feigning fellowship, helping us, healing us, filling us with the emotions of worship without the substance of obedience. We can have it all, the feeling of the annointing, the power, even gifts, all without any sacrifice on our part. Spirituality on demand, just what our modern society has raised us to expect. Instant redemption, faith without faithfulness. Slowly they pull us over the almost invisible line. They play on our emotions. First love, joy, and security; then lust, passion, and control. Soon we no longer notice the calling of our Shepherd, we are too far into the wilderness, following after the thief who has stolen us from the fold.
GOD forbid anyone think i am denying the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. He Baptizes us when we are saved, He annoints us to service, and, if we open ourselves, He will fill us with the overflowing power of His presence. The Holy Spirit has power beyond our imagination. It was He who flew above the primordial chaos, bringing life and order to the universe. But all the Holy Spirit is and does points us to our Father, and leads us into obedience to the will of GOD. Formulas, and rituals, even under the guise of religion or spirituality, is still magik. We can not say the right prayer, perform the correct fast, work that certain work, and summon the power of the Holy Spirit. We may indeed summon power, and a spirit, but not the One Spirit of Truth. We can not Will the annointing to come upon us. The Spirit moves where He wills. If we call forth power through our will, our desire, our emotion, then we call forth the spirits of deception. They, too, will annoint us in their power, and even fill us if we allow it. They, too, will show signs and wonders, and mimic the filling of the Holy Spirit.
So how do we know when we are being deceived? We can't... The answer is in our central focus; Self or GOD. Jesus tried to teach us this. Do you speak in tongues so that others may hear and call you blessed <DECEPTION> Do you pray in the sight of men that they might see you <DECEPTION> Do you give that you might receive <DECEPTION> Do you love those who love you and revile those who revile you <DECEPTION> If we are in deception we are, by definition, deceived. We are unaware of our fallen state. We exhibit gifts, others praise us and our works, we FEEL the spirit within us, are we not richly blessed? Jesus said many would appear before His Throne with just this argument, and He would cast them into the pit... "depart you worker of iniquity". There is only one path to GOD and that lies in death... death of Self, of desire, of emotion, of will. All that we are must pass away and be replaced by what GOD would have us be. The Holy Spirit works through us, we don't work through Him.
Ok, i know i'm being hard but we need some hard preaching. The enemy is leading many astray, and others are following after them. Don't tell me "I have the Holy spirit power"; you have a devil. If the Holy Spirit is working through you, then He uses you. The Holy Spirit is not some power source for you to call on at will or whim. He is the very power of GOD. Your works are as "filthy rags", don't try to pull the Spirit into that. Fall on your face before Him and pray to the Father that His Spirit will flow through you, not your will but HIS be done. And pray that no one will know, so that "your Father, that sees in secret will reward you openly". Do your works before GOD, not before men.
Stop following after men, and trying to please men. Follow Jesus, and please GOD. All men fail, all doctrine is flawed. Listen to your teachers, but prove them by the WORD. Search the Scripture, pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you into All Truth. Test every spirit, every teaching, every doctrine, every sermon, every preacher. Test, Test, Test. Search the WORD, in Spirit and in Truth. "Study to show thyself approved". But don't study after men, seek GOD in the Scripture. And don't follow after your own emotions and foolish pride, humble yourself before the GOD of the universe.