The last time I posted this piece was in 2023. I felt that I should post it today. I pray that it helps someone.
There are times when I clearly hear the Lord in my spirit, urging me to republish an important piece. In these evil days in which we live, I feel that many Christians are lacking discernment. Satan continues to whisper his lies to vulnerable believers. These vulnerable and perhaps “immature” Christians are hearing voices, even from their pulpits, which are not based on the Word of God.
Please trust me when I say that Satan is raging and deceiving and seeking to destroy God’s people. He does know that his time is short and is behaving like a cornered animal.
This article has been brought out numerous times in the past 8 years. Hopefully this will help those who are confused and are seeking clarity from the Holy Spirit, and by that I mean that believers will turn off the whispers from the evil one, and listen to and trust the urgings of the Holy Spirit.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5).
Original Article:
As we observe the aberrant and mystical teachings in so many of our churches, my heart breaks for the members in these congregations who are either not yet born again, are babes in Christ – or are lacking discernment. They are prey for the evil one – they have no spiritual armor to defend themselves, and to distinguish between God’s Truth and counterfeit satanic lies.
Discerning of spirits
From gotquestions.org
Question: “What is the spiritual gift of discerning spirits?
Answer: The gift of discerning spirits, or “distinguishing” spirits, is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Like all these gifts, the gift of discerning spirits is given by the Holy Spirit, who disperses these gifts to believers for service in the body of Christ. Every believer has a spiritual enablement for a specific service, but there is no room for self-choosing. The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to the sovereignty of God and in accordance with His plan to edify the body of Christ. He gives His gifts “just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:11). (Emphasis added)
When it comes to the gift of discerning spirits, every born-again believer has a certain amount of discernment, which increases as the believer matures in the Spirit. In Hebrews 5:13-14 we read that a believer who has matured beyond using the milk of the Word as a babe in Christ is able to discern both good and evil. The maturing believer is empowered by the Spirit of God through the Scriptures to tell the difference between good and evil, and, beyond that, he can also distinguish between what is good and what is better. In other words, any born-again believer who chooses to focus on the Word of God is spiritually discerning. (emphasis added)
There are certain believers, however, who have the spiritual gift of discerning spirits—that is, the God-given ability to distinguish between the truth of the Word and the deceptive doctrines propagated by demons. We are all exhorted to be spiritually discerning (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1), but some in the body of Christ have been given the unique ability to spot the doctrinal “forgeries” that have plagued the church since the first century. This discernment does not involve mystical, extra-biblical revelations or a voice from God. Rather, the spiritually discerning are so familiar with the Word of God that they instantly recognize what is contrary to it. They do not receive special messages from God; they use the Word of God to “test the spirits” to see which line up with God and which are in opposition to Him. The spiritually discerning are diligent to “rightly divide” (2 Timothy 2:15 ) the Word of God. (emphasis added) – source
We know that satan takes a little bit of truth and then twists it with his lies. We read about this in Genesis when he deceived Eve into disobeying God. The devil’s tactics have not changed since the beginning.
Our Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan in the Wilderness
We are admonished to study the Scriptures to keep us safe
“That we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
The Gift of Discerning of Spirits
I was a babe in the Lord and no one told me that Copeland’s teaching was questionable. I just knew that God did not want me listening to that man. He talked about never being sick – NEVER. He said he never even got a cold. Then he made jokes about a man who was feeling blessed because God had allowed him to get a used Chevy that he had wanted. Copeland said, “I told that man that if that was truly from the Lord, he should have asked for a Cadillac – and a brand new one!” He laughed at his own lame joke.
That’s when I turned it off. That’s when I knew that Kenneth Copeland was not someone that my Lord Jesus would want me listening to. I should never get sick? I should be rich because I’m a Christian?
Was this true? Should Christians never be sick? Should we all be rich because we’re children of God? Something didn’t ring true. I had to go to the only place I knew would have the answer, my Bible. I knew that I had a bad feeling as I listened to Copeland, and I knew that God had urged me to turn him off. I wanted to know the truth.
I went to Acts in my Bible. I was sure I’d be able to see how the first Christians lived. I’d find out if they were prosperous and disease free. What I found was what I suspected to be true. The Apostles were jailed, tortured and ultimately killed, except for John. And he had been boiled in oil, yet lived because of the Lord.
Then I went to the Gospel of John to see what Jesus said about our lives as His followers.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
From Luke:
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
Revelation 21:4 says:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
We Share in the Sufferings of Christ
Suffering, tribulations, bearing our own cross, pain, crying, and death – well, this was a far cry from what I had heard Kenneth Copeland preaching. That was my first experience with discernment from the Lord. It was overwhelming to me to know that my heavenly Father protected me from the heresy I heard when I was a little more than a year old in Him! Many years later I realized that He had given me the Gift of Discerning of Spirits.
But brethren, don’t forget that every true child of God has some discernment, and as God’s child studies the Word of God diligently, he/she becomes more discerning.
I look around today and I am shocked at the lack of discernment in many Christians. How could someone who was drawn by the Holy Spirit and born-again in Him, listen to a motivational speaker like Joel Osteen, and then rave about him as an amazing preacher? Really? Which part of “Your Best Life Now” would not be a big red flag that this man is NOT preaching the gospel of Christ?
How can a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ not know that the Emergent churches and now the New Apostolic Reformation churches/cults (NAR) are not God’s will? There are many reasons why millions have been drawn to these heretical teachers. But I think that the main reason that people are duped so quickly is that they are NOT reading their Bibles.
My Honesty is now called “Hate speech”
People who know me know that I’ll be honest with them, even if that means they might not like what I am saying. When I hear someone talk about Benny Hinn and how much they enjoyed his crusade and how many people were healed, I tell them the truth about him. I tell them that he is a fraud, that he talks to the dead, that he believes we are little gods, and that he says that God takes over his mind at times before he preaches, and doesn’t remember one word he has said. Our God is a God of order – not confusion. We know who is the author of confusion!
Should preachers live like kings in mansions? The only mansions I have read about in the Word are the ones Jesus is preparing for those who love Him. Christians have no problem seeing their favorite “preacher” living in a $10 million dollar estate. I am not saying that a pastor of a large church should live like a pauper. I am saying that a pastor who is living large is not the kind of shepherd I would ever want to be my pastor.
1 Timothy 6:10 says:
“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.”
The Mine Fields Called Christian Bookstores (there are very few left)
Christian bookstores can be a nightmare for someone who lacks discernment. These stores are in business for the same reason anyone goes into business—to make money. One would hope that if one of these stores is owned by a blood bought, born-again Christian, that they would have a conviction about what is sold in their establishment. I have yet to find one like that.
The Shack
I remember when The Shack came out. I was in a Christian bookstore and picked up the book and scanned through it. I had the urge to hurl it across the store! I resisted that thought and put it down hard. The clerk gave me a strange look. I walked over and asked if she had read The Shack. The girl said. “Oh yes, it’s great, isn’t it?” OY. God give me patience.
If you have not read The Shack, you are blessed. If you, because of my article, decide to look for it, I do hope that you will see it as garbage. I think more people need to be vocal. If you have discernment from God and you see a brother or sister lacking in discernment, help them!
Prosperity Preachers
I have discerned that the “prosperity” preachers are frauds. I have discerned that “name it and claim it” is not Scriptural. I have discerned that we will never be little gods. All of these teachings could be easily detected as heresy by simply looking in the Word.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
People with itching ears like to hear what makes them feel good. The Bible is not a smorgasbord; pick what you like and leave the rest. The Bible is God’s Word to us. Everything we need to know about Him and about life is found within its pages. How amazing is that? The Creator of the the Universe is our Father, and wants us to know what is good for us and what is not!
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
All Scripture is God-breathed and we must trust it – ALL OF IT – regardless of teachers such as Andy Stanley who teaches that the inerrancy of the Word is “selective.” Brethren, this is devilish. If we go down that path, who is to say which Scriptures are inerrant and which are not? That is a very slippery slope and a lie from the pit of hell.
Itching Ears
Perhaps you have placed yourself under false teaching, and have not repented and trusted Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sin. There are many preachers who love to tickle itching ears. Does your preacher speak about sin, and how it separates us from God? Does he preach repentance – agreeing with God that you are a sinner, and to turn away from it?
If he does not, then you are playing church. You sign up to help for every event. You may even teach Sunday School. You are a helper at every Vacation Bible School and of course you are on the clean-up team. These are all good things!
But if you think that doing these good deeds will get you into heaven, you have missed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How many good deeds are enough to gain entry into heaven when you die? Have you never seen this Scripture?
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible says that God is sending “strong delusion” in these end times. The Bible makes it very clear why God is sending this delusion”
“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
So if you think you lack discernment, could it be that you have neglected the reading of God’s Word? Perhaps after you study His Word, you will begin to apply what you’ve learned to your life. You may see that the preachers you have been relying on to impart wisdom from God’s Word have actually been preaching a different gospel.
That’s a scary thought, but isn’t it more scary to continue listening to empty and deceitful words?
Get right with God! He sent Jesus to die for you so that you could be reconciled to Him.
Many hymns are like mini-sermons. Look at the words you sing in “Jesus Paid it All”:
“I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Excellent article! Reading and understanding the bible is the best. The old hymns are always based on pure scripture. The practice of these things brings us sweet fellowship with our Lord and as you say discernment for how to live and what to choose. Thank-you ❤️
You are so welcome, sis 🙂
Geri, I’m admit it that I’m still in shocked we are still here. I personally believe that time is short.
I’m praying for Israel and our brothers and sisters.
I believe that time is short too! Come Lord Jesus!
Excellent article, and I can identify with the things mentioned. I had the same reaction with “The Shack”. One of my spiritual gifts is discernment, and I am feeling more and more uncomfortable in our current “Christian” environment…
I too, had “ the Kenneth Copeland “ moment, but it was over before I could hear what he was saying. His “ crazy eyes” gave me the creeps immediately, so I turned off the tv. Benny Henn is another one; also Jimmy Swaggart.
Mentally ill? Demonic possession? I don’t know. It just gave me “the willies”. Many gullible people watch. Especially in Alabama, Georgia, & Tenn., where I’ve spent most of my life. I don’t know if they were on tv in other parts of U.S.
They give me the willies too!!
I had never heard of Copeland till a few weeks ago, when I was told of him here; the Hinn chap I have also never heard of; but I have heard of Swaggart, and what I heard is not good. He was mentioned in brief some years ago by my dad, as an example of a false teacher or whatever exactly he said he was, and that he was shown up as an adulterer. Not pretty!
And as for ones who really were so obviously wrong that they appeared/sounded mentally ill or demon possessed, surely first prize has to go to Paul Cain. I remember hearing about him when I was very young, because so many Christian people dad and mum knew thought he was the bees knees, and really tried to pile the pressure on to get them to think so too. But thank God they discerned the spirits rightly regarding him, and they were not fooled for a moment — neither was one American pastor with whom they were in touch and were quite friendly with. He was actually called a ‘heretic’ by some people who ought to have known far better!
Anyway, I never heard Cain at the time — as if anyone would expose little ones to evil influences like that! — but some years later, they gave me a recording made by two Canadian brothers (I think they were brothers, and unfortunately I forget their name) basically exposing him for the false teacher and lying ‘prophet’ he actually was, and I heard him then, for there were some extracts from things he said included in their work, and he did sound like a madman gibbering. And he was found out to be living in gross sin too, so there we are….
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:8).
Excellent article. Discernment is one of my gifts and I absolutely love this article!
I’m glad you were blessed by this article. I have felt recently that the Lord is urging me to write my own articles about important things like ‘discernment.’ I used to only write these kinds of articles. Please pray that I will hear clearly from the Holy Spirit on what to write. I would greatly appreciate it if members of AT would suggest subjects from the Word of God, and how the church is being impacted by false teaching.
Thank you, Geri. This is the TRUTH we all need to hear and believe. I have been saying for decades that the church lacks discernment, and it’s much more in need today than back then.
I have always felt the same about Copeland. People I knew would praise him while I’m wondering, “How can they?”
As to The Shack, my pastor’s youngest daughter was reading it but refused to finish it. I had heard so much controversy about it that I asked to borrow it to find out for myself. Total GARBAGE! What really bothered me was the introduction that made you expect this was something that actually happened. Until you start reading. I was disgusted with the “recreation” of Jesus and the Godhead–making Jesus out to be a klutz, and the Godhead into four persons. Yet some of my acquaintances raved about it.
Lord, send us all discernment! Without it, we will be lost in Satan’s forest of lies.
SO well said, sis 🙂 We all need discernment!