Do NOT Believe Every Spirit

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

I remember reading an article in a newspaper in late December, 1999, stating that Jerusalem’s hotels had an unusual number of people claiming to be the Messiah, John the Baptist or the prophet Elijah. The city and surrounding areas typically draw Christian tourists who desire to walk in the places where Jesus accomplished his ministry, but it also draws many religious fanatics who are searching for an epiphany. During the latter part of 1999 there was much speculation about what would happen at midnight on Jan 1, 2000. Many had predicted that the major computer networks around the globe would crash and bring everything from governments, public transportation, stock markets and industry to a grinding halt. Some were prophesying the end of the world, others the second coming of Christ; there was no lack of weird people taking advantage of the moment to blurt out whatever they believed concerning the times. Of course, nothing major happened at midnight; Jan 1st came and went leaving the prophets of doom looking for ways to excuse their error.

We should be aware however, of the times in which we are living. The world seems to be on a fast track to fulfilling the words recorded in the twenty forth chapter of Matthews’s gospel; the signs of the end times written there are happening daily and many Christians believe that Jesus may return to take His church into heaven sooner rather than later.

Besides the earthquakes, famines, and wars Jesus mentioned, another significant sign of His imminent return will be the rise of MANY false prophets.

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (Mat 24:11)

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Mat 24:24)

Some of them will be obviously false to the mature believer, but others will come with such unusual power that even the “elect” or sincere Christians may be deceived.

Over the past few decades there has been an acute rise in people claiming to be prophets of God. They have caused considerable havoc within the Pentecostal Church and their numbers continue to grow.

Not all of them come pretending to be prophets; some show up preaching a “new” gospel, a more contemporary blend of psychology and faith, using tactics of encouragement and feigned love to trap their listeners. It is a very subtle movement that has gained strength by showcasing huge congregations, completely blindsiding their followers to the fact that Christianity is measured by character, not numbers.

In my own ministry of presiding as a Bishop of other pastors, my constant warning to them is to adjust their idea of what success is in the eyes of God. When Jesus returns to gather His church, He will be looking for those who have believed in Him, those who have learned to stand in faith by His grace and those who have demonstrated His holiness to those around them.

Here are a few more important points:

When a Pastor’s focus is centered on how to get more people into the Sunday service:

I spoke to a pastor who was recently sent to start a new church. I said: “Your job is not to go and try to recruit people to come to your meetings; your job is to preach and bring people to Christ.”

When a church becomes a marketing group that actually sells the most popular gospel, it will concentrate on getting people out of other churches more than preaching the gospel of salvation to sinners. Some preachers should have the title “Recruiter” instead of “Pastor”, because they spend most of their time trying to bleed other churches of their most prominent members.

Jesus clearly warned about “hirelings” (John 10:12-13) and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15)

Here are some indicators of people who are such:

From my point of view the real problem is twofold:

First, those who claim to be “prophets” are people who are usually eager to be in the forefront. Some are untrained in the Word of God; they are usually the easiest to spot. Others are well trained, charismatic leaders who use prophecy to build giant ministries in order to sustain their lavish lifestyles. People swoon under the so called “anointing” of such ministries and never think to TEST the word that has been given to them. One may ask: How? Here are a few thoughts:

Second, people love to hear comforting words about themselves or predictions concerning a great future that awaits them, especially the prophetical word that proclaims power and success. The most popular prophecies given over people often sound something like this:

The problem is that if this kind of prophecy is given to a novice believer, pride is the first thing that attacks them, and rebellion to any authority that would correct them is the next.

We want to hear positive things said about us! We would rather hear someone say that God has singled us out from the congregation for exaltation and honor instead of what really may be going on in our heart. We want to feel special even if we know that there are things within us that need corrected.

Over the years, I have become very skeptical of ministers whose basic function is to prophecy over individuals. I have repeatedly warned pastors as well as parishioners to be careful of such people, but the battle seems to rage on.

My wife was ministering at a women’s conference some time ago and another lady from outside of our fellowship of churches was also there. This particular lady was known for giving personal prophecies over people, so I asked my wife to take a video if possible so that I could see her “gift” in progress. This is what I saw in the video: After sharing a message the woman gave an alter call, then scanned those who came forward. She focused on a lady who had recently been divorced and was crying at the altar, then went to her, laid hands upon her and said these words: “I have a purpose for you that is for good and not for evil says God, and I say unto you that the walls of your house have fallen outward and not inward”.Then all of the women around her started clapping and shouting as though some wonderful revelation had just been transmitted to this hurting soul. After thinking a few moments, I told my wife: “What difference does it make if the walls of a house fall one way or another, the roof still comes down on your head!”

I believe in prophecy, it is a valuable gift of the Holy Spirit to the church, but before I receive one I want to know who is giving it to me and make sure that they have a proven ministry.

In 1974 I attended a men’s conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Many recognized church leaders were the guest speakers and I was blessed beyond my expectations. The one thing that still stands out in my mind about that event however, was that a section of the first rows of seating were cordoned off with signs stating “PROVEN WORD GIFT MINISTRIES” The people who sat in those chairs where the ONLY ones who were permitted in the audience of over five thousand, to go to the microphones and speak a prophetic utterance.

During the last meeting there was an unusual move of the Holy Spirit and sure enough those who considered themselves as “prophets” and who were not seated in the specified area a proven ministry, just couldn’t obey the order of the meeting. As usual, such people feel they are above “man’s” authority and proclaim that their submission is directly to the Holy Spirit. Prophecies started firing from all over the place… one guy ordered us all to take off our shoes because God was with us… another told us to prostrate ourselves with our nose to the ground, and it went on and on. The leaders of the event finally put things in order and the convention closed on a positive note.

Since that time I have watched the trends of the church and have concluded that we cannot put a complete end to false spirits who infiltrate congregations. Jesus said they would come; but we need to restrain them as long as possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. One day soon, He who restrains will be taken out of way (at the rapture of the church) and then the spirits of antichrist can do as they please for the next seven years of the Great Tribulation.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. (8) Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; (9) that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, (10) and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)

My friend, we are living in a special time; we are coming near to the Second Coming of Christ. Be aware that the forces of evil are not asleep, they are actively scheming ways to deceive and detour us onto paths that lead nowhere or into “another gospel”

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted–you may well put up with it!(2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

Let us stay Gospel focused and Christ centered! Pray for discernment, and listen carefully to the counsel of those who God has put in your path to teach you. Pray for your pastors and encouraged them to stay connected and submitted to those that watch over them. Unity is a safeguard for all of us; it causes each member of the church to be accountable to someone. The fellow ministers who I am closely related to are my assurance that there is Godly order in my life and ministry.

Beloved of Christ, be alert.

Copyright © 2011, Pastor David A. Barlock, All rights reserved.