1 John 4:1 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.

 

Yesterday, we entered into a discussion on the subject of casting out demonic spirits. The Word of God is very clear on this and we, as believers in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary, have the authority to do so. This was a huge part of Jesus’ Ministry and that of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ in the early Church.

 

We find in the 16th Chapter of the Book of Acts where Paul and his ministry team encountered a demon-possessed slave girl who came into their midst. 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. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. (Acts 16:16-17)

 

The voice they were hearing from the girl was in fact NOT her voice but that of the demon which possessed her. This is very common when dealing with demon-possessed people. What the demon was saying was true. “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” Satan knows the Word of God better than most people. The problem came when the demon kept repeating this over and over which interrupted the Preaching of the Gospel. And this she did for many days.

 

For days, this demon-possessed girl followed Paul and the ministry team and kept repeating this same thing over and over again. The demon was trying to draw the people’s attention away from Paul and the Truth of the Gospel Message to himself and at that point, if allowed to continue, he would lead all the people astray and into false teaching. This is what this demon was attempting to do and this is exactly how they work still today in the Church.

 

They come into a fellowship of believers and appear to know the Word of God. They talk a lot but speak a partial truth. They attempt to take over the ministry with their clever words and actions. Do not be fooled by these people. They are demon-possessed and they come ONLY to kill, steal, and destroy everything and everyone in their path.

 

We are told by the Apostle John 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) This is why God has given us the Spiritual Gift of Discernment of Spirits. Pray for greater Discernment. It is much needed in the Church today.

 

The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy the Church but……………….

 

the Truth of the Word of God will……...….turn the tide

 

Praying for greater Discernment,         Doreen

 

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