False Teachers/False Prophets/Wolves in Sheeps Clothing

[Sheeple]

Since the post on Lakeland was closed, I want to issue my response which comes in the form of a post I recently made on my blog.
"There is much emphasis among charismatics today on seeing angels and communicating with them." J. Lee Grady
In a recent installment of "Fire In My Bones", a weekly commentary by J. Lee Grady, he is effectively comparing the current circus in Lakeland to the results of what genuine Holy Spirit activity looks like by recounting the story of Julia Ruibal and his evangelism legacy in Cali Colombia.During this "Revival" hundreds of thousands of people were converted to Christ, with the evangelical population of Bolivia having grown to more than 11 percent.


The point of the article is obvious. Grady is citing a legitimate work of God, which often resulted in very dramatic conversions and ultimately the transformation of the culture to the fruit of Lakeland: obsession with angels and manifestations; false doctrine, and ecstatic and emotional experiences.
Through an interview with Ruibal's wife, Grady highlights several hallmarks of genuine Holy Spirit activity:
Genuine repentance

A true conviction of sin which led to the dramatic conversion of people, which then led to the conversion of multiple other people.
Cultural Impact

In Bolivia's case, it affected the entire nation, not just one church. As a result the nation experienced its first economic boom; churches sprang up everywhere; poverty was diminished; and first ever president (who opened up the country to the gospel) stayed in power for 8 years.
The Miraculous

Jesus always has a way of confirming the preaching of the true gospel with the miraculous, which causes people to be consumed with Jesus and not obsessed with angels, signs and wonders, or being entertained by the bizarre and weird.



The title of Grady's post brings up an excellent issue: Is the current cultural concept of Revival even Biblical? For a word that doesn't even appear in the Bible, it is one of the most widely used words in some circles, perhaps even more so than the name of Jesus, Himself. To ask the question "what are the marks of a genuine revival?" we would first have to measure it in scripture. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all trying to insinuate that God does not move by His Spirit and that He doesn't do unusual things at times to "confound the wise". However, how can we build a doctrine around something that doesn't exist in the Bible, at least the way many define it today?



Does the Bible speak of end-time revival or end-time apostasy?
Virtually every verse in the Bible that deals with "the end times" paints a very different picture than "a massive world-wide revival that will usher in the return of Christ". Here are just a few:



Matthew 24:12
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 24:24
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound [1] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Based on these scriptures and many others, will there be a massive end-time revival that usher's in the return of Christ? Probably not one that any true Christian would want to be a part of; however, this still doesn't address the fact that God does at times move in strange and unusual ways, so how do we test to see if it is genuinely an act of the Holy Spirit? Like all things, we look at the fruit! Acts 19:11-20 provides a really good example of what genuine Holy Spirit activity looks like:


God began doing extraordinary (out of the ordinary) miracles through Paul (vs. 11).
Great fear fell upon the people, which caused them to be focused upon and worship the name of Jesus (vs. 17)
True repentance which was evidenced by a turning of sin and a public display of burning their occult books and items (vs. 18-19).
At the end of it all, "So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily (vs. 20)".

So what is the fruit of a genuine move of God? People are focused upon Jesus and His name, and the word of God increases and prospers! If in a "revival" people are preoccupied with the strange and unusual, and the word of God is being assaulted, then as my mother in law likes to put it: "God aint in it!"

[~RENEE~]

So what is the fruit of a genuine move of God? People are focused upon Jesus and His name, and the word of God increases and prospers
well then by your own deffinition what is going on in Lakland is a real move of God.

[Sheeple]

well then by your own deffinition what is going on in Lakland is a real move of God.

I must politely disagree.

[~RENEE~]

Then we agree on one thing. We disagree.

[Elijah2]

well then by your own deffinition what is going on in Lakland is a real move of God.

Sorry Renee, you didn't test the spirits, so please share with me that this movement at Lakelands is a REAL MOVE OF GOD?

But view this video first. And take note of what this person says:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUj70gUxFog&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUj70gUxFog&feature=related)

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

[~RENEE~]

I refuse to watch doctored videos. Especially if they biased and aimed to cause hate in the body of Christ.

Jesus is being preached as Lord and Saviour.

[Elijah2]

I refuse to watch doctored videos. Especially if they biased and aimed to cause hate in the body of Christ.

Jesus is being preached as Lord and Saviour.

Concerned Christians are not BIASED, and AIMED at breeding HATE in the Body of Christ, because that is the work of the devil. So where did you get that thinking from, Renee? DId that come from the Holy Spirit that concerned Christians are BIASED and AIMED at breeding HATE?

What makes you think it's a doctored video?

False teachers and prophets say that all the time. I've heard many preach Jesus, but which Jesus did they preach. Did they preach it exactly word for word out of His Inspired Word, or did they preach it from the new age gospel.

Many say Jesus, Lord and Saviour, and HE says, "I don't know you!"

And many false teachers says the same.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

[BenAdam]

You raise a good point Elijah. Just because someone says the word "Jesus", it doesn't mean they mean the right one. The Jesus of the Jesus Seminar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Seminar) is not the real one.

[didaskalos]

Concerned Christians are not BIASED, and AIMED at breeding HATE in the Body of Christ, because that is the work of the devil. So where did you get that thinking from, Renee? DId that come from the Holy Spirit that concerned Christians are BIASED and AIMED at breeding HATE?

What makes you think it's a doctored video?

False teachers and prophets say that all the time. I've heard many preach Jesus, but which Jesus did they preach. Did they preach it exactly word for word out of His Inspired Word, or did they preach it from the new age gospel.

Many say Jesus, Lord and Saviour, and HE says, "I don't know you!"

And many false teachers says the same.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.
NT false prophets deny Jesus and try to get you to deny Jesus also.
A wolf in sheeps clothing is just that a WOLF.
A Christian cannot be a wolf in sheeps clothing because Christians are not wolves... they are sheep.
A false prophet is a non-Christian (a wolf).
A false prophet is someone Jesus "never knew" meaning the were never a Christian at any time.
False prophets cannot be Christians and Christians cannot be false prophets.

[JimfromOhio]

Discernment is to biblically sort out between right and wrong, between truth and error, between good and evil. Christians are responsible to exercise caution and discernment, especially in temporal and spiritual matters. I am afraid of "wolves" more than I am afraid of cults, atheists and others. I can deal what I know but its harder to deal with the wolves who act like "wildlife terrorists" that comes in without us knowing. There are false teachers who are within our faith and using Christianity (i.e. revivals) to lead us from the truth. That is where the most dangerous teachings come from.

One of Satan's best traps.

[Tamara224]

NT false prophets deny Jesus and try to get you to deny Jesus also.
A wolf in sheeps clothing is just that a WOLF.
A Christian cannot be a wolf in sheeps clothing because Christians are not wolves... they are sheep.
A false prophet is a non-Christian (a wolf).
A false prophet is someone Jesus "never knew" meaning the were never a Christian at any time.
False prophets cannot be Christians and Christians cannot be false prophets.


Of course a true Christian can't be a wolf.

But the wolves dress up like true Christians and act like true Christians - at least superficially they appear to be true Christians. They even say Christian sounding things a lot - like the name of Jesus. (They can't cast out demons or perform miracles in Jesus' name without using his name).

Thus, Jesus said they would be dressed like sheep, not like wolves.

Pretending like wolves are always easy to spot is just willfull blindness. After Jesus told us to watch out for pretenders because they come in costume, there's no excuse for anyone to believe that the wolves will look like wolves at first glance.

Jesus Himself said that some will perform miracles and cast out demons IN HIS NAME but He never knew them.

Obviously, false prophets/teachers will be using the name of Jesus a lot.

[~RENEE~]

Concerned Christians are not BIASED, and AIMED at breeding HATE in the Body of Christ, because that is the work of the devil. So where did you get that thinking from, Renee? DId that come from the Holy Spirit that concerned Christians are BIASED and AIMED at breeding HATE?

What makes you think it's a doctored video?

False teachers and prophets say that all the time. I've heard many preach Jesus, but which Jesus did they preach. Did they preach it exactly word for word out of His Inspired Word, or did they preach it from the new age gospel.

Many say Jesus, Lord and Saviour, and HE says, "I don't know you!"

And many false teachers says the same.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.Watch the stuff at the beginning where the maker of the film is telling you waht to believe. Yes that is what is happening. He wants you to concentrate on something other than God and then claims that people turning to Jesus. Being, saved and set free from the oppresion of Satan is that very thing. If you can't see that then examing that other spirit has blinded you to the truth.

BTW some of you tube is biased videos created to insight hatred and discord into the body of Christ. Please don't buy into it. Examine what is going on by watching the live feeds online. Otherwise you are taking one side of it and making it into what it is not.

[Elijah2]

As sad as it is Renee, it all began when he wrote his book Angelic Hosts.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

[hogndog]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/hogndog/Noahs_Ark.jpg

The new Ark is being loaded with peoples nations of every race creed color and etc. Be there before the door is shut for all eternity.

Thanks,
hogndog



Many say Jesus, Lord and Saviour, and HE says, "I don't know you!"

These four should be enough to drive a person straight to their knees

:amen:

[Elijah2]

Sad as it is the other ark is also being loaded, the ark of seduction and deception for those "seeking-sensitive-feeling-friendly" people.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

[ImmersionX]

Sad as it is the other ark is also being loaded, the ark of seduction and deception for those "seeking-sensitive-feeling-friendly" people.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.


Sad isn't it.

The touchy feely friendly next electric move of God seeking Christians don't need to test spirits....they just know!
:doh:


PS: sarcasm in last sentence. :thumbsup:

[Father Rick]

I hate to "debunk" Grady's article referred to in the original post that is comparing a "true revival" with what's happening in Lakeland...

But a brief read of the article, compared to a few facts about Bolivia (where this "true revival" is supposed to have occurred) shows some major biases/issues.

The entire premise of the article is that since there has been a "revival" since there 11% of the population is now evangelical. The problem with this statistic? Well, since prior to the revival 97% of the population were Christian (primarily Roman Catholic) and only 3% were some religion other than Christian... the supposed revival apparently is primarily converting Christians to another branch of Christianity. And, currently there are approximately the same number of non-Christians as before the "revival".

And what marks the "true revival" (as opposed to Lakeland)? Well, the "true revival"--according to Grady-- was marked with "signs, wonders, and miracles" (the same claims made in Lakeland) resulting in many people changing from Christian to Christian.

[CryoftheNation]

Sad isn't it.

The touchy feely friendly next electric move of God seeking Christians don't need to test spirits....they just know!
:doh:


PS: sarcasm in last sentence. :thumbsup:


You need the new and improved Sarcasm Tags :D

(General comment, not aimed at anyone in particular!) (Particular, is that a town in Nebraska?:P)

:preach:
You know, I was thinking about that sentence above, and realised something. People really do believe that if you agree with the Todd Bentley revival, then you haven't tested it by the word of God. It's astounding! Just because we don't agree, doesn't mean I haven't tested it. I can read my bible just as well as someone else. I may come to different conclusions, based on my experiences, my knowledge, my relationship with God etc, but I do test these things.

When we start dismissing people, or even claiming that they are wrong because we "Know our theology is correct through years of study and testing the spirits" it smacks of arrogance and very little love. You may know more than me, then again you may not. Just because it is what you believe doesn't make it right. We all can use the bible to show our case. We need more love and understanding. Now my friend Elijah and I don't agree on everything, but hey we've had some good discussions, but we're both open to asking questions. That's how it should be. Eventually we may come to a point, like with Elijah and my thoughts on TB, where we have to say we agree to disagree. But to claim absolute knowledge, and to say everyone else is deceived and not "Testing the spirits" is just plain nasty.

it's about time some people realised that they aren't the great schollars they think they are. If they were they'd be a lot more gentle in the way they explain stuff. False information, and reading pet sites does not a scholar make!
:preach:

Sorry, just thought I'd pass a couple of comments. As I said it wasn't aimed at anyone, just a general thought.

God bless my friends

Simon

[GreatistheLord]

I hear so much false information, ugly rumours, and what can only be described as Hate-filled bigotry, that I would be ashamed to be associated with as a christian.
All under the umberella of "testing the spirits". Some of these heresy hunter websites ,that I wont mention by name, seem to be just demonic in their tone and low-handed approach. They lack honesty and credibility.

Leaving Todd Bentley aside, tell me honestly - who are the wolves?

1 Corinthians 13


If I talk with the tongues of men and even of angels, but if I do not love people, then I am only like the sound of a big horn or a loud bell.
If I speak words from God, if I can understand all secrets, and know everything, if I can move mountains by believing, but if I do not love people, I am nothing, even though I can do all of these things.
If I give away all I have, and if I give my body to be burned, but if I do not love people, I get nothing out of it.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. Love is not proud and does not boast.
Love does not do things that are not nice. Love does not just think of itself. Love does not get angry. Love holds no wrong feelings in the heart.
Love is not glad when people do wrong things. But it is always glad when they do right. Love forgives everything. Love is always trusting, and always hoping, and never gives up.

[~RENEE~]

tell me honestly - who are the wolves?http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h203/Sexxieracerchik4/Miscellaneous/SMILIES/worms.gifhttp://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/shablack_3/1974_eating_popcorn.gif

[JimfromOhio]

I hear so much false information, ugly rumours, and what can only be described as Hate-filled bigotry, that I would be ashamed to be associated with as a christian.
All under the umberella of "testing the spirits". Some of these heresy hunter websites ,that I wont mention by name, seem to be just demonic in their tone and low-handed approach. They lack honesty and credibility.

Leaving Todd Bentley aside, tell me honestly - who are the wolves?

1 Corinthians 13


If I talk with the tongues of men and even of angels, but if I do not love people, then I am only like the sound of a big horn or a loud bell.
If I speak words from God, if I can understand all secrets, and know everything, if I can move mountains by believing, but if I do not love people, I am nothing, even though I can do all of these things.
If I give away all I have, and if I give my body to be burned, but if I do not love people, I get nothing out of it.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. Love is not proud and does not boast.
Love does not do things that are not nice. Love does not just think of itself. Love does not get angry. Love holds no wrong feelings in the heart.
Love is not glad when people do wrong things. But it is always glad when they do right. Love forgives everything. Love is always trusting, and always hoping, and never gives up.
I do have some concerns with some who are "professed preachers" in this world who claim to follow and teach the "Word" MAY NOT be following the Word. Man's doctrines often gets in the way of the doctrine of love. Thinking logically is a tough thing to do because it works against our human and horizontal perspective on true salvation. When preachers talk more about WEALTH AND HEALTH than LOVE, then you know something is wrong.

A mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ is where in the Book of James made it clear that God's grace is amply sufficient to enable us to live a godly life and to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world" (Jas 1:27). We can fake other people but we can't fake God. Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Man's doctrines often gets in the way of the doctrine of love. Are we heavenly minded or earthy minded? :wave: