Witchcraft and the Church

Part 1 – Introduction and Overview

What is Witchcraft?

               This is not a question easily answered in a concise format. Witchcraft is a very broad category, and holds sway over many parts of our lives. Most of us battle witchcraft in our daily lives, but very few of us are able to recognize the symptoms as anything out of the ordinary. This is because Witchcraft is satan’s second favorite form of attack against humanity (fear is always his first form of attack), and it is generational. Almost all of us were introduced into witchcraft by our parents before we were old enough to speak a full sentence.

               What witchcraft is NOT is a bunch of old women in black hats dancing around a fire and chanting in some weird language. That is sorcery. It is a bed-fellow with witchcraft, but the two are very different.

               Witchcraft is a type of trespass which satisfies a desire for power. In accordance with this goal, it uses control and manipulation, breaks up covenant relationships, indulges in sin-covenants, is self abusive, and looks to sources of power and wisdom which are not from God. Witchcraft makes us believe that we can be God. The first recorded time that satan used witchcraft against the people of God occurred in the Garden of Eden, and it has been with us ever since. Since it is generational, it was handed down to Cain. As a result, he broke covenant with God and his brother, and slew his brother in a jealous rage. By the way, lust, selfishness and jealousy are also manifestations of witchcraft, because witchcraft teaches us to worship self above all else.

               Spirits of witchcraft are both male and female in orientation, although a man can be plagued with a feminine manifestation, and a woman with a male manifestation. We see this occurring in homosexual sin covenants.

Spirits of witchcraft always operate in pairs. If there is a Jezebel, there must be an Ahab. If there is a Ba’al, there must be an Ashteroth (pronounced A-SHE-rah), etc. If Jezebel is present in someone’s life, Ahab will always be found in a spouse, close friend, ministry partner, etc. Whoever it is will be in a covenant arrangement. The same is true of all spirits of witchcraft. Generally, the first place to look is in the spouse. However, the fact is that ALL of an individual’s covenant relationships could be infected, and deliverance would be required on a large scale.

How does Witchcraft Enter Someone’s Life?

               The answer to this question is just as difficult to answer in a concise manner. Because there are so many different spirits of witchcraft, there are many doorways by which they enter our lives. Let’s take a quick look at just a few examples, shall we?

               Jezebel, for example, is extremely manipulative. When we use manipulative techniques on those around us, we open the doorway for her. Ahab, on the other hand, is easily manipulated and willing to do most anything to satisfy his lust, especially if Jezebel approves. When we willingly allow others to manipulate us, especially with gifts which satisfy a lust, we open the door for Ahab. Jezebel is also very astute at attaining power which does not belong to her. We see this manifestation in homes all across the country when a strong-willed woman runs rough-shod over her husband, appeasing him by supplying  whatever he lusts for (lust may be, but is not necessarily sexual in nature). God set up divine order in families to operate a specific way, and when we design to implement our own way of thinking, we open the door to the enemy. We also see this manifestation when a man refuses to take his place as head of household, forcing his wife to take on authority which is not hers by divine order.

               Python will enter someone’s life through serious illness (diabetes seems to be a favorite), or through fringe occult practices. Horoscopes, Ouija boards, and tarot cards are favorite doorways. Leviathon will gladly accept doorways offered through gambling. Yes, even state Lotto games qualify. Python will choke the life out of its victim, while Leviathon will slowly drag a person down.

               The spirit of abominations, a witchcraft spirit which I have seldom encountered, will access a person’s life through the commission of abominable sins. Acts such as abortions, homosexuality, murder, etc. all qualify.

What Does the Word say about this?

               Biblical references for spirits of witchcraft abound to a greater degree than for any other type of spirit. God knew we would need these examples to safeguard ourselves against these malicious destroyers of lives.

               In upcoming installments of this series, I will go into depth detailing Spirits of witchcraft, both in the Word, and from a historical perspective.  We will explore the Biblical warnings against witchcraft, the penalties God assigned to those that practice witchcraft, and the behavior exhibited by the individual spirits. When we are done with this series, enough information will be presented so as to empower Believers to spot the operation of witchcraft and stop it in its tracks.

The next article in this series will detail the operation of Jezebel and Ahab, two of the most common spirits of witchcraft assigned against the body. We will learn the details of how they operate, how to spot them in action, and how to stop their operation.

False Prophets

               You know, I have seen an awful lot of garbage posted about “false prophets” lately. It seems that every time someone does not agree with the doctrine presented in a message by a minister, that minister is automatically labeled as a “false prophet” by someone.

It seems that we have so many people running about, screaming “false prophet” that it is unsafe to listen to anyone any more. After all, something in their last message may have offended the sensibilities of some dear soul, somewhere, resulting in their being so labeled. Is it just me, or does this not sound like God?

I have even heard the name applied countless times to those that have never even prophesied. My question is this: how can you be a “false prophet” when you have never claimed to be a real prophet?

There are thousands of denominations spread out amongst hundreds of thousands of churches just in the United States alone. I do not agree with the doctrine presented in many of these churches, backed up by many of these denominations. So does that mean that everyone who believes something different than me is a “false prophet”?  Of course not. That is a ridiculous statement! But then again, before the day is through I am sure to read another article on why Pastor So-and –so is a “false prophet.”

“Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10).

It was God’s will for the Body of Christ to be one body. In other words, we are to have one mind and one Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord. How then, can the individual members of one body constantly be running around calling one another “false prophets”?

Maybe the time has come that we need to begin developing understanding and compassion for one another. Just because my doctrine differs from yours, it does not mean that either of us is a “false prophet”. It simply means that we are walking in differences of revelation. Maybe the Lord has given you an insight into the Word which I have not received, yet. That’s okay. Be patient with me, I’m getting there. Even though I am a minister, called and ordained to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it does not mean that I know everything there is to know. Perhaps you have had experiences which I’ve not yet had. Hey, does that make you the “false prophet”?

What I’m saying is this: we have to leave room for differences in belief and opinion amongst brethren which love one another. Running around screaming “false prophet” is not an act of discernment, nor is it an act of love. Therefore, it is not of God.

If you disagree with someone, ask the Lord for clarity for both of you. Who knows, you may just find that you are the one walking in the wrong understanding. Scary thought, isn’t it?

Move Your Mountain / Slay Your Giant

               “If ye shall say unto this mountain, ‘Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea,’ it shall be done.” (Matthew 21:21b)

               What did Jesus mean by this statement? We all have mountains, or giants, which stand in our way as we try to further our walk with the Lord.

Let’s face it: we all come with baggage when we enter the kingdom. While some of us may experience a total, complete deliverance at the time of salvation, I don’t mind telling you that was NOT the case with me. I brought my bad habits, my addictions, my attitude problems, and a host of other issues with me. Some of them the Lord has delivered me from, while I’m still working on some others, and still praying about some others. I find that is the case with most Believers.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to come with issues. After all, we are all human, trying to “walk out our own Salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). How long is it okay to hold on to those issues, however?

Take me, for example. I have been walking with the Lord for a while, now. While I have come a long way, and I can definitely see evidence of God working in my life, I still have my issues. Some of them I brought along with me at conversion, but others I have developed along the way.

One of the issues that I seem to struggle with the most is smoking (hissss!) This also seems to be the one issue that fellow Christians love to take note of. I will be honest, here: I know God doesn’t want me to smoke. He only wants what is best for me, and smoking is not good for my health. No secret, there.

But honestly, I have other issues that I deal with that are a lot higher priority to me. There are some things about my attitude, for instance, which do not reflect Christ. To me, that is much more important than smoking. I have also been in a period of trials and testing for quite some time, now as the Lord prepares me for whatever He has in mind for me. Believe me, that is a much higher priority than the smokes, even though it is something that others really cannot see.

There are things that I have been in prayer about for months which have seen no apparent change. Many of those things are very high priority to me. It seems like I pray and pray about those issues, but nothing ever happens. Nothing very positive, anyway.

Then I look around at others, and I begin to wonder what some of them know that I do not. While on one of these trips wondering, the Lord revealed something to me about a certain situation. It certainly helped me, and I thought I would share it so that maybe some of you that are still struggling with your human nature could take an opportunity to learn from my mistakes.

You see, I had been faithfully praying about a certain situation over a length of time, and I really didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. In fact, it seemed the more I prayed, the worse it became. Ever been there? The Word teaches importunity (asking until you receive), so I took that to heart when it came to this issue.

Anyway, I had been praying for months, when the Lord began to speak to me through His Word. He took me to 1 Samuel chapter 17. In this chapter, David faces off with Goliath. We all know the story, right? I thought I knew it until He began to speak to me about it.

In the text, the armies of Israel and Philistia have squared off for a good old fashioned slug-fest, when this mammoth of a man steps forward and issues a challenge to the nation of Israel. When David arrives on the scene, he has been running his very large mouth for forty days and not even one of the Israelites has had the courage to step forward and shut him up.

Once David decides that he has heard enough, the trials start. First, he is rebuked by his brother. Doesn’t that always seem to be the way of things? You finally decide that you are going to listen to that small voice inside of you, and what happens? Your loved ones step forward and tell you off! Always seems to happen to me that way, too.

You decide to step out for the Lord and the first thing you get is well-meaning people telling you not to. God wouldn’t ask that from you. That doesn’t sound like God to me. You are stepping out in the flesh. Remember that time…?

Next, David is summoned to King Saul’s tent, and is promptly told he cannot do as the Lord is telling him to do. It’s not possible, he’s informed. Why is it that whenever God tells someone to step out, that the authority figures in that person’s life try to dissuade them? You know what I mean. Your pastor will give you that funny look and just shake his head. The people you seek for counsel will tell you that you’re nuts. We’ve all been there.

I look at it like this. The religious authorities in Jesus’ day crucified the Messiah. What would Abraham’s Pastor have said if he’d been told that God had said to sacrifice Isaac? I wonder what the people in Noah’s life thought of him?

And then the worst thing of all: David’s giant laughs in his face. Ouch! Even his opponent didn’t respect him!  I think a lot of us would have given up at that point. Many of us do.

David knew a secret that many of us haven’t learned, yet. He understood how to follow the voice of the Lord. He understood when to stop telling God about the giant, and start telling the giant about God.

Goliath was huge. He was larger, stronger and faster than any human being on the field. He thought that because of his great size that he could defy God. Do you have any problems like that? Do they seem to defy the will of God in your life? Do you cry out for relief and hear only silence?

Maybe the Lord is trying to tell you to stop telling Him about your giant, and to begin telling your giant about Him. Tell your giant what God has done for you in the past. Tell it that it cannot defy a child of God; that it must remove itself from your path. Tell it that your God has already defeated it, and that you are walking onward and upward. Tell it that you serve a God Whose name is above every other name. Remind it that it has already been cast down. Stop listening to it, and begin talking to it!

If David had listened to the giant, he would have been defeated before the battle had even started. He didn’t listen to the giant or the other nay-sayers in his life, because he understood the nature of his God. The nature of the giant doesn’t matter. It lies to you, and that is all you need to know about it. Speak the Word of Truth to your giant. Slay it in it’s tracks!!!

              

Christ in the Old Testament

               I have always had a question when reading Matthew 23:37, 38. Jesus seems to be awfully upset by the fact that the people of Jerusalem had not accepted Him. I really didn’t understand why.

               Let’s face it: He came and completely changed the religion that they had practiced for thousands of years. He should have expected resistance, shouldn’t He? After all, when God laid down the Law for the Israelites, He made it clear that any form of idolatry was forbidden. When Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God (John 10:29, 36), He was, in fact trying to change their religious beliefs, and God had forbidden that, right?

               From what I had been taught, Jesus only made a few appearances in the Old Testament. He appeared to Abraham, once to stop him from killing Isaac (Gen. 22:11-12), and then again as Melchisedec (Gen 14:18-19). He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Ex. 3:2-6). We also know that He appeared to Daniel (Dan. 10:5-6; Rev. 1:13-15).

               So how could God expect Jesus to be recognized and accepted, when the children of Israel didn’t really know who He was or when He would come? That’s what I thought, anyway. I should have known better. The nature of God is not like that. He just doesn’t operate that way.

               As I was obediently studying Psalms, Jesus began to reveal to me His presence in the Old Testament. I have to say, that this took me some time in prayer and study to fully understand.

               Psalm 23:1 reads “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (kjv). We are all familiar with this scripture.

After reading this Psalm, the Lord then took me to Exodus Chapter 3. In Exodus Chapter 3, Moses is having a discussion with the Lord through a burning bush. First off, the Lord identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:6). Then the Lord (YHWH/ Jehovah) says that He has seen the oppression of His people, and has come down to deliver them (Ex 3:7-10). When Moses asks Him what His name is, He replies “I AM THAT I AM” (YHWH/Jehovah). This statement literally means “I will be what I will be.”

In this short discourse, the Lord has revealed that He is the eternal One, and He never leaves or forsakes His children. He was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is also there in the present to see the oppression of His people. He will also be there in the future to lead them to a new land, flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8).

Then the Lord God (YHWH Elohim/Jehovah Elohim) tells Moses that the God of the past, present, and future is sending him to His people, and His name (YHWH/Jehovah) is a memorial to all generations.

Okay, now I have a question: who, exactly is YHWH/Jehovah? Is it God? Is it Jesus? Who is it?

Psalm 23:1 tells us that the Lord (YHWH Rohi/ Jehovah Rohi) is my shepherd. John 10:11, 14 tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. If the Lord (YHWH/Jehovah) is my shepherd, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd, then it stands to reason that Jesus is YHWH/Jehovah, right?

Wait a minute, here. If YHWH/Jehovah is translated as Lord hundreds of times in the Old Testament, and Jesus is YHWH/Jehovah, that means that He was very active in the lives of the children of Israel, even before He came to earth as a man! When David said “The Lord (YHWH/Jehovah) is my shepherd,” he was implying a very intimate, one-to-one relationship with YHWH/Jehovah.

Jesus said “I know My sheep and am known of Mine” (John 10:14). He also said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Again, this implies a very close personal relationship.

Is it possible that David had a close, one-on-one relationship with Christ several hundred years before He was born? It’s not only possible; the Word makes it clear that is exactly what took place.

The name YHWH first appears in Genesis chapter 2 verse 4. In the KJV it is translated as Lord God (YHWH{Jehovah} Elohim). Jesus was there when the earth was made. He was there when Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15). He invited Noah into the ark (Gen 7:1). He promised Noah that the ground would no longer be cursed for man’s sins (Gen. 8:21-22). He confused the languages at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:6-7). He created the earth and blessed the Sabbath (Gen. 20:11).

So Jesus/YHWH/Jehovah was involved in everything that happened to His people from the very beginning. So why did He say that “by My name, Jehovah (YHWH/Jesus) was I not known”? Because YHWH refers to Jesus. In the past, the Israelites had never needed redemption and deliverance. Before He could deliver them from the Egyptians, they needed to know His full character. They needed to understand that he was redemption, deliverance and salvation. They had to be given the chance to develop a relationship with the One that would deliver them from oppression. They had to know that His name stood for a God that was eternal, and His name would bring salvation and deliverance. He had always been there, and now He was reaching out to His people, showing them a side of His nature that had never before been revealed. He was reaching out to an oppressed people, waiting for them to accept Him as God. He had always been there for them.

Most importantly, He was there for a personal relationship with anyone that would seek Him out. David very clearly had a personal relationship with Jesus, as did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and many others. Psalm 22 tells of how Jesus delivered David when he was broken and had no means of escaping the situation. Psalm 23 tells us of the close, intimate relationship that David had with Jesus.

And now, Jesus is still there, waiting to embrace whosoever will. It’s a shame that so many of us, living in the age of Grace, do not have that close, intimate relationship with Him. Do you? Can you say that you are one of His sheep, and that you know His voice? If not, invite Him into your heart today. Begin building that relationship with the One that loves you so much that He died for you. Make the decision that will change your life forever. Become a sheep.

ARE YOU A SHEEP?

John 10:1-16

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 † The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Jesus calls Himself “the Good Shepherd.” We, therefore must be the sheep He is the Shepherd of. What does it mean to be a sheep?

We all know that David, who wrote this Psalm, was a shepherd before he became king of Israel. Let’s take a look at what he said it meant to be a sheep

Psalm 23

¹ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green^a pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest^b my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever^c.

So what does it mean to be a sheep? The Lord tells us in this Psalm of 14 blessings He has given His sheep:

1) We have the Lord as our Shepherd (v.1)- He personally leads, guides, and protects every one of us

2) “I shall not want” (v.1)- He provides for our every need - that is the job of a shepherd

3) He causes us to rest in choice green pastures (v.2)- Shepherds would leave home for days at a time to take their flocks to the best, choicest pastures to feed and rest

4) He guides us to still, deep, refreshing waters (v.2) - The Holy Spirit is the deep, still, refreshing water He has guided us to so that we may be completely refreshed, and have His presence in the depths of our souls

5) Restores our souls (v.3) - He does this through the power of the Holy Spirit when we decide to kill the flesh. We all know that sheep were used as a sacrifice in Old Testament days. Romans 12:1,2 says ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice (like a sheep) He renews our minds and restores our souls so that our lives will be living proof of the good, acceptable, perfect will of God.

6) He leads us in the paths of righteousness (v.3) - this leaves us without any occasion to stumble and fall if we are following our Shepherd.

7) He safely guides us through the valley of the shadow of death - in Israel, much of the land is barren wilderness. The Hebrews recognized the wilderness as the abode of the demonic. This verse clearly says that He will guide us through this wilderness with no fear of any evil befalling us.

8) I will fear no evil (v.4) - this is because our shepherd is always with us, guiding and protecting us.

9) Thy rod and thy staff (v.4) - Shepherds carried staves with crooks in the end, and wooden rods (clubs). The staff was used as a means of safely grabbing a sheep going astray, while the rod was a symbol of authority, as well as a means of fighting off wild beasts that would try to attack the sheep.

10) Prepares a table before me (v.5) - This verse is promising a full feast set before us in the presence of the enemy. Our shepherd will watch and protect us as we feast on what He has provided

11) Head anointed with oil (5) - Perfumed oil was placed on the head before a feast in ancient times

12) Cup running over (v.5) - He promises that we will not only have enough, but we will have an abundance. Matthew 6:31-33 says Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God will always supply His sheep with what they need.

13) Goodness and mercy will follow (v.6) - God promises that His care and provision will be with us to the very end. In addition, His mercy and grace will always be with His sheep

14) I will dwell (v.6) - For those that are indeed sheep, we are promised that we will have a place in the Father’s house forever.

There is one other point I want to mention about sheep. We have all seen beasts of burden yoked to a wagon, plow, etc. How many have ever seen a sheep yoked to a plow? Or even a small cart? Why? Sheep were not designed to carry burdens, that’s why.

Matthew 11:28- 30 says ^{8 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.}

God did not design sheep to bear burdens. We are not designed to carry burdens, which is why Jesus tells us to cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7), and to take care for nothing (Phil. 4:6). We are not designed to deal with stress and worry. Be a sheep, give the stress to the Good Shepherd!

THE MARK OF THE TRUE PROPHET AND APOSTLE

Introduction

               I have been reading a lot of blogs, lately about “false prophets”. Many of them are extremely good and well-researched, while others are obviously from the point of view of a person that has been indoctrinated to believe something other than real Truth. In order to clear up some misconceptions, and to present the Truth, I am publishing this article.

               Before you try to decide which turnip truck I fell off of, let me make a simple statement: the Holy Bible (kjv) is my reference for all materials presented, here. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is what it is, it says what it says, and it says what it means. I also believe that anything that happened in the Bible can and does happen, today. I do not claim to have the entire Bible memorized, but I cannot recall a single scripture that says the ministries, miracles, and Spirit of God are not for the modern Church. I’m sorry if you are feeling offended at that statement, but I believe this to be true. It is my intention, to now prove the truth of that statement.

               Instead of taking the approach of debunking false prophets and apostles, I am going to concentrate on presenting the characteristics of a true prophet and genuine apostle of the Most High God.  Many writers have expended much effort in spotting false prophets, but I haven’t found much material on the recognition of genuine prophets or apostles. I believe that when the Body of Christ can recognize the true prophets and apostles, the false prophets and apostles will not have any room to work. I also believe that if we concentrate on pointing out the work of the enemy, we are inadvertently giving him glory (no offence meant to those other writers). It is not my intention to glorify the works of satan, so I am going to glorify the works of the Lord, instead.

What is a Prophet?

               Prophets first appeared in the Old Testament. They were God’s messengers. In fact, the Hebrew word “nabiy”, translated as “prophet” 312 times in the Old Testament, means “spokesman, speaker or prophet” (Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Page 611).

               Prophets, and their respective ministries, are mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Much of the Old Testament was written by prophets. But they are also in the New Testament, as well. The Greek word, “prophetes”, the word most often translated as “prophet” in the New Testament, appears 149 times, and means “one who speaks forth” (Thayer’s page 553).

               Old Testament prophets were used, in many instances, to carry messages of the wrath of God; their ministry was one of God’s wrath and judgment. Many times, they would warn Israel that the judgment of God was approaching. This was a “shot over the bow” to let God’s people know that it was time to adjust the way they were thinking, living, and worshipping. The references on this point are too numerous to mention.

               Old Testament prophets lived and worked in the atmosphere created by the Law of Moses, a law of works. They were not allowed to be inaccurate, as death would result (see Deut. 18:20). However, just because an Old Testament prophet was a false prophet, doesn’t mean that they weren’t accurate (see Deut. 13:1-3). Just like modern day false prophets, they could be accurate, as well as show signs and wonders (otherwise, God wouldn’t have warned His people about false prophets showing signs and wonders and having accurate prophetic words from the wrong source). The difference was the source of the prophecy, and to whom did the prophetic word point. If the word pointed to the one true God, then it was genuine. Even if the word was accurate, but led the Israelites astray, the prophet was judged as false. The prophecy had to be more than just accurate, it had to reveal the character of Jehovah. This principle still applies, today.

I repeat, just because a prophet is accurate, does not mean that they are a genuine prophet of God. Satanic prophecies can be extremely accurate. We have all seen this in action. There are some fortune-tellers out there that are very, very accurate. There are some psychics that can tell you everything about your life, but espouse belief in eastern mysticism. There are also some prophetic “Christian” ministers that are accurate, but lack grace and godly character. All of these instances point to a prophet being a false prophet.

               New Testament prophets have been given a new job description. When the Lord Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, we entered an age of grace. This age will continue until He returns to call His people home. Because of the beginning of Grace, everything in the kingdom was given a new filter. Nothing happens in the Kingdom of God that is not filtered through the blood of Christ. Therefore, modern prophets must prophesy out of grace. Keep in mind, that even Old Testament prophets prophesied out of grace, it was just a little harder to spot. With the modern prophet, everything must be about the grace of Christ. Grace should be very evident in any prophecy given in this day and age. If it is not, test the Spirit for the source of the prophecy.

               I must make a point, here concerning prophecy. Any prophecy spoken absolutely must line up with the Word of God!!! God has revealed His will for His people through His Word! He is not going to speak something that does not line up with what He has already spoken. God reveals His will and His personality through His written word. He does the same through the spoken word. If the two do not line up, then the written word must always supersede any spoken word from any prophet, regardless of how much trust you have placed in him.

What is an Apostle?

               While the Old Testament was mainly written by prophets, the New Testament was mostly written by apostles. Apostles became the founders, governors, and developers of the Christian Church. Christ gave them to the Church to govern it upon His ascension. All eleven of His disciples became apostles. Saul of Tarsus became an apostle a few years later (the Apostle Paul). Many other apostles have been given to the Church in the interceding years. Their mission is always the same, and they generally exhibit many of the same characteristics.

               The ministry of the apostle is a ministry of foundation. We see many people in the modern Church that are labeled as apostles, even though many of them are not true apostles. When we look at the ministry of an apostle, we should see a person concerned with building the Church by building foundations. We see this all through the New Testament. Every apostolic New Testament writer dealt with church foundations. Some founded actual churches, while others built foundations of love, worship, Spiritual service, etc. Regardless of what they were building, they were always building.

               Again, they were always building as a function of their ministry. Generally speaking, apostles build foundations on a corporate level, and prophets build foundations on an individual level. Prophets will be concerned with a person’s foundation, while an apostle will be concerned with a church’s foundation. That is not to say that apostles cannot minister individually, because many do, and subsequently are mistaken for prophets.

New Testament Prophets and Apostles

               Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to His Church. This is very clearly stated in Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians 4:11-13 reads: “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” So let’s examine this statement a little more closely, shall we?

               First, He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. This was His (Christ’s) gift to the Church. This was not His gift to a church, but to the Church. We need to take notice that all five ministers were given at the same time, in the same statement. There are statements which follow that must be understood in that way in order for them to make sense.

I would like to make a point, here. I have never found an instance in scripture when God gave a gift to someone, and then took it back. When He gives us a gift, it is ours unless we choose to give it to someone else. Even in the Old Testament, God never took back the land He had given to the children of Israel. They followed after strange gods, they cursed Him, they killed His messengers (the prophets), they even killed His Son. God never took back the land He had given them. He did warn them when they were about to lose it, but they seldom listened. Then, they lost it through their own actions. Even after all of that, He gave them their land back, more than once. Once God gives us something, it is ours. He has given us the five-fold ministry, and I cannot find any reason in the Scripture to believe He took it back.

I need to make another point, here. All five ministers were given in the same statement, as one gift from Christ to the Church. So even if He had taken them back, He would have taken them all back. All five were the same gift. Therefore, we either have all five ministries operating, or we haven’t any.

Why did Christ give this gift to His body? “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.” This is the job description for any person called into the five-fold ministry. To be perfected means to be “complete, furnished, or equipped” (Strong’s Elec. Ed.). To be “edified” means to be “built up” (Strong’s, elect. Ed.).

So the five-fold ministry is supposed to be equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, and building up the Body of Christ. That is their function, their mission. So, it naturally follows that any five-fold minister, functioning within his calling, is going to further these goals. Apostles will build corporate foundations; prophets will build personal foundations; evangelists will bring in new converts; teachers will teach them; pastors will shepherd them. And everything will be done to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, and to edify the Body of Christ. This is one of the easiest ways to recognize a genuine prophet or apostle. Are they building up the Body? Are they equipping the saints? Or, are they simply following their own agendas? 

In 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, the Apostle Paul reinforces this doctrine of edifying the Body. It is very clear that New Testament prophecy is given for the purpose of edification. In order for a prophecy to be genuine, it must build something or someone. A prophecy which is spoken that does build or equip, should be seriously questioned as to the validity of the source.

Prophecy also serves to convince and convict (1 Cor. 14:24), and teach and bring comfort (1Cor. 14:31). It also serves as a means of exhortation (1 Cor. 14:3). Regardless of the particular prophetic word being released, it must also serve to equip and edify; it must also line up with the written Word.

For how long, exactly, did Jesus give us the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers? “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” So, I may be wrong. The Lord has already told us that these ministries will not last forever.

First, the Word says “Till we all come in the unity of the faith.” I really don’t have to go any further, do I? There is only one thing that will make all of us come together in the unity of the faith: the return of Christ. With thousands of different denominations all espousing different beliefs, and competing with each other for members, we really can’t say we’ve managed to come together in the unity of the faith, can we?

This is the first statement following the word “till” (until), however. If we have not even met the first condition, how can we fool ourselves into thinking that the ministries of the prophet and the apostle are no longer required or in operation? Again, the Bible says what it says, and it says what it means.

So how do we recognize a genuine apostle or prophet? Many of the guidelines have already been given. But there are a couple more I would like to point out. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus is addressing the issue of false prophets. He says “you will know them by their fruits.” What does that mean? In Galatians 5:19-23, the Apostle Paul outlines the fruit of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit. He says that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance is the fruit of the Spirit. Does the apostle or prophet manifest these fruits? All these things are of God. It is only in the true character of Christ that you will know a true prophet or apostle from God. Do their prophetic utterances manifest these fruits? Do you hear grace when they speak?

In 1 John 4:1 we are told to “try the spirits”, and in 1 Corinthians 14:32, it says “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” Also in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul highlights “discerning of spirits” as one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. In other words, God Himself will let many of us know that a prophetic utterance is not of Him. Listen to your Spirit! If you have any question, immediately seek confirmation from another prophetic person.

John 15:26 describes the Holy Spirit as The Comforter. It also says that the Holy Spirit shall testify of Jesus. One sure way to know a prophetic word is genuine is if it points the way to Christ. A prophet that prophesies money from you or your ministry into his, is not pointing the way to Christ.

Parting Thoughts

I hope this article helps those that are searching after the truth of prophetic and apostolic ministry in this age of false doctrine. I would be happy to answer your questions, or see your comments on this issue. May God bless you and keep you. Paul

 

Feng Shua is a Spiritual Concept

Introduction

I know this is a strange title for an article on a Christian Blog Site. So, let me start with a disclaimer: I do not practice, nor do I endorse, the Feng Shua belief system. I will even go one step further: Feng Shua is a system of beliefs based on geomancy, astrology and numerology. It is, by its’ most basic definition, witchcraft.

However, we know that the enemy lacks creativity. He has never created anything; he only steals, kills and destroys (1 Peter 5:8). Part of being vigilant, however, is to realize what he has stolen, perverted, repackaged, and sold back to the rest of the world as “new age” religious ideas. Feng Shua is one of these ideas.

 Please understand that the term, “new age” does not refer to the amount of time that the belief has been in practice. Feng Shua is, in fact, older than Christianity, but is still a “new age” belief. New age beliefs try, in the most part, to replace God with some other system of belief. In the case of Feng Shua, God is replaced by “chi”, the non-intelligent force of the universe as a whole. As part of the Buddhist doctrine, practitioners believe that they will, after a series of many incarnations, aspire to be a god, themselves (humanism, again a new age belief).

Feng Shua Explained

               The Lord has been talking to me lately about the spiritual concept of Feng Shua. In order to understand the fullness of what He was saying, I had to do a little research. I am going to share my relevant findings, here so that we all fully understand the message that the Lord is trying to convey.

               Feng Shua is an ancient Chinese religious belief system. Evidence of its’ use can be seen in structures as old as 5000 to 6000 B.C. in certain regions of China, Europe, and in the Bible. While it was not referred to as “Feng Shua” in Europe or in the Bible, its’ principles were in use. More on this, later.

               The Chinese traditional religious beliefs hold that everything and everyone on the earth is affected by, and affects, “Chi”. Chi can best be compared to “The Force” in Lucasfilms “Star Wars”. The belief is that it surrounds everything, permeates everything, it is neither good nor evil, but can be manipulated for either cause. In effect, they have tried to explain the supernatural presence of the Spirit of God and the forces of darkness as physical phenomena.

               Chi is completely dependent on the belief in the yin and the yang. Yin is receptive while yang is active. Yin and yang has been explained as good and evil, also. They believe that in order to achieve totally harmonious balance, both must be present in equal amounts. Chi flows through the earth in “dragon lines”, and the placement of villages, houses, doorways, tombs and furniture become of utmost importance in relation to the dragon lines. If one elemental substance is misplaced within the dragon lines, chi will not flow correctly, and “bad chi” results.

               According to this belief, “good chi” promotes health, wealth, creativity, positive social relationships, confidence, meditation and contemplation, and respect for one’s self and others. Bad chi results in just the opposite. Feng Shua is even practiced as a medical discipline to treat chronic illnesses.

               Feng Shua is a discipline of alignment. As a belief system, it has translated spiritual principles into the physical realm, similar to the way that the Tabernacle was a physical representation of heavenly things. Therefore, Feng Shua is a spiritual concept, and as such, I think it is worth a look to discover what we can learn from it.

A Discipline of Alignment

               Feng Shua practitioners have mastered a concept that most Christians struggle with, daily: alignment. While Feng Shua mystics attempt to align themselves with a mystical force, Christians should be aligning themselves with the will of God.

               The Feng Shua believer knows that they must be in proper alignment with the universe. This produces a proper flow of chi, and they benefit immensely from it. We as Christians know we must align ourselves with the Word and the will of Almighty God, so that there is a proper flow from the heavens to the earth. Not only do we benefit immensely from this proper alignment, but all of those touched by our ministries also benefit immensely when the minister is properly aligned with the will of the Father.

               Alignment is an all-important principle in the Kingdom. God wills for each of us to have an abundant life, a constant, abundant flow of blessings. So many of us are not receiving the flow we’re entitled to. Why? Perhaps it is time to look at our alignment.

               When we are aligned with the principles presented in the Word, God is free to release everything He has in store for us. This includes material wealth, spiritual well-being, physical health, and so much more. We were promised an abundant life, a life of being more than a conqueror. Are we lining up with the will of God to receive that abundant flow? None of us would try to force a stream to flow uphill. That would be ludicrous! How many of us try to force our abundant heavenly flow to move uphill, through obstructions, and over desert areas in our lives, though?

 

How alignment affects the Ministry

               I am not casting any stones, and I am not going to mention any names, but we have all seen the results when a minister comes out of alignment with the Lord. We’ve all heard about the moral failures, financial scandals, etc. Unfortunately, these ministers lost sight, at least temporarily, of their alignment.

               Alignment is an all-important factor in the lives of true Christian Believers. Jesus made this very clear in John 5:19 when He said that He only did what He saw His Father do, and He only said what He heard His Father say. In other words, Jesus was in perfect alignment with the will of His Father. That is why His ministry was so effective. That is why His prayers were always answered. He was in perfect alignment. Are we?

               Again, without casting stones, step back and take a look at the ministry you’ve been entrusted with. Are you and it completely in alignment with the Father? God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). Is your ministry built on love? We are all ambassadors of Christ. Do you reflect that you are an ambassador of love? I would love to say that I have mastered this, but I am still working on it, just like most of you.

               The Lord has re-released His vision for the Church. It is a vision of love and covenant. We must all grab hold of this! God is Love! Love is not an emotion; it is not an abstract force! It is a person! It is God, Himself! When the world sees us, do they see a ministry of Love? Do they see Love as our foundation? Is Love our foundation? Are we in alignment with the Father? Are we in alignment with and an ambassador for, pure heavenly Love? Do we allow our own agendas, goals, and beliefs to bring us out of alignment with our heavenly Father? If so, are we willing to make the appropriate changes?

               There is an awesome move of God’s Spirit being released over the earth in this season. We must all grab hold of this! We must examine ourselves and our ministries! The time for personal agendas and personal goals has come to an end. God is looking for those whom will minister out of pure, unconditional love. Are you the minister He is searching for? Are you in alignment with the Father? Have you mastered the concept that Feng Shua is a spiritual concept?