Do you really know 1 John 4:1-3

Saints:

I received the following from a brother in Christ who is one of the "watchmen" as well. He put together a little reminder for the times we're in.

Dear saints,

I wanted to send you a simple reminder regarding the need for spiritual vigilance. The spiritual realm is buzzing with increased activity. I have been noticing how quickly people are to open themselves up to whatever "ministry" happens to be drawing crowds at the moment. Along with this willingness for individuals to get involved is also the willingness for the same individuals to take back to their respective body of believers the spirits (so called anointing) that are behind these ministries. By doing this many can become "infected". You must be very selective and cautious about who lays hands on you as spirits are transferable. Allowing persons to lay hands on you may result in receiving something you did not expect and the ensuing battle to get free may be a fierce one.

The failure here to practice 1 John 4:1-3 is what concerns me. There is currently a ministry here in Florida that is specializing in "signs and wonders". I have been observing this ministry as it happens on live television. It is providing an excellent opportunity to apply 1 John 4:1-3. As a result I have observed enough error not to "put faith in every spirit".

We must apply 1 John 4: 1-3 whether we consider ourselves a mature Christian with experience in these matters or a new Christian easily impressed and persuaded by what is seen and heard.


1 John 4:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

1BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
2By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source];
3And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.



Seven ways to become spiritually deceived:



1. The frog in the kettle approach


This is the kind of spiritual deception that creeps up on you. Those doing the deception don't want you bring you in too fast and scare you. This approach seeks to blind you little by little before it can get you to swallow the whole hook. This approach has you cooked before you know what happened. This happens to people, groups and nations.


2. The false sign/miracle approach


This is a growing deception that seeks to use the supernatural to grip you and then point you in the wrong direction. If you can experience 'anything' supernatural then the message behind it must be true.


3. The demonic empowered seduction approach


The presence and power of the demons are real. They can come through people/spiritual teachers and impact the listeners. The presence/power in and behind the false words can be a very persuasive force. Some people may feel 'under a spell' or 'hypnotized' to the demonically energized speech.


4. The poisoned candy approach

This can be the worst type of spiritual deception. Remember Satan himself can 'morph' / masquerade as an 'angel of light'. The new age alternative spirituality can be 'presented' this way. Predators like to make their victims feel at ease before they kidnap, rape and kill them. Once you take the poison it could be too late.


5. The peer/fad, approach

Some jump into a cult or spiritual group because it becomes a fad. High profile people who join a cult can make it look like a positive 'upper class' thing to join.....like Scientology or use of the Kabala, like in Hollywood.


6. The remove you from your environment approach


This is the group that needs to get you away from anyone who may see through them. They want to move you to a place of total control. They want you to be under their total oversight, body, mind and soul..........control.


7. The spiritual deception as layers of paint approach


Some groups like the Masons need to darken your sight little by little. Each level you go through is a little deeper than before. Each levels ritual and oaths darken your spiritual perception and discernment. Soon you are so 'painted over' that nothing else can be seen but what they want you to see.

Squeaky Wheel..or..NO Squeaky Wheel?

Here is something that all of us can do in preparing to stand in the tumultuous times ahead..........just be a "Squeaky Wheel". Being a squeaky wheel in this current culture is good practice in speaking out boldly concerning your core beliefs within this growing anti-christ culture. The alternative is simply capitulating into silence and compromise......the enemy of our souls makes gains when we play the ostrich game.

Silencing the Christians - Grandmas Behind Bars

Here is something we should keep a close eye on in regard to capitulation to perhaps save a ministry. Capitulation is a very slippery slope.

Dobson editing radio show to avoid 'hate crimes' laws

Knowing the REAL Enemy

Saints:

I am adding this into the Practical Stand BLOG as a reminder of how important it is that we know our enemy and how he very craftily works his schemes through unsuspecting "Famous" people. I would encourage each of you to read through what some of these teachings are so you can help others see the truth through all of the lies being broadcast out there.

What is Oprah Teaching about EASTER?

False Teachers....Signs of the Times

Saints in the process of STANDING:

2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Before the apostle Peter penned these words he very carefully prefaced them with some authoritative statements;

2 Peter 1:17-18 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. (EMPHASIS ADDED)

I am pasting below a link to an article that is refuting a positional article written by a "famous" teacher of God's Word. Please examine it very carefully and see how there is very little "authoritativeness" to the positional article.......and then pay close attention to how the writer of the refuting article uses the scriptures to refute, not allegory........it's all about authority.

Jack Van Impe Responds to the Prewrath Rapture

Remember........part of being equipped in the difficult days that lie ahead is to recognize false teachings.......so that you are not led astray. The enemy will use anything or anyone to bring about "misleading" of the saints......as was warned about by Jesus;

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.

And Paul;

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

It's all about AUTHORITY!

Whose AUTHORITY do you plan on STANDING in?

New York....."POLICE STATE"......Update

I said you needed to pay very close attention to this.........Take a look at the "Jack Boots" under the "Black Robes".......and realize what's coming.

Christians ordered to pay big bucks – for praying!
Lawyer plans appeal of convictions for disorderly conduct at 'gay' fest

New York........Police State?

Here comes another "test". This will be a testing for both sides......the spirit of this world system.......and the Spirit of God. All down through history this "test" has been going on. Job was "tested" by God to see what he was truly made of.....just as these brothers and sisters in NY are being "tested". But, on the other side, there is another "testing" going on........a test to see just how far the spirit of this world system can push. This "pushing" will always have advancements. It may not look that way with past cases like this being thrown out of court, but they are advancing just the same. With every case that comes to trial we move a little closer to the "Police State" that the anti-christ will control. If you would like to see how far this has advanced already you can click here to get a book that documents much of it.

Pay very close attention to this and prepare accordingly.

Prayer warriors at 'gay' fest on trial


Luk 21:12-15 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. "So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

Subtle Dependence

In looking at the word “subtle” in the dictionary you immediately see words describing it like; clever, devious, elusive, etc. Whenever I see these words they conjure up thoughts of our enemy’s tactics as described by Moses in his description of the snake in the Garden of Eden. We all know about the word “dependence” and how it can be really good for us as in “dependence on God”, or really bad for us as in “dependence on alcohol or drugs”. But what about those “subtle dependencies”, the ones that aren’t obvious for anyone to see, how do they come into play in the serious times we are facing. We perhaps all know the admonition of the Lord in Proverbs;

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (emphasis added)

but how does this apply in the subtleties of life, and how can the enemy get an advantage over us in regard to “standing firm”? Since I am convinced that there are very few “mysteries” within scripture, I figured that the understanding that I needed had to be there somewhere. In my searching I truly believe the answer is in the word “acknowledge” in the verse above. It is the Hebrew word (yâda‛ yaw-dah' ) and is defined as “to know”. This immediately brought me to the many times in the NT that “knowing” Jesus (ginōskō) is way different than “knowing about” (epistamai) Him. One refers to being genuinely born again….the other just means you know about being born again…. but you ain’t…..excuse my bad English. Both of these words are used in the following verse:

Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" (emphasis added)

Take special note here as to who “knows” Jesus and who simply “knows about” Him. Evil spirits know Jesus intimately enough to understand their fate……they're toast…..and they know it. They also knew who Paul was because of the “Jesus” who was in him in the form of the indwelling Holy Spirit. But, they had no respect for those Jews who were trying to cast them out but had no authority to do so. No Jesus, No Holy Spirit indwelling, No authority……..Get it?

To conclude, if we want to have victory over the “subtle dependencies” that the enemy so craftily weaves into our lives, we must “know” this Jesus so intimately that we allow Him to make all of our paths straight through His indwelling Holy Spirit. We must start to ask Him to reveal where we have fallen for these “subtle dependencies” and then accept whatever we have to do to allow Him to make those “paths straight”…….or to “stand firm”. As a practical application of this you could begin to make a list of those subtle dependencies as He reveals them to you and put it somewhere you will see it every day. This may sound a bit foolish but our enemy doesn’t care, he will use whatever means necessary to bring about his will in our lives…..even “the pride of life”. Don’t be too proud to think that you don’t need help in this area. If you do, you have already given in to one of those “subtle dependencies”………I CAN DO IT MYSELF, I DON’T NEED ANY HELP!

Denying Self...an exercise in preparation

This past weekend my wife spoke on the persecuted church at a church in Miami, FL. This church was doing something very unique in an exercise of "Denying Self". They had made the decision to not serve donuts with the coffee for 7 weeks, saving the church approximately $500.00. They are going to take this money and give it to the persecuted church. We commend this church for having the courage to carry out this exercise within a culture that pretty much denies itself nothing. Richard Wurmbrand, in his periodical "Preparing for the Underground Church - Now", states the following;

"I personally use an exercise. I live in the United States of America. Can you imagine what an American supermarket looks like? You find there many delicious things. I look at everything and say to myself, "I can go without this thing and that thing; this thing is very nice, but I can go without; this third thing I can go without, too." I visited the whole supermarket and did not spend one dollar. I had the joy of seeing many beautiful things and the second joy of knowing that I can go without.

I wonder how many of us who also live in this United States and have the same access to "supermarkets" have ever given this a thought. Could we even fathom the thought of "the second joy of knowing that I can go without?" Perhaps this should be one of the challenges we take on in preparing to stand in the difficult days that lie ahead. Jesus says it best:


Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Another "voice" of warning

I truly believe voices like the following will be coming "hot & heavy" over the next few months;

Ministry founder: U.S. Christians "absolutely not prepared" for persecution

We had best heed the warnings.........................