Be Not Deceived

“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13)

Slain in the spirit? 

Drunk in the spirit? Holy laughter? Howling like wolves? Writhing on the floor?

What in the Hell is going on in churches these days?

Exactly.

Pastor Chuck Smith rightly referred to this phenomenon as, "Charismania." 

Skip Heitzig said, "God is looking for spiritual fruit—not religious nuts." 

I'll save my lengthy editorial on the errors of "slain in the spirit" for another time, but will sum it up here by saying, the only people in the Bible that ever 'fell backwards' were the enemies of Christ. (See John 18:6)

Not long ago, a friend said to me, "I want to go to B_______ Church and get "Slain in the spirit."

Deception.

Watch out.

We have been given several warnings in the Bible to "Let no one deceive you." Here are just a few:

“And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.” (Luke 21:8)

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

“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.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:16)

Over the years I've observed that the people I have known who have allowed themselves to get caught up in blatant spiritual error such as "slain in the spirit" fell into one, or both, of the following categories:

1.  Inordinately self-focused. Not serving God. Bored with their life. Always seeking out new spiritual 'experiences.' Often practicing a sinful lifestyle. Unrepentant. 

2.  Untaught, and/or unstable, twisting the meaning of Scripture. Spends little to no time reading the Bible. Does not regularly attend a church. Double-minded. (2 Peter 3:16, James 1:8)

     —Almost always, they were in both categories simultaneously.

Hopping from church to church, these people grew tired of, or were offended by, the beautiful, but convicting, simplicity of the straight-forward teaching of the Bible. They are always on the lookout for new teachers, who will feed them whatever they want to hear:

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Even though the 'new' teaching you're listening to at your church may sound good to you, and maybe you're moved by their beautiful music...watch out. 

When it comes to Bible teaching; "If it's new, it isn't true, and if it's true, it isn't new."

Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you." Hip, culturally-relevant teachers, spiritual experiences and beautiful music can be manipulated by Satan who can manifest himself as an angel of light. 

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

We have been warned that in these last days, perilous times will come.

Watch out.

Evil men and impostors are everywhere. The Bible says, "Test all things; hold fast to what is good." Test everything you read and hear by the Word of God and by prayer; asking God for wisdom. 

Be not deceived.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.