Test The Spirits
Jesus frequently warned about false teachers and prophets, cautioning his followers to be discerning. Here are some key scriptures:
Matthew 7:15 – "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Matthew 24:24 – "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
Luke 6:26 – "Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets."
2 Peter 2:1 – "They will secretly introduce destructive heresies—even denying the Master who bought them."
1 John 4:1 – "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Recognizing false teachings requires discernment and a strong foundation in biblical truth. Here are some key ways to identify them:
- Distorted Scripture – False teachers often twist or misinterpret biblical passages to fit their own agenda rather than staying true to the intended meaning.
- Appeal to Emotion Over Truth – They may prioritize emotional experiences or personal revelations over sound doctrine.
- Self-Promotion – Instead of pointing people to Christ, false teachers often seek personal fame, wealth, or influence.
- Contradicting Core Christian Beliefs – They may deny essential doctrines such as the divinity of Christ, salvation through grace, or the authority of Scripture
- Encouraging Sin or Compromise – Rather than calling people to repentance, they may justify sinful behavior or water down biblical standards.
- Lack of Accountability – They often resist correction and operate outside of biblical community and oversight.
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I've been thinking about something lately. Throughout time Lucifer, AKA Satan, the Devil, has tried to thwart Father God's plans of salvation and bringing all things back into himself; God becoming all in all.
I have often wondered what happened in heaven. Why did Lucifer and the other angels fall away from Father God?
Satan has always wanted to be like Father God. He tries to deceive people in ways to turn them away from Father God and to put roadblocks in God's plans. I kind of think there may be two main reasons for him doing it. He wants them to worship him instead of Father God. The second is so he can accuse us to Father God of being no better than himself. Satan is very cunning and often uses scripture to deceive. This is why it is important to not just trust everyone.
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Here is an example.
We often drive by a huge church on 59 North of Houston, Texas. It has a huge gold dome on top. We've noticed that the dome has gone through some changes over the last year or so. They redid the gold dome, and it now has a large gold symbol of some kind on top.
For a long time, we didn't know what it was because we never saw any signs to identify it. My wife and I kept talking about it every time we drove by so my wife recently decided to do some investigating and found out that it is the Iglesia de La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World Church). There are a number of these large churches in more than 50 countries throughout the world. She found a documentary, and we found out that they have a dark history.
From Wikipedia:
La Luz del Mundo has been the subject of several controversies. Church leaders have been accused of creating a cult of personality, sexually abusing members, and have been criticized for amassing wealth, living a lavish lifestyle, and attempting to build entire cities. In 2022, the church director and self-proclaimed “Apostle of God” Naasón Joaquín García pled guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children.[144] In December 2022, HBO and RAINN released an original documentary series titled Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo, which tells the story of child sexual abuse within the church.[145]
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In these churches of deception, they use scriptures to manipulate the people so that they can get what they want. I thought about how the Devil tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. He used scriptures and he offered him power, riches, control over all the nations. (Luke 4:1-13)
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Some things I have noticed with these churches of deception: Not only in churches but in governments.
- The leaders are said to be chosen by god.
- This may be true, but I do not think it is by the one true God, Father God, the God of gods, the creator of all things.
- Because they are purported to be chosen by god, and people believe it, it makes it difficult to speak out when people have been wronged. This is the case in La Luz del Mundo church. The girls and boys who have been sexually abused feel helpless to say anything. Their own families won't believe them. Suicides are fairly common.
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In contrast, here are God's ways, his character:
New American Standard Bible 1995
24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
Christ Jesus, who is One with Father God, gave us examples of this when he was here on earth. All that he did exemplified lovingkindness to people. When Jesus was with his disciples, he demonstrated another example by washing their feet.
New American Standard Bible 1995
12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
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In God's kingdom, all become One in Christ Jesus, who is One with Father God. The Holy Spirit works to bring the people together, exercising lovingkindness to each other. It is like a marriage feast.
Never forget Yeshua (Jesus). Never forget Father God. Jesus' great sacrifice for us, his love for us, Father God's love for us, is what made this all possible.
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