Counterfeit Spirit

[thereselittleflower]

On 12/2/2015, 10:08:54, other one said:

If you can't go to your pastor and talk about concerns with him, you should just leave that church quickly....  

It may well be that he could use the backup.

I was thinking the same thing.

You should talk to your pastor, not just to share what you are seeing and sensing, but also to get his input on it.  This would be confidential so you would not be gossiping or causing harm.

If he does not show an appropriate level of concern, then this is the wrong congregation to be part of.

 

 

[Willa]

On December 2, 2015 at 1:26:36 PM, *Zion* said:

Sorry Davida, I should clarify that one of them, the 'prophet' is a guy.  The lady calls herself an apostle.

As I said before, I have been praying about this, especially for God to show us the truth, whether they are genuine or not.

Thank you for your advice

Satan had the sin of pride which would exalt oneself.  Those who had a false spirit that I have seen did this.  Calling oneself a prophet or an apostle is only the beginning

Satan had the sin of pride which would exalt oneself.  Those who had a false spirit that I have seen did this.  Calling oneself a prophet or an apostle is only the beginning.  If left unchecked they cause division, drawing people after themselves rather than toward Christ.  This is called party spirit.  Eventually they will divide a church.  I have even heard self proclaimed prophets say that if we didn't do as they said, we would go to hell!  These occurred in small groups and I did report them to the pastor, who quickly dealt with them.  God dealt with the family that had declared themselves to to apostles, therefore the pastor was supposed to answer to them rather than vice versa (so they said).  A terrible accident and brain injury humbled them and made them useful servants.  There were many such individuals in that church, and they often went from church to church causing division or corrupting members.  It was truly a Corinthian type church.   I might add that there were also some very loving godly people there who had suffered much for their faith.  It was because of them that I stayed.  

 

[enoob57]

On ‎12‎/‎2‎/‎2015 at 6:32 AM, *Zion* said:

How to fully discern it and what to do once you are sure someone has it?

It seems that the enemy is extremely subtle, and often knows the Word of God better than many Christians these days.  

Someone brought to my attention that they think two very prominent in our church have a counterfeit spirit, and the more I have observed them, the more it's difficult to tell.  I don't know if there's anything specific I can point out about them as evidence, but something about them is beginning to trouble me too.  They are not related, by the way.

I don't even know if I can take this to my Pastor, as this is such a serious accusation, I just don't want to be wrong; but it seems more people have had the same feelings about these two.

One of them is always prophesying in the service, sometimes about things I just think are inappropriate and could be told to the specific person after the service, without having to air their dirty laundry in public.  And sometimes it seems kinda prosperity based, or kinda legalistic, but nothing extra obvious.  But it's every service without fail.  That in itself isn't bad, but it does lead me to wonder.

The other is a lady and she is always dressing provocatively.  And some things she says just don't jive with me: like saying we are little gods and we deserve to live with best quality of things.  Hmm.  And when she prays she shouts.  That I have nothing against, but it's almost violent and aggressive, not in the right 'spirit' I would say.  But again, that is just me.

One common denominator in them, and others I tend not to hang around with, is the sheer pride.  Total arrogance.  

Obviously, this spirit is everywhere, but I don't want to start reading wrongly into people, as that is very easy to do with this kind of thing.  I do like to think the best of people, and give them the benefit of the doubt, as I would like to be given too, but sometimes it seems like their goal not to be taken this way.

 

I have been praying about this, and waiting upon the Lord's answer as the final and ultimate answer, just wondering what you guys think.

 

Blessings

Word of faith straight out of the pit of hell doctrine.... it's all above putting everything on here (this place) completely ignoring Col 3

[missmuffet]

21 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

Word of faith straight out of the pit of hell doctrine.... it's all above putting everything on here completely ignoring Col 3

I agree with you enoob.WOF movement is deceiving countless people.As is the Emergent Church movement and the Charismatic Church movement which is one of the fastest growing Churches today.Very sad.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

[AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken]

Folks are often misled down that path. 

I cannot conjure God to to my bidding. I cannot demand anything of Him. Who am I to remind Him of His promises ? Have I kept mine ? 

[enoob57]

boy is that not our issued ilk within  

[*Zion*]

Pray with me guys, God really wants to move in our church.  We were on the brink of a breakthrough, and then these two started to become very prominent.  Maybe it's a testing?  I don't want to leave, this church (apart from the two if they are indeed false) are my family.  We are sold out for Christ.  Pray pray pray!  Amen?

[Ezra]

13 hours ago, *Zion* said:

Pray with me guys, God really wants to move in our church.  We were on the brink of a breakthrough, and then these two started to become very prominent.  Maybe it's a testing?  I don't want to leave, this church (apart from the two if they are indeed false) are my family.  We are sold out for Christ.  Pray pray pray!  Amen?

Along with prayer, God expects your church to deal with false teachers and false prophets.  Please review Revelation 1-3.

[Your closest friendnt]

On 7 December, 2015 at 4:40 AM, *Zion* said:

Pray with me guys, God really wants to move in our church.  We were on the brink of a breakthrough, and then these two started to become very prominent.  Maybe it's a testing?  I don't want to leave, this church (apart from the two if they are indeed false) are my family.  We are sold out for Christ.  Pray pray pray!  Amen?

Pray and be patien, you never know  if Jesus wants to use in this situation to help them, 

My sugestion remaint close to them, you don't need to endorse them, and you don't need to make them feel judge, no need to take matters into your own judgement, wait till the right time comes and the Holy Spirit ask you to say something as a seed for the Holy Spirit to work with them.

Could be that is your mission to be use in this way. 

Everything is possible, because Jesus can suply everything we need when we want to look out for his children.

[The_Patriot21]

On 12/2/2015 at 10:26 AM, SINNERSAVED said:

I have to agree with Morning Glory, if I was you I would find another church, for it does not seem that they are about Gods word, but there own little rituals and religious traditions, if you are in prayer and reading your bible , you will see the counterfeit a mile away, if you are troubled and feel uncomfortable, then the spirit is telling you something,

here is what I would do, and this is my personal take on this, get far away from this church, for you will not be able to change the church, and find another one, that teaches, what Jesus taught, and what the bible tells us, for its all about Jesus , and our father God ,and not on what people want to bring up on there own, if it is not biblical and in line with scripture, then you will know,

And second, if you stay too long in being a follower ,and not discerning the spirit by your reading of scriptures , it may drag you in, to where you, would not want to be !

be cautious, and observe, if they are being faithful to the truth, if they are not in truth of scripture and conduct, then you may want to seek another church.

 

That is one of the biggest problems in todays church-people leaving a church because something is wrong with it and going onto another, without trying to fix the problem first. Churches arnt perfect, and a church where everyone leaves rather then try to fix the problems will always fail.

 

Now, as far as to discern between  counterfeit and the real, in doubt, use the Bible. In both cases, from what im seeing, they arnt lining up with the Bible. Prosperity doctrine, is not Biblical, and women should not dress provacatively, and arrogance is not a Biblical trait either. Whether they are possessed by a counterfeit spirit, or just misguied, its hard to tell, but either way, the way to handle it, is Biblically. First, approach them in private. If you dont feel comfortable doing this or its a person of the other gender, find someone else to do it for you. If they refuse to turn, go to a pastor or an elder, and have them go with you, and confront them together. If that doesn't work, then you air it out in front of the entire church. Of course, keep your church leadership in the loop throughout the entire process. The only reason I see to leave, would be if the church leadership refuses to act or endorses their behaviors. 

 

When in doubt, always turn to the Bible.

 

Matthew 18:15-17

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.