Page updated 07 Dec 2015
Page Suggestions: Occult Influences, Tithing, the prosperity gospel, the preacher's role, Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Organized Religion and the Great Apostasy
Lack of Discernment
One of the signs of a mature Christian is a discerning Christian. You cannot be mature in Christ and lack discernment at the same time
(Hebrews 5:11-14
(verse 11) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
(verse 12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(verse 13) For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(verse 14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.Hebrews 5 verses 11-14). -Justin Peters, Clouds without water False prophets-
scriptures
Proverbs 2:3, 11,
Proverbs 3:21-22,
Proverbs 4:7,
Proverbs 14:6, 33,
Proverbs 15:14, 21,
Proverbs 23:19, 23
Folly [is] joy [to him who is] destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. Proverbs 15:21
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, [And] lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as [for] hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:3-5 (NKJV)(verse 3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;
(verse 4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;
(verse 5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.Proverbs 2 (KJV) verses 3-5
The Bible warns us numerous times to be watchful, alert, be sober because the enemy seeks to destroy us. Satan can easily transform himself into an angel of light
(2 Corinthians 11:14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.2 Corinthians 11 verse 14) and divert our paths by feeding our weaknesses and fleshly desires.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
No where in the Bible does it say that Satan wears a red suit, horns on his head and carries a pitchfork. Satan is fooling people with fine, expensive clothing, exquisite cars, and flattering words because this is what gets your attention...money, fame, material possessions. He is well financed in order to control people with his money. He is saying to you everything you want to hear but never anything about sin or repentance. Many of these false prophets have jezebel spirits that attract people to themselves by using mind control, brainwashing, sex and other witchcrafts so that people who are not spiritually alert will be taken in by the deceptive crafts.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3
The devil is not working alone either. He has many people placed in various positions in order to help him succeed in deceiving masses of people so he can keep people believing a lie and living a life on a path to destruction. He has a world agenda by placing people in various places with the law, city, county, government and education systems in order to take over cities and towns and the world. The goal is to DECEIVE and to dumb people down into being loyal followers who cannot make their own decisions, who need a leader, and will never question anything.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
There are numerous scriptures warning us about the wolves in sheep's clothing (Ezekiel 22:27Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.Ezekiel 22 verse 27,
Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Matthew 7 verse 15,
Luke 10:3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Luke 10 verse 3).
The Bible also says that to use discernment is the beginning of wisdom
(Proverbs 1:1-7(verse 1) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
(verse 2) To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
(verse 3) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
(verse 4) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
(verse 5) A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
(verse 6) To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
(verse 7) The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.Proverbs 1 verses 1-7).
This 'phony spirituality' thrives because there is no discernment of what is from God and what is from the devil.
You know why the church is becoming more like Hollywood than Jesus? It's because we have greedy dogs in the pulpit. ...
(Isaiah 56:10His watchmen [are] blind: they are all ignorant, they [are] all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.Isaiah 56 verse 10)....
I want to show you what's happening in the church of Jesus Christ today and why we've got this phony spirituality. We've got this counterfeit thing that undeserted Christians are praising God and saying "Isn't this wonderful?" when it's of the devil.
-David Wilkerson, Counterfeit Christianity-
How to get Discernment
God freely gives you spiritual discernment if you ask for it. God gave us the Holy Ghost as a comforter to guide us and lead us. If we ask God to help us, to guide us, and if we shall take time to listen to Him then He will show us discernment beyond our understanding. The Bible even says that if we will seek Him then He will give us the words to speak when we need them.
But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark 13:11
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Luke 12:11-12
But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice... Hebrews 3:7
In order to hear God's voice and be in tune with His guidance we have to be in constant relationship with Him. This has absolutely nothing to do with attending organized religion in some church building. The Bible says it is good for us to assemble ourselves together...to fellowship together
(Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Hebrews 10 verse 25).
This is to keep us focused on God, on the things of God, on good things and to be accountable to each other but fellowshiping with other believers is wherever you make it to be and whenever you want. It is not about laws, rules, rituals or traditions. It is about striving to live like Christ. It is about learning and studying God's manual, The Holy Bible, for what is right and wrong. Read Learning God's Truth. When we are in right relationship with God and we seek Him for direction then He will lead us and He will speak to us. He will give you supernatural discernment about people and situations. This does not make anyone a prophet or fortune teller. This is different. God will speak to you to keep you from harm or to use you to help someone in need. God will speak to you in different ways. The Bible says we will know His voice if we are in close relationship with Him
(John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.John 10 verse 27).
You could hear a quiet, audible voice, but usually God speaks in other ways including His Word. Sometimes it is a nudging in your spirit but when He speaks you will have no doubt. What does it mean to get saved.
My favorite verse is in Proverbs.
Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
The NIV makes it even more thought provoking. This wisdom and discernment is so valuable that it may cost you everything to obtain it.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)