Testing the spirits

I want to touch on an important but touchy subject today. I am not here to offend but it is necessary that I shine a light on this situation so that the truth in it will not be lost. I am not here to apply judgment (condemn), but I am here to judge (set in order) so we as believers can learn from this situation. This type of judgment is stipulated in scripture for the believer to practice. Bishop Eddie Long has passed and I am saddened by his passing. I did not know the man on a personal level but I did monitor the situation since he was accused of inappropriate relationships with young men in his church. He never confessed guilt yet he paid a 25 million dollar settlement. We as saints are required to use wisdom when looking at such situations. Even when the outcome of our inquiry into the matter is something we would rather not deal with.

I want to focus this article on testing the spirits. When I wrote "The truth About The Tithe" God revealed to me how Pastors can get off track because the focus of the church turns from the Gospel of Peace to a false gospel of prosperity. When this takes place there will always be a spirit to accompany the false teaching. Pastors who do not know how to test the spirits in the proper way will be captivated by this evil spirit and lead away from God believing that what they are doing is right. Sin will always be a part of this newly packaged gospel. This false spirit will lead those in captivity to the sin, into justifying the behavior. No longer will the message be one of Holiness, which is required by God. The new message will include subjects such as; we all sin and come short and it is ok, as long as we in the flesh we are going to sin, and if you sin don't worry God knows your heart. Meanwhile, the truth of the Gospel that Christ has come to free us from sin so that we can walk in righteousness before God, is not heard. It is not freedom to sin but freedom to overcome sin by walking in obedience to Christ. This carnal gospel that allows people to feel vindicated to live in their sin will spread throughout the church. Yes, it will be cleverly disguised so that believers will be more willing to accept it. Cyanide mixed into the Kool-Aid is always sweet. These spirits will always be lying spirits and we must not find excuses to accept the lie.

Bishop Long stated that his weight loss was caused by a vegan diet and his exercise routine. We know that this was a lie. Bishop Long stated that God told him he was healed. I sat and watched as his church applauded the revelation even to the point of a standing ovation. Now at his passing I see certain individuals trying to pass it off as a spiritual healing. See we want to believe the best even when the lie is exposed right in front of us. I actually believe something told him he was healed. I believe it was the same something that allowed the Jewish Group to come and present him with a sacred scroll. Men lifted him up and carried him on their shoulders like kings are carried. They also spoke of how God had approved him and was going to exalt him. Is this the type of exalting that God does? Do you remember the chapter in The Truth About The Tithes, "Of Judges and Kings." Specifically, the section on the kings we put over us? When we see this take place and then the end results, do we look back and realize this was not of God? Or, do we find a way to justify the deception? When will the people of God that confess Christ embrace the Word of God that exposes all lies? When will we turn back to God's way and be released from the delusion?

The Christian church in America has lost the knowledge of how to test the spirits according to scriptural teaching. We have replaced it with: "I felt peace", "the pastor said", and "test the spirit by the spirit." (Even when you have the wrong spirit doing the testing.) Not understanding how to test a spirit has allowed all types of spirits to enter into the church. They enter in and interject norms from the world, and replace what God has intended for His people. Worship has been replaced with entertainment. Prayer and obedience to receive God's blessings have been replaced by seed money. Revelation from God replaced by slick words based on psychologically shaped gimmicks. So the lack of knowledge of testing the spirits according to what is taught by scripture has given these spirits free reign in many churches. And even when God sends us a strong message to turn us back to the truth and to amend our ways many still will prefer to hold on to the delusion. When God shakes us up, it is to wake us up while we still have time! Brothers and sisters in the Lord let us be truthful to ourselves in the sight of God. I ask all to pray for the family of Bishop Long in this time of mourning. I also ask for prayer for the church he was over. I hope this message of truth reaches your heart! Be blessed.

http://samuelkem.wixsite.com/truthaboutthetithe/single-post/2016/12/15/TESTING-THE-SPIRIT