Old Dog III
The Divining Spirits
Bob Neumann
The DIVINING SPIRITS
A long time ago a set structure was placed for the thing we presently call ”the church”. It takes little discernment for a ‘child of GOD’ to realize there is something inherently wrong at times within and without this organism. So when THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT tells the lambs and sheep to separate from the herd they do so hesitantly and with no small amount of anxiety. Of course the accusations and criticism that comes is primarily to induce guilt and doubt that will shut their ears and bring them back into captivity within ”the herd”. I am using the term ”herd” because I want to make a firm distinction between it and HIS FLOCK. When a lamb goes astray and is ”lost in the night” THE SHEPHERD goes out and picks them up on HIS SHOULDERS and carries them. HE does not verbally whip and beat them to return. That is called driving. It works with cattle and only hurts sheep. SO…like it or not these ”herding techniques” being used today is a prime evidence that a ”religious leader” is nothing more than a hireling. Remember that for later.
Today THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT continues to call out to tell man to ”leave” and to ”come”. To depart from the ways of the wicked, and to become HOLY. To turn away from sin and to come to the cross. To forsake the world and to come to THE KINGDOM. To cast away the LIE and come to the TRUTH. All these images are easily seen as progressions that take us from DEATH to LIFE and we all have done so somewhere along the line and in some degree. So for the ”children of GOD” to hear HIS VOICE in the midst of a ”congregation” say over and over “FLEE BABYLON” or “COME OUT OF HER MY CHILDREN”, is most difficult. Yet if they should do so or even attempt to do so recriminations fly and accusations and curses suddenly flow from those who were thought to be brethren…..but are not.
So we are dealing with a ”counterfeit” to what JESUS CALLS HIS CHURCH. Now what is the real? Do we listen to modern or recent man? Or do we go back as far as possible to understand the dynamics of THE KINGDOM. Seeing THE KING IS THE ONLY ROCK ON WHICH WE ARE TO BUILD, it seems appropriate that HE would be the first scriptural voice to use the term. It occurs in Matthew and takes us somewhere.
Matthew 16:18-21
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. (KJV)
All this came when Peter said something beyond his own ability. THE FATHER dumped a solid nugget of RHEMA on the fisherman, AND THE SON had to point it out and explain it’s importance. Then He told them to keep it secret as he confronted the “ELDERS/ CHIEF PRIESTS/ SCRIBES” that ran the religion and tried to run the nation of JUDAH/ Israel of that time. We will go back to this image later when things seem to be getting nasty….it will make it more interesting.
It is THE FATHER’S RHEMA that is the basis on which JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS
CHURCH. And that RHEMA IS THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHRIST WHO IS JESUS.
Take a look at Peter’s answer:
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV) Matthew 16:16-18
THE REVELATION OF JESUS IN HIS FULLNESS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY THAT ALLOWS US TO SPEAK THE WORDS OF OUR TESTIMONY. THIS IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION AND THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH EACH OF US STANDS AGAINST THE GATES OF HELL.
So we must build upon RHEMA that comes through THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Simple in essence. GOD started it with Adam and continues to speak till now to those who would listen. Yet where is Prophecy in ”the church” many would ask. Others will say we have no need for prophecy, we have religion and the bible. So did the scribes, priests, and elders that crucified THE LAMB. Just because you decided what is or is not “of GOD” does not make it so. Does it comply with the same bible you tout so highly?
Let’s see…..
Decent and IN ORDER.
Now we have a fairly solid format for how a church should run itself and it’s services. The only problem is we do not see it around us. So let’s go to Corinth and find out how things were to be done, and notice the problems they had.
1 Corinthians 14:1-40
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order. (KJV)
Paul ends with a simple line of things being done. AND that they be decently and in order. The first is an indictment against the APOSTATE CHURCH. Are they getting the THINGS important to KING JESUS DONE? My reply is “NO”. JESUS was clear about many things. Paramount was the Judgement between the sheep and the goats. Is ”the herd church” feeding the hungry? Then why are baby Christians starving? Why do they have to look ”for food” all over the place? Running after every ”move of GOD” they hear rumors about. Is ”the herd church” comforting the sick, the imprisoned, the lost and alone? Only if it can make money on them…..one way or another.
Now if you look again at 1 Corinthians 14 Paul uses a lot of space describing THE GIFT OF PROPHECY and how it works. Now many might say amen, but what has PAUL really done? Actually a whole lot, but we are so used to splitting these verses from the chapter…..taking pieces of verses as we choose….and creating what we want out of it. Any time you take a verse out of context you will wind up in error. Or worse, iniquity and perversion. SO….let’s look at the whole image….as he laid it out.
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Paul makes it abundantly clear that within the body prophecy is what he is seeking. Not occultic or demonic, but the GIFT OF THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. He gives instruction on how it works within the body, and the rational of why it was given. Yet he also pinpoints problems we miss easily.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
NOW here is the first of two versions of “TONGUE TALKIN’ ” as we perceive it and use it to divide and limit ”the herd churches” rather than build THE KINGDOM. Many swore up and down that all ”prophesying” and ”diverse tongues” is of the devil. They are of the same spirit of those that said JESUS cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub. Neither group recognizes(d) JESUS anyway. Now a good deal of what passes for ”giftings” within ”the herd church” is not HOLY….but Paul will get to that soon enough.
So when we hear a bunch of people ”praying in the spirit” only GOD KNOWS what is said….unless there is someone to interpret. But without THE GIFT it does not ”help” the “body”. So here is where ”tongues” and ”prophecy” separate themselves.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
These four little verses is the foundation of a HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERED CHURCH. If all our words and prayers are not manifested in a growing, strengthening, actively working group of believers, it is all for show to entertain ”the herd”. And that is where the PENTECOSTAL, CHARISMATIC, PROPHETIC CHURCHES have sunk to. All
SHOW and little harvest for THE KING. Otherwise they would be finishing the reaping rather than be waiting for revival and harvest. They missed their “TIME OF VISITATION” and never blinked.
Where is the REVELATION when churches say they need none?
Where is the KNOWLEDGE when churches deny the existence and power of THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT who was given to instruct us?
Where is the PROPHESYING when half the American APOSTATE CHURCH says it is of the devil?
Where is THE DOCTRINE that we can live by? Easy, buried by doctrines of men and demons who rule and control the APOSTATE CHURCH. But why would man do this you ask?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
SO that we will not know the TRUE and accept THE LIE so we never stand in THE DAY OF BATTLE. So the battle came to us….and few noticed…..
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
So we have people speaking to air. But the BODY has not grown and THE KINGDOM diminishes. Many people speaking prophecies, and the voices are distinctly different. All seem significant yet do we ”hear” the same voice and understand the meaning? This is important for Paul goes on….
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
AS eager as we are to see THE KINGDOM COME, we must see that what is ”going on” is actually adding to and expanding THE BODY. If it does not do so then it is not of GOD. Our zeal is for the gifts to be used to build THE CHURCH. By building the ”church” has not as much to do with the width and breadth of the congregation, but the investment of time and resources at maturing the saints, instructing children and mentoring the disciples that JESUS instructed us to do. When 90% of the ”church” resources are waited on a piece of property and not invested into the flock their is no ”edifying”. The GIFTS were given to meet the SPIRITUAL needs of the FLOCK. The WORDS of KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, and WISDOM pinpoint needs and GOD PROVIDES the ANSWERS.
Yet we do not see ”the church” built up and empowered to be a force in the lives of the congregation. So why do we expect the church to influence the community and change the world? Because something is inherently wrong and in opposition to GOD. Let us begin to see some of our ”iniquities”.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
The Body needs ”tongues with interpretations” to be built up. But how often do we have ”churches” where any ”different” sound is ”of the devil”? In opposition there are those who ”pray diligently”….often very loud and for very long….as a means to itself. There is no interpretation….no focus. There is a lot of effort at ”stirring up the spirit”. How do you ”stir” up OMNIPOTENCE? Listen to Paul’s direction…
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Unless the weakest are strengthened in the BODY…what was accomplished? So the super spiritual got to do their thing. What about the babes and lambs? Were they fed?
Were they comforted? Did THE KINGDOM gain….and was ABBA pleased? Which spirit did the hyper spiritual saints consort with?
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Unless others gain all our activity, holy ghost goose bumps and all, is vanity. Unless we fulfill the PURPOSE all is not of THE HOLY SPIRIT. And if the ”spirit” is not ABBA it is not holy and not in order.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
In other words….grow up and get rid of the petty and nasty stuff in your lives…. good advice for today. Now half way through this chapter Paul prophecies….
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
When the people of Jerusalem heard Peter speak simultaneously in twenty or more languages it brought many to believe. Does little for the believers. Yet to prophesy is for the saints to build them up as a cohesive unit in order to do the work ”the church” was called to do. Now Paul takes it a step farther….
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Nice conclusion, sinners are convicted and repent and ABBA is worshipped. When things are in order.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Sounds like all the members were involved….each with a place and each with a part….
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
So Utterance in Tongues was decently done and in order. Not random noise and contests of one-upmanship.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
So if there is no interpretation we are told to be still….it is not for the BODY….but between the person and ABBA. Novel idea.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Now here are 4 short dynamite verses. “let the prophets speak…” But if someone within the congregation has been given RHEMA the ”prophet” steps aside so the body receives. But does the ”spirit-filled church” allow two or three to come forth and speak in freedom? Paul is saying there is an order to the flow of the GIFT within the body and a purpose. Do we see this actively working in the church? Or does the order sit in another’s hands and not THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT’S? If so is it any wonder that the purpose is never met? That the sheep never learn….never are comforted….and never benefit from their time warming pews….SELAH.
Yes the spirits are subject to the prophets….and can be taken several ways. We will discuss this later in mush more painful detail. What Paul DID NOT SAY is THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT is subject to the prophet. Yet I have heard just that from pulpits and from ”Christian” radio and TV.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Yet we have little PEACE in many of our churches….so where is ABBA? SELAH…
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
This is a well used verse by many over the years. Corinth was a Greek city that had known wealth and prosperity for many years. According to historians the women of Corinth were activists and liberated for their time. Then like now the favorite pastime for most women, and many men, was gossip. Then like now the best and dirtiest was at
”church”. Paul tried to deal with it. Still is….
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Interesting how only Corinth would be the place where Paul would, as many claim, state that women would have no place in ministry. Many say that by Paul telling the women not to speak, no woman today can preach, teach, or prophesy. Yet this was Corinth, where ”liberation” started. Was Paul addressing a local problem….or setting universal dogma? Selah…
Yet Paul takes a case against the whole congregation of Corinth….
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
What claim does Corinth have for exclusivity. Or any ”church” today for that matter.
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Interesting challenge Paul throws out. Paul knows these people and he is forcing the issue. No one who ”hears” GOD can deny Paul’s challenges, directions, instructions. And he knows that they all know it. And have to accept it. Why hasn’t the AMERIKAN CHURCH?
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
I personally love this….Paul can not make any man gain WISDOM or UNDERSTANDING. Man can choose to stay in sin and we have nothing that can change it. Man can choose not to know of GOD, and we can not change it. We still make our own choices each and every day.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order. (KJV)
So all are to desire to move in the GIFTS, to Prophesy and to ”speak in tongues”. To forbid, to prevent, to condemn the GIFTS is not of GOD.
So we have a large ”herd” out there who says there is no GIFTS….no MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Are they fellow ”coworkers” in the KINGDOM? SELAH!
Now we have the remainder that can take some GIFTS and not some Gifts….same problem, just a little more convoluted.
Then we have the few spirit-filled who are ”on fire” or whatever. Are they doing things decently and in order? That is an important question. In order to deal with it we need to weigh each separately. Do they follow the pattern as Paul set out? Or have they edited what they do not like, or added to it where it suited them?
We have a ”prophetic remnant” out there, some in International Prophetic ministries and the like. They travel, minister, merchandise freely across the land. Yet is this what Paul was talking about? Do they fulfill either THE GREAT COMMANDMENT or THE GREAT COMMISSION? Are they bringing THE GOOD NEWS to the outermost parts of the world? Or are they running in circles from ”herd” to ”herd”? Is THE BODY of CHRIST strengthened, expanded, edified, and being perfected by their ministry….or is their ministries a means to personal ends? Are they drawing the BODY together, or are they just another level of division?
On the Internet we see few ” major name ministry” types speaking into America and the AMERICAN CHURCH today. While there are many ”voices” is there a fundamental cohesive point of purpose behind it all? Over the last few months I have pondered and questioned much of what I have heard and read that was labeled as ”prophetic” and tried to measure it by the WORD. It has been a long hard struggle to hear and see things repeat themselves over and over, each time watered down a little more. It has been quite painful to see an erroneous scripture quote come forth from a name I recognized a year ago. Yet the pain become true grief as the error repeats four, five, six times in ”words” by others with names less known in the months that followed.
Why would this happen? The original error was not from THE HOLY SPIRIT, but a spirit subject to the prophet in question. Those that followed were as Jeremiah warned in chapter 23. Prophets who prophecy from the words of others and out of their own hearts. They were lead into their error by subtle deception and a desire to be heard. Not long ago a brother shared a powerful WORD about people who loved and took pride in their own words. His timing and focus were perfect because ABBA always is.
So the real problem on the Internet is a spirit not holy. It is the same spirit that leads in congregations where Paul’s description of orderly worship is not followed. Where the saints are not allowed to flow in THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Where everything must be restricted and controlled by man and not by GOD. It can be the church where only Pastor’s Wife gives utterance in tongues and Pastor interprets. Of course it always sounds the same and fits Pastor’s agenda perfectly. It can be where only those credentialed and on staff can minister or pray because Pastor trusts them. It can also be the international ministry which rents the 20,000 seat downtown arena where THE MAN/ WOMAN of god comes in and does there meeting/ crusade/ revival thing that runs like clock work as it does in every city. It can be many things and many spirits. All come from one source.
And his name is Balaam.
Balaam is called a ”prophet” no where in scripture, yet I have heard him called a false prophet over and over through the years from pulpit , TV, and radio. The problem was that what Balaam said prophetically was not false. It was GOD and it was messianic. So if we listen to the Messiah what we have is a ”doctrine of Balaam” alive in the end time church. A church that hears and follows deception. A church that moves in power, but not from GOD. A church that hold to HIS NAME and HIS FAITH but has picked up stuff most ungodly. The First is the DOCTRINE OF BALAAM.
Balaam was a man of power. Real POWER. Power that counterfeited the POWER that we would expect to see from GOD. The WORD says this when it states that even King Balak knew his reputation. The things he blessed by the words of his mouth were blessed, the things he cursed were cursed. Amazing that such was the COVENANT PROMISE between Abram and YHVH. So how could Balaam do things that everyone was aware of that could make Balak think he could equal GOD?
LYING SIGNS AND WONDERS by consorting with spirits unholy. In this case DIVINING spirits as Paul encountered in the city of Thyatira. These are those other ”voices” Paul speaks/ warns of let loose today in a church that are subject to the ”prophets”. In most cases we would hope the prophets would keep them subject and under their feet. Only it seems this is not the case.
While the GIFTS are to edify, comfort, instruct, and minister to the BODY, much of what we call ”personal prophecy” does little more than give ”goose bumps” and speak error into lives. If we look at Paul’s instruction it says to let two or three speak and one judge. Now if one man is doing all the prophesying at an alter call is it following the decent and in order that Paul gave? Who is there to judge and make sure? Where is the accountability? Can GOD move in such….of course. But is it always GOD?
Divining spirits are like familiar spirits. They have an affinity with people that counterfeits the MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Because nothing we do in the natural is invisible to the familiar spirits. So if the one prophesying exposes sin, it need not be of GOD. What is of GOD is that done in secret, in the place of prayer. In the language of the SPIRIT. Regrettably I have listened to many who proudly carried the name of the five fold ministry and claimed to prophesy….yet spoke nothing from GOD. They made expansive gestures and uttered King Jamesesse splendidly. Yet they moved on and the BODY was unchanged. I suppose I would rather have an entertaining ”prophet” blow through and give people a buzz than a lying ”prophet” that will come in and spread lies in GOD’S NAME. Because many sheep will take the lies and expect GOD to move in ways and places GOD did not intend to move.
Balaam’s Doctrine was to place stumbling blocks for GOD’S PEOPLE. To entrap them in sins of lust, perversion, and adultery. It worked well in the wilderness till a young priest violently stopped the sin ”within the camp. Today those are spiritual sins. Lusting for things spiritual that are ungodly. Perverting the GIFTS which are of GOD and using them for man’s own ends. And spiritual adultery….whoring after signs, wonders, power that is unholy. Being intimate with the LIE….and not with ABBA.
But Balaam’s Doctrine is more than Spiritual Immorality. It is the presence of false fire upon the alter. It is taking that which was not of GOD and using it for HIS SERVICE. It is worshipping the GIFTS and the ANOINTING and not the ONE WHO GIVES them for HIS BODY. It is taking the easy and the expedient over the leadings of THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. It is like the Church of Corinth that used THE LORD’S SUPPER to stage drunken revelries. Today we celebrate THE NEW WINE completely unaware that the Prophet Joel said it would be snatched from the lips of drunkards. Too many have turned to spiritual pharmakia to numb and deaden their feelings unaware they lose what little discernment they had. The ”spiritual high” is what is looked for with the ”holy ghost goose bumps” to validate the spirituality of the event.
But those under the DOCTRINE of Balaam are not lightly crossed. As quick as they are to bless those that bless them their mouths run to curses of every sort. The DOCTRINE of JESUS is to bless even those who curse you, so those who are eager to curse, belittle, control and alienate are not hard to spot.
I do not point a finger and shout ”false” over any person or their ministry. It is not what I have been told to do, so far. Yet it is time to look at “the church” and judge whether it is acting both decently, and in order. Likewise like the Bereans it is honorable to hold any and all to the light of the WORD, so should we do with all that is taught, preached, or uttered within and without the body. Paul requires us to judge. The WORD says THE LORD considers unjust scales an abomination before HIM. Not to weigh the ”word” we are hearing is an omission, a sin that will be held against us equally as the sins we commit.
So weigh these words soberly and diligently. Take them to THE MOST HIGH and ask of HIM.
selah dog