Similar Distinctives

There's desire to write, but no idea what.

So many things again, as always. Much consideration, still, of the spirit/s of delusion which have been allowed to permeate the religious world and society. Much consideration, still, of judgment.

Seems there's been an undercurrent of focus pervading, regarding study of the wrath of God, along those lines. The cup of His wrath, poured out.

Within the past week, two others have directly mentioned having personal, private study revolving around that idea. It doesn't sound as though their studies have been focused on that specific, in terms of the house of God, however. Nor in specific regard to observable manifestations, as warning.


I was able to speak with a couple of elder sisters in Christ, today, in regard to recent revelation about Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel. They confirmed.

Speaking so boldly against those particulars isn't something taken lightly. Not at all.

I've struggled against accepting the truth of the matter, since October. Since hearing the word given by Carter Conlon, which he titled "Run for Your Life," being stricken with bone-chilling terror via the message...as so much of what was spoken directly related to ongoing church experience, at that point.

After the message, after a slight amount of the shock and abject terror wore down (you know, after the conviction was lessened by distraction, as it goes)...I rationalized, tried to rationalize away from the truth. I tried to reassure myself, falsely, with the idea that surely going to just pray in the midst was permissible.

Up to that point, the Lord had been using the false teaching (as it became evident) as a sidelong means of instruction, actually. Going to church as near to daily as possible, hearing so many things which set off alarm, without understanding why...I would sit in shock, somewhat, and pray as to why the shock had come...pray as to why the particular bits and pieces had stuck and struck so harshly. And there'd be revelation.

Just as a "for instance"...as with hearing mention of Scripture not being for "private interpretation," yet having no prior conscious awareness of the verse nor context from which the statement derived...just getting kind a sort of sick, gut-wrenching feeling in response to the way it was outlayed, discouraging the church from attempting to comprehend the Bible individually--admonishing the church to leave all interpretation up to the pastors, and them alone. That sensation of alarm and pleading, unto grieved dissension, made for prayer in the midst of listening to the sermon. As the fellow continued to belabor the point, I prayed over what had been said, and the bits and pieces which made for such grief became evident. Evident as erroneous.

Not terribly long after that evening, 2 Peter crossed my path. And further clarification was received.

Most often, though, matters proceeded in such a way as that...as my knowledge of Scripture increased...my exposure to Scripture increased...then the verses which refuted whatsoever set of the alarm would come to mind, when praying for clarity as to what was "off."

And there were a lot of times when it was just a matter of the Word being presented in a wrong spirit. According to the flesh. Pandering to the flesh, moreover. Very wrongly, then.

Grievously so.

Don't despise the prophecy. And yet the prophets are to judge what they hear.

The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy, by the way (still pursuing clarification on that, but apparently this is an infinitesimal aspect thereabouts...as also somehow tied in with Paul's admonition that the entire Church of Christ should seek the Lord for the gift of prophecy, as thereabouts).

The distinction between so-called "Old Testament Prophecy" and "New Testament Prophecy" is one which is apparently really muddled, roundabouts the world, too. Oddly so. There is some really, really weird perversion of truth whereby folks have some idea that:

1) Old Testament Prophecy was infallible. Because.
2) New Testament Prophecy is fallible. Because.

...these, to such an extent that folks have for some reason completely overlooked the fact that all and any prophecy which is of God is infallible.

The difference is the vessel.

Levels of sanctification, is another way of considering.

Look at "Old Testament" prophets...their entire lives revolved around serving God, from the way it sounds and seems. Being a prophet, then, was a life-vocation. And for those who were true to the Lord...prophecy was thus not something potentially relegated (by the flesh) to a position of varying relevance. Or, at least those whose prophetic word has been included as Holy Scripture were so. As discerned for such a degree of clarity, such a degree of faithfulness, such a degree of absolute devotion to God's truth. As ordained and given by God, so to be included in Scripture, even.

But...somehow when folks have talked about the inerrancy of "Old Testament prophets," they've completely negated consideration of "Old Testament false prophets." This, not to say that the Lord didn't allow even some of the false prophets to periodically be correct.

Which...is kind of the thing about false prophecy:
The Lord allows us to have what we want, in many cases. Those who want to gratify the flesh, acting always against God? ...He allows them to, at this point. Even as there's time yet for them to call out to Him, He doesn't force that. Hasn't, doesn't. Won't. I still don't understand how prayer factors in, as far as salvation of sinners goes...but...in general, the Bible reads as though He generally seriously allows folks to choose to rebel against Him. Even going so far as to allow people to sometime speak falsehoods, in His name. Even going so far as to allow people to beg such wrath upon themselves as to utter the prognostications of demons, under pretense of speaking on behalf of God...even if unbeknownst to them, then wholly so for the depth to which depravity has perverted a heart as to be so blind.

The thing about false prophecy is...

...if you look even at what man is capable of "predicting," according to examination of "signs" and known processes...

...how much more accurate do you think might then be an entity who is utterly less than God, and yet unhindered by restriction of the flesh (so to see more broadly and precisely the intricacies of all factors in play, toward a given circumstance's end)?

So, yeah...

...the thing about false prophecy is...even guessing (i.e., speaking entirely from the flesh, as to gratify the flesh), a person has a certain minor chance of being "relatively correct" about minor or near events.
...the thing about false prophecy is...those who, whether aware or unawares, listen to demonic spirits...are going to have a higher chance than even if only speaking entirely from the flesh...of making "accurate predictions" about certain near-time or otherwise God-defined processes.

So, it goes deeper than merely whether a thing happens. Seriously.

Even as the Bible gives that as a course for determining whether something is a prophecy from God. Even as it goes further than that, in other ways, though: God is not a man, that He should lie, and so He will not contradict Himself. "Prophecy" must accord with the Scripture in both Spirit and according to the Word, itself.

If either is off, then so is the prophecy.

And that is whereby prophecy must be tested. And not merely for whether it comes to pass: I have observed that people hearing false prophecy have a blatant tendency to do everything within their power to fulfill the "prophecy," under presumption that "consciously deciding to receive a Word" thus enables them to make it come to pass. Which...yeah, okay, there are a lot of things possible given sufficient human effort and motivation. Especially when tapping into the spiritual realm for "added impetus" as to manifest results (i.e., witchcraft--whether consciously realized or not).

But consider this...

...when Isaiah prophesied that there would come a child, Immanuel, what human effort and planning seemed to've gone into "ensuring" that came to pass according to prophetic description (of which there were many)?

And it did come to pass, despite the fact that no one person consciously attended to ensuring it did so. God alone manifested what He had promised.

That's a big difference.

No forced human effort involved.

Not in the prophesying. Not in the "reception" of prophecy. Not in the fulfillment.

God ordained. God promised. God fulfilled.

That is prophecy, as far as the generally-restrictive sense in which it's usually considered goes. As opposed to the sense by which it is truly a matter of exhorting and edifying the body of Christ.

Even as it could be either or both.

But, yeah.

Which king was it who had sent for "another prophet" after hearing however so many hundred speak?...as he sort of discerned that they weren't speaking truth...?...even though he still ultimately rejected the truth?

Either way, it's like that.

Discernment is like that. If you don't love and desire truth, you become increasingly insensitive to what it sounds like, and falsity (delusion) becomes increasingly palatable, until truth becomes utterly detestable and falsity is devoured whole.

So, as to the distinction between "Old Testament Prophets" and "New Testament Prophets?"

Again, the main distinction which need be made is just that discernment has always been and will always be necessary. Loving God, Loving Christ, Loving truth...seeking His face, seeking His way, seeking His will in all things...in trembling, with humility and contrite heart...reverently approaching Him, through grace...

...yeah, that.

I need to fix links. Soon. Now, sleep. Lord willing, maybe to be able to share more...substantially, material-wise, tomorrow. Soon, hopefully.

Things are just so strange, right now. So very strained.

Coming out of the false teaching has completely altered the state of circumstances, regarding clarity of what they moreso are. And even as that entails a great deal of liberation, it does not lessen the continued pressure to conform to what is ever increasingly recognized as abomination. Serious pressure. In so many ways. Not just blatant, overt. Also insidious, as emotional and mental appeals to "humanity," such as attempt to completely negate consideration of the eternal matters at stake.

The Lord has been my bastion of strength. His name, my strong tower. I've found refuge under His wings--in His love, moreover. Even as there's been no alternative but to fairly-well collapse into Him (not even onto Him...it's been a matter of getting as close to Him as possible, then just flinging myself in His general direction, spiritually speaking...with an internal, ardent, desperate plea for Him to catch me--He has, oh praise Him!).

Yeah.

Have you ever had conversation with someone who just randomly starts spouting vitriol in your specific direction, seemingly without inciting cause...at least not sufficient cause as to inspire the violence of the verbal assault? ...and then, later, attempting to calmly discuss with them the specifics of what was said...and they have absolutely no recollection of the even the gist of what they'd said?

...and, on the whole, the instances are just so...uncharacteristic...

...yeah, I guess it shouldn't be too much a surprise, the whole "conversations with demons" thing is still a factor in life.

Honestly, it's not particularly the most pleasant thing to acknowledge, and I've been battling against a full-frontal (wholly conscious) acceptance of that being the course and fact of matters, for the past month and some. Largely because people, even or maybe especially Christians...

...do not like acknowledging the existence of demons as active in the physical realm, these days.

And given that the desire for "self-preservation" has yet to wholly die, there's still very much reluctance to be open about stuff which would readily result in censure on grounds of being "politically incorrect," according to current definitions and general expectations and acceptance of what it means to follow Christ and live on this planet, being considered "sane" yet thereabouts.

It's a strain on the mind to even contemplate those sorts of extrinsic factors of reality. Seriously. Battling this stuff, as it's come up with some really...bold...attacks...these past couple months..
...has taken absolutely everything I have, and that's not been nearly enough. It's taken total reliance upon Christ, moment-by-moment, at times wholly surrendered to Him, trusting Him ardently in the midst of abject terror.

Flinging myself upon Him, yeah.

There's just...

...there's something about spiritual attack which is somehow more intimidating than if it were simply a physical/visible trial. But, whatever. All in the Lord's hands.

And I'm sorry if all of that makes you uncomfortable. Maybe you don't have to deal with that sort of stuff in a way which is legitimately discernable as being so. Maybe everything seems so physically founded and derived as to seem wholly responsive to solely human effort, perhaps given added strength of prayer. Or even as given further, conscious reliance upon the person of God as comprehended per reading the Bible.

Maybe you don't deal with the spiritual aspects. Maybe it's not part of your walk.

The Lord has different places for us all, though. Different functions in the body.
So, maybe I don't need to know all the ins and outs of apologetics, yet you do. You handle that, keep me informed on the side, and I'll deal with this sort of stuff as it comes up, following the Lord in whatsoever ways He leads on this course. And I'll let you know what He shows me, too.

So there can be a mutually beneficial, non-exclusive progress along both courses, shared.

That sort of thing is what seems the course, in ways.

It's all just as anything else: delving head-first into any given topic or idea or perceived path to progress...to an extent which becomes in any way exclusive of seeking Christ first in all...has then become a distraction, a detour, even unto derailment. He is first, He will remain first.

Seeking to understand all this, all the while.

For the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Because there is SOOOOOOOOO much misinformation abounding in regard to these things. Seriously.

Largely in terms of what the "proper responses" should be. As goes how to "address" these things.

Paul's treatment of the girl with the spirit of divination comes to mind. In terms of the fact that he didn't immediately address the infestation which was manifesting through her, speaking to Paul and the crowd through her. How many days was it, before Paul was given leave to address the demon directly? ..and according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not according to what Paul thought was best, when he thought it best.

Oh, what is that verse? ...something of the foolish rush in where angels fear to tread? Okay, so it's not phrased that way, but it's along those lines. 2 Peter 2:10-11, Peter talks about people who are so fleshly and full of self that they freely and without consideration "revile" or scoff at supernatural beings, "heaping abuse" on them, when even angels wouldn't dare to do so.

There's such a thing as respecting God's creation, no matter what its state of acquiescence to the will of the Father, perhaps it is.

Not worship, no. But not demeaning in such a way as to be irreverent to the Father per one's...relative "disregard" expressed even as disdain.

This is new to me.

But, yeah. I was amongst those who were also so irreverent as to revile many of God's supernatural creatures. It wasn't good. But everything I'd read gave that sort of a vibe: confront them with anger, with revulsion, with disdain, with absolute forcefulness, brooking no remark or show of respect.

Which...the nearest I've yet to find of someone who treated the subject with anything akin to Biblical soundness is Derek Prince. Despite that there's still a lot of weirdness there.

He did, however, make the point that we're to look to Christ's example.

Which...is everything. In everything. Only we too often forsake the simplicity thereof and thereby and thereabouts. In favor of attempting to look to something more complex, so as to perhaps feel like we've had our hands busy, maybe?

But no. Just look to Christ. I don't see any references to Him having shouting matches with demons. I don't see any record of Him denouncing them according to all sorts of slanderous names appended to the commands He issued.

I mean, goodness!...with the Gadarenes demoniac, He acceded to their request not to be cast directly into outer darkness, even. I still wonder about that. It seems...compassionate. And every bit of teaching I've thus far heard from people talks about despising and loathing and reviling and pronouncing rage at demons. Which...really...that's too emotionally draining to even bother with, even if it didn't all entirely give foothold to terror and fear and anxiety, as kindred spirits to all those sorts, when engendered.

Still praying about all that, asking for guidance and clarity.

Just because they despise me (loving Christ and serving Him seems to engender that response, without any effort aside) doesn't mean I have to respond with likewise violence of emotion. Seriously.

I just don't really know what the Lord would prefer, as a response.

Next time one of them speaks to me, when and if another one decides to give a go at a moment of emotional vulnerability (seems to be when they like to attempt to strike)...I'll hope that the Lord might afford me peace and clarity as to respond entirely in His Spirit, as to see how that goes.

Specifically, regarding how He would respond. Whether in love, consternation, or maybe absent emotion.

I'm not sure how else to proceed, on that front. Prayer. Yeah.

Christ will lead. I certainly don't know.

And I'm not attempting to do any weirdness akin to what was "prescribed" by people who consider methodologies a proper response. Anything except for drawing nearer to Christ and allowing Him to wholly direct...equates to a deviation from Him, and that's not acceptable nor good.

Christ is all. And His grace is wholly sufficient.