Don't Fall Prey To
SEDUCING SPIRITS!!!
When Seducing Spirits are in operation, you can expected the following to be evident:
Peer Pressure
Manipulation
Compromise (Emotional and Spiritual)
Here's an Example in the OT:
Korah, being used by the devil, gathered 250 men to usurp authority over Moses BUT God wasn't having it. In a deceptive way, it appears that he means well but God knows the heart of men and what spirit he or she is operating under.
Here's the BEGINNING of the matter:
Numbers 16:1-5
1.
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and
Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and on, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
2. And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two
hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of
renown:
Look at that spirit using Korah. He influence the best of them - The cream of the crop - The Princes, famous and renown.
3. And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and
said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy,
every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up
yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
They then gathered together against Moses and Aaron (God's Choice). Saying, why are you two trying to do all this? You know it's too much for you all to handle. Why don't you let us handle some of the responsibilities. Besides that - You two aren't the only ones living holy. Look at the spirit in action! All these men with me are just as holy as you two. What? You think that you're better than us?
4. And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
5. And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the
Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near
unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Humble Moses knowing that he and Aaron where operating according to God's assignment simply said - Let God decide the matter.
Here's the END result it.
Numbers 16:32-35
32.
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all
the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and
the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
34. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they
said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35. And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and
fifty men that offered incense.
You Better Check Out Who You're Hanging With! Are They For Your Betterment Or Your Detriment?
I. God's Warning To His People
1 Timothy 4:1,2&6
1.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good
minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good
doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
SPECIAL NOTE ONE: "REASONS SOME DEPART FROM THE FAITH"
1.) They give heed to seducing spirits
2.) They give heed to doctrines of devils (evil spirits) I.E. Heresies = False doctrines
SPECIAL NOTE TWO: "CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON"
Satan will go the to limit to seduce a child of God. He will dig deep into your subconscious; deep into what you know is right and wrong; to the core, he will erase what you know is right and permanently imprint what is wrong as a substitute. This is why you can't go to everybody's church and sit under everybody's teachings. What are you saying Min Rickey? What I'm saying is that some of them will look like us - dance like us - sing like us - shout like us - and even preach like us BUT they are Not of us! They have been simply sent on assignment by the devil to get you back at any cost. Yes, he knows that he is eternally damned and misery loves company!
KNOW THIS:
1.) Seducing Spirits are lures instigated by Satan to distract you from God's purpose for your life.
2.) As a Believer you have the ability to resist these spirits BUT only as you submit to God (James 4:7)
II. Recognize The Seducing Spirit Through Its Fruit Of Manipulation
1.) Emotional = When people try to manipulate you either by crying, harsh talking, throwing things, or the silent treatment. Now, listen clearly - in no way am I saying that every time something like this happens the seducing spirit is in action. What I am saying is that the possibility exists. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and he will show you. And while I have not said it yet, manipulation is also tied in with the Spirit of Witchcraft.
2.) Spiritual = When people try to influence you through prophecy, predictions, etc. I don't care who gives you a word - check it out with God's word and if it doesn't line up you better not receive it.
This is my prayer for you...
Jeremiah 3:15
15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
III. The Fruit of Compromise
What is it?
The tendency for "church folks" to influence or hook-up with others to accept some of the world's doctrines and principles and then mix them with God's Word - Calling then "normal Christian habit". In other words, God knows "we are only human". Could it be that a seducing spirit has captivated you and caused you to believe this lie? The possibility definitely exists.
Matthew 6:24
24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
III. Peer Pressure
This spirit works in groups. It focuses it attention on making you feel that it you don't - you won't be accepted. It often uses highly influential people as the head. Oftentimes, much success in this area is accomplished in schools, gangs, clicks, and ungodly relationships. This is why it's so important to know who you are in Christ.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 6:17,18
17.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty.
And I leave you with these scriptures to meditate and apply
I Peter 5:8
8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
I John 4:1,3-6
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
3.
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is
not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them.
6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth
not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Minister Rickey E. Macklin