As a Christian Spirit-filled Pastor and lifetime student of Scripture, I believe ‘THE SECRET’ to be one of the most demonically inspired works ever produced. I am of the opinion that THE SECRET is a product of ‘seducing spirits and demons’. II Thessalonians 2:10-13 foretells of a strong spiritual delusion that will invade the church during the end-times. This is it.
– Pastor K. Dwayne James
DECEPTION #1Manifest and Attract Whatever You Want?
Who gave you the green light to manipulate time, matter and space? Who gave you the right to manipulate empirical laws of the universe in order to manifest whatever you want?
Indeed, there are divine laws of attraction or of ‘manifestation’ if one chooses to use that terminology. There are also principles that if put into action can lead to financial prosperity.
But herein lies the problem. We’ve forgotten that according to scripture God’s holy servants, even those empowered to work miracles did so after first – being led by the Lord to act! They functioned in the Name of the Lord and operated in full submission to God’s grace for that situation. No one took it upon themselves to manifest or attract whatever they so desired.
Let the Scriptures speak:
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Mark 14:36, ‘And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.’ - John 4:34, Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
- Psalms 143:10, ‘Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.’
Psalms 40:8, ‘I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.’
In conclusion, a servant of God must be fully committed to obeying the will of the Master. We must carefully examine our motives and the deepest purposes of our heart when ask Him for things. In fact, our heavenly Father knows the things that we have need does He not? Indeed, He does. This is why Yeshua told us to 'take no thought for tomorrow, what we shall eat or what we shall drink'. (Matthew 6:25) Furthermore, how dare we even posture ourselves to demand of the Lord that He move on our behalf?
But Don't We Have the Power in Ourselves?
Yes we do. As believers in Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ) we are joint-heirs of our Lord's throne. (Ephesians 1:17-23) This means that the authority of the King of Glory has been delegated to the church. The church is the vehicle or instrument by which God exercises His will plan, purpose and will in the earth. Furthermore, scripture makes it known that our bodies are the temple of His Spirit wherein dwells the unlimited fullness of His power. (I Corinthians 6:17-19, II Corinth. 4:7, Colossians 1:27) Again, the answer is yes. Believers have been invested with dynamic power from heaven. The same Spirit that raised Messiah from the dead and split the Red Sea resides within our bodies. (Romans 8:11) However, we are not the boss. We are bondservants and stewards of ‘His’ power. Even with supernatural gifts of the Spirit, are they not tools to be used for building His kingdom? These gifts should never be manipulated or exploited for self-centered purposes.
Consider for a moment. When the believer stands at the Judgment Seat of Christ or to be technically accurate, 'the bema seat', (Romans 14:10-13, II Corinthians 5:10), it's not to determine whether or not one deserves the lake of fire, but it is the judging of our works and stewardship. (Luke 12:42-48, Revelation 22:12, I Corinthians 4:1-2). It's all about faithful stewardship of the gifts, talents and power He has given us.
One factor that distinguishes a servant of God from a sorcerer is that God's servants yield to the leading of the Lord, but sorcerers and enchanters use their gifts or powers as they so please.
DECEPTION #2
Beware of the Teachings of Balaam
Revelation 2:14, “But I have a few things against you: You have there some who HOLD TO THE TEACHING OF BALAAM, the one who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality”.
In the Book of Revelation we find the Lord Himself giving strong words of warning to each of the seven churches of the last days. To the church of Pergamos Christ issues a specific warning to stay away from 'the teachings of Balaam'! If this warning is ignored the Lord promises to fight against that person or people when He comes!
The church of Pergamos is described in Revelation 2:13: "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is ...." The church was hanging out in the middle of Satanic territory. According to the text, the church was right at Satan's throne. This is a picture of how God's people had married the world and entered into covenant with the fallen cosmos system. The church had compromised its' first love and was now in league with the practices and teachings of Balaam.
Further along in chapter two our Lord makes a direct connection between the teachings of Balaam and Jezebel the false prophet. Both of these demonic forces unite to lead God’s end-time people into idolatry, immorality and sexual defilement.
Exactly what is the doctrine of Balaam? According to the account in the Book of Numbers (chapters 22, 23 and 31) Balaam was a true Prophet by definition. He was gifted in his ability to get a word from God and tap into the spirit realm.
To summarize what happened, God specifically instructed Balaam not to go with men who sought to curse and kill the children of Israel, “You shall not go with them…” (Num 22:12). Balaam understood those instructions, but was enticed because they offered him riches and wealth.
Rather than obey God's clear instructions the first time, Balaam went back to God again and asked if it was okay to go. Balaam was pushing the threshold. In essence he was pushing God, tempting God in order to get a favorable word. Therefore, God eventually told Balaam, “If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them” (Num 22:20).
The following morning, Balaam got up and went with the men (Num 22:21) — but the men had not called on Balaam! God told Balaam that he could go only if the men called him to rise up and come with them. As a result of Balaam's rebellion and disobedience the angel of God stood in the way, sword in hand, intending to kill Balaam (Num 22:22; 31-33).
God told Balaam that the reason He intended to kill him was because his Way was perverse. (Num 22:32).
The problem with Balaam was that he did not heed and obey the first instructions given by Yahweh! Balaam rejected God's first instructions and sought a different word, a favorable word. In order to get the money, the prophet compromised full obedience to God. He ended up leading the children of Israel into spiritual ruin.
The doctrine of Balaam states, ‘use the gifts of God, manipulate spiritual forces to get wealth or whatever you want. There is no need to submit to God’s will, no need to get permission, no need give Him glory. Get whatever you want or whatever you need.’
This is exactly what’s happening in mainstream Christianity today! The so-called gospel is no longer about the need for a Redeemer or the new birth. It's all about success, personal empowerment, wealth and prosperity. The teachings of Balaam has certainly invaded our churches.
1 Timothy 4:1 states that in the last days, men and women will depart from the faith giving heed to ‘seducing spirits and doctrines of demons’. The doctrine of Balaam is specifically mentioned in Revelation chapter two as a force that will lead the end-time church into apostasy if it is not abandoned.
DECEPTION #3
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans
"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:14-15)
The church at Pergamos had also embraced the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
This Greek word is a compound. It consist of two parts. The first is "Nico" and "laitans" is the second. "Laitans" is derived from the root of "laity," which means 'the ordinary, common people'. "Nico" means to subdue, to conquer, or to rule over.
What is God telling us here? We need to wake up and realize that the "Nicolaitans" were those who sought to conquer and rule over the common people. In the kingdom of God there is only one Head, one Ruler and Lord. His name is Yeshua Hamoshiach! He has made all of us 'a kingdom of priest' and joint-heirs of His throne. God plainly declares that he hates the Nicolaitan system. (Revelation 2:15) It's time for the body of Christ to stop feeding this demonic system and get her teachings out of our presence.
DECEPTION #4
Don’t Eat Things Sacrificed to Idols
In a spiritual sense we eat or consume doctrine or teachings by allowing them to become a part of our spirit makeup.
Mark 16: 5-12, ‘When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6) “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast {leaven} of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7) They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
8) Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9) Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10) Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
11) How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12) Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’
Yeshua taught in Luke 16:13
13"(I)No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and (J)wealth."
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