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"False Visions, Lying Divinations: How to Test the Spirits and Discern a Message from God"
In a world that is full of various belief systems, it is essential that as Christians, we guard ourselves against being taken captive by false teachings. In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns the Colossians about the danger of being led astray by human traditions and empty deceit, which are according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ.
"Human traditions" refer to customs or beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation within a particular culture or society. These traditions can include rituals, ceremonies, holidays, or social norms that are seen as important or significant within the community. Human traditions can also refer to beliefs or practices that have been added to or taken away from the original teachings of the faith. This can lead to a distortion of the true message and can potentially lead people away from the core principles of their faith.
Empty deceit" warns against being taken captive by false philosophies rather than following Christ. It refers to deceptive ideas, teachings, or beliefs that are void of truth and do not lead to spiritual growth or salvation. Essentially, it means that these teachings may appear to be true or helpful on the surface, but in
reality, they are worthless and lead people away from the truth of God.
An example of "empty deceit" could be a persuasive Pastor/ Teacher who uses impressive language and charisma to convince people to believe in something that is not true or does not align with biblical teachings. They may use logical fallacies or half-truths to make their argument seem more compelling, but in reality, it is empty and deceptive.
Another example could be someone who claims to have special knowledge or revelation from God but is actually promoting false teachings. Their message may sound appealing, but it ultimately leads people astray from the truth.
These warnings are not new. Deuteronomy 18:20 states that any prophet who presumes to speak a word in the name of God that has not been commanded shall die. This is a strong reminder that God takes His Word very seriously and expects us to be cautious when listening to those who claim to speak on His behalf.
Ezekiel 13:6 further explains the danger of false visions and lying divinations. It is common to see individuals who claim to have received a message from God, yet there is no evidence that it is truly from Him. They may even go as far as saying, "declares the Lord," but if the Lord has not sent them, their message is a lie.
There are several ways to discern whether a message is from God according to the Bible:
It is in agreement with the teachings of the Bible - If a message goes against the teachings of the Bible, it is not from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
It bears good fruit - A message from God will produce good fruit in the lives of those who receive it, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
It is confirmed by the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit will confirm a message from God to the person who is receiving it (John 14:26).
It brings glory to Jesus - A message from God will always point to Jesus and bring glory to Him (John 16:14-15).
It is spoken by a true prophet - If a message is spoken by a true prophet, it will come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22).
It's important to exercise discernment when evaluating messages claiming to be from God, and to seek wise counsel from other believers and the Holy Spirit. God is very clear on this matter, as Ezekiel 13:9 shows. He will be against these false prophets, and they shall not be in the council of His people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. This is a powerful message, indicating that God does not take false teachings lightly, and we should not either.
As Christians, we should always be careful and discerning when it comes to who we listen to and what we believe. We should not be afraid to test the spirits to see if they are from God, as stated in 1 John 4:1. We should always seek the truth of God's Word, and not be swayed by human traditions, philosophies, or deceitful teachings.
Amanda Allen
Write & Blogger
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