Authentic Spiritual Encounters

Lately it seems that cults are becoming much more subtle in their approach to draw people into their circle.  They often appeal to a person's sense of well-being and promise them peace and tranquility, relaxation, and some form of power (often with the help of a spiritual guide) to overcome life's difficulties.  There will be some form of fellowship since many people drawn into these groups are lonely, without purpose, and looking for direction and answers.  They appeal to universal needs we all have.  And they can sound very promising and very convincing!  Well, isn't that just like the serpent up to his same old tricks offering an alternative, or "another" and better way than what God offers?  Read the account of the serpent and Eve in Genesis 3 to see what I mean.  And look at what happened to us all as a result of Eve and Adam listening to him!  Instead of immortality and life in paradise, we were sentenced to a fallen earth and ultimate death!  Let's look at some important Scriptures so that we can have a heightened sense of awareness on how to discern what is of God and what is not.

Firstly, Scripture says that Satan tries to mimic the works of God and the people of God - he tricks people into thinking it is the real thing when it is not.

2Co 11:12  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

How do we discern what is of God and what is a counterfeit?  

When a true believer speaks, they will speak of the Lord and it will line up with Scripture. Those who are true believers will have a hunger for the Word of God, and will be teachable to soak up all they can get from the Word.  They will love God and love His Word, and know that in order to know God, they have to know His Word.  You can tell when someone has been immersed in the Word of God -- they will know Scripture and use it at the appropriate time.  It will have a definite effect on those who hear even though it may not be evident right away.   

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Also, a true believer's message will line up with the Biblical Gospel message, and will not add to it or change it in any way to be "another" gospel:

Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Notice in verse 10, these won't be words of vanity to draw attention to oneself.  These words will be spoken to please God, and to glorify God.   See 2 Cor.11:12 further up.

An example is when you hear someone share a personal encounter with God.  A legitimate personal testimony that involves the transforming works of God can and will always be capable of being verified by Scripture.  It will stand up to Scripture and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.  Also, the main focus is not on what we do, but on what the Lord has done and is doing for us.

Works of the Spirit

Also important is that we must be careful not to discount legitimate works of the Spirit because we don't understand something.  Scripture is filled with miracles and works of the Spirit. Check out the book of Acts.  Throughout the Old Testament the Lord and angels of the Lord appeared to people.  Jesus walked the earth and performed thousands of miracles, which were so many there was no room to record them all!  We cannot understand everything.  Jesus died and rose from the dead! Do we understand how this happened? Of course not, but we believe He did nonetheless, otherwise we can't be saved!

So we can discern anyone who performs miracles whether they are of God by the FRUITS of the Spirit and if these works glorify God or man!  If someone received healing, for example, this should increase their faith and draw them close to God -- this glorifies God!!

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

So here is a checklist of what to consider if we are in doubt that something is from God or not:

1.      Does it glorify God?

2.      It is pleasing to God?

3.      Does it cause any doubt or confusion?

4.      Does it support the gospel message or detract from it in any way - i.e. - will it in some  way lead someone to the saving grace of the cross?

5.      Does it draw attention to self or to God?

6.      If it appears to be a miracle, can it be backed up with Scripture?

7.      Does it draw you closer to God?

8.      Is it a truth that refines and convicts you to be more like Christ?

9.      Is it something that Jesus would agree with? 

10.    Does it come at a personal cost to you?       

Let's not be fooled, either something is of God or it isn't.  Either we are on God's side or we aren't.  The way of the cross is narrow and yet filled with peace, but the way of the world (of which Satan rules) is a wide path that promises happiness but leads to destruction.  No good will ever come of following or participating in what is evil in God's sight.  

Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.