Category: Charismania

Charismania, Cultic beliefs

PanTheism—-is on the rise!!

Lee Anne Ferguson

 

A few weeks ago I read an article in the local paper about the ionic footbath scam. Similar to the “foot pad” scam exposed by 20/20 in 2008, it has fooled many. One can only imagine how cheated many feel after spending tons of money to soak their feet in electrode corrosion. And it could happen to anyone, especially the sick and vulnerable ones who’ve been thru the wringer by the medical establishment. But having been there myself, I can honestly say, the biggest concern isn’t the money people are being duped out of…. but what they’re being duped into spiritually.
Thankfully God’s word is loaded with biblical insight into what we need to look out for. For instance, 1 Tim.6:20-21 helped break the spell in my own life by warning me that I should be “avoiding profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” Like evolution, I realized many “healing” therapies have no scientific evidence to back up their claims and prove to be fraudulent once they’re investigated. And these kinds of therapies would perfectly fit into the category of “curious arts,” which is mentioned in Acts 19:19.
So when we subject ourselves to these therapies, we’re actually buying into a false religious system that severely distorts and perverts the biblical concept of God! For instance, the healing philosophies behind many of them draw upon eastern religious beliefs, such as “The Universal Energy/ Life Force,” which is a pantheistic idol. Pantheism is the false belief that God is everything and in everything——rocks, trees, plants, people, the devil—- you name it.
Obviously God is NOT in everything and doesn’t approve of everything. He is omnipresent, yet transcendent and not part of His creation (1Kings 8:27, Psa.139:7-16, Acts 17:24-28). God is a personal Spirit being, not an impersonal “energy force.” He desires a relationship with us through His Son Jesus Christ who suffered, died and rose again so that sinners can receive His mercy and have eternal life. However, the devil loves to pose as an angel of light by getting people to believe “the energy” working behind certain therapies is God (2Cor.11:13-15).
So there’s no excuse for rebelling against God by getting involved in these therapies. Because Scripture has clearly warned us to avoid anything that could put us into contact with demons who work behind the scenes to try to make the philosophies behind certain practices seem true (Eph.5:11, 1Pet.5:8). They not only put one at risk financially, mentally and physically, but most importantly, spiritually. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit” (Col.2:8). Even though “many shall follow their pernicious ways” try to remember that “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2Pet. 2:2-3).
And even if you’ve been deeply involved in these things, there’s still time to repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone. I’m living proof that He still continues to rescue His sheep from all the messes they get themselves into. There’s still so much to learn and we need Him to grant us the discernment to “abstain from all appearance of evil,” whether it concerns our health, finances, relationships or eternity (1Thess.5:22).
So please friend, don’t fall for the lies like I have so many times. I know how hard it is to resist false claims when you so desperately need healing. But “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones” (Prov. 3:5-8).
Sis. Lee Anne—-emails are always welcome at gospel4life@live.com Continue reading “PanTheism—-is on the rise!!” →

Charismania, freewill vs. Sovereignty of God

Heresy Alert—OPEN THEISM—Are you an open theist???

Lee Anne Ferguson

Perilous times have come. We’re so troubled on every side that if we don’t resist the devils schemes, we’ll end up compromising the truth just so we can try to make sense of why evil exists. When all we need to do is trust the Lord who “divided the light from the darkness” as He has seen fit, for “in Him is no darkness at all” (Gen.1:4, Jn.1:5, 1Jn.1:5). How else could we appreciate the light of the gospel? Yet, anytime we go beyond God’s word to try to explain why He’s ordained for evil to exist, then we’ve crossed over into what the Bible calls heresy.

One such heresy is called “Open Theism;” the belief that God doesn’t know the future and is therefore subject to change, based on certain verses taken out of context (e.g. Gen.6:6, Ex.32:12-14). It implies that evil randomly happens with no divine purpose at all. In this view, trusting God becomes impossible, for it portrays Him as neither sovereign nor all-knowing. And there can be no assurance of salvation apart from God’s divine providence (Num.23:19, Deut.32:39, Psa.90:4; ch.139, Isa.46:10, Acts 15:18, Rom.8:29-30, Eph.1, Ja.1:17).

Whenever we think God’s ways must be fair according to our human standard of “fair,” then we’re not submitting to God’s will, but exalting our own (Job 35:2; 36: 21). And this is the very sin Elihu confronted Job with in chapters 32-37. Moreover, Elihu wasn’t one of Job’s three friends who had to repent in the end. On the contrary, Elihu was a godly bystander who finally got to the root of Jobs suffering. From there, God confirmed to Job that we’re to NEVER question His ways or doubt His goodness, for we’re in no position to do so. Like Job, we should be humbled into the ground by this truth and repent in dust and ashes. 

When tragedy hits an innocent victim and we become full of self-righteousness, bitterness and doubt concerning God’s goodness, it’s completely understandable but still shows we’re not really innocent at all, but sinful. We’re still accountable to God and won’t have the excuse of being an “innocent” victim on judgment day. Like anyone else, victims have to pay for their sins in hell if they’re not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.   

Jesus said, “there is none good but one, that is, God” (Matt.19:17).This is why He came to save the lost sinner, not the so called “good” and righteous. We have no righteousness of our own. That’s why His righteousness must be transferred (imputed) to us, just as our sins had to be transferred (imputed) to Him while He was on the cross paying our sin debt (Rom.3:9-19; 4:6,8,23,24). Or else Christ died in vain!

Are some sinners worse than others? Absolutely not! That’s why Jesus said, “think ye that they were sinners above all men”……. “I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” All sins are equally terrible in God’s eyes and sin has so corrupted our nature that we must be pulled out of the fire by the force of God’s love. But if you don’t want God to “force”…. or as Scripture puts it….. “make you free,” then you’re basically saying with the wicked “we will not have this man to reign over us”(Matt.20:15, Lk.13:4,5; 19:14,27, Jn.8:36). 

So friend, would you rather for sin to have dominion over you? Do you want God to just leave you to your own unregenerate will, which is a servant (slave) of sin, but “free” from righteousness (Rom.6:20-22)? Do you want to be in bondage in hell for eternity……… as one of satan’s puppets?!  If not, then you need Jesus Christ, for “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Because there’s never been one single, truly saved person to EVER resent God’s divine intervention and there never will be. 

Sis. Lee Anne——emails are always welcome at gospel4life@live.com

Charismania, discernment column

Sozo Renamed “Theotherapy”

Lee Anne Ferguson

The topic of “theotherapy” caught my attention recently on the local Christian television station. The speaker said “good theology makes good psychology,” which sounded good at first. But the more I listened, the more I realized they were promoting Sozo, which is the exact same thing I wrote and warned about over two years ago. They’ve just renamed it (again) to try to make it sound more theologically sound.

Yet, the “inner healing” movement is still founded upon the lie that one can use their imagination to hear from God. And the counseling techniques used to conjure up these experiences are the same used in the occult, mainly “guided imagery” and “visualization.” The mediators who assist these experiences are called “theotherapists,” in order to gain access within Christian circles. 

Just another fulfillment of prophecy the Bible warns about (e.g. Acts 20:28-30, Gal.2:4, 2Pet.2:1). But the mission of every born-again believer is to warn others and keep proclaiming the solid theological foundation of the true gospel, so that those who love the truth will be able to discern a counterfeit gospel a mile away, which is all “theotherapy” really is (2Thess.2:9-10).

Ironically, the bad theology behind bad psychology is a major cause of mental and spiritual damage. And sadly, many never come out of the deception once they’ve been fooled by the placebo effects it produces. But by the grace and mercy of God, He’s been leading many of the captives out, who’ve been contacting me ever since I first wrote about it (2Tim.2:24-26). Because “the sheep hear His voice; and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (Jn.10:3).  

When the Holy Spirit truly convicts us of sin, we’re led to go to God for mercy and to humbly ask Him for all we need to be saved (repentance and faith).  So that we can truly comprehend by faith that Jesus’s blood was shed to cover our sins and reconcile us to God. It’s that simple, which is why the complicated methods and techniques of man don’t work, but leading people to go to God for mercy thru Jesus Christ does (2Cor.11:3). Because the true gospel and those who proclaim it are the means God has chosen to set His people free.

True Christianity is the ONLY religion in the world that’s based solely on salvation by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Jesus Christ ALONE. All others are centered upon outward performance rather than inward change, which causes them to be enemies of the cross of Christ (Gal.6:14, Phil.3:18). In fact, every false religion in the world is built upon that same legalistic foundation. The only difference is that they all just build upon it differently; depending on what each sect thinks are the most important outward performances for obtaining full salvation (remember this).

For instance, some think its snake handling, some think its water baptism, and others think it’s wearing certain clothes or choosing certain types of transportation.  Then again, some think it’s “deliverance” techniques such as those used in Sozo, which ironically means “to save” in Greek —– (did you catch that)?

So friend, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col.2:8). “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1Cor.1:18). Because salvation is of the Lord and He finishes the good work He begins in His people, so that they don’t have to be made complete and whole by their own efforts or the works of a “theotherapist” (Psa. 37:39-40, Phil.1:6). Because those who are born again by His Spirit “are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Col.2:10).

Sis. Lee Anne

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Charismania

A Slave to Sozo vs. A Slave to Righteousness

Lee Anne Ferguson

    I must confess one of the main reasons I ended up in sozo sessions was because of problems with my family.   And  I’m finding that even today, I still have to continue to forgive them over and over again, because they are human and offend in many things, like myself, but at least now I’m going directly to God with my struggles, rather than Sozo counselors, “seers,” mediators, “prophets,” etc.  I had been duped into thinking they were biblical replacements for secular counseling, when in actuality it’s the same old garbage that’s been repackaged and labeled “Christian” in order to infiltrate Christendom.

I must thank the Lord that I never had one of those false “visions of Jesus” one hears so much about concerning Sozo.  I see now that it was only because God was protecting me.  But when the sozo counselors would ask me if I was seeing Jesus in my memory, it was suggesting to me that I should be or else something was wrong with me because I wasn’t seeing Him in my memory.  The worst fear they incited was the thought that I wasn’t really saved.  Although they would act suspicious of me for not having a “Jesus encounter,”  they finally said, “that’s ok, some people don’t THE FIRST FEW TIMES. 

I thank God He brought me out before that happened.  But I realize that if people don’t finally go along with them or succumb to this brainwashing, these counselors get nasty and even question one’s salvation.  And truthfully one can be so hard-pressed to perform in these sessions and so desperate for acceptance from them or even from God that they will finally conjure up an experience in their own mind.

I remember that I did tell them I sensed a presence behind me and so they encouraged me to verbalize what He was telling me.  So I basically used my imagination to “hear from God” (BIG MISTAKE)!!  And I told them what I “sensed” Jesus was wanting to tell me.  It was basically just a bunch of self-esteem boosting with nothing biblical. BUT, looking back I believe that “presence” followed me home, because things would get really crazy after those sessions.

It wasn’t until God really began to deal with me concerning the messed up, man-centered theology I ‘d been believing my whole life, that I finally snapped out of  being a slave to sozo and other sins.  God began to lead and guide me to “paths of righteousness for His name sake” (psalm 23).  He prodded me to “search out the old paths where the good way is, and to walk in it, so I could find rest for my soul” (Jer. 6:16).

The old paths are where I found some books by authors such as John Bunyan from the 1600’s who presented the gospel in such a way that Christ alone was exalted, rather than man.  He was also a martyr in the sense that he was imprisoned for twelve years just for preaching the gospel, rather than the “acceptable” religion of his day.

As Divine Providence would have it, one of his books ended up in my hands.  And after reading it I realized I’d never heard the full counsel of God before.  It was the gospel of grace, rather than the works-salvation I’d been exposed to my whole life, not only in local churches but from televangelists, such as Billy Graham who was into the whole “decisional regeneration”—-put your trust in your decision—-not in Christ basically.

Had I known the true doctrines of grace, I would’ve never fallen for so many false doctrines and the wolves that teach them.  Yet, in the Church of Christ I grew up in, and even raised my kids in for years, I was actually being prepared to accept even greater heresy and preparing my kids to do the same.  For when it was pounded into us time and time again, that our destiny depended on us and our “decisions,” rather than God and His choice of us, we became perfect prey for doctrines such as Word of Faith works-salvation —do this, do that, say this, or say that, to “speak your destiny into existence.” 

In sozo sessions one has to speak Jesus’ imagined words into existence basically.  This wallowing in the past and imagining what Jesus is saying to us in the realm of  our subconscious memory, is then supposed to help us forgive and let go of “those things that are hindering us from a deeper walk with God.” Spare me.  I’m so on to that, thanks to God’s gift of true salvation and discernment.

I don’t have to imagine Jesus’ love for me because it’s now a reality because He has given me the faith to believe the truth, by giving me spiritual eyes and ears that Jesus purchased for me when He died for me.  He not only covered my sins with His blood, but He obtained gifts for me that are applied to my heart by the Holy Spirit who has quickened me from the dead, so that I now walk in new life as a new creature in Christ!  And I’m so forever grateful for God’s mercy in doing this, for such an undeserving sinner as I’ve been.

  Jesus truly did come to call sinners to repentance, not the self-righteous who would rather be slaves to sozo (Rom. 17:23).

Is He pricking your heart too friend? I pray He is, for that means you are His and He will have his way with you just as He did rebellious Jonah and Saul on the road to Damascus.  And He will perform that, which He has begun in you (Phil.1:6).  God bless

Charismania

To the victims of Sozo

Lee Anne Ferguson

First let me say, I’m sorry that you are going through this.  I understand many of the setbacks and delusions, for I’ve been there.  In fact, Sozo has taken many victims captive and unfortunately many families have been destroyed by it.  Personally, the only reason I have been set free is by God’s grace and Him revealing the true gospel to me, which is why I am constantly trying to get the true gospel out.  For many have been led astray by a man-centered gospel that leads to such things as Sozo.

As a result,  Sozo and other such practices promote a false man- centered gospel, because that is their foundational starting point.   In fact, the main reason people end up in the sinking sand of inner healing circles is because they have no solid foundation built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ.  So unfortunately, the disillusionment leads to putting subjective spiritual experiences above the objective word of God, in order to try to fill the void.

True biblical help for victims and those  trying to help others recover from Sozo would be to inspire them to focus solely on Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, for He is  the only mediator between God and man.  Sozo counselors (some unknowingly) try to usurp that position, which belongs only to the Savior of our souls.   And only by Jesus’ blood being applied to our account by the Holy Spirit can we be saved, delivered and healed.  Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient.

Please realize that God’s people do not need extra-biblical experiences to verify their standing with God, for the Holy Spirit witnesses to God’s people that they are His.  “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit (thru His word) that we are the children of God” (Rom.8:16).  If this hasn’t happened, it’s back to square one….the gospel.

I pray God will heal the devastating effects of Sozo that has been inflicted upon these poor souls.  And I know He will answer that prayer according to His promises.
God bless,

Sis Lee Anne—-victims are also free to vent and share with me at gospel4life@live.com

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Charismania

Sozo Bits

Lee Anne Ferguson

I seemed to have positive results with Sozo in the beginning.  But as time went on, I got worse and worse and worse.  I remember one session in particular.  Everything seemed to go fine—–until I got home.  It was as if I was in a bedazzled state of mind, as if I couldn’t differienciate between the past and the present.   In fact, I was becoming more and more stuck in the past…..  God’s word says to put the hand to the plow and not look back.  Look what happened to Lot’s wife when she couldn’t quit looking back.  And that’s what I was becoming “a pillar of salt” from so many tears shed over the past, rather than letting by-gones be by-gones.
I was not denying myself, taking up the cross and following Jesus.  Instead I was wanting to lay my problems down, not at the feet of Jesus, but at the feet of self-proclaimed “seers” who promised to have all the answers that would set me free, but brought me into bondage.  Because the sessions would start me on a downward spiral where I would be wallowing in my own self-absorbtion and self-pity, while unknowingly following their guru version of Jesus who only exists within New Age circles. 

And that is what Sozo is, New Age with a “Christian twist,” where the whole focus is on self-esteem, rather than humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God. But the Bible warns that “in the last days perilous times will come, men will be LOVERS OF THEMSELVES…….  Sounds like psycho therapeutic, sozo self-esteem boosting doesn’t it?    hmm.
With such a heavy emphasis on man-centered, false doctrines, participants are subtely led to believe that these sessions are the answer to everything and the answer to everyone elses problems too, rather than the gospel.  The result?  They begin to subtely pressure others they know to go thru the sessions too. 

That also happened to me.  My family and friends even tell me now that I would come off as being extremely arrogant, as if I had reached a higher “spiritual level” than them, especially any who had never been “sozoed.” And honestly, looking back—I can see why they thought that.  I’m so ashamed of that now. For one, it was actually a “higher spiritual level of deception.” 

I was also starting to develop hatred toward my abusers, due to the sessions extreme emphasis on self-pity over all the abuse I went thru. Although the sozo counselor would lead me to verbally forgive the abusers, it would never stick.  For saying it and even praying it, isn’t what enables us forgive others—it’s the gospel—period. But sozo is not about the gospel.

One of the biggest deceptions of inner healing ministries is the  doctrine that there are “unconverted areas of the mind,” or  “parts” of us that aren’t saved yet, while some parts supposedly are—-that’s insane!! Their unbiblical replacement for true sanctification can literally drive participants insane as  they go thru sessions.  My article on Shabar, an  advanced form of Sozo, which is the next level of Sozo deception, goes deeper into this.  

The bottom line is that Sozo was never enough.  I had to keep getting those “spiritual highs” and all that “special” attention, for Sozo leads to developing a victim mentality.  And as a result, I became spiritually dependent upon people instead of God.  I began to constantly call the sozo team for their “prophetic insight” rather than going directly to God thru prayer and His word.  But after all, they had the “latest” word (spare me).

God alone has the final word—–and it stands the test of time.  Sozo counseling doesn’t.

Proverbs 19:21—“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”

Charismania

Binding Demons……is it biblical??

Lee Anne Ferguson

  I’ve been thinking, since “pleading the blood” for protection is closely related to the Word of Faith concept of “binding” Satan and “loosening” blessings, I thought it might also be helpful to go over Matt 18:18 where Jesus said, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Wolves in sheep’s clothing interpret this to mean Jesus wants us to “bind” Satan, his demons, sickness, poverty, etc. and “loose” health, wealth, etc. Yet, Scripture never supports such interpretations. They are taking this verse (and many others) out of context.
To understand what Jesus is saying it’s important to pray for discernment concerning these wolves…. who cherry pick “proof texts” to make them mean one thing, when in fact they mean another. The context of this text actually begins in Matt. 16:13 where Christ was telling Peter that He was about to establish the New Testament Church and that the gates of hell couldn’t prevail against it. In vs 19 Jesus said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The “keys” referred to has to do with the new covenant gospel of grace, which is the only entrance into God’s kingdom, not thru legalistic works such as “binding” Satan. Even in Mark 16:18 where it says “They shall take up serpents”….we have a perfect example of God’s promise of protection, rather than a command to perform.
God’s people are already given authority to proclaim His eternal plan of redemption without having to worry about “binding” evil first.  For the gates of hell can’t thwart God’s plan or the people God chose before time began (2 Tim.1:9) for noone can snatch them out of His hand (John 10:29).  As far as Christians are concerned, Jesus has already reduced Satan and his demons to mere scorpions and slithering serpents that we can simply trample upon, for our feet are to be prepared with the gospel of Jesus Christ whereever we go (Luke 10:19-20, Eph.6) and we can rejoice when our focus is on the kingdom of heaven….. rather than the kingdom of darkness.
This is great news, for we can rest in Jesus knowing that Satan was bound by Him at the commencement of this church age! Jesus said, “How can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then He will spoil his house”(Matthew 12: 29). And in reference to His pending death on the cross….Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12: 31). Satan was bound by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Matthew 12:28-29, Luke 10:17-20). There the serpent’s head was crushed and the forces of evil were triumphed over!! 
Therefore, Satan has already been restricted at the cross!! (Matt 28:18-20). While he still has certain power—-like a dog on a short leash, he can’t prevent God’s chosen people from being added to the Church. And though he still “seeks who he may devour,” the key word here is “may,”….he must gain access thru sin and God would have to allow it. For God alone has reserved the right to have Satan bound or loosed, allowed or disallowed. Therefore, if we insist on rebuking and binding Satan ourselves …….we are actually usurping God’s authority!……Extremely dangerous ground!!  Jude 9

Actually, the words “bind” and “loose” were used by the Jews back then, in the sense of “forbid or allow.” Likewise, the apostles laid down the “law of the Spirit of life in Jesus” (Rom. 8:2) under the new covenant of grace, defining what was prohibited and permitted. For example, in Acts 15:20  they kept new believers “bound” to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled and from blood…… but they “loosed” them from the law of sin and death and the old covenant burdens that were no longer nessessary (such as tithing, which was replaced by free-grace giving).

 For,”where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”!!!  (2Cor.3:17) 

John 20:23 also reveals that the church is given authority to “remit or retain” the sins of congregants thru church discipline (ex-communication), with the goal of restoring fellowship and purging the church of leaven that could leaven the whole lump. But since it’s rarely practiced today, “doctrines of devils” that shipwreck faith and bring legalistic bondage, are infiltrating the church. Which may be one reason God’s judgement has come upon modern churches that promote them.  By doing so they’re actually hindering the spread of the true gospel by mixing it with lies.
Case in point, Christians don’t have to bind Satan because Christ has already bound him. And what Christ has already attained for us, we don’t have to try to conjure up on our own, ….which only attracts demonic attacks thru unbiblical practices that focus more on Satan and ourselves than upon God …..who alone deserves all the glory. Therefore, since God is in control and our only protection….. a more biblical way to address the issue of evil is to pray the way Jesus taught us to pray in the first place…..

 “Lead us not to temptaton, but deliver us from evil, …..for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.”     (Matt.6)

“Standfast therefore in the liberty where Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with a yoke of bondage” Gal.5:1

Hope and pray this helps someone.

Charismania

Pleading the Blood for Protection…..is it biblical??

Lee Anne Ferguson

I remember this teaching very well—-“pleading the blood” over everyone, everyday…..exhausting and a fearful way to live—in case you forget to plead it that day!!

Since Jesus’ blood was shed for His sheep—indefinitely—despite whether Christians “plead” it or not, we are only to pray that God will soon bring those who are His into the fold—and He will. That’s why we proclaim the gospel, for those who are truly His will be given the grace to respond in true faith and repentance.
God does all the work and Jesus is the only mediator who pleads His blood for those who are His—- for He intercedes for them and saves them to the uttermost (Heb.7:25).  He entered the holy of holies and has sprinkled His shed blood on the mercy seat and continues to plead its value, worth and sufficiency to pay our sin debt “in full”—to appease the Fathers wrath, so we could be reconciled to the Father. We don’t have to legalistically plead it over others or ourselves, we are only instructed to pray unceasingly that God’s word will have free reign, so people will be born again —-by regeneration of the Holy Spirit…. rather than being distracted by legalistic rituals.

Jesus’ blood was splattered all over the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him. Were they all saved simply because the blood fell on them??—..No. Jesus’ blood is not actually applied to people’s hearts unless God Himself applies the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice to their account. We can’t “speak it into existence.” Only God creates a new creature in Christ.

I realize this teaching is so wide spread and common today in Word of Faith circles, but “pleading the blood” is not a magic formula (for loved ones to be saved, warding off evil, disasters, death, etc.), but only distorts its true biblical application and meaning. It’s no small thing that Jesus’ blood was for the cleansing and forgiveness of sins, for without this there is no protection, deliverance, etc…. Eph.1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” If it wasn’t for His sacrifice we’d still be under old covenant “blood on doorposts” practices….. Galatians 4:9 “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, where unto ye desire again to be in bondage?”

Christ’s blood is precious, incorruptible, eternal and holy. Its cleansing power for man’s ultimate problem, sin, is not insufficient…it paid His peoples sin debt “in full.” …..an actual payment, not a hypothetical payment that is only applied if we “name it and claim it”…… God freely bestows the grace necessary for His people to be able to respond in true repentance and faith in the gospel, for the merits of Jesus’ sacrifice has already been applied to their lives….. Without them having to earn, perform or speak any of it into existence, for it was actually applied before we could have had anything to do with it. Jesus already pleaded it for His people on the cross over 2,000 years ago and He said, “It is finished.”

When we struggle with guilt, hardships, etc. we need to remember the cleansing power of the blood, nothing more, and nothing less. That alone is a Christians only plea–as in a courtroom plea. In that sense, Christians can and should plead the blood, NOT thru “positive confessions” or by asking God to do it, but by remembering that Christ has already done it for us on the cross and the only way to realize this is by “having the Witness in our spirit that we are His”……. Nowhere in scripture does it teach us to “plead the blood” legalistically as a means of gain, protection, fighting the devil, etc…… For then it becomes like a magic charm that is borderline blasphemy, manipulation and witchcraft. This may sound harsh, but it is what it is. Pleading the blood as taught by Word of Faith teachers…Joyce Meyer, Joel Olsteen, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Jack Hayford, Bill Johnson, T.D. Jakes, etc. ….is NEVER taught in scripture and can have serious implications…..bondage, error, superstition, demonic attacks, etc…… Which happened to the “sons of Sceva” in Acts, who also used the name of Jesus un-biblically….and happened to me until God brought me out of all that and showed me the truth thru His word.
The Bible tells Christians how to overcome the accuser of the brethren in Eph. 6 and Phil.4:6 tell us how to pray…. Neither place mentions the practice of “pleading the blood” for protection from evil, etc……. James 4: 7 says to submit to God and resist the devil. That is, resist his temptations to sin by submitting to God (casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ) just as Jesus did in the wilderness, not just by quoting Scripture, but by being full of the truth against Satan’s lies. He is to be our example, rather than conforming to the world. God’s word contains all we need for life and godliness when the Holy Spirit opens our understanding to it… not just when we quote it. And this can only happen if the merits of Jesus’ blood have been applied to our account by God Himself thru Jesus’ actual atonement….. Not some potential atonement based on our performance.

The bottom line is that the Bible contains no record of this phrase ever being used by anyone in the Bible.  Paul and the other apostles encountered much evil but never once recited this phrase. It has become a legalistic practice that causes the lost to get a faulty view of salvation and opens the door to doctrinal error, fanaticism, mysticism and spiritual bondage. Worse yet, it actually attracts darkness by being used un-biblically and reveals a severe lack of knowledge and understanding of the truth of God’s Word. Only by God’s grace can anyone be free from this and other Word of Faith teachings that “promise liberty but bring into bondage” (2Pet.)

I hope and pray this helps someone —Jesus said “whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column #5 on Kundalini

Lee Anne Ferguson

Theological Thoughts

Kundalini:  defined as a universal “life force” that lies dormant until charged with “energy” thru occult practices such as yoga, purification rituals, meditation, or the touch of a guru, supposedly removing “defense mechanisms” that hinder “serpent power.”

Kundalini Syndrome:  unexplained illnesses, mental collapse, psychosis, neuromuscular damage, uncontrollable laughter and body movements, wild emotionalism, trances, inner visions, sounds, and psychic perceptions. It also mimics fibromyalgia and Schizophrenia. And though it lacks biblical resources for dealing with it, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) even recognizes it as a “Spiritual Emergency.” Yet, it is entering American churches thru “Christianized” yoga, soaking prayer, contemplative meditation, third-wave Pentecostalism, inner healing and deliverance ministries.

It’s a spiritual emergency when theological thoughts are being replaced by serpent “power thoughts,” where mind-numbing indoctrination is hammered home repeatedly until the “defense mechanism” of truth is removed.  Just as Sozo/Shabar counseling (last month’s topic) claims to peel away “protective mechanisms” or “parts” of a person’s personality that “hinder deliverance,” the signs and wonders movement as a whole is dismantling personalities at an alarming rate.  Christians are being pressured to worship God in a pagan way with universal appeal, which is an abomination to God (Deut. 12: 30-31).  Perhaps this is why we are seeing glimpses of God’s judgment upon counterfeit Christianity where He is allowing the rise of Kundalini with all of its wild manifestations to enter compromised churches. This would explain why these Kundalini outbreaks resemble the same delusions sent by God throughout His word (e.g. Isaiah 29:9-10).  Even in Isaiah 66:4 God says when people choose to worship Him their own way or the way pagans worship their gods, He will then choose their delusions. Also 2 Thess. 2:9- 12 confirms that power, signs and lying wonders will deceive many in the last days because God Himself sends strong delusion upon those who don’t receive a love of the truth. This also explains the increase of those who follow signs and wonders instead of Jesus.

Many believe these signs are proof they’re ushering in God’s kingdom, when they may actually be ushering in the kingdom of Antichrist. If so, Rev.17:17 say’s God will put it into their hearts to give their kingdom over to the beast. But until then, many antichrists are going out into the world as substitute “anointed ones.” In Hinduism, the impartation of this anointing is called Shaktipat, where a guru lays hands on someone until Kundalini occurs. The same happens in churches where leaders impart “anointing’s” in Jesus’ name by channeling “power” or “energy” thru mind/body experiences. That’s why the signs and wonders movement highly endorses the New Age friendly “Message Bible,” which adds the word “energy” 40 times. For example, in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28 it changes the word “pray” to “the energies of prayer” insinuating it’s no longer God who answers prayer or anoints with the Holy Spirit, but prayer itself or the one praying supposedly generates “the energy” or “the anointing.”

Other verses false teachers use to condone kundalini outbreaks are taken from Acts chapter two, where they claim the disciples were accused of drunkenness because they were “drunk in the spirit,” which is blasphemous. For by reading the chapter in context one can see the disciples were mocked due to “speaking the wonderful works of God” in different languages to all the different tribes present that day.  Peter, also of sound, sober mind, delivered one of the most powerful gospel proclamations ever!  In fact, the whole scenario shows that all of God’s gifts are a demonstration of the power of the gospel initiated by Him alone thru the Holy Spirit, not manifestations of “serpent power” initiated by man thru a “bartender” spirit.

Sadly, when Christians in this movement become convicted and begin to question, leaders twist verses such as Matt. 7:8-11 to discourage their discernment. If that doesn’t work they’re spiritually abused and even accused of demon possession, when it’s actually unbiblical practices that are attracting demonic activity. Scripture is clear, the Holy Spirit cannot co-habit with a demon (e.g. 1Cor. 6:19, Col. 1:13, 2:10). There’s no biblical account of demons being cast out of believers! Yet, Christians involved in this movement are becoming demonically oppressed.  So friend, remember that a universal “life force” is the broad way available even to vessels of destruction, but life in Jesus is the narrow way available only to vessels of mercy. So pray God will grant you mercy, discernment and the “protective mechanism” of truth, so you may be counted worthy to escape this devastating deception.

Sis Lee Anne Ferguson—–Readers with questions or comments are free to contact me at gospel4life@live.com

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (4) on Shabar Ministry

Lee Anne Ferguson

Theological Thoughts

 

Shabar Mantras: defined as “instruments” or “tools” of thought; used during occult meditation, along with “positive confessions” in order to identify with “Christ-consciousness” and transcend every obstacle

Shabar Ministry: an advanced form of Sozo (last month’s topic) that uses inner healing “tools” that have parallel implications within the occult. Yet, it is secretly slipping into many mainline churches and organizations such as Crisis Pregnancy Centers; promoted as “Christian counseling” under the Hebrew guise Shabar, which means broken. For those being targeted are the broken-hearted.

In Shabar Ministry, theological thoughts are distorted by “instruments of thought,” where contrived confessions and strange “tools” such as metaphorical doors, walls, and “Father Ladders” are used to supposedly help the broken-hearted realize their “identity in Christ.”  However, the hidden theology behind the Shabar “identity in Christ” cliché is not as innocent as it sounds, for it is the heretical doctrine of Identification rooted in Gnosticism, which claims one can transcend all obstacles by realizing they are an actual incarnation of Christ.  

So by being deceived into thinking they can literally “be Jesus” to people, Shabar leaders assume God’s role in the lives of the broken by promoting a system filled with occult concepts, where a team of mediators or “seers” are set over those perceived to be lower on the spiritual ladder.  As a result, vulnerable people who originally come for help, end up feeding into the team’s desperate need to feel superior by subjecting themselves to a humiliating process of sharing every private detail of their life, while the spiritually elite interprets them.

Consequently, fear and spiritual dependency keeps many bound to this group.  And like basic Sozo and all other occult practices, Shabar sessions require mental passivity in order to seek truth experientially through guided imagery, visualization and mystic mediators who facilitate “Jesus encounters,” as participants are supposedly led into a regressive, subconscious journey to the past.

Yet, in reality this is where an altered state of consciousness is subtly induced and many become inoculated with an unbiblical view of Jesus, so that they become totally resistant to truth.  This is due to the subtle form of divination that takes place while participating in an unbiblical process involving human mediators and the spiritual realm, which is an abomination to God (Deut.18:9-14, 1Tim. 2:5).

Also parallel to secular psychology, Shabar leaders insinuate that those who don’t realize their identity in Christ have “Dissociative Identity Disorder,” for any problems or sins a person has in the present are blamed on past “generational curses,” or traumas that allegedly caused “double-mindedness” (split personality) or so-called “parts,” which are said to be “unconverted areas of the mind.”  The Shabar team supposedly “converts” them by integrating the parts.

But ironically, Hebrew anthropology views mankind as being holistic: spirit, soul and body (1Thess. 5:23) and in need of redemption, rather than the gnostic view of man being merely a sum of “parts” in need of “integration.” In fact, this psycho-mystical process for becoming converted and whole is completely foreign to Scripture, which teaches one can only be made whole in Christ by being regenerated, not integrated.  

Furthermore, Strong’s Concordance rightly defines double-mindedness as having no fixed beliefs, which ironically describes the inner healing childishness of being carried about with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14) devoid of any absolutes.  Strikingly comparable to Jeremiah 2:13, the inner healing movement is forsaking the fountain of living waters for broken (shabar) cisterns that can hold no water.

So remember dear friend, the “good fruits” that the Pharisees thought they had were not  “fruits worthy of repentance,” for they came from a bad tree that was not made good by God, reminiscent of the bad tree in the Garden with the fruit that was “pleasant to the eyes,” but just a superficial illusion.  So it is today with the many cults that claim to have proof of their validity because of the supposed good fruits they produce.

 Therefore, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24) for if Jesus is portrayed as an inner healing tool or if His unique nature and Deity is downplayed, denied or usurped by those who exalt themselves— Run!!— And warn others, for this is the work of the spirit of antichrist warned about in1John 4:1-6.  But know too, that by being born-again (regenerated) by the Holy Spirit you really can be “integrated” into God’s kingdom, where Jesus forever heals the broken-hearted (Luke 4:18).

Sis Lee Anne

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