PanTheism—-is on the rise!!

August 15, 2014 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!!” →

freewill vs. Sovereignty of God, Newspaper Articles

God’s Sovereignty

November 25, 2012November 25, 2012 Lee Anne Ferguson

Many think that if they’re seeking what only God can provide, they must be seeking God. But Jesus told a multitude that they were only seeking Him for His earthly benefits, not for the heavenly miracles that proved His Deity. In other words, they weren’t really seeking God. And Jesus explained why by saying, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” (John 6:26, 44, 66).

Jesus’ words were so offensive, many walked away. Because like today, many admit God is sovereign over nations and temporal life, but they can’t handle the fact that God is sovereign over all things, including eternal life. They’d rather make up a god they’re more comfortable with, because “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,” which is why “it’s not in man that walketh to direct his own steps” (Jer.10:23, 17:9).

So why does God command us to seek Him and proclaim the gospel? Since only God changes hearts and draws sinners to Jesus to be saved, why should we take action at all? Obviously, the answer is simple. He commands us to. For He already knows that although some won’t obey in spirit and truth, some will. Just as God commanded light to shine out of darkness (Gen.1), everything didn’t become light, but what God ordained to be light, obeyed His command. That’s why there’s a universal call of the gospel but not a universal redemption, “for many be called, but few chosen” (Matt.20:16, Acts 13:48).

Although fallen humanity has the “light of conscience” and the “light of creation” to prompt them to an outward performance of God’s commands, they can’t seek Jesus from a pure heart unless God commands the “light of the gospel” to shine into their hearts. A mere outward response isn’t the deciding factor, God is. In fact, God’s sovereignty in salvation is so obvious that Jesus recaps this point in John 6:65 by saying “No man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of the Father.”

Yet many are believing what’s called “decisional regeneration,” where trust is placed in a “decision for Christ” rather than Holy Spirit regeneration, where the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we’re His (Tit.3:5, Rom.8:16). For believers “have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2Cor.4:3-7), because those who receive God’s free gift aren’t those with more “willpower” but those whom God has given the power to become His (John 1:12, 13). “For it is not of man who wills or runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom.9:16).

“For who maketh thee to differ from another” (1Cor.4:7)? Are Christians different because they’re better than others? Are they able to receive, repent, believe and obey the gospel due to having more common grace of character, conviction, morality, or ability to choose the things of God? Absolutely not! Or else they wouldn’t need a Savior and could do without God’s sovereign saving grace.

So dear friend, although many turn away from such a sovereign God, you don’t have to become a statistic. And you don’t have to try to be better than others. Just cry out to God for mercy, confessing your desperate need of a Savior. He never turns away those who are truly brokenhearted over sin (Ps.51:17), for He sent Jesus to seek and save an endless multitude of people who are poor in spirit. So be encouraged, no one is closer to God’s free grace than when they finally realize the poverty of their own sinfulness and powerlessness compared to God’s sovereign, majestic holiness.

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

discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Truth Shines Brightest Against Backdrop of Error (Last of Discernment Series)

July 6, 2012August 25, 2012 Lee Anne Ferguson

Theological Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 says our thoughts are to be upon that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. These are all a perfect description of the gospel, which represents the hope of believers, the exaltation of Christ and ultimately the glory of God. However, mixing the gospel with worldly views only shows a lack of belief and esteem for the authority and sufficiency of God’s word. Truth mixed with error is no longer truth at all (1John2:21) but becomes false, dishonest, unjust, impure, ugly and a bad report, which in turn brings false hope, the exaltation of mankind and blasphemy toward God. So, just as it was forbidden to sow with mingled seed under the old covenant, (Lev. 19:19) it is still forbidden for Christians to sow seeds of the gospel mixed with worldly philosophies and opinions of man.

But sadly, many today are deceived into believing one can “chew up the meat and spit out the bones,” when it comes to bad theology. But this philosophy for promoting false doctrine or allowing it to go unchecked is found nowhere in Scripture. In fact, we see just the opposite with warnings such as “teach no other doctrine” (1Tim.1:3), for “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6) “we cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils, or be partakers of the Lords table and of the devils table (1Cor.10:21). We are to “avoid those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to doctrine” (Rom.16:17) for there can be no unity between God’s people apart from the truth. Even common sense tells us not to even attempt to eat meat mixed with bones to avoid chipping teeth or choking to death. But more importantly God’s word warns us to abstain from all appearance of evil to avoid being destroyed by it (2Thess.5:22).

So dear friend, commit yourself to “casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor.10:4) and “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph.5:11). For exposing darkness and proclaiming the gospel are actually two aspects of the same task, which may be one reason this discernment series has proven the old adage true, that truth shines brightest against the backdrop of error.

Sis Lee Anne

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column #5 on Kundalini

May 18, 2012August 25, 2012 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

April 17, 2012August 2, 2022 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

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 3) on Sozo

April 1, 2012May 29, 2020 Lee Anne Ferguson

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS

Theophostic Prayer: founded in 1996 by Ed Smith, a Southern Baptist pastor in Campbellsville, KY, who had to adjust his inner healing ideas and pull his suspect training manuals off the market (although he formerly claimed they were revealed by God). This was due to the theological and legal challenges he faced when False Memory Syndrome (FMS) was occurring with clients. Yet, the original hypnotically suggestive approach used in Theophostics is now resurfacing in many evangelical churches and organizations disguised as “Sozo Prayer.”

Sozo: the Greek word for save, heal or deliver

It’s a crucial time for God’s people when theological thoughts are being distorted by Theophostic thoughts, where a victim mentality is fostered by emphasizing a need for inner healing of memories and self-esteem boosting rather than the need to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, leave the past behind, take up one’s cross and follow Jesus. But in an attempt to Christianize a man-made system based on false psycho-therapeutic theories of memory, Theophostic thought is invading Christendom under the guise of “Sozo Prayer.” Like all other occult practices, sozo sessions require mental passivity in order to seek truth experientially through guided imagery, visualization and spirit encounters, which is why “Soaking Prayer” (last month’s topic) is commonly used in preparation for sozo sessions. Human mediators are also required, who facilitate “visions of Jesus” so He can supposedly “speak into the pain” to help people forgive the past. But in reality this is where “experiential truth” subtly begins to replace gospel truth and the authority of Scripture.

Ironically, by trying to put God in a Theophostic box, many are going “off the map,” for Scripture never gives us a pattern for a sozo session and when it comes to forgiving and overcoming the past it only gives us reminders of the gospel (e.g. Col 3:13). For by remembering that although we have sinned against God and deserve hell, He loves us so much, He made a way for reconciliation by sending His Son to shed His blood on our behalf, which is sufficient to humble us into forgiving others. But instead of explaining this simple truth and our need to be granted faith and repentance, sozo sessions put emotional needs above spiritual needs with the help of a different spirit, a different Jesus and a psycho-mystical gospel. For by trying to manipulate Jesus in falsely assuming He will cooperate with an unbiblical process outside of God’s sanction and protection, puts sozo participants into direct contact with occult “spirit guides,” demonic imposters who often pose as Jesus in order to confirm lies that have been implanted through the hypnotically suggestive approach used in sozo sessions.

This is where discernment is crucial for recognizing the difference between man-initiated encounters and the biblical pattern that confirms; true encounters with God are always initiated and facilitated by Him alone. In fact, the only scriptural references for man-initiated encounters are instances of divination, which is a severe offence and abomination to the Lord, (Lev.20:6, Deut.18:9-14, Jer.14:14, Acts 16:16, etc.). And Ezekiel 13:6-8 perfectly describes sozo sessions, where God condemns conjuring up vain visions of lying divinations while claiming they are from Him and causing people to hope in false confirmation. Colossians 2:18 also speaks against intruding into things not seen and being vainly puffed up by the fleshly mind. For although our God-given imagination can be used to express worship and petition to God, it is never to be used as a way to hear from God, which leads to rank superstition and creates an idol in the mind.

Jesus, the only mediator between God and man (1Ti.2:5), has not left us to occult devices in times of suffering, for He ever lives to intercede for all who come to God by Him and saves them to the uttermost (Heb.7:25), which exposes the inner healing lie that suggests there are still parts of us that need to be saved by a sozo encounter. For God’s people already have access to pure rivers of living water that flow unto salvation so that they need not drown in a polluted river of “recovered memories,” where undercurrents of spiritual bondage lead to FMS, broken families, fear, depression and a shipwrecked faith. Sadly, damages are so severe that many sozo advocates are now having participants to sign a disclaimer so they will not be held legally liable. So dear friend, due to the fact that Sozo Prayer has made its way to our local area, pray God will grant you a love for the truth (2Thess.2:10), so you will not be deceived and may He grant you the grace, discernment, wisdom and courage needed to walk in Jesus’ steps in becoming an advocate for those who are spiritually abused.

Sis. Lee Anne

Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 2)

February 13, 2012August 25, 2012 Lee Anne Ferguson

“as we have received mercy……..

we faint not, but have renounced ….

the hidden things of dishonesty” 2Cor.4:1,2

Theological Thoughts

Biblical theology: anhonest understanding of God based upon His Word, revealed by the Holy Spirit to those who are His

Occult means hidden; dishonest views of God, based on metaphysics, revealed by “spirit guides” to those who are “enlightened”

Yoga: defined as a “yoking” or “union;” an occult catalyst for unequally yoking and uniting with Christianity

Today theological thoughts are being distorted by “New Thought,” a movement that mixes occult concepts with Christian terminology, to try to infiltrate and corrupt Christianity from within, rather than direct opposition. We see this with yoga meditation slipping into many evangelical churches under the guise of “Soaking Prayer,” where the subconscious mind is “soaked” in repetitive music or “Word” mantras in order to “connect” to God. Like yoga, this practice induces a mild trance that subtly dulls reasoning abilities so “new thoughts” can be implanted. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus commands in Matt.6:7 not to use vain repetitions in prayer as the heathen do. For “tapping into God” subconsciously, undermines actually knowing God thru His Word and consciously communing with Him in worship and biblical prayer (humble, sincere appeals and requests, with thanksgiving) Phil.4:6. In fact, these mystical man-mediated “connections” to God shipwrecks faith in Christ-mediated reconciliation with God.

A move away from the moral to the mystical always presents another way to God that dilutes the fact that only Jesus’ blood can make us near Eph.2:13, and that God is near all who call upon Him in truth Ps.145:18. For the “connection” mystics seek is not in truth, but in error, seeking to be “as God,” as an actual possessor of His divine nature, despite the fact that God says He will not give His glory to another Isa.42:8. Yet, those who are saved reflect His glory and are partakers of the divine nature by His gift of grace thru faith in Jesus 2Pet.1:4. For His grace is sufficient to draw us to Him without occult techniques that cause altered states of consciousness and spiritual bondage, or else Christ died in vain Gal.2:21.

The same old lie in the Garden of Eden that seemed good with the promise to “be as gods” is still alive today disguised as a new thought, for in this regard “there is no new thing under the sun” Eccl.1:9. We still reap what we sow, despite good intentions and its still forbidden fruit to mix mercy with merit, grace with works, or truth with error. So dear friend, ask God to grant you love for the truth, so that you may be saved 2Thess.2:10 and given the grace needed to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty. Sister Lee Anne —–

Charismania

Spiritual Abuse top 40

January 27, 2012November 7, 2019 Lee Anne Ferguson

40 Identified Forms of Spiritual Abuse in a “Christian” Crisis Pregnancy Center

Documented by: Lee Anne— former volunteer Christian counselor

Persistent persuasion to focus only on the set agenda (political, ecumenical, heretical), while frequently induced with paranoia over minor threats to the Center, (such as the Planned Parenthood org.) rather than the major threat of Gods impending judgment upon the heresy that’s being propagated
Portraying a political illusion of successfully reaching abortion minded clients, when in fact, CPC clients are predominantly “Earn While You Learn” only, (who were never abortion minded in the first place)
Inordinate preoccupation with the public image of the “ministry,” appealing to peoples nobler motives
Distraction and diffusion of congregational resources, using political pleas w/ lip service to the gospel, yet acting independently from authoritative oversight or discipline from gospel-centered congregations
Parading psychiatric, humanistic, (PACE, EWYL, etc.) legalistic and cultic interventions, devalues and demeans the God-given commission of those who proclaim the gospel, especially those who are free labor
Hidden, heretical agendas revealed only to those who have been indoctrinated thru various stages of “enlightenment” (such as Catholic mysticism, Word of Faith/River, New Age, Purpose Driven/Interfaith)
Repeatedly refusing to answer the question, “Do you believe Jesus is God in the flesh?”
Promoting false teachers who say they can do the same miracles as Jesus for they teach that He was only a spirit-filled man who lost His divinity and had to be “born-again” in hell for our sins (also distorts blood atonement)
Disrespect to the rules of biblical interpretation became a license for the leaders to twist Scripture in order to create “proof texts” for heretical doctrines (e.g. using Acts 2 to excuse “drunk in the spirit” manifestations)
Claims of being a “seer,” played out in the giving of “personal prophecies” or “seeing” things that consequently distract, intimidate or silence those who attempt to meekly confront heretical issues
Mentally traumatizing by indoctrinating with fears of demonization, (spirits of fear, religion, reasoning, etc.) ends up silencing those who try to speak truth and plays out in the vulnerable becoming dependent upon “spiritual guidance” or “deliverance,” which only a “seer” can provide
Staff “Bible study” sessions heavily mingled with heretical interjections, which mind controls the unsuspecting and over time, deprograms the “old wine skins” of a conservative mindset
Expertise in using Christian terminology, in attempts to bridge the heretical language barrier
Denominational chameleon mentality, being “all things to all people,” gave them the ability to infiltrate “traditional” churches, using smooth, ecumenical speeches and appeals for “unity”
Uniting false religions outside of biblical Christianity, and considering biblically exclusive claims as divisive, yet encouraging “love” with inclusive tolerance while “honoring their paradigm”
“Unity” of faiths, allows practicing Muslims, Mormons, etc., who “claim” a relationship w/Jesus (whoever “Jesus” is to them)-to spiritually counsel clients, yet suppresses free reign of the faith
Center used as a catalyst for promoting cultic churches, (such as “the River,” an off branch of Bethel in Redding, CA) false teachers and authors, with the stated goal of “pollinating the region”
If gently reasoned with about false doctrines (Dominionism/Deism, Latter Rain, SOZO, etc.), they are then spitefully promoted that much more or much more subtly, keeping undercurrents of heresy flowing
Sowing seeds of discord and division by planting “River” workers who promote a different gospel and a different Jesus, which perverts, marginalizes and hinders the spread of the true gospel
Indirect attacks hinder the gospel, thru private “training sessions,” where seeds are sown against those who have escaped from error, with encouragement to censor them and deprogram their clients
Evading confrontations by denial or convenient amnesia, while seemingly adapting and agreeing w/in the context of the conversation, making it difficult to address heretical beliefs and practices
Tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, the constant changing of heretical beliefs and ideas to keep from being “pinned down,” always on the cutting edge of “new revelation knowledge”
Spiritual elitism and the illusion of power w/ “lying signs and wonders” (promotion of corny “gold dust” miracles, angel feathers, etc.) See: Bethel Church in Redding CA for these “miracles”
Denying “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” by making God out to be a sugar “daddy,” a Holy Ghost “bartender” who should never be feared, creating an idol the world is more comfortable with
Showing contempt for the gospel by insisting upon leaving out the “negative,” (2 Cor. 5:11) which consequently sugar coats, silences, suppresses and perverts the gospel with a more palatable, and “positive,” all love philosophy, which distorts the full counsel and nature of God (Col. 2: 8, 18)
Prompting others to be open to strange doctrines and spiritual experiences (e.g. barking like a dog and using other such subjective experiences to try to prove conversions, which minimizes the need for the gospel. Promoting “sacred,” “anointed” places people or things, along with the leaders blasphemous claims of smoking “Jehovajuana” to get a spiritual high….ugh!
Portraying supernatural experiences (visions, “angel encounters,” etc.) as having higher eminence over the revealed Word of God, such as claiming Muslims are being saved thru “Jesus encounters”
Close adherents to the authority of God’s Word (and lining experience up w/ Scripture) are falsely accused of being close-minded, in bondage to fear, Spirit quenching, judgmental or too literal
Unreceptive, and demeaning toward sound doctrine, biblical correction, and accountability, leading to the discarding of “non-essential” doctrines of Christ, (involving His deity and character)
Condescending toward those with a “sensitive conscience,”—(a conscience not seared) 1Tim.4: 1-2
Safely surrounded by “yes” people who never question or “test the spirits,” who seemingly become Jezebelian eunuchs by compromising and violating their own God-given conscience
Opposition to Scriptural warnings about false doctrine and the Scriptural mandate to expose it and the false teachers who promote it, which conveniently protects “God’s anointed” from “gossipers”
False ideas that Christians can no longer be doctrinally deceived or that logic keeps one from experiencing spiritual things, which results in subtly suspending God-given reasoning abilities
“Super Apostle” belief of a sinless nature (this side of glory), leading to the presumption that all thoughts, teachings, “personal prophesies” and supernatural experiences are automatically from God—- and ultimately— believing one can actually become Christ incarnate!! (twisting 2 Pet.1:4)
Promoting an experience-based, felt faith, and the lie that faith is a “force” that can be conjured up by formulaic “confessions,” rather than a gift from God that comes through hearing the gospel
Dabbling in the occult, believing sins can be forgiven or past wounds healed by a psycho-mystical means (e.g. requiring a SOZO “mediator” to help summons a spirit guide (posing as Jesus) into ones memories to receive a “prophetic word,” via mild trance), in lieu of gospel centered repentance and guidance
Indoctrination of those in the “inner circle” on how to use spiritually dangerous counseling and prayer techniques with clients, that were identical to occult practices that cause “Kundalini” (e.g. soaking prayer, fire tunnels, TheoPhostics/SOZO)…. Then there were threats of divine retribution toward any who dared to break the code of silence.
Fostering a victim mentality in clients by emphasizing “self-esteem” rather than humility, “healing of memories” (initiating False Memory Syndrome), rather than putting the hand to the plow, forgiving and not looking back. Also emphasizing “generational curses,” rather than taking up one’s own cross
“Immature Christians” supposedly inhabited by demons that are conveniently blamed for ongoing sins, rather than promoting biblical repentance, accountability and Holy Spirit indwelling of true Christians. Christians who’ve already been truly born again cannot be inhabited by demons!
Unrepentant leadership, with only superficial adjustments, which resulted in hardness against further admonition…..which forced me to have to appeal to local churches to exercise biblical discernment before allowing any more of their resources to be stripped by such phony fleecers of the flock.

Charismania

Documentary: Nigeria’s Millionaire Pastors (Preachers)

January 15, 2012February 13, 2012 Lee Anne Ferguson

Take a disturbing look at this. America’s prosperity preaching has made its way to Nigeria. It’s strange how God led me to this after I started praying about the problems in Nigeria, due to a prayer request by one of my readers.

Could this problem be one reason “Christianity” is being attacked there? Because this movement gives the wrong impression about what Christianity is really all about. Could this Word of Faith movement be provoking jealousy and anger in those who are poor, or those who are sick? Are these people learning America’s ways —–of flaunting their super elite “powers?”

All of this is soooo familiar: 1. “Jesus was rich”—-spare me!! Jesus rode in on a borrowed donkey—–not 2-3 hummers! Jesus even had to borrow money (a denarius) to illustrate a point (Mark 12: 13-15)

2. Giving to get (totally unbiblical)

3. “God is a game”—-NOT!

4. “We have to entice people”

NOT!!!

Documentary: Nigeria’s Millionaire Pastors (Preachers).

Charismania

Demonized Discernment

January 14, 2012November 6, 2019 Lee Anne Ferguson

I remember when I was in the Word of Faith (health, wealth and prosperity cult), I was always questioning things and being reprimanded for it. Due to always doubting my God-given intuition that something was terribly wrong, I would feel crazy most of the time and try to convince myself that it was just me or my overactive imagination. Besides, I always have the tendency to give others the benefit of the doubt, even when they don’t deserve it.

In the beginning I was encouraged by two different WoF “preachers” from two different churches to let go of all I learned in college because my intellect was supposedly getting in the way of what “God” wanted to do in my life. I realize now that they were trying to get me to suspend my reasoning abilities so that their god (Satan) could deceive me. I was even told by them that the “Holy Spirit” had supposedly showed them that I had a “reasoning addiction.”

When I really became concerned about being deceived, they’d tell me I needed to trust in God’s ability to keep me, more than Satans ability to deceive. In fact, they made it sound as though a “mature” Christian could no longer be deceived and that correct doctrine was overated (big red flags). They say to follow “fathers” rather than doctrine.

At the time, it seemed biblical because they would twist Bible verses out of context. I was on a regular diet of false doctrine, not to mention the all famous “Daniels 21 day diet” that Rick Warren is so blasphemously into. I would have severe heart palpitations while on that fast. One day, I counted up to 8 palpitations per hr. I know it’s a miracle of God that I lived through all of the garbage they would feed me while I was starving to death for the truth.

I thank God for sparing me through that rebellion. I even thank Him for giving me that horrible sense that something wasn’t right, for it never completely leaving me….. for now I know it was the Holy Spirit of truth and that they were of the spirit of error.

They felt so threatened by my questions (and by the Holy Spirit who was obviously with me)that they resorted to one of the worst forms of spiritual abuse—-demonizing my discernment. “Seers” began seeing demons in me, religious demons, demons of fear, demons of reasoning, demons of perversion, witchcraft (ironic I know) and every other atrocity imaginable. And usually it was proclaimed before the entire congregation, along w/ the “excorcism.” I became their regular freak show to entertain and to be the guinea pig so they could exhibit their “spiritually elite power.”

This form of abuse resulted in me being ostracized to the point of feeling like a complete failure because the “exorcisms” never worked (of course). But who got the blame—-you guessed it—me, my lack of faith, my involvement w/ “hidden sin,” my lack of everything that they supposedly had, but I didn’t. When I’d say I didn’t know of any hidden sin in my life, I was accused of having a split personality for not remembering!! I thought I was going insane!

This was the main way that those leaders kept anyone else in those congregations from listening to me and my concerns—–they made a fool out of me, so the congregation began to shun me, pity me, not include me in outings, etc. The leaders completely discredited me to all who were in those churches. My children and me would walk in through the church doors and they’d immediately begin whispering, staring, laughing under their breath, etc. I regret I ever put my children through that. I even brought a friend with me one night, and she said—–“Lee Anne, the preacher just made fun of you in front of the whole church!” I remember being in denial. For one, I still thought I was the problem and that they could teach me something. So I actually gave into their tactics. Oh, they taught me a lot alright!!!

To make a long story shorter, one night I went up to the altar and collapsed in a literal puddle of tears, screaming out to God to help me. After breaking me down, they then began “building me up” in the Word of Faith indoctrination by telling me to constantly speak “positive confessions” and to constantly rebuke the devil, bind demons, sprinkle prayed over salt, holy water, and anointing oil, to vocally declare into the heavenlies that I had been imparted with the “breaker anointing.” I was to constantly claim my family for the kingdom of God, to name and claim everything imaginable. I had to renounce masonic rituals 3 times (even though I’ve never been a mason!), break every kind of “generational curse” imaginable, etc. etc. etc. I’m exhausted just writing about some of the legalistic bondage I fell into. wheeeeew!!!

I finally had a complete nervous breakdown, sinking into severe clinical depression, kundalini symptoms, the whole works. I had to drop out of the prayer group where I was finally told that I wasn’t spiritually strong enough to perform spiritual warfare, etc. I took a long break, didn’t even go up for prayer or let anyone lay hands on me for months. I finally got some relief…… God was bringing me out.

However, I began working at the local Pregnancy Center a few months later, where the director was in to all this. I was slowly being reeled back in. They would lay hands on me and pray, etc. and like clock work, all the sypmtoms rushed back in with a vengeance. I began to seriously look into all of it, I began to regain my reasoning “addiction,” left the Word of Faith church I was in, started throwing away Word of Faith books, burning most of them and gaining strength to stand against it at the Pregnancy Center. Of course, the director then began all the same tactics of ostasizing me and discrediting me to the staff, but I was finally wise enough by the grace of God to know what was going on and to shake the dust from my feet. It’s been a long, hard road, but God has graciously delivered me and I realize it’s so I can warn others and encourage people to reason, question, study Gods word in context, etc.

Now I’ve often wondered—-since these “preachers” are not of God, how could they get away with trying to cast out demons in Jesus’ name, without being attacked like the sons of Sceva were in the New Testament??———I believe God has given me the answer——those spirits they are led by, really want to target those who truly are born again Christians because Christians cannot really be inhabited by demons, since they are inhabited by the Holy Spirit———-therefore, these false prophets are not in danger of any demons leaping upon them and attacking them!!! Makes complete sense huh?

But the sad thing is—–Christians are still capable of being deceived AND hypnotized!!

I will be posting soon on all the spiritual abuse I experienced at the Pregnancy Center and how clients are at severe risk in any Pregnancy Center in Amercia, due to the fact that most are ecumenical organizations that have made way for this type of spiritual abuse, where the most vulnerable families in society are being targeted.