Tag: Discernment Column (article 2)

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!!” →

discernment column, Newspaper Articles

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

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

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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Charismania, discernment column, Newspaper Articles

Discernment Column (article 3) on Sozo

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 

 

 

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