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Bible Question: How do you know that something comes from the Lord or from Satan? Someone here has healing power. I believe God can give a Christian healing power. I feel strange about this woman who has this healing power but everyone else, including my pastor, believes in her.
Bible Answer: God has given some Christians the ability to discern doctrinal
error and false spirits. This is a spiritual gift or CHARISMA.
The Holy Spirit may have given you this spiritual gift,
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For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and
to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing
by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and
to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation
of tongues. (NASB) 1 Cor. 12:8-10 |
Discerning Spirits. It can be difficult to discern false spirits sometimes. I would
ask God for help in discerning if this women is from God or Satan.
There are several biblical tests one must use. Here is a set of
tests you need to use. Each of these tests must be true or she
is false.
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Test |
Passage |
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They claim Jesus is Lord of their life and they mean it. |
1 Cor. 12:3 |
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They believe Jesus Christ, who is God, became a man. |
1 John 4:1-2 |
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They teach biblical truth (we are looking for major doctrinal
error). |
2 Peter 2:1 |
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Any prophesy the person may make about any future event must come
true. |
Deut. 13:1-3 |
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Their life produces good fruit which is the fruit of the Holy
Spirit. |
Matt. 7:15-20; Eph. 5:22-23 |
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Their life style is godly and compassionate to others. |
2 Peter 2:12-17 |
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They are not constantly asking for money. |
Titus 1:9-11; Micah 3:11 |
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They are not arrogant but give God glory. |
2 Peter 2:18 |
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They do not seek a following. |
Acts 20:28-29; Jude 19 |
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Finally, Jude gives us some advice that we need when we are dealing
with false teachers and false spirits,
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But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith;
praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God,
waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal
life. (NASB) Jude 20-21 |
Conclusion: It is sometimes difficult to discern error and false spirits.
If you have been confessing your sins, praying to God and studying
God's Word faithfully and you are still disturbed by this person,
you must tell your pastor about your concern. If you have not
been confessing, praying, and studying, I would start today and
then evaluate her for awhile before I said anything. If this woman
is in your church and you have already brought the issue to your
pastor, then you need to faithfully ask God to remove her or change
her heart. We will pray for you. |
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