Will the real "Holy Ghost" please stand up! Roger Craig
Last summer I had the occasion to be in the lovely State of Arkansas for about 6 months. I was working and seeking the Lord for a new direction for my life. Having been called to ministry at an early age I was not satisfied with the results of my labors since my calling. I had a life changing experience that was the result of the Holy Spirit speaking to my spirit concerning some very troubling occurrences in the body of Christ.
Leonard Ravinhill wrote an article on "unction" or the lack of it due to prayerlessness in our churches. It sparked the need within me to share what the Holy Sprit brought to my attention this past summer. I had a question on my heart and mind concerning the lack of power and results in our churches. I had been praying and meditating before the Lord especially concerning the community and the church I was attending. I had known this church for over 20 years. Much prayer had gone up for revival in those 20 years with no results. There has been a decline in the power and influence of the local church for many years now.
I feel the Lord has opened a door of understanding as to the problems hindering the move, a genuine move of revival in the land. For the most part it is the result of denominations who have replaced the approval of God with the approval of men. We must please men to preach in man's churches. If we are the friend of God we are to most esteemed men of the Presbytery an enemy. Most pastors are afraid to have an anointed man in their pulpit because his light will expose their darkness, or rather lack of light. And the fleshly ruling class of the denominations resist the convicting presence of a truly anointed man of God. He must submit to their authority in order to approach the pulpit. What a sham! We have unlimited pulpits on every corner, every public place. The revivals of the past were birthed in barns, sheds, kitchens and turnip patches. The church of those days had apostatized and rejected the messengers of the fresh outpouring. The time is coming and now is when the men and women who God has called and approved must go to the highways and hedges and compel men to come into the Family of God, and God will again rebuild the church that "Spiritually Lazy" presbytery has quenched of the true fire and presence of God.I was in a church in Arkansas last year that is known to be a spiritually dead movement. As I was walking out I felt a Spiritual presence. I thought to myself, hmmmm he's also in this place. The Holy Spirit spoke to my Spirit and said rather indignantly, "That's not me!"
I was startled as I hurried out the door. As I was leaving he explained to me that what I felt was a "religious" spirit, not his Spirit. He went on farther and explained that this "spirit " was a mimic of the Holy Spirit. People accepted it as his presence because they wanted to feel as if they were serving God and spiritual, without having to make any changes in their lives. They could feel this spiritual entity and have the goose bumps, the tears, the feeling of release without having to alter their life styles.
I'm getting ahead of the lesson he taught me that day. He explained farther that this outlaw spirit loved all the furnishings, paintings, figurines, offering tables, hymnals, music and order of worship. It relished the religious atmosphere of the worship services. I left stunned. I had been troubled over the apparent lack of discernment in an Evangelist holding a series of revival meetings. He had declared that a woman had received the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of SPEAKING IN TONGUES. I was 10" from her and could not, as hard as I listened, hear one syllable coming from her mouth. This also bothered me, as the Evangelist had but one syllable to his utterance. (I do not judge heavenly language by comparison.) As I drove home from work that evening these things were weighing on my heart.
( The pastor of this Full Gospel Church had bragged to a deacon that he had enough sermons he had downloaded off the internet to preach for the next 20 years.) No marvel that this imposter sprit could infitrate the church.) The Holy Spirit spoke as earlier that day in the "unnamed Church" and said the religious spirit that you felt in that Church is also ruling and reigning at the church I attended, and he named 3 other denominational churches in the town. In fact in all the area churches you have wondered why this area has had no revival in years. It's because a false Holy Spirit has taken over the churches.
The Scripture the Holy Spirit brought to my mind at this statement was (2nd Cor 10:12) For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.
The presbytery has been satisfied to intervew and quiz on doctrine the candidates for recognition and license to minister in their churches. But have failed to lead by example in a life of prayer, fasting and seeking God on a deeper level than the ones they seek to lead. They have not sought God nor ask for guidance beyond a ceremonial mouthing of a mute weak spiritually void religious wording. The hands that are laid on the head of the Ministers hopefuls are smooth from handling papers rather than rough from gripping the altar. If one does have a zeal and fire in his bosom they wink and snicker and say with knowing glances that he'll /she'll calm down with some experience.
No wonder this church is so weak and devoid of power and life. I was talking with a radical sister in the Lord who has never been satisfied with her experience the 26 years I've known her. I talked with her about the minister declaring that the lady who was living in adultery and was being lead around the altars by the "Man of God" and him having her lay hands on others to receive healing and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. She suggested that the woman was filled with the Holy Ghost, the same Holy Ghost that the minister was filled with. The shaft of light from that statement cleared the doubt in my mind instantly.
It was the answer that tied everything the Holy Spirit was trying to teach me. I cried out to God as I was despairing over this state of the church as to how I would be able to tell the difference between the real Holy Ghost and the false. I had been in service after service where this phony had held sway over the years. The Holy Spirit with what seemed to be a tenderness in his answer, because it was so simple I should have known already. He stated that under the false there was no change in the life. Men could come to services repeatedly, time after time and not change the wicked ways and lifestyles they walked in away from the house of worship.
When the Holy Ghost was present it brought conviction of sin and a change in the life of the man or woman yielding to his wooing. The scripture he brought to my mind was (John 16:8-11) "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.)
The presence of the genuine brings conviction of sin. Men sit week after week, and month after month, and year after year in service after service where there seems to be a "move of God" but have no change in their lives. They are able to raise their hands, sing and shout without any apparent altering effect in their lives. No change, no Holy Ghost.
I saw very clearly the deception that is going on. I wept and trembled at the knowledge that I had also sat in this atmosphere and accepted the substitute that robbed the Church of it's power and influence on the heart and lives of men and women. I had noticed that I could find great encouragement in my private devotions through the week and feel drained after attending a weekend of services.
The world at large is watching our every move. They know exactly how we conduct ourselves away from our spiritual peers. When we live as the world, talk and walk like the world our testimony has no effect on them. Without a true presence of God in our churches there is no revival.
It must 1st begin at the House of God.(1st Peter 4: 17, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?) Yes, I realize that men can and do harden their hearts when the genuine move of God manages to break through the dam of the flesh. But imagine the overwhelming task of turning this state of affairs around, with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. God bless you as you judge this whether it is of God or not.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or
of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.(Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;)(2 Corinthians 11:12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.)
We must pray, fast and recieve of the Lord wisdom and annointing and power in these last days. The work is before us, who will go, and whom shall I send? The Spirit is still seeking men and women to live the life and walk the walk.
Blessings and grace to you.
Bro. Roger Craig
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