5. TRUE MANIFESTATIONS CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM COUNTERFEIT

Alpha. May 1995 P8. Quote by Director Doug Harris of Reachout Trust, the South London based ministry, to the ensnared by the cults, occult and New Age: "If we were to believe everything that we read," he said, "we would be schizophrenic. The morning post brings clear presentation that everything that is happening is of the devil; the next post shows equally clearly that this is of God!" On reading the many articles he received, speaking to people involved, and observing various activities, Harris concluded, "there is both a genuine move of God and a counterfeit". He objected to such phrases as "touch not the Lord's anointed", directed at Reachout as they have sought to analyse the blessing. "The group feel they are doing their duty - which is the duty of all Christians - to test and discern what is true."

1 Corinthians 12:2,3 "You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." (NKJV)

Pagans were often carried away in a frenzy or robbed of their own volition by demonic forces, the real power behind pagan idol worship (1 Corinthians 19:21 ). The same is witnessed today in occult practices and Satan worship. The Church must be alert and watchful against subtle infiltration by deceiving spirits and the teaching of demons (1 Timothy 4:1 ). The gift of discerning of spirits needs to be common among us (1 Corinthians 12:10 ). The crucial test of teaching or testimony, is that given concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus. It is those who are demon deceived and demon inspired who would call "Jesus accursed". Evil spirits characteristically blaspheme and curse the name of Jesus. The way to know whether a manifestation is a work of the Holy Spirit or of evil spirits, or to test whether an utterance is the authentic voice of the Holy Spirit, is to challenge that manifestation or utterance to proclaim Jesus is Lord. The evil spirit behind a manifestation, or the evil spirit of utterance cannot, and therefore will not, say Jesus is Lord.

The genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit when challenged, will affirm the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is important to remember that even people who would normally assent that Jesus is Lord, will not do so under the control of an evil spirit. We can and should distinguish between the real and the counterfeit. It is expected of leadership that they exercise responsibility in this aspect, in their caring for those entrusted to them by the Lord (Hebrews 13:17 ). It is necessary to distinguish, not dispense with, the manifestations of the Spirit. Rather obey 1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV: "Quench not the Spirit." Discern the Holy Spirit's activities and respond with sensitivity and obedience.