While on trial before Pilate, Jesus stated, “For this reason I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate responded cynically, “What is truth?” (John 18:37, 38).
The confusion over what is truth continues on in our present generation. And Jesus’ Church often seems as mixed up as the rest of the world on the subject. On one hand, we have those who are so afraid of getting out of line doctrinally that they have opted for “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5) — and have thereby veered out of truth. On the other hand, there are those who operate powerfully in the gifts of the Spirit, but are putting forth some pretty questionable teaching. Oh, what is a Body to do?
Alarming doctrines abound, and they are even being swallowed with gusto by Spirit-filled, prophetic Christians, because we are too trusting of what we read in the books and hear in the preaching of anointed people who move powerfully in supernatural gifts. It sounds good, we lap it up, and don’t question what we are taking in. If they have seen amazing things in goose-bumpy visions, or astounding supernatural signs happen when they come to town, everything they teach must be sound … right? Not necessarily. We put ourselves in danger of spiritual shipwreck by allowing ourselves to be “carried about with every wind of doctrine” — and there are many winds a-blowing right now!
Some of us are not being sensitive to the checks in our spirits. We are too busy splashing merrily in the latest Charismatic puddle to listen. Some of us have been insensitive for so long that we don’t notice those checks at all anymore.
Why is this happening? I believe that part of the problem is putting our emphasis on the wrong thing. If the primary focus is on anything other than exalting Jesus from beginning to end, we will veer off course.
It’s not always easy to discern at first that we have gotten off in our emphasis, but if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will be faithful to bring us back to center as time goes on. It is possible to stay out of (or get out of) deception, and next time we will talk about how to do that.
Next: Part 2
Out of the Fire 
Astute observation. You are very correct. I am a Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Christian and I have fought against “holding the form of religion and denying it’s power” for many years. Also I have visited various charismatic assemblies and listened to anointed teachers/preachers and seen them operate mightily in the gifts, but as you pointed out they may teach alarming doctrines. I respect where you stand and your beliefs and I believe you are very sound in what you are teaching. You can edify, uplift, and correct! As you appropriately stated :”If the primary focus is on anything other than exalting Jesus from beginning to end, we will veer off course.” I greatly anticipate your next writing.
Blessings!
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Thank you for your kind words!
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Thanks for the post, Lee Ann. I appreciate each of them very much. On another subject, I appreciated the recent article you posted on facebook about Syria. It brings me to a question. Do you and Paul have any good internet sources for news that you could recommend?Please do let me know when your book is out in print. Our family sings in Howards Grove, WI this Sunday. If you think of it, we would appreciate prayer. Thank you. We have a few more singing engagements coming up and then we are going to begin a huge transition out of being the entire family singing to primarily the older kids — their choice of music and probably different venues. Lisa really has a heart to minister to the homeless, those in drug centers, prisons, etc. We are yet very uncertain how God is going to paint the picture but I feel strongly that my time is concluding in the family ministry. But I do want to finish strong in these next few weeks.Blessings,Sheila
Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2013 23:36:58 +0000 To: sheila.lawrence@live.com
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Hi Sheila,
We will certainly keep you in prayer. I guess we are not the only ones in transition! Wow.
As to news sources, there aren’t any in particular that I read. I pick up things here and there from friends.
May God catapult you into whatever new ways of ministry He has for you! Looking forward to watching the details unfold for you!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
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Thank you for emailing me, I don’t always get to reply with a thank you. I still reading them.. Are you going to have another class on anything? Just wondered.. It would be nice if I could get some ladies together that are all ready to dig deeper into what the Lords offering threw you to teach on tongues or prophecy. I myself just sitting still waiting and listening intently for his voice, he has been processing me with small steps to hear him. I don’t know yet if it’s to me at times or for the congregation, but I trust in Him if its for everyone I will discern and follow according. Last week I had about the closet audible yet, it seemed to be very quit and low whisper and a somewhat Childs higher pitch voice? I don’t know what to think of it but that he is saying it may come like this and will I surrender my voice/ tongue to Him? They other times I have received it was in my thoughts and I wrote them down. Dont take this wrong but my doubt has drawn out the process I think somehow, so He gives a thought sometimes I hear His voice and write it also, and dont you know the sermon will be o what I wrote down. Or the verse will be exactly the same is the His prepping Leeann? He will prompt me with dreams also and they will some how stem I to a message or foretelling for a new understand or to deepen my trust and faith.. I really have been kind of going it alone. I have shared this in detail with my husband and he is still apprehensive about it all his major warnings all seem to not let over Charismatically out of line loved friends distort my thoughts into actions that are my own not Gods. So I keep praying for clarity and to not to do anything outside Gods will. Anyways thanks for the emails and I always make check marks as your email stated God gifted me to be a not a little but alot of investing into what’s I keep stored for the future and what He says to flush out quickly.i hope to here back. Michelle Schaible of Oregon Illinois God Bless Ps this email was a response from my phone sorry if I have errors.
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Hi Michelle,
We don’t currently have an all-day seminar planned for here in Appleton in the very near future. I will perhaps be doing some shorter teaching some evenings. But I have an idea for you — is there a possibility of pulling together a group of people for a seminar in your area? It’s not that far of a drive for us. If you think that might work, please give me a call, and we’ll talk about it. Message me at FaceBook for my phone #.
I am not sure what you mean by hearing the child’s voice. I would need a further explanation on that. But hearing God in your thoughts, or having a Scripture come to mind, and then hearing the same thing in the sermon, that’s confirmation that you are hearing God, and that’s great! It’s also great that you are writing down what God is speaking to you, and that you are receiving revelation through dreams — all good.
Your husband is speaking wisdom, in cautioning you to be careful, as there is a lot of wackiness going on out there, but it sounds like you are doing just the right thing — praying for further clarity and asking the Lord to keep you in the center of His will. As you continue to do that, He will be faithful to help you.
Blessings,
Lee Ann
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