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The Source Of Power

 

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. (Psalms 62:11)


When God repeats something it is because it is very important.

 

Before anything else existed, there was God. Genesis l-2 records the beginning of the world and all living beings. God made the earth by His power:
He hath made the earth by His power; He hath established the world by His wisdom and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion. (Jeremiah 10:12)

 

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. (Jeremiah 27:5)

 

For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were create by Him, and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)
Since God created all things, there is nothing beyond the scope of His power:
Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. (Jeremiah 32:17)


God is the source of power behind all things in their present state:


Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)


For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things; to whom be glory for ever. (Romans 11:36)


Who being in the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power . . . (Hebrews 1:3)


God has the times and seasons in His power:


And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. (Acts 1:7)


The earth and all it contains belong to the Lord:


The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1)


In Genesis 14:22, God is called the possessor of Heaven and earth. To possess something is to have power over it.


There are many kingdoms and governments in this world. But God's Kingdom is sovereign. This means He rules over all:


The Lord hath prepared His throne in the Heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. (Psalms 103:19)

 

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (I Chronicles 29:11-12)


Since God created man, only He has power over the spirit of man:


There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death . . .(Ecclesiastes 8:8)


God has power to preserve those appointed to die:


Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die. (Psalms 79:11)


God is the one who gives power to the faint: He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29)


. . . The God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. (Psalms 68:35)


God's power is not affected by the power or lack of power of man: . . . Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power . . . (II Chronicles 14:11)


God has the power to deliver. The King James Bible is filled with records of how God supernaturally delivered people in times of need.

 

Two good examples are found in the book of Daniel. Read how God delivered His servants from the furnace of fire in Daniel 3 and from the lions in Daniel 6.


His power is unlimited:


The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power...(Nahum 1:3)


His power is excellent:

 

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out; He is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice . . . (Job 37:23)


God's power is everlasting. Paul wrote that God...


. . . hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. (I Timothy 6:16)


In the final book of the King James Bible we read of a future event in Heaven when . . .
. . . the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power . . . (Revelation 15:8)


And the hosts of Heaven cried . . . Saying Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:12)


And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, Alleluia: Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God. (Revelation 19:1)


Repeatedly, from beginning to end, the King James Bible stresses that God is the source of power.


How God Reveals His Power


The King James Bible is a record of how God reveals His power in the earth. Here are the various ways God reveals His power:


Nature:


God has revealed Himself in nature. The plants and animals, valleys and mountains, waters and deserts, and even the skies above are all visible signs of His creative power:
 

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power. (Psalms 150:1
 

Which by His strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power;
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves . . . (Psalms 65:6-7)

 

God is in the wind, sea, and mountains:

 

He caused an east wind to blow in the Heaven; and by His power He brought in the south wind. (Psalms 78:26)


. . . the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers . . . The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at His presence . . .(Nahum 1:3-5)
 

He controls all the elements of nature:
 

When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures. (Jeremiah 10:13)
 

Job chapters 38-40 provide a detailed record of how God is revealed in the world of nature. God has revealed His power so clearly in nature that men have no excuse for not believing in Him:


For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)


His Written Word:
 

From beginning to end, God's written Word reveals His power. It opens with His power to create. It closes with His power to destroy, judge, and recreate. Between Genesis and Revelation, God's Word records His power constantly at work in the world and in the lives of men and women.


Not only do the stories recorded in God's Word reflect His power, but the words in which they are told are powerful:


For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

 

Judgment:


Acts of judgment by God reveal His power. His power was first demonstrated in judgment when He judged Adam and Eve after their sin (Genesis 3).
It was revealed at a greater level when God destroyed the entire world with a flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 6-9).


The King James Bible is a continual record of the power of God revealed through judgment of sin. He sent judgment upon His people when they sinned. He also sent judgment upon evil nations. You can read about this in the book of Judges and the books written by the prophets.


Each time God sent judgment, He clearly indicated its purpose was that people would come to know His power (for an example, see Exodus 7:17).


Redemption:


Throughout history, God revealed His power in miraculous acts of redemption.
Although God judged Adam and Eve, He provided a way of salvation for them (Genesis 3:15). Although He destroyed the wicked earth with a flood, He provided an ark of safety (Genesis 6-9).


God redeemed Israel from bondage in Egypt through His power:


And because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in His sight with His mighty power out of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 4:37)


God raised up judges, kings, and prophets whom He used to redeem His people out of the hand of the enemy. Nehemiah said of Israel:
Now these are thy servants and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. (Nehemiah 1:10)


Each time God redeemed His people, He had a purpose. That purpose was to reveal His power:


Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known. (Psalms 106:8)


JESUS CHRIST:
God's greatest plan of redemption was revealed in Jesus Christ through whom all men could be redeemed from sin once and for all.

 

God's power was revealed through the prophecies about the birth of Jesus and in His miraculous birth. It was evident in the life, teaching, and ministry of the Lord as well as in His death and resurrection.


The greatest revelation of God's power was in Jesus Christ:


And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)


The Holy Spirit:


Jesus promised His followers:
 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)


Acts 2 is the record of the coming of the Holy Ghost, sent from God as Jesus had promised. Through the Holy Ghost God continues to reveal His power. .


Supernatural Signs:


You have already learned that God revealed His power through judgment and redemption of His people. But God also reveals His power in other supernatural ways.

 

"Supernatural" means beyond the power of the natural world. It is something that cannot be done by the power of man.


God's power has been revealed through miraculous healings, deliverance from demonic powers, the dead being restored to life--even through fire falling from Heaven. The entire King James Bible is a record of supernatural signs of God revealing His power. God's power is still revealed through such signs today.


Believers:


Jesus said such powerful signs would be done by God through believers:

 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Mark 16:17-18)


From the beginning of His written Word, God worked on this earth through men and women. Man has a capacity for power unlike any other created being. God's judgment came through evil men and women. Redemption came through godly judges, prophets, kings, and finally through Jesus Christ.


When Jesus came to earth to manifest God's power He was born of a woman in human form. The greatest redemption of all times, redemption from sin, came through one made in the form of man.


After Jesus returned to Heaven, God continued to demonstrate His power on earth through men and women. The book of Acts is the record of the power of God at work through believers.


And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following . . . (Mark 16:20)


God's power was demonstrated through the power of the Gospel that changes lives of men and women. It was demonstrated in miracles of healing and deliverance. His power was shown in spite of suffering and persecution.


Whenever God raises up a man or ministry it is for the purpose of showing His power. God said to Moses:


And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Exodus 9:16)


God continues to reveal His power today through believers who are part of the true Church. He demonstrates His power through special leaders He sets in the Church and through spiritual gifts given to believers. Y


Why God Reveals His Power

 

Why does God reveal His power on earth? Why does He show miraculous signs to mankind? There are many purposes for God's power at work in the world.

 

The many purposes of God's power can be summed up in one major purpose. This purpose, from the beginning of time, was to redeem sinful mankind through Jesus Christ. The purpose of the revelation of His power is to draw all men to Himself through Jesus:


Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10)


According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3:11)


Other Levels Of Authority


God is the source of all power. He is the supreme and highest authority in the universe.


God has established other levels of authority in the world. He gave authority to His Son, Jesus Christ. He gives believers authority through the Holy Spirit.

 

God has established levels of authority in society, government, business, the home, and the church. These levels of authority are all important.

 

To properly understand principles of spiritual power, you must recognize the structure of authority established by God.


But first, attention must be focused on an important truth which is revealed in the King James Bible.

 

Although God is the source of power, His authority does not go unchallenged.

 

The levels of authority He has established in the world also do not go unchallenged.

 

There are evil forces challenging God's authority. They are not a threat to His authority in any way, but they constantly wage warfare against it nevertheless.

 

David was the greatest King to ever rule the nation of Israel. He recognized God as the source of all power. Summarize what you learn from these Scriptures:


II Samuel 22:33; Psalms 59:11,16; 62:11; 63:2; 65:6; 68:35; 78:26; 79:11; 90:11; 106:8; 110:3; 111:6; 145:11; 150:1

 

David expressed a personal desire related to God's power. What was the desire he expressed in Psalms 71:18?

 

As you study the King James Bible, keep a record of how God reveals His power through:


Nature

Jesus Christ
Judgment

The Holy Spirit
Redemption

Supernatural Signs
His Written Word

Believers

 

The Challenging Counterfeit

 

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
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.
(II Corinthians 11:14-15)

 

Satan constantly is challenging God's power in the universe. He is the challenging counterfeit because he actually poses no threat to God. Satan was originally created by God as a beautiful angel named Lucifer.

 

Read about his original state and position in Ezekiel 28:12-17.

 

But Satan rebelled against the power and authority of God. He wanted to be as God Himself. You can read the story of his rebellion in Ezekiel 28:17 and Isaiah 14:12-15.

 

God could have struck Satan down and killed him for such rebellion. But if He had brought down the first enemy in this way, there would have been the possibility of another rebellion and the history of Heaven would have been clouded with similar disasters.


Instead, God cast Satan out of Heaven and allowed his claims to power to have complete trial on earth. God also cast out other angels who participated in Satan's rebellions. They are now evil angels known as "demons" or "devils" at work in the world today.

 

Shortly after God created the first man and woman, the battle began on earth. You can read of the first challenge in Genesis chapter 3. The fall of Adam and Eve into sin was rooted in rebellion against the authority and power of God. Adam and Eve sought knowledge equal to that of God. With such knowledge would come power.


From this time on, Satan has challenged the authority of God on earth. Through sin, Satan seeks to draw men and women to allegiance to himself instead of God.

 

One of the chief methods of Satan in challenging God's power is to counterfeit it. A counterfeit is an imitation of something and is designed to deceive. For example, counterfeit money is made to look like real money. Criminals pass it off to others as real money to deceive them.


Satan counterfeits the power of God. He imitates God's power to deceive people. He uses his angels (demons) to help him accomplish this goal.

 

Satan and his demons sometimes appear as good instead of evil. We are warned:


And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.
(II Corinthians 11:14-15)


In the final days of time on earth, this imitation of God's power by Satan will increase. Through signs and wonders, he will deceive many:


Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. (II Thessalonians 2:9-11)


This Scripture reveals how Satan works. He counterfeits the power of God with "all power and signs and lying wonders." The only way you can detect his deception is by the truth of the Word of God.

 

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. (Ephesians 6:12)


Man is caught in this conflict of Satan rebelling against the power of God. We are engaged in a power struggle with the invisible powers of Satan. But the power of God is greater than "thrones, dominions, principalities and powers" (Colossians 1:16) and greater than all "principalities and powers in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). But you need to be alert to the deceptive power of Satan which counterfeits the power of God. You must be aware of . . .


Spiritual Wickedness In High Places


When Paul speaks of "spiritual wickedness in high places" he is referring to wicked spirits who have infiltrated the religious systems of the world.

 

Read More:

 

Spiritual Wickedness In High Places

http://www.riggedreality.net/-34/101---SPIRITUAL-WICKEDNESS-IN-HIGH-PLACES-4286

 

"REAL vs Imaginary" by Kevin Dunn

http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/REALvsImaginary.aspx

 

Satan has organized his evil forces to imitate the organization of the true Church of God.

 

In some cases he actually has congregations known as "The Church of Satan" or "Spiritualists." He has set up a form of worship in the spiritual "high places" of organized religion.


Satan has also established his system right in the true Church through evil people who have "crept in unawares" (Jude 4).

 

Satan has placed people in the system of organized religion who demonstrate power, but it is not God's power.

 

The structure Satan has established in the high places of religion is based on imitation and deception.


Satan Has His Own Trinity:


God is a trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

The trinity of Satan includes Satan himself, the beast, and a false prophet.

 

Read More...

 

Pope Francis, the False Prophet - Pope For A New World

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/116---December-25-2013-Pope-Francis-the-False-Prophet-4627


Satan Has His Own Church:


God established the true Church which is known as the "Body of Christ" of which Jesus is the head:

Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. (I Corinthians 12:27)


Satan has his own church which is called "the synagogue of Satan":
. . . I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9)

 

The Synagogue of Satan is the Vatican.

http://www.riggedreality.net/-34/101---SPIRITUAL-WICKEDNESS-IN-HIGH-PLACES-4286

 

"REAL vs Imaginary" by Kevin Dunn
http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/REALvsImaginary.aspx

 

The name "synagogue of Satan" is not always openly used, but his synagogue is established any place the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not preached. The Vatican controls all the 501(c)3 organized religious social gathering centers often referred to as "churches".

 

Read More:

 

501(c)3 Tax Exempt Churches and Foundations

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/127---501c3-Tax-Exempt-Churches--Foundations-5084

 

The 501(c)(3) controls your Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48n0QTkyEc

 

Satan Has A Doctrine:


God has a doctrine which is revealed in His holy Word, the King James Bible:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine...
(II Timothy 3:16)

 

The doctrine of Satan is called the "doctrine of devils":


Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
(I Timothy 4:1)


The doctrine of devils is any teaching presented as truth which does not agree with the written Word of God.


Satan Has A System Of Sacrifice:


In Romans 12:1, we are told to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. This means we are to surrender in total allegiance to God.

 

Satan demands sacrifices also:


But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (I Corinthians 10:20)


Satan demands total allegiance of body, soul, and spirit. There are actually services of sacrifice conducted where men and women dedicate themselves to the service of Satan. The blood sacrifice of humans and animals is also practiced.


Satan Has His Own Communion:


The sharing of the communion bread and wine was started by Jesus as a way of remembering His sacrifice for the sins of all mankind on the cross (I Corinthians 11:23-34).

 

Satan counterfeits this with his own communion service:


Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:21)

 

Satan Has Ministers:


God calls some believers to serve as pastors and minister to His Church by proclaiming the Gospel (I Corinthians 12:28).

 

Satan also has ministers:


And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
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.
(II Corinthians 11:14-15)


Satan's ministers proclaim his Agospel@ which is contrary to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:


Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:7-8)


Just because a message is delivered with a powerful style of presentation does not mean it is a message of the true Gospel.


Satan Has A Throne:


God has a throne in Heaven.

 

Satan also has a throne:


And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)


Satan Has Worshipers:


There are many who worship the true God. Satan also has worshipers:
. . . and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? (Revelation 13:4)


Some worshipers of Satan pretend to be followers of Jesus:


The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 13:38-39)


Satan mixes the bad "seed" in with the good "seed" (true believers).

 

Read More:

Ecumenism - Table of Contents

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/Ecumenism---Table-of-Contents-5165

 

Pope & Vatican - Table of Contents

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/Pope--Vatican---Table-of-Contents-5166

 

New World Order- Table of Contents

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/New-World-Order---Table-of-Contents-5168

 

"REAL vs Imaginary" by Kevin Dunn
http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/REALvsImaginary.aspx

 

Satan Has Prophets:


God has set prophets in the church, men who are especially anointed to bring a direct message from Him to the church (I Corinthians 12:28).

 

Satan also has false prophets:
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)

 

Pope Francis, the False Prophet - Pope For A New World - Revelation

http://www.riggedreality.net/articles-31/116---December-25-2013-Pope-Francis-the-False-Prophet-4627


Satan Has Teachers:


God has anointed some people as teachers to explain His Word to others (I Corinthians 12:28). But all teachers are not from God.

 

Satan has false teachers who spread his evil doctrine:


But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you . . . (II Peter 2:1-3)


Satan's teachers bring in "damnable heresies," teachings which are false and cause division. They speak lies and are experts at mixing truth and error in a way that makes error acceptable.

 

Learn More:

Kingmannafta Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC46AHF87-5Lpqg2B7Rhq4lA

 

Satan Has Apostles:


An apostle is a person who spreads the Gospel and establishes churches (I Corinthians 12:28).

 

Satan has apostles doing his work throughout the world. They deceive people by imitating the true apostles:


For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (II Corinthians 11:13)


Satan's apostles become leaders of false cults, 501(c)3 organized religious social gatherings referred to as "churches". Satan has infiltrated government/Vatican controlled "churches" and is leading them in deceptive ways that are contrary to the Word of God - the King James Bible.

 

The 501(c)(3) controls your Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48n0QTkyEc

 

SATAN RAISES UP FALSE CHRISTS:


Satan has even imitated the Lord Jesus Christ by raising up false Christs. Jesus warned:


. . . Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)


These false Christs may use the name of Jesus. They may do many signs and wonders. But they are imitators of the power of God.

 

Read More:

The Coming Antichrist:

 

"REAL vs Imaginary" by Kevin Dunn
http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/REALvsImaginary.aspx

 


Satan Has A Communication System:


The King James Bible is a record of how God spoke to man in times past. God continues to speak to men today.

 

Satan also speaks to man. His first words to humans resulted in their fall into sin (Genesis chapter 3).


Believers pray to God regarding their needs. God responds to the prayer of the righteous (James 5:16).

 

Satan's followers pray to him and communicate with evil spirits. Sometimes Satan responds with supernatural events such as voices, the moving of objects, noises, etc. Satan does have real power and can demonstrate this power visually in our world.


God has communicated to man through His written Word, the King James Bible.

 

Satan's message is also being communicated through the written word by evil magazines, books, motion pictures, and music.

 

Communication from God through His written and spoken Word provides guidance for man in the affairs of life.

 

There Is A Battle: For Control Of Your Mind

Satan Is Prince Of The Air(waves) Which Is Communication

http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/281-Warning-There-Is-A-Battle-For-Control-Of-Your-Mind-4209


Satan has a system of false guidance accomplished through methods such as the following:


Astrology and horoscope: Which use stars to predict events and give guidance.


Readings of tea leaves, pictures, bumps on the head, palm of the hand and crystal balls: The formation of the tea leaves, lines in the human hand, crystal balls, and pictures are claimed to give guidance.


Witchcraft: Using spells, potions, charms, rituals, séances, divinations, methods of chance, visions, drawings, and similar unscriptural methods to receive guidance.

 

Witchcraft starts with a heart of rebellion and works by focusing on a distraction, a lie, which is some technique purported to release power. It is important to have faith, to trust in the technique and not God. Believing in lies is an acceptable sacrifice to Satan, the father of lies, who honors his children with real power. The irony is, that due to the inherent deceptive basis of witchcraft, the practitioners of it often think they are serving God, while accessing a power from below - not from above.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:23

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Psalms 107:11

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. Nehemiah 9:26

Witchcraft is characterized by belief in knowledge from below, and rejection of knowledge from above. In it's more advanced and powerful stages, delusion and belief in what is clearly not of God is key. Satan's tacit deal is: if you sacrifice truth on his altar, he will give you power for what you want now. But lies are flimsy things to put your trust in.

Relying on technique and not God - is witchcraft. Miracles may be done, supernatural power may come into play. The soul doing these works is not yielded to God's will, it is an act of rebellion against God. The witch in all of us wants God on a leash. They think God must perform a trick for them when they jerk His chain. Satan twists Scripture: But doesn't God say...? (Matthew 4:5-6, Genesis 3:1)

The destiny of those who continue to practice witchcraft is certain even if they think their miracles are good works.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Matthew 7:22

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Revelation 22:15

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8

They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
Job 24:13

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14:9

Satan Has Supernatural Power:


Jesus promised supernatural power to his followers after they received the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

 

Satan also gives supernatural power and authority (Revelation 13:2). His demons create supernatural strength and energy.

 

Satan gives both power and authority (Revelation 13:2), as did Jesus. Satan can perform many supernatural signs and miracles:


For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles...(Revelation 16:14)
Jesus said:


Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)


Note that Jesus said "I never knew you.@ These people with their impressive demonstrations of power were never of God. They were deceiving counterfeits.


THE GREATER POWER


Satan is truly a challenging imitator. He has a powerful organization. His followers can do powerful acts. Jesus warned of his power:


But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
(Luke 12:5)


But God has greater power. Jesus said:


. . . Greater is He (Jesus) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world.
(I John 4:4)


Jesus came with great power and authority to destroy the evil works of Satan.


FACING THE CHALLENGING COUNTERFEIT


Here are some Biblical guidelines for facing the power of the challenging counterfeit:


Recognize Satan Is An Imitator:


The first step in overcoming the power of Satan is to recognize that Satan imitates God's power.

 

USE DISCERNMENT:
 

There is a special gift of the Holy Spirit called discerning of spirits. It is an unusual ability given by God to immediately discern another person's spirit and know if they are good or evil. If you have this spiritual gift, use it to determine whether people's spirits are of God or Satan.


If you do not have this gift, God has provided other methods of detection. II Peter 2 and the book of Jude list the characteristics of people with seducing spirits to help you identify them. No matter how spiritual or powerful a person may appear, evaluate him on the basis of God's Word.


Evaluate The Supernatural By The Fruit:


Because Satan imitates the power of God through supernatural manifestations of miracles, signs, and wonders, God has provided a way to evaluate ministries and people. Jesus compared men to fruit trees:


A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. (Matthew 7:18, 20)

 

Fruit is also words and deeds. It what a person is saying doesn't line up with scripture, they are not of God.


Satan can imitate spiritual gifts and God's power, but he has no imitation for a holy life exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit which includes . . .


. . . love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance . . . (Galatians 5:22-23)


Evaluate ministries and people by spiritual fruit instead of supernatural manifestations of power.


Study The Word Of God - King James Bible:


In order to recognize false doctrines of Satan's teachers, apostles, prophets, and ministers, you must know what is taught in the Word of God.

 

Paul told Timothy:


Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)


Even though Paul was a great spiritual leader in the early church, the believers at the city of Berea checked everything he said by God's written Word:


These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

 

 

 

 

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