Can you spot counterfeit money? For example, a bank teller can spot counterfeit money because they handle real money all day. Have you heard a speaker and known in your spirit that they were not speaking the truth? The only way you can know for certain between the teachings of God and the teachings of demons is to know God’s Word inside and out. To know if you are being deceived by demons, you must read a good translation of the Bible (i.e., English Standard, New King James, New American Standard are good translations.) 1Timothy 4:1-2 states, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.”
First—Know the Truth.
Remember, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2Cor. 11:14), and he is the father of lies (John 8:44). 2Corinthians 11:15 states, “So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” A great many preachers, teachers, and writers do not speak the truth but lies to appeal to those who do not believe the truth of God. John 8:47 states, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” You need to know God and the truth of God to know the teachings of demons. The Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 13:10, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
Many preachers, teachers, and prophets are captured by the deceit of Satan and are held captive to do his will. The Apostle Paul wrote the following instructions to Timothy. 2Timothy 2:23-26, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24) And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
Second—Test the Spirits.
The following Scripture from 1 John 1 explains how you can know the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. Colossians 2:8 states, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
1John 4:1-6 explains, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2) By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
4) Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5) They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6) We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” Also, be careful of the books you read because many are written by false teachers. They take a verse and create a false doctrine out of it without considering the whole truth. This is how Satan deceived Eve.
Colossians 2:20-22 explains, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?”
Third—Check the Fruit.
2Peter 2:1-3 explains, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2) And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3a) And in their greed, they will exploit you with false words.”
Many false teachers have infiltrated the church, deceiving many into believing lies or half-truths. They teach just enough truth to sound credible, and they live sinful lives. The Apostle Peter said to look at how the religious leaders live. Do they follow their sensuality and fleshly pleasures? Are they greedy and use the money they receive for their own use, like buying private jets and maintaining several mansions, etc.? Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16) You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
Conclusion
Jesus warned His followers that many false teachers and prophets are in the world, but to be aware of them. I list three ways to tell a false prophet/teacher who teaches the message of demons.
- Know the truth of God by reading His Word every day. Make sure you read an accurate translation and not a paraphrase, which is man’s interpretation and is full of error.
- Test the Spirits to see if they confess Jesus as the Son of God. Many books are written that do not teach the truth.
- Check the fruit they produce. Compromise shows the Christian leader is a false teacher and cannot be trusted.
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