CharismaticWitchcraft

CHARISMATICWITCHCRAFT
2Tim.4:25:PreachtheWordbeinstantinseason,outof seasonreprove, rebuke,exhortwithalllongsufferinganddoctrine. v3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but aftertheirownlustsshalltheyheaptothemselvesteachers,havingitchingears v4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned untofables 1 Tim.4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shalldepartfromthefaith,givingheedtoseducingspirits,anddoctrinesofdevils. Aseducingspiritisdangerousbecauseitdoesjustwhatitsnameimplies,itseducesthe believer away from the truth to followadifferent Gospel withadifferent Jesus by anunholy spirit.Readalso 2Thes.2:11 :AndforthiscauseGodshallsendthemstrongdelusion, thattheyshouldbelievealie. The scripture also warns that in the last days even the veryelectwillbedeceived,wereadthisin Matt.24:24:ForthereshallarisefalseChrists, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that, if it werepossible,theyshalldeceivetheveryelect. Whentheyenemyusesaseducingspirittodrawthebelieverawayfromthetruegospel,it isdonesograduallyinthebeginningthattheonebeingseduceddoesnotrealiseit.Likeathin veil of gauze across ones vision the sight is not completely impaired, but with each additional layerofgauzeoneseeslessandlesswithoutrealisingthatoneisslowlybecomingblind. Soitiswithspiritualblindness. When colour coding became fashionable [1985] in many Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches, and we spoke out against it as being rooted in occult Eastern religious festivals, we weremockedandaccusedoflookingfordemonsundereverybush.What,afterall,couldpossible comeofhavingonesselfcolourcodedasSpring,Summer,AutumnorWinter,whentheresults weresimplyselfimprovementfortheLord!?Thatwasthefirstlayerofgauze.Thosewhodidnot renounce colour coding set themselves up as targets for the next spirit from the East, viz. Christian Karate asdisplayed bythe Power Team, whoappearedon the platformsin many of the main Charismatic Churches. This display of physical strength and callingon the people to helpthembyclappingandcheeringsoastobreakchainsandkaratechopthrougharticlesall intheNameoftheLord,deceivedmanyoftheelect.TheWorddeclareshoweverthatitisnotby might, nor by power, but byMy Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts [Zech. 4:6] The Snr. PastorofHatfieldChurchatthattime,wasinfactaskedtoliedownonabed,similartoaHindu bed of nails, on his own church platform after which a member of the Power Team karate choppedorbrokealargeiceblackoverhim.ThistookplaceinachurchserviceintheNameof Jesus.Thepastorthengotupandsaidthatsomeofthecongregationmaythinkthatwhathadjust takenplacewasoftheoccultbutheassuredthemthatitwasoftheLord.Anotherlayerofgauze! The nextlayerofgauzeasspiritualblindness increased was theembracing of the Eastern mind sciencesintroducedtotheBodyofChristbyChoandVirkler. ThemindofmanisthebattlegroundthatSatanstrivestocontrol.Heoftenusesthemind sciencesandcultstoachievehispurposes.UnfortunatelymanysincerechildrenofGodhavealso venturedinto thisbattle for their minds,andhaveembracedthesefalsedoctrinesaspart of the Gospel.Theirimaginationisnowusedforthepurposeofincubatingandcreatingintheirminds, but this is subtly connected to the occult. Dr Paul Yongi Cho has admitted openly that this methodofusingtheimaginationandvisualisationhasinthepastbeenaveryeffectivetoolforthe cults. The warnings theBiblegives about mans imagination are completely disregarded. God says: CASTDOWN[VAIN]IMAGINATION[2Cor.10:5] Dr. Cho and many others have fallen into the trap of incorporating this other Gospel [Gal.1:9] into the TrueGospelof Jesus Christ,and theeffectsaredevastating for the Church of Christ.Mixingdirtywaterwithcleanwater,stillproducesdirtywater! Dr.PaulYongiChoisthepastorofthelargestsinglecongregationintheworld.Thereare nearly 500, 000 members in this church in Korea. To what does Choascribehis success? He states thatitisbecausehefullyunderstandsthe fourthdimension, therefore rightacross the worldandalsoinSouthAfrica,pastorsareveryinterestedinChosrecipeforsuccess.Theysee numbersas thehall mark ofspiritual success. Theworldsyard stickformeasuringa successful

ChurchhasalwaysbeenthenumberoftheChurchsmembershipanditsfinancialstate.Thisof course is one of the lies Satanhas fed believers, therefore we have leaders of large Charismatic Churches in these days who have seen Chos church as a role model, and have abandoned the truthoftheGospelinpursuitofgreaternumbers. What makes matters worse, is that Chos fourth dimension teaching is entirely New Age inconcept. Itintroducesadifferent, unclean occultspiritinto the Church of Christ, which masqueradesastheHolySpirit.Conceptssuchaspositivethinking,visualisationand mind powerareencouragedinordertoattempttobringmanclosertoGodortoreplaceGod,butin realitytheyareusedtopreparetheapostatechurchforthedominionoftheantiChrist. Dr Norman Vincent Peale was the great teacher of the power of positive thinking, and millionsofpeoplearound the world stillfollowhiscoursestoday. In 1986he introducedanew conceptThePositivePowerofJesusChrist,andwithitvisualisation,thecreativesupporting sourceswithinyou.Heespeciallypromotesmindpowerthroughthetappingintothepowersof the subconscious mind. Peale has encountered some opposition from discerning believers who recognised that he was dabbling in the occult. Despite this, he is defended by the wellknown NewAgerandteacheroftheKingdomNowTheology(DominionTheology)EarlePaulke.Oneof thesepreacherssaid:GodcalledmenlikePeale,RobertSchullerandPaulYongiChototeachthe Churchtheconceptoffaithprinciples. Yet the true fruit of the Peale ministry is manifesting itself more and more today, and points to its satanic roots. The spirit which Peale is following at this time leads him into associations with occult and psychic mediums, and to the acceptance and condoning of their works. Paul Yongi Cho falls into the same category. This man ministered in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches right throughout S.A. in1993atTHEIRHEARTY INVITATION. Most of thebasicideasandtechniquesofthe selfimprovement courseswhichinourdayhaveliterally saturated societyandalso toalargeextent, the Church, canbe relayed backto one manby the nameofNapoleonHill.HillisoneofthefoundersoftheNewAge.Hepersonallystatesthathe learned the mind power techniques, which are propagated in his books, from disembodied spirits.Theseofcoursearenoneotherthandemonswhowanttocreatetheimpressionthatthey are Elevated Masters. They used Hill to mislead millions of people through socalled success techniques ,whichtheyrevealedtohim.Thebasicpremiseoftherevelationisthatthehuman mind had inherent power, which enables a person to create its own realities. He says: truly, deeply,believethatyouwillhavegreatwealthandyouwillhaveit.Oneofhisbooksisentitled Think and grow rich and was a prescribed book in a Charismatic Bible School. This is the demonicfalsefaithandformsthebasisforwhatisdescribedinthesecularworldas Positive MentalAttitude. ThisthenisthemediumwherebyHillmakescontactwiththegreatuniversal storehouseof infinite Intelligence and which may becontacted through the subconscious He continuestowriteasfollows:Thisisauniversallawthatwetranslateintophysicalrealitythe thoughtsandattitudesweholdinourminds,nomatterwhattheyare.Inotherwords,whathe is saying is that whatever you think, can be physically realised. You speak your thoughts into being.Youmustletyourdreamsmanifestthroughtheuseofmindpower. PaulYongiChoisofcoursealsoasupporterandteacher[victim]ofthesedoctrines.He writes:WeshouldalwaystrytovisualisetheendresultsasweprayIfyouhavenotvisualised clearlyinyourheartexactlywhatyouhopefor,itcannotbecomearealitytoyou.Wehavetaught our peoplehow tovisualisesuccess. Through visualisinganddreaming youcan incubateyour futureandhatchtheresults.TheBiblehoweverstatesin1Cor.2:9: Butitiswritten,eyehath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things whichGodhathpreparedforthemthatloveHim. How can man, whose heart, God says is evil, imagine the good things that God has prepared for him. Should we not trust God, who knows all, to work out His best plan for our circumstancesandnottrytovisualiseourownplan? IfChosteachingistrueandapersoncanbehealedonlyby believingheishealed,then hismindcontains thepowertohealandGod is just a catalystwhoactivatedhisfaith. It is our faithinGodtohealusbecauseofthefinishedworkofJesusontheCrossatCalvary,bywhichwe arehealed.IfChosprinciplesarecorrect,thenGodisnolongerrelevantandgraceisnolonger needed.ConsequentlymiracleswhichhappenaccordingtothisprinciplecannotbeofGod,but aredemonic!

ChomovesthebelieverstrustfromGodtotrustinthepowersoftheirownminds.The personwhoacceptsChosvisualisationtheology,submitstothepoweroftheoccultinsteadofthe power of the Holy Spirit. Thecommon denominator of all these new teachers (Peale,Schuller, Cho and others) is the focus on the subconscious mind. Rom. 12.2: And yet be not conformedtothisworld:butbeyetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind Cho andothersinterpretthispassagetomeanthatoursubconsciousmustbereprogrammed. LetusforamomentrevertbacktoNormanVincentPeale.Inhisbook,writtenin1952, titled The Power of Positive Thinking for Young People, he gives a formula of three steps for how toprogram the subconscious andhave your prayers answered. Step two in his formula of creativeprayerishowtoimagine,thatistohaveapictureinyourmind,whichwouldseemtobe quite harmless. According to Peale, however, you must imagine spiritually until the picture becomesareality.InhisbooktitledTheFourthDimensionChocallsthisprocessincubation. In the foreword to this bookRobert Schuller writes that the reader must not try to understand this,butmustjuststartenjoyingit,becauseitistrueandworksandhehimselfhastriedit.Cho further writes that Buddhists and other Eastern religions have known these spiritual truths for manyyears.NowGodhasrevealedthemtoChoandinturnheisrevealingthemtothechurch. [ChoisanEasterner!!] Cho states that mans spirit is his subconscious functions or his imagination. The subconscious functions in the fourth dimension. The fourth dimension is the spiritual realm consisting of good and evil, and it controls/creates the third dimension which is the physical realm.Hemaintainsthatmansspirit/subconscious,canbedevelopedtocontrolhisenvironment and to manipulate third dimensional circumstances and events which include sickness. To achieve this, mans spirit must tap into one of two poles of the fourth dimensional forces i.e. GOOD or EVIL. To this end people who practice yoga, including Buddhists, develop their humanfourthdimensionwithconcentratedvisionsanddreams andimaginations,andinthis wayinfluenceandmanipulatethematerialworld. ThisiscertainlynotthewayGodteachesustoreceivefromHimaccordingtoHisWord andHiswill.GodsWordstatesclearlythatwearetoaskHiminfaithbelievingwewillreceive theblessingsfromHishand,andnotfromtheworkingsofourownabilitiesandmindprocesses. Ifthelatterweretrue,whothenwouldreceivethegloryforansweredprayer? ChofurthersaysthatGodhastaughthimthatjoiningourspiritstothefourthdimension the fourth dimension of the Holy Father we can gain more and more control over our circumstances.Wecanhavegreatauthorityandpowerinthethirddimension.Accordingtohim theonlywaytodevelopthisfacetofourlivesistoincubatethroughourimagination,visionsand dreams. Visions and dreams are the language of the fourth dimension, and the Holy Spirit communicates through them. He says that it is only through a vision or a dream that you can visualiseandsoonmaterialisebiggerandbiggercongregations. Cho states that it is this practice that led to his large congregation. But in this way his church is built on the principle of the occultand not the Holy Spirit. This is how Cho has led many an ambitious pastor into occult practices, because, to them church growth (numbers) is more important than obedience to God. As has been already said, Cho states that the subconscious is the spirit of man, he saysthat because your spirit is renewedby yourspiritual rebirth, it follows that your subconscious/imagination isalso renewedand shares in this divine nature. This is another satanic lie, because the Word of God states that our imaginations are usuallyEVIL! 2 Cor. 10:5: Casting down imaginations and bringing into captivity every thoughttotheobedienceofChrist. Rom.1:21:Becausethat,whentheyknewGod,theyglorifiedhimnotasGod, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heartsweredarkened.AlsonoteJer.18:12andLuke.1:51. AccordingtoCho,theHolySpiritcreatesandthereforeOURspiritshaveacreativeability althoughless powerful. Thisheresy implies thatweare godsandcancreate. TheHolySpirit doesnotgivevisionstoyoungmenanddreamstooldmenaswereadinJol2:28,butinsteadhe saysthattheHolySpiritassistsyoungmentoformtheirowndreams.Thisisexactlythesameas the NewAgeprinciplewhichteachesthat wecreateandGod is our Coworker enablingvisions anddreamstomanifest. ChodoesnotquoteanyScriptureversestosupporthisreasoningthatthespiritofmanis

his subconscious. In reality the idea of the subconscious is the theory of the physicalistic psychiatrist Freud. This is a manmade theory with no Biblical foundations whatsoever. The wholeconceptofthesubconsciousisameretheoryandhasnotbeenproven,andthesamegoes forDarwinsevolutiontheory.Now Chohascombined this theoryof the subconsciouswith the spirit,resultinginacombinationof Christianandoccultactivity. WehavepointedouthowGodseesourimaginationaccordingtoScripture:Heseesitas part of our fallen nature. How can it ever, therefore produce anything of the Holy Spirit? WatchmanNee,adedicatedtruemanofGod,writesthatthelatentpowerofthesoulcanbeused by man to produce miracles and spiritual manifestations. These are substitutes for the true miracles and Holy Spirit manifestations of God! [Read The Latent Power of the Soul by Watchman Nee]. There is a definite link between this soul power and the power of the subconscious,whichChoteaches.Chobelievesthatmancanhave,throughhisimaginationinthe fourth dimension, unlimited creative power. Therefore to strengthen his abilities man must exercisehisimagination.Heendorsesthepositiveconfessionteachings,whichsaythatthewords of your mouthare the materialwhich the HolySpirituses tocreate. ThisteachingofCho that mancanhavecontrol overthematerial world around himthroughhis developed subconscious, fitsinperfectlywiththeteachingsoftheDominionTheologyteachers.Theystatethatmanisable through thesemethods, tosubdueandcontrolhis physicalsurroundings, thereby preparing the world for the return of Jesus. That is why many leaders of large Charismatic Churches in our country are so involved in the present political battle it forms part of the material/physical world which must be prepared for the coming of the Messiah! [Recommended reading: MustardseedNo.17:WHATONEARTHISTHISKINGDOMNOWTHEOLOGY?] We must be warned against feeling security in numbers, believing that because of the numbers of church members around us, who like sheep, are being led blindly astray, and followingoneanother.Largecongregations, impressivebuildingsandbusyprogrammesarenot necessarilyGodssealofapproval.Eachoneofusstandsaccountableforwhatwedowithwhat wehear from the pulpit.Weare totrythe spirit accordingto 1John4verse1.It isafterall our ownChristianwalkwhichisatstake,andourownabilitytohearthevoiceoftheHolySpirit.Each oneofusisresponsiblefortestinganynewrevelationinthelightofGodsWord.DidJesusteach this? Did the Apostles teach this? Did the early church practise it? Where does it appear in the Bible? If it does not, we should becautioned to get back to the simplicity and thebasics of the WordofGod. ApartfromtheclearEasternandoccultfibreofChosteachings,italsotakesthefocusoff sinful mans need of repentance and the state of his heart, and emphasises the powers of his consciousandhisownability.Itmovesmansfocusfromconversionandrepentancetoauthority. From hisobedience toGodsword, to his flightsof imagination.Fromconfronting his sin, toa wrongwayofthinking.Chosteachingelevatesthesocalledcreativepowerwithinman.Instead manhasneedofahumbleandcontritespirit,andanawarenessofhisweakandsinfulnature.It isaboutSELFelevationandnotaboutsinnerswhoaresavedbytheGraceofGod.Theconviction oftheHolySpiritissubstitutedwiththereprogrammingofthesubconscious.ItsaysManmust lookTOTHEINSIDE,andnotUPforhisanswers.TheoriginofthisisEasternmysticism.How tragicitisthatsomanyBiblebasedChurchesthroughoutourcountryhavebeenexposedtothese occultteachings. IwouldliketomakementionofanothermanwhoteachesinChurchesallovertheworld including in S.A. His name is Mark Virkler and his seminars are called COMMUNION WITH GODandCOUNSELLEDBYGOD,sponsoredbytheIFCC. Virklersteachingsare very similarto thoseof Chosandthey too greatlyemphasise the imagination,visionsanddreams.TheysuggestthatmanmustassistGodtodevelopthesegifts in him,and insodoing,Easternmeditational breathing exercisesmust be practised.Keeping in mind that the original word for breath and spirit in the Bible, is the same, and therefore, accordingtotheseteachings,youcanbreatheintheHolySpiritandbreatheoutyoursins.This is Virklers theory, and because he knows that his teachings contain Eastern elements, he puts forth the following question: Wasnt Jesus Himself and Easterner? Which infers that Jesus could haveembraced Eastern religious practices. Satan would like us to believe that! However JesustheMessiahwasbornaJew,aHebrewandtheIsraelitesarenotEasterners. The bottom line is that visualisation is not taught in the Bible and Gods prophets and peopleneverhadvisionsanddreamsinthewayChoandVirklerpresentthem.

SomeyearsagoaletterwascirculatingintheJohannesburgarea,accusingthePastorof Hatfield Christian Church,andIFCCleaderat thattime,of teachingoccult techniquesfrom the book Dialogue With God, opening the Door to twoway prayer by Mark Virkler. (For the readers information, the IFCC International Fellowship of Christian Churches is a man inspiredorganisationinSouthAfrica.) This letter stated,quote:Those whoknowthatEdRoeberthas longbeenadiscipleof Yongi ChowillrealisethatitisashorthopfromacceptingtheteachingsofYongiChotoembracingthe theoriesofMarkVirklerandRobertSchuller! But what can one expect when a few years ago Ed Roebert held up the book The Seduction of Christianity in his church the very book which could have saved souls from deceptionsandsaidDontreadthisbook! Not only did he teach from Virklers book, but had his own version, obviously named aftertheseminarsbyMarkVirklercalledCommunionWithGod.Ifyoulaythesebooksside bysideandleafthroughthemyouwillseewhatmustbereceivedasashrunkenversionofMark VirklersbookDialoguewithGodbutIdontrecallseeinganyacknowledgementto Virkler thoughIlookedinfrontandleafedthroughthepagesofEdsversion. ItbringstomindthebookADifferentGospel[Wesuggestourreadersobtainacopyof thisbook]whereDr.McConnelstatedofKennethHaginHaginsplagiarismofEWKenyon iswordforwordandwhereitisnotwordforword,itisthoughtforthought[p70].Endquote. PalRoebert,wifeofEd,wroteatestimonyintheFamilyNews,Nov.1992issue,inwhich she said thatVirklers teachings hadbecome a way oflifefor herandthepastors wives of the HatfieldChristianChurch.Jesusteachingsshouldbecomeourwayoflife. InhisbookMarkVirklermentionedthataschildrenwehadvividimaginations[visionary capacities]whichwesetasidetoentertherationalworldofadulthood. If this principal or theory regarding the qualities attributed to children worked, then theseverychildrenwouldhaveacquiredallthematerialpossessionsofthisworldbecauseoftheir vivid imaginations, where they imagined, visualised and incubated their desires with childlike faithandsimplicity. Letushear whatthemightyPaul, whowroteabout two thirdsof the New Testament, hasgottosayaboutVirklerstheory: WhenIwasachild,Ispakeasachild,Iunderstood asachild,Ithoughtasachild,butwhenIbecameaman,Iputawaychildishthings [1Cor.13:11] Virkleraddsthatbecausethesegiftswerescornedtheybecameinsignificantandwewere notabletoseeinthespiriti.e.receivevisionsanddreamsfromGod.Theauthormaintains that the remedy is to help God by priming the pump in various ways. Virkler gives eastern meditationalcentringthroughbreathingexercisesasoneofhismethodsofquieteningonesself beforeGod.AlthoughthisonestepisomittedbyEdRoebert,bothadmitthatsomeperceivethat thereareseedsofeasternthoughtintheselinesofteaching,butbrushtheseallegationsaside. The process of visualising an imaginary Jesus at whom one looks intently until the HolySpirit takes overand then Jesus speaks and moves, supposedly makes one a seer like JohnontheIsleofPatmosorEzekieltheprophet!Furthermore,itisproposedthatbytheuseof suchvisioningconcerningthingsbeingprayedfor,[actuallyvisualising],oneisabletoincubate andbirthbythehumanspirit,healings,answeredprayers allcreationsofthehumanspirit. Jesus taught His disciples how to receive what they needed from God. Is His way not sufficient for us who are His disciples now? Do we need to alter Gods own way in order to improveonitbyaddingourideasandworks? JesussaidsixtimesinJohn14,15and16: AskanythinginMyNameandtheFather inwillgiveittoyou. [John14:1314:1415:7and1616:2324]. Jesuswantedto impressuponusourneedtobe fullyand totallydependant onHisFatherfor everything,ineverythingandeveryday.ThisiswhyHetaughtustopray: Giveusthisdayour daily bread. He was Himself totallydependant on His Fatherand never did anything in His own strength. He said: I onlyspeakthewordsofMyFatherandIonlydowhatIsee theFatherdoing[John5:19] OureyesmustbeontheFathertosupplyourneedsaccordingtoHisWillintheNameof

His Son Jesus. His Word is His Will and His Will is to supply our needs [not greeds] such as salvation,healing,peace,lifesnecessitiesandaboveall,everythingittakestoconformustolook toHisSon.JesusknewthatweneededtolooktoHisFatherforourneedsjustasHedidandnot tryinourownwaytostrivetobringittopass.PraytotheFatherinJesusNamebelievingyou will receive yourpetitionand you will see it come topassbytheworking of Godsgrace, power and ability and to Him be all the honour and glory. Pride can so easily creep in if OUR visualising, positive thinking, incubating or any of the selfhelp formulas are seen to be the reasonsforourobtainingpositiveprayerresults.Wecouldbesounawareoftakingsomeofthe glorythatbelongstoHimforprayersanswered.FatherGodmustalwaysbetheinitiator. Dr.DavidDuffForbessays:WeseethatwhenmanhadreasontoerectanaltartoGodin theOldTestament,Godmadecertainstipulations. There was a Divine probation against using any implement tobuild it. Altarscouldbe built only of earth or unhewn stone. Earth and unhewn stone are free from marks of mans efforts these materialsappear justas they left thehands of God, which teachesus that human worksandmeritarenotthebasisofmanssalvationandacceptabilitywithGod.TheEternalGod had also forbidden priests to ascend thealtar by steps: Norshall you go up by steps, that yournakednessmaynotbeexposedonit.[Ex.20:26] Flights of steps or stairway speak once again of human effort and ingenuity in upward progress, therefore an unacceptable approach toGod. Not human effort and merit, but Divine graceissetforthasthebasisforreceivingfromGod. ItmustbenotedthatGodNEVERacknowledgedtheneed forHisservantsorothers,to be intuitive for Him to reveal things in Godgiven dreams and visions. He alone chooses the dreamandrecipientthereof. Justexamine Pharaohs dream[Gen. 41], Daniels vision[Dan. 8],or Gods choosing of EzekielasHisprophet[Ezek.2]! There is a vast difference between the real Gods work and that of a human spirit strivingtobeinGodsclassi.e.creativeenergythroughvisualisation.Thiscanonlyleadone intooccultactivitiesandcontractswithspiritguideswhomasqueradeastherealJesus. IfyouarewalkinginGod,seekingHisface,HewillgiveyoudreamsorvisionswhenHe knowstheyareneedful andyouwontneedanypriming. The waysof eastern religiondo not lead totheLivingGod. It isobviousthatSatanhas succeededindeceivingnumerouspastorsandchurchgoerswhowillfulfilhisintendedpurposeto comeagainsttheBodyofChrist.Theseteachingsarecompletelyinlinewiththeteachingsofthe NewAge. Tosumup, these teachingsareallsimilarhaving the same mechanics, but eachwitha differentnameandemphasisaccordingtoitspropagatorsrevelation. The first was the nameitframeitandclaimit formula, in other words, you name thatwhichyoudesireandyoucontinually confessthis,andthenitshouldmaterialise.Tonameit is tovisualise it, or to imagineit. To frame it, is toconfessit, incubateit. Toclaim it is that the above will now materialise. Then there is the theory of the power of positive thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. Then we have the theory of Mark Virkler namely visualise, confess, anditwillcometopass. Now comes the fourth dimension theory of Yongi Cho whereby you imagine something,then you incubate these imaginations, andthey will cometo pass. Theseheretical theorieshavebeenacceptedandhavebecomeacornerstoneofmanymoderndaychurches. Theheartmotivesofthosewhopropagatethesetheories,isambitionandpower,inorder to gaincontrol,and theypertainto the materialistic,physicaland temporal realm,thepower of this world. This is totally contrary to the spiritual realm which iseternal,and to which we are called AccordingtotheWordofGodwecanhavethedesiresofourheartbybeingobedientto andfollowingtheveryexplicitprinciplesofGodsWord,accordingtotheWillofGod.However asweseethroughouttheages,manhastriedtodothingsinhisownway,andinhisownstrength, alwayscontrarytothecommandsandstatutesofGod. The definition of imaginations in this context is: as planning to gain by self effort. Thesefalsetheorieswouldhaveusbelievethatthebasisforourprosperityanddestinyisinour mindandimagination,butwhenIlookedatthewordimaginationintheBible,Iwasamazedto seewhatithastosay.

In99%oftheScriptureversesoftheBiblecontainingthiswordimagination,ithasan EVILCONNOTATION.Iwanttomentionsomeoftheseverses. Gen. 6:5: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every IMAGINATION of the thoughts of his heart was only EVIL continually. V6: and it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grievedHimatHisheart. Gen.8: 21: And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake for the IMAGINATIONofmansheartisEVILfromhisyouth Jer.3:17:At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throneof the Lordand all the nations shall be gathered into it, to the Name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neithershalltheywalkanymoreaftertheIMAGINATIONOFTHEIREVILHEART. Jer. 7: 24: But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked into their counsels and in the IMAGINATION OF THEIR EVIL HEART, and went backward,andnotforward. Jer.16:12:Andye have doneworse thanyour fathers for,behold,ye walk everyoneaftertheIMAGINATIONOFHISEVILHEART,thattheymannothearken untoMe. Gen.11:6:AndtheLordsaid,Behold,thepeopleisone,andtheyhaveallone languageandthistheybegantodoandnownothingwillberestrainedfromthem, WHICHTHEYHAVEIMAGINEDTODO. Rom.1:21:Becausethat,whentheyknewGod,theyglorifiedHimnotasGod, neitherweretheythankful,butbecameVAININTHEIRIMAGINATIONS,andtheir foolishheartwasdarkened. 2Cor. 10: 5: CAST DOWN IMAGINATIONS and every high thing THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDEGE OF GOD, and bring into the captivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist. Luke 1:51: He hath showed strength with His arm He hath scattered THE PROUDINTHEIMAGINATIONoftheirhearts. AlsoreadJer.9:1411:813:1018:1223:17Prov.6:1812:20Lam.3:6061 Ps.38:12. IfyoustudyScripturemorecloselyyouwillunderstandhowthatfromtheverybeginning of mansexistencehe triedtouse hisEVIL IMAGINATION tobetterhimself, toelevate himself andhowGodtookexceptiontothisattitudeinman. WhatweimaginemaynotnecessarilybethebestaccordingtoGodsWillandpurpose, inthelightofHiseternalplanforus,andonlyHeknowsallthingsfrombeginningtoend.Wesee thatthedesireoftheIsraelitesheartswhichwasgrantedtothem,theirfleshlydesires,costthem aleannessoftheirsouls. Ps.106:15:AndHegavethemtheirrequestbutsentleanness intotheirsoul. The practical implication of what we are in fact taught with disastrous results can be foundintheOldTestamentintheincidentoftheTowerofBabel.Herewefindthatman,once again,wantedtoreachGodinTHEIRway.Theyvisualised/imaginedthistower. In Gen. 11:6, which we have already quoted, we have read how God said: and not nothingwillberestrainedfromthem,WHICHTHEYHAVEIMAGINEDTODO. ThesepeoplefollowedthemethodwhichSatanhasneverfailedtomakeattractivetoman inorderthathemightachievehigherandbetterthingsforhimselfinthisworld:theyIMAGINED a city and a tower whose top may reach heaven, and by which they could make a name for themselves.ThesethoughtsINCUBATEDintheirmindsandsoulsandeventuallyMANIFESTED. God thought it disgusting, andcamedown and scattered them over the face of the earth. God knew,thatbyapplyingthesoulpoweroftheirimagination,Satanwouldsupportitwithhisoccult powerandeventuallyNOTHINGwouldbeimpossibletothem. See how this has connotations of the Eastern Hindu thought [Pantheism] where man evolves into God and eventually becomes ONE with God, he becomes God! Remember these peoplewhobuiltthetowerofBabelwantedtoreachuptoheaven! SoPaulYongiChocomeswiththisverysameteaching: imagineanythingyouwant, letitincubateinyoursoul,anditwillmanifest. Heconfessesthatthisistheverymethod

heused tobuildup the biggestcongregationin the world! Thisissoul power,becoming occult powerinoperationbytheIMAGINATIONSOFMANSEVILHEART!IbelievethePopehaseven a far bigger church and membership, but this does not impress God! God clearly says in His WordthatHEwillbuildHisChurchandthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit.[Matt.16:18] HewillbuildinHisway! In the New Testament we find the parable of the foolish rich man. He visualised/imaginedhisgreatstoresandwealth. Luke12 tellstheparablein verses 132021. Canyouseehow heTHOUGHT,and SAID TOHISSOUL. Isntthis the sameoldmethodagain? Imagine [thegreaterbarns] incubate [saytoyoursoul]anditwillmanifest! ButGodsaiduntohim:THOUFOOL!Thisnight thysoulshallberequiredofthee:thenwhoseshallthosethingsbe,whichthouhast provided? GodhasgivenmaninstructionsthroughHisWordastohowHedesiresmantowalkin obediencetoHisWord,andbeblessedandknowHispeace. In the mid70s there was a wonderful moveof God in our country,andGod raisedup mentobeHisvesselsduringthisrevival.Wesawhowmen,whowerebeingmightilyusedofGod, empoweredbytheHolySpirit,thenchose todeviatefrom teaching thesimplicityof theGospel, andasaresult,todaymanyoftheseministriesarenowpreachingadifferentGospel,doingthings manswayandintheirownstrength. ThereisarealdangerofstartingintheSpiritandthentoallowingthefleshtotakeover. Thisoccursgradually,atfirstverysubtlyuntilanopeninghasbeencreatedforspiritsofseduction anddeceptiontoenterandtobringwiththemdoctrinesofdevils. I had the privilege of working for many years with a certain very special denomination witharelativelysmallmembership,butspirituallypowerfulinthiscountry,onewhichhadbeen persecutedand frowned upon. This is of course in line with Gods Word, because He says that thosewhoareproductiveinHisworkwillbepersecuted.NowIseetheapostasyandrotthathas comeintothisdenominationbecauseoftheheresiesandthefalsedoctrinesthatareallowedtobe preachedfromitspulpits. At the same time however, this Pentecostal denomination has now become acceptable, andisnotapersecutedchurchanymore. Ithasacquiredalargemembershipandstatusinthe eyes of man, but although its membership and status increased, the demonstration of Gods powerbyHisHolySpirithasvisiblydecreased. IamgrievedbythegenerallackofdiscernmentintheleadershipoftheBodyofChristtoday.I cryouttoGodforthegiftofdiscerningofspiritstomanifestinagreaterwayintheselastdays, becauseitissuchanimportanttimebeforethecomingofourLordJesusChrist. Iconsideritaprivilegetohave beencalledbyGodtospreadtheGoodNews,andprayforthe sick, in this country since 1979. There is not a city, town or dorpie that has not heard the messageofCalvaryandseenthedemonstrationofGodspowerinactionbytheHolySpiritinthe NameofHispreciousSonJesus,forHisgloryalone.Icannotbeblamedforreactingasstrongly asIdowhenIseepreciousconvertedsouls,touchedandregeneratedbyFatherGod,peoplewho need to be fed with the truth of Gods pure unadulteratedWord, becoming part of anapostate church. I fear for the leaders responsible for the deception that they have allowed into their churches. My brothers, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others [James 3:1 Good News Translation]. I want to emphasise that it is not my intention to judge men of God, but we are commandedbyGodto JudgethatwhichtheypropagateinthelightofHisWord. (Read ourbook:ISITRIGHTTOJUDGE?) There is however hope for those who desire to come out and be free from any entanglementwithunbiblicalteachings.Jesussaidin Matt.7:1314 :Enteryeinatthestrait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and manytherebewhichgointhereat: Because straitisthegate, andnarrow theway,whichleadeth unto life,and fewtherebethatfindit. Healsosaid: IfyecontinueinMyWord,thenareyeMydisciplesindeedand ye shall know the truth, and the truthshall make you free. (John8:3132) It is the

words ofJesus, His teachingsalone thatwe must embrace, becauseeverything Hetaught came directlyfromFatherGod.ItisverydangeroustodeviatefromtheinstructionswhichJesustaught andgavetoHisdisciples. ItisbecauseofmennotreceivingtheloveoftheTruthofGodsWordthatGodsaysHe willsendastrongdelusionsothattheywillbelievealie(2Thess.2:11) LetusembracetheTruthasneverbeforeintheselastdaysasourBridegroomisreadyto fetchHisbridewhoispreparingherselfforHisreturn.AfterallJesussaid: Iamthewaythe TRUTHandthelife,noonecomestotheFatherbutbyMe.(John14:6) It is only because of Jesus and in His Name alone that mere man has access to the Fathersblessingsandprovision.Hemadeawaytheonlywaywheretherewasnoway.Let usrecogniseGodsWAYandwalktherein. Comeoutandbeseparatedsaysthelord.TouchnouncleanthingandIwill acceptyou(2Cor.6:17)
9

FaithintheWord POBox232,Ballito,4420 Tel.(032)5511836/5512419 Fax:(032)5525411 ISBN:1874850356 ISBNNO:0947033750

Booknumber:M50
Compiledby

DrJamesvanZyl
HowtobeBornagainand aChildofGod 1. ACKNOWLEDGE: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23)Godbemercifultomeasinner!(Luke18:13)InthelightofGodsWordyou mustacknowledgethatyouareasinner. 2. REPENT: I (Jesus) tell you,Nay:but, except ye repent,ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blottedout(Acts3:19) Realisetheuglinessofsinandturnawayfromit. 3. CONFESS: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Joh. 1:9) . With the mouth confessionismadeuntosalvation.(Rom.10:10) ConfessyoursinsbeforeGod. 4. LEAVE: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord for He will abundantly pardon (Is. 55:7) Justtobesorryaboutyoursinisnotenough.Wemustdesiretoforsakeitforever. 5. BELIEVE: ForGodso lovedthe world, that HegaveHisonly begotten Son, thatwhosoever believethinHimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife(John 3:16) ThatifthoushaltconfesswiththymouththeLordJesus,andshaltbelieveinthineheart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Rom. 10:9) Believe that Jesus ChristdeliveredyoucompletelyattheCross. 6. RECEIVE: He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. But as manyasreceivedHim,tothemgaveHepowertobecomethesonsofGod,evento themthatbelieveonHisname.(John1:11and12)Youmust,byfaith,nowreceiveJesus Christinyourheartsothatyoucanhavetheexperienceofbeingbornagain. 7. WRITE DOWN: Todays date, on the inside front page of your Bible or next to a scriptureversewhichhasspecialsignificance.Letthisalwaysbeaconfirmationtoyouthatyou havededicatedyourheartandlifetotheLivingGod,andthatHehasreceivedyouinHisLove.

Resistthedevilbypointinghimtothatparticularscriptureanddateeverytimeheattacksyou withdoubtandconfusion. 8. READ: Sothenfaithcomethby hearing,and hearingby the Word ofGod (Rom. 10:17) Begin everyday by reading a chapter from the Bible then apply Gods instructionsinyourdailywalkwithHim. 9. PRAY:God is now your HeavenlyFather: talk to Him everyday. Confess your sins, praise Him for setting you free, tell Him your needs, and thank Him for supplying all your needs:physical,financialandemotional(Philip.4:19)Thefollowingisaprayerwhichyoucan useasaguideline. HeavenlyFather,IacknowledgethatIamalostsinner.IthankYouthatJesusdiedfor mysins,thatbyHisshedbloodIhavebeenforgivenandthatHisBodywasmutilatedbeyond recognitionandthatbyHiswoundsHepurchasedhealingforme.LordJesus,Inowreceiveyou asmySaviour,myHealer,myLordandmyGod.IaskYoutoforgiveallmysin.Inowopenthe doorto myheart and life toYou. Pleasecomein and cleanseme.Take the reigns of my life:I wanttobeledbyYourHolySpirit.Father,IthankYouthatJesusChristisnowmySaviourand LordthatIamnowYourChild.Amen. 10. BEBAPTISED: Youarenow achildof God, abeliever intheLord Jesus Christ. The nextstepisbaptismbyfullimmersion.Mark.16:16JesussaysHewhobelievesandisbaptised shallbesaved.Remember,nowthatyouareachildofGod,yournamehasbeenenteredintothe BookoftheLamb,asyouhavebeenobedienttotheGodsinstructions. 11.BEFILLEDWITHTHEHOLYSPIRITaccordingtoGodspromiseinActs2:38&39 12.FELLOWSHIP:Findagroupofbornagain,believingChristiansandfellowshipwith them on aregularbasis. Always keep in mind the picture of the coalwhich is on the fire and glowswhileitisincontactwiththefire,butwhichgrowscoldanddiesifitstaysoutofthefire toolong. WRITETOUS:Wewillgladlyassistyouinyourcontinuedspiritualgrowth.