(WARNING: In this article I am discussing the Gifts of the Spirit - which involves some pretty unusual supernatural stuff. Those of you who are not accustomed to discussing these gifts, you can read about them in 1 Corinthians 12.)

This may seem like a strange way to start this message, but it is meant to demonstrate a gift of the Spirit called “discerning of spirits.”

Some of us may actually have physical manifestations when confronted with a demonic spirit. For example, when I am around a strong controlling or a Jezebel spirit (witchcraft), my head feels like it is wearing a tight band that is squeezing tighter and tighter. Usually, by the time I feel like my eyeballs are going to pop out, I take authority over the spirit (if this is possible), or I just get up and leave. Another manifestation of being in the presence of a controlling spirit is the sudden onset of total confusion. This, combined with the pressure squeezing my brains out, tells me that I don’t need to be anywhere near this unsuspecting soul.

When I am anywhere near New Age believers or even in a New Age bookstore, I get extremely nauseated. The same goes for extreme health food stores.

When the gifts of healing are in operation, the anointing goes from my right hand, and runs all the way up to my elbow. As Norvel Hayes used to say, “The anointing is like thousands of little tiny paintbrushes running up and down my arm.” When the gifts of discerning of spirits is in operation, the anointing does the same thing in my left hand. Once many years ago at a Women’s Aglow conference, I participated in some ministry among the participants at the meeting. I was a real baby Christian, but I was operating in discerning of spirits. In fact I had just seen with my own two eyes three spirits rise up out of a woman’s head, fly across the room and drop into a circle of women having prayer. I was absolutely freaked out by this, but my friend assured me that I was fine.

I felt the need to go to the area where I had seen the spirits descend, and when I reached the circle of ladies, I inadvertently moved my left hand over this woman’s head. She jerked and made a wailing noise (which made me quite uncomfortable since this was a new experience for me). I turned around to see where else I could go, and the wailing woman touched me on the shoulder, saying, “When you passed your hand over my head, I felt a demon come out of me. Praise the Lord, and thank you for being obedient.” I was shocked, but accepted her thanks and moved back to my table to share this incident with my more experienced friends.

So, through the years, I have come to respect the presence of these physical manifestations by the Holy Spirit. It is one of those things that is personal and irrefutable. When I start getting these sensations, there is no argument. It is a done deal.

I have shared these experiences as a foundation for what I am about to say. As of late - probably as of the past twelve months - I have been having a new type of manifestation. It is very disturbing to me because it presents itself when I am in the presence of some that I consider to be brothers or sisters in the Lord. I sense this when I am watching certain preachers on television, or when I hear certain preachers on the radio. Even when I visit certain websites. It is as if they are all under the same covering - and I am afraid to say, that covering is not the covering that they think they’re under!

The best description for this physical manifestation is “sickeningly sweet and oozing with love and brotherhood.” Ironically (or not), the word “brotherhood” is perfect for it brings to mind a “membership” of robe clad individuals, all under the unity of faith in a specific cause. However, I am afraid that what we have here is the beginning of the Apostate church, and it has its grip on thousands of five-fold ministers all over the world. It is fooling (if possible) even the elect of God, according to Scripture.

Some would argue that this couldn’t be possible, but I can assure you, it is - and it is growing slowly and steadily.

It is critical in this hour to KNOW God, as the Father, as the Son, and as the Holy Spirit. We must KNOW HIM through His written word which WILL AGREE with His Spirit.

An Apostate church is rising up, and it seems that it may be rising up in the posture of Christianity. It is full of “love” and charitable works. It preaches a message of inclusion and tolerance, or a doctrine that is politically correct. And it is extremely seductive. It is drawing in millions of young believers all across the world who think that they are serving Jesus. But underneath it all are seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and Satan himself has been orchestrating this great deception to play out in these last days. (“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.” 1 Timothy 4:1)

Let me make another comparison. Now, I did not vote for Barack Obama, but many Christians did. As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I cannot condone the practice of abortion, nor can I choose to ignore it for political gain. But that is my own personal conviction. Each person will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. I, for one, tremble at the thought of looking into the eyes of Jesus and explaining why I chose to ignore the cries of 34 million aborted babies. Nope. Not me.

Anyway, as I was contemplating the rise of this Apostate church, I saw (in my spirit) that this Apostate church will rise up in America with the same inexplicable charisma that drove Barack Obama to victory. This gospel will “make sense.” It will feed the hungry. It will shelter the homeless. It will preach brotherly love and kindness. It will have signs and wonders. It will have a measure of truth, and it will SEEM right. But friends, it was conceived in the pits of hell.

Hard to believe? Read the Bible. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24. Yes, it is possible.

One thing that this Apostate church will not do is preach obedience to the Word of God. Jesus said, “If you love Me, KEEP My commandments.” He also told the woman caught in adultry, after He had rebuked the crowds, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” It’s the “sin no more” part that this church will ignore. It is the holiness of God that this church will ignore. “Be holy as I am holy,” saith the Lord.

“Many are called but few are chosen,” (Matthew 22:14). “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate, and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13,14).

Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord. Did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-22). Now some argue that this was not given to Christians, but that is ridiculous He is absolutely speaking to Christians. Besides, no one can call Jesus "Lord" except by the Holy Spirit!

In my 25 years of walking with the Lord, whenever God has given me discerning of spirits in a situation, it has never been wrong. In this case, I wish it could be wrong - but I know that it is not.


I pray for all of us - that we would have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Take heed that you KNOW the Word of God. Try the spirits. Ask questions. Don't allow the spirit of this age to entrap you. Walk the talk, and if you can't, repent, be restored, be revived, and try again!!!

Just don't ever stop trying! Our goal is to be overcomers!