I had already started my article for this issue of Concepts of Faith when I felt impressed to change it to a message I taught over 15 years ago. I pulled out the tapes that I recorded in the series, "Three Warnings For The End Time" and I was amazed at how revelant they are today! I will briefly outline the points of this message.
# 1 - Don't
Follow Signs - Let the Signs Follow You!
Many years ago, I spent a great deal of time going to conventions where "the Spirit was moving." One day the Holy Spirit spoke on the inside of me and said, "Mark 16:17 says that signs would follow those that believe, and instead you are following the signs!"
Seeking and following after supernatural manifestations will get you into trouble. Everything that is supernatural is not of God. If you think that a meeting has to be of God because of all the spectacular things that are happening, then you are open to deception.
Jesus said that in the last days there would be "false" signs and wonders. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect(Mark 13:22). And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the brightness of His coming: [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9)
How could the elect be seduced and deceived? It is simple to do that if the elect are caught up in following supernatural manifestations. They will be so enthralled with the signs, they won't notice what else is happening. It is hard to discern the difference between the true and false wonders unless you listen to your inward witness.
What should you follow? Follow the teaching of the Word of God. Test It, Prove It, Study It. The true signs and wonders follow the Word.
# 2 - Don't
Follow Leaders - Follow the Holy Spirit!
Although it is a real blessing to have anointed ministries, it is very dangerous to blindly follow anyone. Any human is capable of error and mistakes. You wouldn't want to follow anyone off a cliff, would you? Well there are Christians who have done just that spiritually and even some some physically.
Most people know of Jim Jones and the tradegy in Guyana where hundreds followed his lead and committed suicide. Spiritual suicide happens when Christians override their inward witness. You may have known and followed a minister for years, then something happens in a meeting that you don't feel comfortable with. When you look around , everyone else seems to think it's great. What do you do?
If you are like most Christians, you immediately
think something is
wrong with you. After all, the minister is more spiritual than you are
and these other people must be too. So you begin to doubt your inward
warning,
and eventually override it. Don't you think that is what could have
happened
with people who followed Jim Jones? They probably overrode their inward
witness and their common sense to their own
destruction.
#3 - Don't
Follow Movements
Most all of the church denominations that we have today started as a result of a true move of the Spirit of God. The problem is that they, like Peter, wanted to build a tabernacle and stay there.
With any move of the Spirit, there are new revelations from the Word. As a result, this group of people decides that they have "the answer" and their way is the "right way". They adopt bylaws and organization to protect the movement and clone themselves. This is called a denomination. The problem is that sometimes God has continued to move- in a different direction - and no one noticed!
Now, I am speaking generally. In any denomination, there are individuals and churches who are not caught up in religious politics and are genuinely following God.
The danger in following movements is similar to the dangers of following leaders or signs and wonders, however, if you "settle down" in a "movement", you may miss what God is doing today.
Do you want to be involved in what God is doing in
the End Time? Then
listen to your inward witness, and follow the Word.
And...remember...when
Jesus performed miracles, it was not to put on a "signs and wonders"
show,
but because he wanted to meet a human need.
From "Concepts of Faith Magazine" by Charles
Capps Ministries