The Journey: Session Three

Discernment of Spirits

Part Three

by Bob Van Cleef

False Prophets, Christs, Brethren

Today many people seem to want to be deceived. They chase after any spiritual manifestation and believe what they see, unconditionally. Many others seem to be afraid to challenge or question anyone's prophetic proclamation. They refuse to stand up and denounce those who practice astrology, psychic fortune-telling, or witchcraft. They accept without question declarations of those who follow UFO's, New Age concepts, Pagan religions, or those that channel reincarnate spirits from the past. And yet, the message in the Scriptures is very clear, false prophets exist and we must test them.

(Mat 7:15) [Jesus Speaking] "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

False Christs and Prophets

As in the past, many false Christs and prophets continue to appear today, performing signs and wonders for the confusion of many. This includes the many false apparitions of the Saints, of Mary the mother of Jesus, and of Jesus himself. These apparitions and visitations can be very convincing. We have to be on guard.

(Mat 24:24) [Jesus Speaking] "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

If we turn to God and listen to His Holy Spirit, we can and will know that truth.

(John 8:32) [Christ Speaking] "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

(John 14:16-17) [Christ Speaking] "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

There is more than one false and condemned mystical revelation that people of good standing in the Church -follow, in spite of the Church's condemnation. They declare that the condemnation statements are simply misunderstandings and that "only those who accept" the new revelation will achieve God's Kingdom. The Church is adamant that there can be no new revelations.

There will be no further Revelation (from the Catechism)

66"The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ." Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.

67Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.

Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations".

False Brethren

There are also those who profess to be Christians and strive for leadership roles in our communities, but are not disciples of Jesus Christ. Like the old prophet in 1 Kings 13, they have other goals, dreams and desires and they are a danger to you on your journey. The Apostle Paul knew the problems they raise. In his listing of the perils he had suffered for the sake of the Gospel, he included:

(2 Cor 11:26) [...] in perils among false-- -brethren;

Consider Simon the magician (Acts 8:9). He heard the gospel, believed, and was baptized. He watching with amazement the miracles that were performed by the Apostles. (Acts 8:13) However, his greed got the best of him.

(Acts 8:18-20) And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, [19] saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." [20] But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!"

There are Simons in our midst today and there are also those who are simply gullible. They desire so much to see "magic" in their lives that they will believe in anything to see that magic. They run after apparitions, chase after anyone with a healing ministry, looking for any sign or wonder, hoping to easy their fears and enliven their lives. Unfortunately, they are looking at the "gifts" and ignoring the "giver of the gifts". Eventually the giver of the gifts will turn away from them, allowing them to receive what they want, but not what they need.

It is not the magical relic of the "true cross" that heals, it is the presence of the one who died on the cross. It is not the magical words of Mary or Jesus through some visionary that will bring you to truth, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in you that leads you to the Kingdom. It is not the man or woman with the miraculous healing ministry who will heal you, it is Jesus Christ, who suffered 39 lashes and died for you, who will bring you to a new life.

Listen to the Church. Search the Scriptures. Turn your eyes toward Jesus and follow the Holy Spirit so that you will come to the truth.

(John 8:32) [Christ speaking] "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.".

The Journey: The Gifts of the Spirit

This is part of a collection of handouts designed for use as part of a series of teachings on The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, published by the Catholic Charismatic Center. Copyright (C) 1999 by the Catholic Charismatic Center.

Permission is granted for reproduction for use for non-commercial purposes, providing that you credit the author and the Catholic Charismatic Center.

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