Demonic, Discernment, and the Body of Christ

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.  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.

1 John 4: 1-3

Monday evening's Gospel-Centered Life bible study was strange in its demonic qualities.  We typically meet at 7.  This Monday there was also a finance team meeting at the same time.  I ducked into the finance team meet for a few minutes and let my normal study crew talk and catch up on the week.  I thought nothing of it.  Yet, strangeness was brewing!

I was not in the finance team meeting more than 5 minutes when my wife comes in, obviously a bit flustered, to tell me that I am really needed in the bible study because we have "guests."

I think, great!  I love guests.  Strange for them to come 5 weeks into a 9 week study, but O.K.  I made my way into the room, and I was greeting by three very strange looking woman dressed in simple white garments.  They also have a white head covering.  The oldest one is talking almost non-stop.  She is sharing her message.

These woman arrived in the study with the words, "We are Christians too."  They then shared how they are against all violence and eating of meat.  They are for celibacy, vegetarianism, love as brothers and sisters, and "following the way of Jesus."

When I arrive, my discernment gift immediately goes code red.  There is something wildly wrong with these women.  What is it Lord?

The oldest woman then shares that we were created spirits, but after the fall we were given "these animal skins" as our outer garments (she pointed to her arm, indicated her flesh).  She smiled and said that our flesh and all flesh is corrupt and evil.  What is important is following the inner light of the spirit.  (Notice how this teaching matches with the warning above found in 1 John against the spirit of the antichrist found in strange gnostic teachings)

After hearing this, I wonder if these women are part of some strange Shaker-like sect, if they are just weird gnostics, or what.  I want them out of the study to protect these folks.  Yet, as the "new guy" do I just tell them to "get out, spawn of Satan," and leave it at that or how should I do this?  Do others feel the same way I do?

At this stage, the conversation changes.  They want a place to spend the night.  They want and need our help, since they are "wandering witnesses for the truth and light."

I must confess that after two months, I do not know our exact procedure for helping people with such need.  I know I want them out of our church.  I also have an elder and deacon from our church in the study.  I ask if these folks can make some calls and help these folks find a place to stay.  They want to stay in our church.  I am adamant, and so our several others, that this is not going to happen.

Our two church leaders take the woman outside the study and they start to make some phone calls.  This gives time for the remaining 10 of us to talk and to pray.  I am so glad that I was not alone in thinking these ladies have demonic qualities.  Several folks confess to being greatly disturbed in spirit.  Others wish to help in hope that it might witness to them.  After talking, we all agree that we need to get them out of the church immediately because they are not right.  In fact, they might be dangerous.

At this point, our church leaders rejoin us and they share they are going to put the women up in one of our church's homes.  This home has a private basement and they will go down there.  The home is also rented by a single man who could lock the basement from the woman, but who would have access to the basement through the same door because the woman could not lock their side.

In unison, the entire study group told them this is a very bad idea!  Something else must be done.  We all shared why we felt these women had demonic and evil qualities.  One of the leaders, the elder, is one of the most caring folks I have ever met.  He will personally extend himself to meet the needs of others at the drop of a hat.  He shared that he saw someone in need, he wanted to help, and he believed that such help might witness to the truth in Jesus.  We agreed in principle even if we felt odd about these women and their spirituality.  Once help is offered, it cannot just be taken back without thought.  Yet, we also shared our common concern that we must be very careful how we do this.  

So, what did we do?

Our bible study was in shambles for the evening.  The entire atmosphere was disturbed and it really did not do well.  We finished early and the leaders and myself waited for the women to return from getting something to eat.  We told the renter that we would not put him in this position, so the church's home was not an issue.  We also decided to put the women up in a safe but inexpensive hotel about 5 miles from the church.  When they returned, we carried out the plan.  The two leaders led them over in their car (these wandering women who had given up everything did have their own car!), and I went home to pray for protection for these men, the church, and all involved.  Now, three days later, they appear to have just moved on.  Praise the Lord!

What can be learned from this experience?  First, several in the study said they have never experienced anything like it.  I must confess that I have.  It is not an everyday experience, but it has happened often. As we move out in ministry, this church must be aware and ready for spiritual attack.  It will happen again.

Second, even though I have the gift of discernment, the community of faith must help with the discernment process.  When we talked, we all agreed that something was desperately and spiritually wrong with these women.  Personally I felt it, but I also was insecure as it if I was completely right.    By feelings of conviction, yet doubt were shared by almost all.  We felt like something had to be done, but what?  When we talked in community, we affirmed our shared thoughts and opinions.  We also came up with a plan and had time and space to pray together.  The result was God's wisdom to lead us.  He worked in and through community.

Third, the spirit of the antichrist is alive and well (actually sick and twisted, not well).  Believers should know their scriptures, be walking with the risen Lord, and live in community.  We are in a world in spiritual conflict!  I do believe these women were not harmless.  They seek the destruction and disruption of God's kingdom.  They come "in the name of Jesus" but they prove by their words and deeds that they do not know the real Jesus.  

Christians and Church be awake, aware, and alive!  Please join us in prayer for protection and wisdom from God to rule us and the Church as we deal with those who oppose the truth.  Know that these folks often will come saying, "We too are Christians..."