LORD’S DAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 18
Luke 11:14-23
1 John 4:1

“…believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God…”

BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT

We are now in the tail-end period of the last days characterized by rampant deception that seeks to destroy the Christian faith. Satan’s first and foremost specialty is to let people doubt the Word of God, “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen 3:1). Here, because they doubted His words, so also were His works doubted. They did not believe Jesus had the power of God. They did not know that Jesus is the same as the Jehovah of the Old Testament.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the denying of His power. The people accused Jesus of getting that power from the devil. The Jews blasphemously charged the Lord that He cast out demons by Beelzebub and called Him the prince of the demons. They associated the Lord to be the head of those demons which He cast out (Matt 10:25; 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 18-19). That was blatant irreverence! Jesus explained to them that only God and not Beelzebub (Matt 12:25-29) could do the casting out of devils. Only a stronger power could overcome the devil’s power. But beware because there are counterfeits today who claim they have the Holy Spirit but actually their powers are of the devil. The Charismatic and Pentecostal movements emphasize experiences and miracles which are not biblical and therefore are not of God. These are lies of Satan to deceive the people. This is his subtle method: to present an appearance of discord then pacify it in order to entrap the minds of men as if he is the source of comfort.

Blasphemy is despising the power of God. Jesus assured them that those who would not gather with Him will be scattered. True unity can only be achieved in Christ. The false unity of the Ecumenical movement today is doing harm, uniting for the devil rather than unifying them in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

THOUGHT: Do I discern if the spirits are of God?
PRAYER: Father of Wisdom, grant me the discernment to know the Spirit working in my life. Help me not to be deceived.