TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Matthew 24:23-28
2 Peter 2:1-5

“…which made heaven
and earth.”

SATAN’S STRATAGEM (I)

In the cause of truth, we have pointed out some errors of the Charismatic movement. This is not to say that all Charismatics are in error. We recognize that many Pentecostals and Charismatics are genuine believers, and their zeal and fervour for the Lord put many of us to shame.

Nevertheless, this should not side-track us away from our duty to continue to expose false teachings wherever it is found. The adversary is ever active, injecting the “satanic element” into the Church through every available doctrinal loophole. His one aim is to subvert the truth of God’s Word and cause the downfall of the Church. His stratagem is deadly and unless we exercise eternal vigilance we shall fall victim to his wiles.

One outstanding leader of the Charismatic movement to fall into Satan’s snare was the late David du Plessis. He declares that “The New Testament… is a blueprint of what should happen in every generation until Jesus comes.” This statement set the pace for the Charismatics in their quest for the New Testament Apostolic gifts of healings and miracles, signs and wonders, prophecies and tongues.

But the New Testament gifts were uniquely given to the Apostles only. There is no scriptural warrant to seek for those gifts today. Those who do so fall into Satan’s snare and receive his counterfeit gifts instead: hence the present proliferation of tongues, signs and wonders, miracles and healings and prophecies, as our Lord forewarned in Matthew 24:24.

Through these counterfeit gifts, Satan makes an entry into the Church, insinuates his word to supplant the Word of God, and sets the stage for the destruction of the Church. Today, more than ever before, we must stand by the Word of God as our only guide and rule and reject any pretended new revelations and prophecies which will surely bring about our downfall.

THOUGHT: Eternal vigilance is the price of survival.
PRAYER: Keep me ever faithful to Thy Word, O Lord. Amen.