There is a two-fold cancer that has invaded the church in these last days. First, the infiltration of False Apostles. Paul warns us of what took place during his time and what will be much more prevalent in our time:
But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15 NLT)
Second, the infiltration of Thrill Seekers. Paul is very adamant in his warnings:
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (2 Timothy 3:1, 4:3-5 NLT)
Over the past 25 years I have had first hand experience with the False Apostles and Thrill Seekers that have invaded the church to the point that it is a literal cancer which appears there is no end to. The nucleus of the cancer was dubbed the ‘Toronto Blessing’ which spread the cancer world wide. Now Bethel Church and it’s pastor Bill Johnson have become a powerful means for the cancer to continue to grow explosively. It seems no matter where I turn, I see its invasion. People blindly latch onto it, or should I more properly say that people blindly allow it to latch onto them.
We are warned to test everything and be not sudden with the laying on of hands. Do you realize when we willingly allow others to lay hands upon us, we are actually spiritually submitting to this person and to what they are attempting to impart on us? If we know the person and their walk with God, it can be a good thing (as in James 5:14). But it can turn very nasty when we allow strangers or those whose teachings and/or doctrines are at the very least questionable to pray over us, lay hands upon us and impart ‘something’.
Maybe it wasn’t the intriguing teachings or the inviting laying on of hands. Maybe it was the seemingly innocent music that grabbed one’s attention. For example Bethel Church’s Jesus Culture music.
The Internet and YouTube are filled with warnings from Holy Spirit filled, God fearing men about the Toronto Blessing and Bethel Church/Bill Johnson. Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and many other spotlight ministers have become of the same mold as Bill Johnson and Bethel Church. These warnings show how these False Prophets blur the lines of Scripture with enticement in order to promote their own perverted interpretations to accomplish their ungodly agenda.
The following is a very eye-opening video of an interview with Benny Hinn’s nephew, Costi Hinn, that mainly concentrates on the false prosperity gospel his uncle preaches. But if you look at around the 4 minute 14 second mark, you will see an example of Benny Hinn imparting the false Kundalini spirit:
In the following video, Benny Hinn’s wife, Suzanne Hinn, pedals the demonic effects of the Kundalini spirit. She claims she is prophysying that it must inhabit every Christian, “If you don’t shake and jerk then you’re not in the river of what god is doing, for he will not tolerate anything else.” All I can say is that the river she is talking about is definitely not of the God who is our Creator, but is of the god of this world. What I find utterly amazing is around the 44 second mark she twice fails to invoke the name of Jesus. Watch for yourself:
There are also more than enough videos that document the unbiblical ‘slaying’ of people, which in reality is the Kundalini spirit, not the Holy Spirit, that Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and Bill Johnson pedal.
Let’s quickly look at ‘Kundalini’. ‘Kundalini’ is actually a type of yoga. The roots of yoga run deep through Indian spiritual and religious practice. ‘Kundalini’ is energy coiled at the base of the spine. In ‘Kundalini’ yoga, you’re moving this energy through your chakras to the brain, releasing it through chanting, dancing, and movement. There are seven chakras that stretch from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. It is believed in yoga, that they are the centers of spiritual powers. We should know as Christians that these spiritual powers that manifest themselves as vocal noises and jerking movements are not of the Holy Spirit. But the problem is many Christians are deceived, especially those in certain charismatic circles.
Despite the documentation and warnings, people will continue to be Thrill Seekers and they will defend these False Prophets to the death under their delusion. I will state this, “You cannot be both a Thrill Seeker and a True Jesus Seeker.” One of the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit to the church is ‘discerning of spirits’. It is amazing how all these false prophets pervert this gift, especially those who say that it is not for pointing fingers. In contrast, the truth of Scripture itself tells us that Paul was very quick to point the finger when he discerned through the Holy Spirit a false prophet or teaching. It is to protect the church and is absurd to say that it is not for pointing fingers!
So what kind of seeker are you? Are you a True Jesus Seeker who is always seeking His face and allowing Him to be the Lord of your life, even unto persecution and martyrdom? Or have you become the Ultimate Thrill Seeker who can be compared to someone who blindly jumps out of an airplane without a parachute? I have literally watched people travel the world so they could experience the latest thrill infiltrating the church in disguise of a blessing.
I am especially writing to pastors as a warning in case you are willing to do anything (like Bill Johnson) to see your church grow. Just read the beginning of his best-selling book ‘When Heaven Invades Earth’ of how he went to the ‘Toronto Blessing’ and came back with something that latched on to him, which I can guarantee you was not the Holy Spirit. It took control of his body away from him (1 Corinthians 14:32 tells us the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets). Oh, you may see growth too, but if you latch onto the wrong thing, it may cost you for eternity!
I will remind you that it is supposed to be all about saving lost souls with the simple Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ, and not the frills. Yes, healings, miracles, prophecies, etc. are by-products of the atonement, but they are not intended for entertainment of Thrill Seekers. To set priorities straight, I will repeat the portion of Scripture I gave at the top of this article:
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (2 Timothy 4:5 NLT)
And if you think you are too smart to be tricked, read Paul’s advice to the contrary:
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. (Ephesians 4:14 NKJV)
Because if you are fooled like some of the Corinthians, Paul has a double curse he lets the Galatians know there is as consequences:
You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. (2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT)
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9 NKJV)
So, in the end, because God is Judge, the big question may really be: What is the LORD seeking for? The answer is a sincere heart:
We are giving you a reason…… so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. (2 Corinthians 5:12 NLT)
Annointing 