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Expectant Prayers ®

Jennifer Jo Weiss

Delusions of the Mind (Lessons from Jeremiah)

But I said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, the prophets keep telling them, 'You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.' "

 “Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.  Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, 'No sword or famine will touch this land.' Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine.”  Jeremiah 14:13-15

I am upset that DELUSIONS have overtaken so many of our minds, especially when it comes to those we have learned to view as great Christian leaders.  Have you heard statements like this:


"If we pray hard enough and do our job as Christians then we can change the course of this nation/world."  ???

There is a certain point to which this statement may hold true.  First, God expects us to pray for our nation and all those in authority.  Secondly, the Word tells us that the prayers of a righteous man are both powerful and effective.   God does listen, hear, and act upon our prayers.  BUT, to those who think that OUR efforts are going to sway the WILL of God by our mere human efforts... well, we have another thing coming. 

When did our prayers ever supersede the plan of God?  Are our thoughts higher than His?    WE are not going to change the course of anything.  The Word tells us:

"so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."  1 Corinthians 2:5

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."  Zechariah 4:6

 I heard a pastor say that he thinks a great revival could sweep this nation and that better than 90% of the population could turn to Christ.  He then offered the suggestion that perhaps that was the reason America isn’t a superpower in end times prophecy – because most of the population will be raptured away!    Possible?  Well, with God anything is possible!  But is it probable in light of end time Scripture?   Is it consistent with increasing evil in our country?  Are there examples of adulterous nations in the Bible and what happened to them??? Ummm, you tell me!  By the way, I've never heard that America was God's chosen people... isn't that a title for Israel????? 

Of course we would love to see this entire nation turn to God, but is that truth or is it a delusion?

My concern when we start making statements like that is that we are trying to see our will  and our desires come about, which may be far from God's will altogether!    Are these “false visions, divinations, idolatries, or delusions” like those Jeremiah dealt with? 

We should be more set on God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven, not figuring out what we would will God to do.  

Are we a modern day spiritual Babel?  Remember the story from Genesis chapter eleven?  The people  wanted to build a tower to heaven and this is what they had to say:   "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." 

Sadly, the thing they wanted the most- a name for themselves and not to be scattered all over the earth.  What was God's response to the delusion of their minds?  Scattering them all over the earth, and confusing their language.  Did they make a name for themselves?  Sure they did, but they were not viewed as great, but rather fools.

I fear, as in the day of Jeremiah, we have groups of seemingly Christian people sitting around and forging by conversation and human wisdom what God's will is for the direction of the church.   We are spiritually trying to build our way to heaven (a spiritual Babel of sorts) through "doing this" or "experiencing that", reading this book, or by our power of prayer (which we misinterpret as OUR power instead of God's).  What are we doing to ourselves?????

It feels like a "wild hair", something out of place.  

Some are so desperate for revival and "not missing the next wave of spiritual movement (which I also question in light of Scripture) -  that I am worried they are following delusions of their own minds.    Then there are those who wish for “manifestations of the spirit” and will take anything that comes their way- whether it is true or not.  This is especially dangerous for Pentecostals because they wish to see tangible evidences of the Spirit.  Do we wish for it so much that we settle for a lie?  I have seen pastors allow all kids of strange “manifestations” in services which are nothing more than strange fire from spirits, but NOT of the Spirit of God.   We need to get back to understanding why the Holy Spirit was sent and what He does in our lives; not get caught up in having “experiences”.

The emerging church is "leading" in this new direction and their word is taken as gospel; even though some of the "prophecy" they bring forth has proven to be wrong.  Yet, people view them as very spiritual so they listen to whatever they say- all the way to the top.  That's where we get in the danger zone. 

We should be listening to the Spirit for direction and not "people". 

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."  Proverbs 14:12

What bothers me the most is that satan is very cunning and will use what seems right and looks consistent with Christian beliefs, but He is a angel of light.  The package seems to look like it's wrapped in the same paper... but it's not.

God does use godly men and women in this day as vessels of the Spirit, but you must rely on the Word of God and what he shows you personally through the confirmation of His Spirit to test what is truth and what is not.  You have to be very discerning (by the power of the Holy Spirit) in this day and hour.  We shouldn't get on any bandwagon just because a handful of people sit around and "confirm" each other's words.    

Delusion only leads to disillusion for Christians. 

When their "words" fail to come true or when their prayers are not answered how they feel they should be- disillusionment makes them question God.   "Doesn't God listen to MY prayers?" or  "God was supposed to move this way and didn't!" 

The fact of the matter is, we who live in this country may not have any idea what we have to go through in the days ahead.  Jeremiah said the prophets were saying, peace, prosperity...   sound familiar?   Destruction followed.  Don't set yourself up for a spiritual surprise.  Keep your mind sober and set on things above.

Delusions are dangerous because those lead astray by these teachings (as Jeremiah says) will fall away!  Isn't that what the Word says about the end times, though?  Even the elect (if it were possible) would be deceived and there will be a great falling away.  Narrow is the path and few that find it.    We live in perilous times, but we also live in an exciting time when God is pouring His Spirit out on all flesh and we could possibly be the generation to see the imminent return of Christ!

My goal here is not to sound pessimistic, but rather optimistic.  The signs are upon us, the stage is set.  We are to prepare ourselves and be ready.  Ready to meet Him, ready to work for Him until He comes, and ready to lead others toward Him. 

“Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at His word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.”  Isaiah 66:3-5

 

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