Discernment for our times

As a Christian, it has become extremely dangerous in these days to operate without the spirit of discernment. 

Sure, all the activities you are carrying out are good, but are they of God? 

Churches have long lists of high-sounding and seemingly noble rites, patterns, orders of worship, etc. which look good, but are they God-approved?

The Bible clearly warns us to 'Prove all things; hold fast that which is good' (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to 'Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world' (1 John 4:1). 

That that practice is common in several churches does not make it of God; that a renowned 'man of God' or pastor uttered it does not make it right: we must test ALL things.

The Spirit is warning that there is an influx of familiar spirits into churches of God. These familiar spirits are demons that have almost perfected the art of mimicking the Holy Spirit. Thus, several Christians see a manifestation in church and don't try to assess whether it has the marks and patterns of the Holy Spirit as shown in the Bible - they just take it to be of God. 

This is an extremely dangerous condition to be in, as the devil himself might mount your pulpit one of these days to give a sermon and you will be none the wiser (God forbid).

Please, please, please, Christians, let's wake up to this responsibility of ours. Stop accepting EVERYTHING and ANYTHING just because someone put a Christian-sounding tag on it. 

Get acquainted with your God and His ways - know who He is and who He isn't, learn what He will do and what He won't do. 

Pick up your Bible and make its reading a daily habit - that's where all the information you need for this battle is. 

Get knowledge - knowledge is power. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." 

God help us all.