“Koukl makes an important point. Should what we hear in our mind take precedence over what Scripture says? Christians will often toss out the phrase, ‘God told me’ that they should do this or that. Or ‘I felt led,’ or ‘I sensed that God wanted me to___’ You fill in the blank. Televangelists, who pretend to have a direct pipeline to God, prance around in front of the TV camera, claiming to hear a ‘word from the Lord.’ At the risk of sounding negative or divisive, most televangelists teach outright heresy (I can prove it), so why would God speak to them at all? Frauds should not expect to hear from God; they should expect to be rebuked by God.
”
And by the way, it’s blasphemous to blame God for giving you instructions that goes against the teaching of Scripture!
Bud Press made this insightful comment about Bentley:
“Bentley has a desire for power and experience, which has become the ruin of many before him. If one takes Bentley’s view as realistic and tries to make it normative for today, then maybe we should continue to write Scripture and add it to the Bible. Because that is exactly what Bentley is doing.
”
In their book Overrun By Demons: The Churches New Preoccupation With The Demonic, the authors explain the working of the Holy Spirit:
“The Holy Spirit is the One who works in us and leads us, while the Word of God is the means that He uses to bring this about. They are best friends and never travel alone. In addition, they never have an argument; they always agree.
After all, the Holy Spirit is the agent used by the Father to write the Scriptures, so He knows them quite well! Therefore the Holy Spirit would never lead anyone to do anything which conflicts with the written Word of God, no matter how convincing the circumstances or intense the experience”
Satan’s counterfeit signs and wonders have one purpose: To destroy the work of Christ.
For those who are all caught up in the “sings and wonders” movement here are a few scriptures to ponder:
“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
” (Jer 13:16)
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them, and departed.” (Mat 16:4).
“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:30-31).
“You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of him that calls you” (Gal 5:7-8).
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them, that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thes 2:9-10).
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they harp to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” (2 Tim 4.3-4).
There are other verses that support this point, but you get the idea. Video clips exposing the Lakeland Outpouring abound. Some of them are far worse than those few I have selected. Most who watch Todd Bentley in action conclude that the man is a false prophet. In my opinion he’s deeply troubled and in dire need of prayer.
Over the years I’ve corresponded with a number of charismatics who have accused me of “quenching the Holy Spirit.” What I’ve found is that if you don’t share their experiences, you’re considered “outside.” In other words, if you don’t buy into the apostate “signs and wonders” movement you lack “divine revelation.” Since when does “experience” override Sola Scriptura? “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8: 31-32).
This is why committed Christians must be in the Word – so that they will know the truth! Knowing Scripture is the only way to become spiritually attuned enough to spot a counterfeit. False teachers are thriving! But in the end they will lose all they have gained here on earth.
In Mat 7:21 our Lord gives this stern warning: "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven”
So when a “miracle” takes place, test what the person is teaching! “Do not believe every spirit,” warned John, “BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God" (1 John 4:1-2).
Now, I don’t claim to know Todd Bentley’s motives, only God knows what he’s up to, but I can certainly judge his words and actions. His words are lies and his actions are dishonoring to God. Thousands are streaming into Lakeland to receive the false anointing. Visitors are treated to a magical mystical experience and a bizarre floorshow – literally! Countless people have found themselves on the floor “sizzling in the spirit.” This is not an authentic revival it is a counterfeit! True revival accompanies preaching about sin, sanctification, and salvation. The unsaved leave Lakeland with no concept of sin and repentance. They have not heard the true gospel from Bentley. “MOREOVER, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.” (1 Cor 15:1-2).
After watching Bentley’s performance, I’m convinced this is not a move of God; it’s a move of the Adversary. I’m also convinced that the charismatic revival, hailed as another Great Awakening, is a lying sign and a false revival. I realize that some lost souls are coming to Christ in Lakeland but they’re being saved in spite Todd Bentley, not because of him! This has all come about because of a lack of spiritual depth and transformation among those who claim to be committed Christians.
One last comment. Any pastor who advises his/her flock to visit the Lakeland Outpouring cannot be trusted for the simple reason that he/she is sorely lacking in spiritual discernment.
Consider looking for a new church!
”
And by the way, it’s blasphemous to blame God for giving you instructions that goes against the teaching of Scripture!
Bud Press made this insightful comment about Bentley:
“Bentley has a desire for power and experience, which has become the ruin of many before him. If one takes Bentley’s view as realistic and tries to make it normative for today, then maybe we should continue to write Scripture and add it to the Bible. Because that is exactly what Bentley is doing.
”
In their book Overrun By Demons: The Churches New Preoccupation With The Demonic, the authors explain the working of the Holy Spirit:
“The Holy Spirit is the One who works in us and leads us, while the Word of God is the means that He uses to bring this about. They are best friends and never travel alone. In addition, they never have an argument; they always agree.
After all, the Holy Spirit is the agent used by the Father to write the Scriptures, so He knows them quite well! Therefore the Holy Spirit would never lead anyone to do anything which conflicts with the written Word of God, no matter how convincing the circumstances or intense the experience”
Satan’s counterfeit signs and wonders have one purpose: To destroy the work of Christ.
For those who are all caught up in the “sings and wonders” movement here are a few scriptures to ponder:
“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
” (Jer 13:16)
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them, and departed.” (Mat 16:4).
“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:30-31).
“You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of him that calls you” (Gal 5:7-8).
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them, that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thes 2:9-10).
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they harp to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” (2 Tim 4.3-4).
There are other verses that support this point, but you get the idea. Video clips exposing the Lakeland Outpouring abound. Some of them are far worse than those few I have selected. Most who watch Todd Bentley in action conclude that the man is a false prophet. In my opinion he’s deeply troubled and in dire need of prayer.
Over the years I’ve corresponded with a number of charismatics who have accused me of “quenching the Holy Spirit.” What I’ve found is that if you don’t share their experiences, you’re considered “outside.” In other words, if you don’t buy into the apostate “signs and wonders” movement you lack “divine revelation.” Since when does “experience” override Sola Scriptura? “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8: 31-32).
This is why committed Christians must be in the Word – so that they will know the truth! Knowing Scripture is the only way to become spiritually attuned enough to spot a counterfeit. False teachers are thriving! But in the end they will lose all they have gained here on earth.
In Mat 7:21 our Lord gives this stern warning: "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven”
So when a “miracle” takes place, test what the person is teaching! “Do not believe every spirit,” warned John, “BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God" (1 John 4:1-2).
Now, I don’t claim to know Todd Bentley’s motives, only God knows what he’s up to, but I can certainly judge his words and actions. His words are lies and his actions are dishonoring to God. Thousands are streaming into Lakeland to receive the false anointing. Visitors are treated to a magical mystical experience and a bizarre floorshow – literally! Countless people have found themselves on the floor “sizzling in the spirit.” This is not an authentic revival it is a counterfeit! True revival accompanies preaching about sin, sanctification, and salvation. The unsaved leave Lakeland with no concept of sin and repentance. They have not heard the true gospel from Bentley. “MOREOVER, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.” (1 Cor 15:1-2).
After watching Bentley’s performance, I’m convinced this is not a move of God; it’s a move of the Adversary. I’m also convinced that the charismatic revival, hailed as another Great Awakening, is a lying sign and a false revival. I realize that some lost souls are coming to Christ in Lakeland but they’re being saved in spite Todd Bentley, not because of him! This has all come about because of a lack of spiritual depth and transformation among those who claim to be committed Christians.
One last comment. Any pastor who advises his/her flock to visit the Lakeland Outpouring cannot be trusted for the simple reason that he/she is sorely lacking in spiritual discernment.
Consider looking for a new church!
