Month: May 2019

M’kayla, former SOZO minister, introduces the article, “Inner Healing–Christian or Occult?”

Having been trained as a SOZO minister I know the dangers it presents first hand. The following is a well written article which relates to SOZO (Christianized inner healing with no basis in scripture.) 

I know there are many of you out there with questions and concerns. I hope this helps shed some light on its origins and why we need to stay away. Christ is sufficient for all our needs. Every one of them.

Inner Healing/Healing of Memories

Christian or Occult?*

–  Healing of the memories, or inner healing, or healing of the emotions has its roots in the teachings of anti-Christian and occultist, Agnes Sanford. It was carried on after her death by those she influenced, such as lay therapists Ruth Carter Stapleton (deceased sister of Jimmy Carter), Rosalind Rinker, John and Paula Sandford (currently of Elijah House, a demon-deliverance and memory healing center in Port Falls, Idaho), William Vaswig (of Renovaré fame), Rita Bennett, (click here to continue reading)

SOZO: The Seeking of the False Jesus by Kim Olsen

Learning about SOZO occurred when I was working with a woman who was dealing with oppression and darkness. Many are deceived when they enter into a spiritual realm that they have no business delving into.

Today we easily find  mysticism, false teaching, divination, abuse of spiritual gifts, and love of experience trumping the Word of God. When you fall into this area the problem is that the spirit world will deliver. Those seeking to be in the “presence of Jesus” will indeed find themselves in the company of a entity but it will not be  Jesus of the Bible. Remember that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Satan is the prince of darkness and well-meaning Christians will fall into the trap and deceitful workmen will also masquerade as “apostles of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 11:13)

There are so many who love the Lord and want to serve Him with all their hearts but the way we do this is laid out in the Epistles to the church in the New Testament. We also find many warnings of false teachers in the scriptures.  (Continue reading)

AA’s “bible” contradicts the Word of God

For decades this 12 Step spirituality has been seeping into the church. Not anymore–now it’s a flood. Contrast the following from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book–the AA “bible”–with the Word of God.

Let’s start with the AA “bible”:

To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. (AA Big Book, We Agnostics, pg. 46)

We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. (AA Big Book, Into Action, pg. 75)

If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. (AA Big Book, We Agnostics, pg. 55)

The Bible is very clear about this:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7: 13-14)

Thus 12 Step spirituality is in direct opposition to the Word of God.

The AA Big Book states:

Sometimes we had to search fearlessly but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis, it is only there that He may be found. (AA Big Book, pg. 55)

Really? God can only be found “deep down within us”? That is a New Age teaching. We do not have God in us until Christ has saved us.

According to the Word of God:

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:9)

While the Bible directly contradicts AA spiritual teachings (and vice versa), AA is frequently recommended by pastors and concerned Christians, most of whom do not know better. In the meetings, alcoholics are taught that there really is no other way to get sober, and that AA attendance must be for life.

It is awesome how many of the AA people care deeply for one another. These are people who have been through the wringer, who have lost much, and are doing the best they can. But AA has a low success rate, and all the while alcoholics are being pointed away from both secular and Christian alternatives.

I know one man, a faithful saint for years, who fell into depression, and went back to the things of the world. His church family never gave up on him, prayed and prayed and prayed, and today he is back in church. More importantly, he is back with the Lord. How sweet it would be to fight for the lives of alcoholics and others in this manner, rather than automatically shuffling them off into the spiritual morass of 12 Step groups. Because, believe me, there is a 12 Step group for just about anything.

There are many people off drugs and alcohol because of the power of Christ. Be encouraged if you or a loved one is struggling. He will help you.

The Lord tells us:

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor 6:10-11)

This word is true.

 

 

 

“Ceremony” by Greg Simpson

[Below is Ceremony, by Greg Simpson, which I often call the “world’s scariest poem.” This poem was one of the factors that influenced me to give up television for many years.]

She sat quietly, in the electronics section of the Fred Meyer Department Store, with straight black hair, wearing a dress, knee-high socks and patent leather shoes. She must have been around three years old; her face just inches away from the television screen.

Innocence coupled with violence without the opportunity to make a distinction.

There were no other family members gathered, no witnesses, no special ceremony.

Her parents close by looking at a wall of monitors, trying to decide on which one to purchase; oblivious to their child’s baptism into the world.

‘Eat the meat and spit out the bones’: A proper response to NAR teaching?

Eat the meat and spit out the bones” is a common refrain in NAR. Typically, it means that if you hear a teacher give a questionable teaching — something that you don’t understand or that seems off somehow —  ignore that particular teaching. But don’t stop listening to his other teachings.

Bill Johnson, one of the movement’s most influential “apostles,” delivered an entire sermon promoting this idea. It’s titled “Don’t Eat the Bones.” In context, Johnson is speaking about men, including the “prophet” William Branham and the “healing evangelist” Todd Bentley, who claimed to operate in miraculous power and led major revivals. Yet they fell into heresy or sinful lifestyles. Critics of NAR have argued that the heretical teachings and immoral lifestyles of these men — and of other influential NAR prophets, such as Bob Jones and Paul Cain — raise the question of whether these individuals actually may have been false prophets.  (Click here to read entire article over at Spirit of Error.)

El-Shaddai and His people

A wonderful essay on El Shaddai.

Possessing the Treasure

by Mike Ratliff

1 Now when Abram was ninety- nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,
“I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.
2 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you,
And I will multiply you exceedingly.” (Genesis 17:1-2 NASB)

In these last days it is imperative that God’s people have a more complete knowledge of God. So, in light of this, let us look at one of the names of God that speaks much about His power and provision. God keeps His part of the covenants He makes and it is this name, El-Shaddai, that God used for Himself that gives us much comfort as we come to understand that He helps and blesses His people. El-Shaddai (   אלשׁדּי  ) – We must never forget that in Hebrew we read from right to left and this name…

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Give Me That Old Time, 12 Step, New Age Religion

Near the small town where I worship, a neighboring church holds Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. They know the Scriptures that clearly forbid mixing our Savior in with false gods, and yet this has made no difference. They do what they do because that is what they want to do.

Not that this is unusual. It is happening all over our nation–churches embracing anti-biblical activity, and choosing to portray it as God’s perfect will. We even find books to validate what we prefer to believe about the nature of God Himself.

“Has a nation changed gods, when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, and shudder, and be very desolate,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:11-12)

We have gone far beyond individual Christians simply attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Now, increasingly, Alcoholics Anonymous is allowed to hold meetings in Bible believing churches. A.A. membership by definition demands a faith in the 12 Step process, and many Christians end up with a syncretistic belief system—biblical teachings have been weakened and welded with 12 Step theology.

The Lord tells us to “come out from their midst and be separate” for good reason. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) He tells us “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) In like manner, exposure to bad theology often corrupts sound doctrine.

Some years ago Martin and Deidre Bobgan wrote 12 Steps To Destruction, a blunt and accurate analysis of the 12 Step movement. This well-researched book angered some and was ignored by others. The authors write:

Twelve-Step programs are in essence New Age religions and Archetypical precursors of a one-world religion. They do not hold a common doctrine of God and His creation.[1]

You will find that, sure enough, a quick internet search demonstrates how compatible 12 Step groups are with New Age/New Spirituality. Or, really, with anything else. According to PASS IT ON, A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson “felt A.A.’s usefulness was worldwide, and contained spiritual principles that members of any and every religion could accept, including the Eastern religions.”[2]

A.A.’s Step 3 states: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Jesus Christ is never mentioned in the 12 Steps. This is not surprising considering the source from which the 12 Steps originated. (READ)

Martin and Deidre Bobgan further note:

The common goal of the one-world religion will be peace—for the sake of survival. Each goal is centered on self and in the now, not in God or eternity. The goal takes precedence over the One True God. Whatever god or goddess is chosen as the higher power is subservient to that goal. All of these fit into the New Age spirituality: no absolutes, many ways, self-enhancement.[3]

There are those in the church who are fully committed to the all-gods religion of Alcoholics Anonymous. They are enthralled with it. They have friends, warm feelings, perhaps even sobriety through A.A. So, although they know the Scriptures, the 12 Step path is the way they have decided to go.

But there are also those who simply do not know better. Some of these are new Christians, and they are in Alcoholics Anonymous because they have been told that is the only possible way to sobriety; or because other Christians have recommended it.

Then, of course, there are the books. Numerous books erroneously portraying A.A. not only as compatible with Christianity, but as Christian in origin. These have done much damage. The fact is A.A.’s cofounders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, were not Christians.  (READ)

The Lord wants His people out of Alcoholics Anonymous. He wants His people to quit feeding this shimmering, glimmering chameleon of a spiritual system. The Ancient of Days will take care of those in bondage to alcohol if we but give Him the opportunity. How do I know this? It’s right there in the Bible. And so it was for me.

The Body of Christ must function as the Body of Christ in order to help those in bondage to alcohol and drugs. The AA people are not the enemy. They are to be commended for caring for one another as so many of them do.

Alcoholics Anonymous teaches that if one is to overcome alcoholism, one must turn one’s life and will over to a “higher power.” It doesn’t matter what (or whom) one believes in, and worships, it only matters that one must worship something.

Alcoholics Anonymous denies the Sovereignty of Jesus Christ. It is, as Paul tells us, a false gospel.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:6-8)

Christians in A.A. are literally praying and worshiping with New Age folk and others who, as they have been encouraged, have custom-created their own gods. To justify belonging to such a religion, some Christians claim it is okay because, well, it’s all about evangelism.

And so it is. Unfortunately, it is the usually Christians themselves who are “evangelized,” who are unknowingly affected by the theology of the 12 Step religion. This is why God tells us to stay away from such a thing in the first place.

A great separation is taking place. For the 12 Step religion—an anti-Christian religion—grows stronger everyday. Contemplative, 12 Step spirituality, the NAR, and Catholicism will continue to blend together. False gods will boldly be celebrated and elevated.

Commenting on A.A.’s invent-a-god theology, Martin and Deidre Bobgan point out:

When one configures his own image of god and places himself under that power, he is essentially his own god, because he finds that god within himself and within his own experience.[4]

Do Christians in A.A. know the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book—the A.A. “bible”—promotes the New Age lie of inner divinity? The Big Book states:

Sometimes we had to search fearlessly but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis, it is only there that He may be found.[5]   

Really? The Bible tells us God dwells only in those who have accepted Jesus Christ. Again, this may sound harsh, but none of us should be found in A.A., just like none of us should be found at a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness service.

I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)

Pray that the Lord brings these people to us; let us evangelize in the parking lot after the meetings, and share the gospel  at work with people we know are in AA, CA, NA etc. For, while AA is viewed in terms of recovery, we must understand that for many it is the waiting room to hell.

Endnotes:

  1. Martin and Deidre Bobgan, 12 Steps To Destruction, pg.116
  2. PASS IT ON, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., pg.283
  3. Martin and Deidre Bobgan, 12 Steps To Destruction, pg.116
  4. Ibid., pg.116
  5. Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., pg.55