On February 23, 1987, I was born again. It was a sovereign act. I was lying in my bed in my dorm room at college. It was just shy of midnight. And I heard this voice in my mind. It said, "You're a sinner." In my mind, I replied to the voice, "How can this be?" Immediately, I had a revelation of Adam and Eve, and the original sin. In my heart, I said, "Jesus, come into my life." Immediately, I felt my sins lift off me. It felt like a car had been lying on top of me. I had joy that I had never experienced. I was born again.
Shortly thereafter, I started attending an Assembly of God church on Keokuk Ave in Iowa City, Iowa. I began taking home and reading their magazine, The Pentecostal Evangel, which was freely offered in the back of the church foyer. In the front of the magazine, it said, "What we believe". In my dorm room one night I began reading what they believed. As I read it said, "We believe the Holy Spirit is given to those who ask for Him." I said to myself, "That can't hurt." I asked Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Immediately, I began to speak in tongues.
Shortly thereafter, I had an open vision where I saw the glory of God. It looked like 10,000 suns rolled into one. I felt such love. I felt peace. And I heard God speak to me two scriptures: 1) Even as Moses exceedingly feared and quaked, Heb. 12:21, and 2) believe not every spirit, but try the spirits [to see] whether they are of God...Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God..." 1 Jn. 4:1-3.
Since that point, I have operated in the gift of discerning of spirits. I'd like to point this out to those who think they operate in this gift but do not: the primary purpose of the gift of discerning of spirits is discerning the Holy Spirit, not demonic spirits. In learning how to function in the gift of discerning of spirits, I have learned how that gift operates in my life. I physically feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is as if my spirit became supercharged as a result of my supernatural encounters with God.
As I grew spiritually, because my senses were supercharged, I not only heard the voice of God, I also heard what was in people's hearts and heard what I later discovered were demonic spirits. I had to learn to discern which voice was speaking to me. That process of learning was difficult. Gradually, I learned. It was trial and error.
One time, during that early period of my walk with God, I went to a camp hosted by The Navigators in Colorado. I remember lying on the top bunk in my bunk bed at that camp and I heard this voice say to me, "Throw yourself down. See, if his angels will catch you." I sincerely desired to obey God. But I was torn: Was that the voice of God. I know, foolish. But that voice telling me to throw myself down was a demonic spirit. I didn't know it. But I also didn't do what it said. I learned it was a demon.
Today, the prophetic movement has failed to discern the voice of God from the myriad of voices that exists. The Apostle Paul, understanding this truth, said, "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification." 1 Cor. 14:10. Yes, as prophets and believers, we must learn to discern the voice of God from the myriad of voices that exist in this world.
One of the most difficult voices is that of the Balaam prophet. Balaam honored God. But he loved money. Balaam loved "the rewards of divination". Num. 22:7. Yet Balaam honored God: "I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more." Num. 22:18. Balaam knew God: "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Num. 23:19. Balaam had faith in God.
But the Apostle Peter, speaking of false teachers in the church, says, [T]hrough covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words..." 2 Pet. 2:3, Berean Study Bible. "They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness..." 2. Pet. 2:15, NKJV. Peter called Balaam a false prophet, even though Balaam spoke accurate prophetic words. Why was Balaam a false prophet? Because he loved money.
Today, I see many ministers making merchandise of people; they live extravagant lives in large homes. Although I believe in prosperity, I recognize the danger of making merchandise of God's people. God doesn't take this lightly; it is a serious sin. Balaam found that out the hard way. Balaam was killed by Israel for siding with Midian who seduced Israel into sexual sin and idolatry. Num. 31:8. God said to Moses, "Execute vengeance for the Israelites against the Midianites." Num 31:2.
Balaam sided with Midian. Balaam died with Midian. God executed vengeance on Midian. And he executed vengeance on Balaam. Balaam discovered the hard way that "your sin will find you out." The Bible teaches that. As Jeremiah showed Israel, no one gets away with anything. Yet many prophets and prophetic leaders today, like Balaam, think God doesn't see what they're doing. They think they are pulling the wool over God's eyes. They're not. God sees.
If you are a prophet who is making merchandise of God's people, stop. If you are a minister who is using people to live a lavish life, repent. Prophets and prophetic leaders must understand this truth: the offering is holy. At the same time, if you are robbing God by failing to tithe, repent. "You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant." Gal. 6:7, CEV.
Balaam prophets, prophetic leaders, ministers, and believers will reap what they have sown; they are not fooling God. Rather, they will receive the wages for their wicked works. God remembers our sin until, and unless, we confess and repent of it. That is the voice of a true prophet who is speaking to a wicked and evil generation: "It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet." Lk. 11:29, NKJV.
Jesus made it clear to his disciples: "On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.'But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'" Matt. 7:22, 23, NLT. I can imagine many Balaam prophets, who lived a lavish life on earth, with great swelling tears in their eyes, saying those words on judgment day.
Imagine that moment: You prophesied true words, saw blind eyes open, lame men and women walk, and demons trembled at your command. But, on judgment day, your sentence isn't what you expect: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:34, Christian Standard Bible. Instead, they hear, "depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." Matt. 7:23, ESV.
Yes, Balaam prophets exist today. Yes, Balaam prophets are scamming believers. Yes, Balaam prophets appear to be gaining widespread acceptance in churches. Yes, real prophecies with signs, wonders, and miracles are taking place. But, a day of reckoning is coming. God will deal with Balaam prophets like He did with Balaam. I have a word for Balaam prophets - repent!
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