“Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.” (Eze 22:28)
Journal,
This entry is an overlay of one of my most popular articles, titled, ‘Beware of the Godhood Lie.’ For some reason the original article continues to draw many readers. (It was posted well over a year ago, May 5, 2011.)
So, let’s take another look at the original lie of Satan, that is, the godhood lie.
The Bible says that Eve was deceived by Satan with regard to becoming a god. And it is always the immature believers who become potential prey for spiritual mishandling and psychological abuse. This is why it is so important for believers to grow in the Lord. Spiritual growth brings about spiritual discernment. Discernment is a thing of the knowing heart.
Where the immature believer gets in trouble is when he overrides the cautions in his heart. Often this overriding comes from, ‘Something must be wrong with me. Everyone else thinks this is of God.’
The Longings of the Heart
The problem is that we humans have encoded in us a longing for spiritual realities. But ever since the fall of Adam, humanity has lived in a state of spiritual disrepair. Moses speaks of this as a defect.
Listen to Moses:
“They have acted corruptly toward Him, they are not His children, because of their defect; but are a perverse and crooked generation.” (Deu 32:3-5).
When a person turns to the Lord, they enter into a new expression of life as a believer. However, there is still much work yet to be done to repair what had been lost in the fall of Adam.
The Bible speaks of this work as ‘the renewing of our mind,’ or, ‘the transforming life’. The renewing of the mind includes learning to think under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Now let’s go back to…
The Lie That Caused Mankind’s Disrepair
The original lie that Satan used on Eve can be considered the Father of all lies. Understand this and you are on your way to realizing how this same lie is making its rounds in certain movements today. The lie is the ‘godhood’ lie. Let’s see if you can pick up on it.
Satan said to Eve,
“You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, [you will be a god] knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4,5)
The godhood lie was Adam and Eve could be exactly what God is. They themselves would be gods. They could do all the things that God does.
The godhood lie is found in one form or another through the history of the human race. Roman Emperors were worshipped as gods. The Pharaohs considered themselves to be gods. The emperor of Japan was considered a god.
Hinduism is a major player in the godhood lie as well as is Mormonism and new age teachings.
Today this very lie is being ‘subtly’ promoted by well-known charismatic speakers. I use the term ‘subtly’ because the lie is covered in Biblical language.
It is insidious to the degree that it literally undermines the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If we can do everything Jesus does, then why do we need Jesus. (Think about it.)
An Issue of Mind Control
A lie is a deception at work. A deception is a form of mind control. One Hebrew definition for the term deception means, ‘to 
steal the heart.’
Jesus tells us that Satan’s primary calling card is lying. Satan’s main mode of operation is defined as, ‘power and signs and false wonders, and all the deception of wickedness.’ (2Th2:9)
The Lord literally lays this at the feet of many of Israel’s religious leaders –
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Joh 8:44)
Do you see it? A lie of darkness can actually be found fermenting in religious groups. This is why Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Mat16:6)
Lying wonders do not do away with the true miracles and workings of God. But the miracles of God are always in a form of bringing glory to Jesus Christ, and not to a man. Lying wonders are cult calling cards. They glorify the man. (Pay close attention to certain TV preachers today – Who is being glorified?)
Self-Deification
Can a lie mesmerize an entire group of people. Think about Germany in WWII. Think about Jim Jones. Now, think about the followers of certain TV preachers today. And remember what the apostle wrote about how the many will fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. (1Tim4:1)
The godhood lie today is a form of self-deification where humans are made to be god-men. The godhood lie will culminate with the appearance of antichrist. (2Th2:4)
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes …
“… and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” (2Th 2:3-4)
What I have to share here may disturb some of my readers. You must decide for yourself what you wish to believe. The following are quotes of noted teachers who have promoted the godhood lie.
– The Original Lie Seen –
“You don’t have a god in you, you are one.” (Kenneth Copeland, “The Force Of Love”, audiotape #02-0028, Kenneth Copeland Ministries.)
“I am a ‘little messiah’ walking on earth.” (Benny Hinn, “Praise-a-thon Program” on TBN, broadcast.)
Joseph Smith – considered a prophet of the Mormon Church, said: “As God is, man shall become.”
Shirley McClain proudly declared: “I am God. I am God. I am God. I am God.”
Jim Jones (the infamous murder of the Jonestown massacre) – “You are what Jesus was. Jesus said that every human being was a god. It is written that you are gods. I’m a god and you are a god.”
Margot Adler – “We are as gods and might as well get good at it.”
Benny Hinn – “Don’t say you have Jesus. You are everything he was, is and shall be.”
“When you say, ‘I am a Christian, you are saying I am a little Messiah walking on the earth. May I say it? You are a little god running around.” – Benny Hinn
“You are as much the incarnation of God as Christ was….The believer is as much an incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth.” (Kenneth Hagin, “Word of Faith.”)
“Adam and Eve were placed in the world as the seed and expression of God. Just as dogs have puppies and cats have kittens, so God has little gods; we have trouble comprehending this truth. Until we comprehend that we are little gods, we cannot manifest the kingdom of God.” (Earl Paulk, “Satan Unmasked”)
“I am a little god! … I have His name. I’m one with Him. I’m in covenant relation. I am a little god! Critics, be gone!” (Paul Crouch, TBN).
Jesse Duplantis makes a mockery of God in saying that the Lord God did not even know what He had created. Take time for this video —
End Time Delusions
I want to be kind in saying that there are those who are able to escape from the lies of darkness. Hopefully this will be true for some of the noted charismatic teachers.
For the sake of my readers who are concerned over how to spot someone who may be operating under a spirit that is not of God, there are certain common traits to look for. (I’ve provided Scripture resources for your study.)
Place your cursor over the Scripture reference and it will appear.
– Things to Beware Of –
(1) People with an arrogant boastful spirit. Pride is always a major working factor in a demonic deception. Cf. Dan7:11; James3:15,16.
(2) Counterfeit gifting. Sorcery manifests itself as a form of spiritual mind control, and in a way of fortune-telling. Cf. Acts 8:9-11; Matt7:21-23.
(3) Sensual and fleshly exhibition with no true reverence or respect for holiness. 2Pet2:2,3
(4) The preaching of a false Jesus that does not Biblically agree with the true character of the Son of God. Cf. 2Co11:4,13-15.
(5) The preaching of a gospel that is not in full accord with God’s testimony as given in the New Testament. Cf. Gal1:6-9; 1Tim6:3-6.
(6) Lifting up personalities who claim to be modern-day apostles and prophets, and, who, in turn, claim authority equal to that of the Bible apostles and prophets. Cf. Eph2:19,20; 2Co11:12; 1John2:6.
(7) Where the preacher uses language that equates himself with God; where he boasts of godlike abilities; where he preaches an earthly prosperity message; where he claims powers of creation, and such like. And it is all done in the name of Jesus.
A True Walk of Faith
The only remedy for our disrepair is to come to God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10)
And for you are still in fear about your walk with the Lord, keep in mind the great Shepherd promise:
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (Joh 10:27-30 NASB)
Be encouraged. The love of the Lord belongs to you.
As is my custom, I must leave with you an uplifting song. Listen to the Lord. He wants to speak to your heart.
The Hoppers – I’m a Citizen of Two Worlds
In Christ always,
Buddy
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