The very first anointed one who decided to benefit from his position that God gave him was Satan.
When God created him, God made him perfect.
God gave him a lot of wisdom.
God made him perfect in beauty.
God anointed him to stand before the throne of God on the mountain of God.
Before his fall, Satan followed the will of God and followed the path indicated by God.
Ezekiel 28:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
But at some point of time, the impiety filled Satan's heart.
He was proud of his beauty.
Because of vanity, that is, from a love of fame and self-worshipping, from puffy arrogance, Satan lost the wisdom he had had before and began to do stupid things against God and His will.
His desire to become rich made Satan leave the right paths.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
The heart of Satan, that is, his spirit was filled with sin and iniquity, because of his hunger for glory and wealth accumulation, he became insane and decided to become like the Almighty. That is, to receive the glory that only God should receive, get the position and power that God has and receive the wealth that only God has.
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Like Satan, so many God-anointed ministers fall and turn into false prophets and false teachers.
As they receive glory, they start to desire more glory.
They become arrogant and headstrong and stop to listen to God or follow His will.
The large financial flows that go through the hands of ministers may negatively affect them and they may want to use those riches to cater their own whims and achieve their own purposes.
The power that God gave them can also adversely impact them and lead them into sin.
The aim of this article is to determine who is the apostle of God and who is the false apostle.
We will do this using the characteristics and features of God's true apostle that the Holy Scripture has given us.
Jesus Christ himself teaches how to determine who is from God and who is from Satan, and therefore He offers us to explore the spirit with which the minister is moved, because spirit always has certain manifestations or characteristics.
The Spirit of God has its fruits, and the spirit of Satan has different ones.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
People can be led by the Holy Spirit, that is, live according to the Spirit or they can live according to the customs of the world, the earthly wisdom; which is also called sensual or devilish wisdom because demons impose their wisdom on people and control them.
It is reasonable that the false apostle is not led by the Holy Spirit of God and his motives, words and actions are built in accordance of the spirit of this world, that is, on the basis of the earthly sensual wisdom of demons and he is carnal and guided by his selfish desires that his carnal nature dictates to him.
To identify a false prophet or a false apostle, Jesus tells us to look not at the minister’s external behavior in front of the public or at his verbal pyrotechnics, but at the minister’s internal nature or his heart motives by which he is moved – inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The word “inwardly" (inside)indicates that we must check the internal motives of a man and his fruits to conclude whether God is moving him or not.
If a person prophesies or speaks in the name of God, this is not the proof that God leads him: "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?"
If a person casts out demons in the name of Jesus Christ, this is not the proof that he is led by God "in thy name have cast out devils?"
The Bible has an example of charmers who cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ, though not always successfully.
Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Even if a person performs great miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, it is not a sign that he is moved by God “and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
The ravenous wolvescan do all this and also can those who live in iniquity while the Lord does not know them and they do not belong to Him "I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
So, we found out that miracles and signs and even great miracles and signs are not a proof that only God produces them and the spirit of Satan can also produce them.
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs emerging from the mouth of a dragon, and from the mouth of a beast, and from the mouth of a false prophet:
14 these are demonic spirits, creating signs; they go to the kings of the earth of the whole universe to collect them in battle on that great day of God Almighty.
Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
If a person has a good heart or the Spirit of God in his heart, then his motives and his actions and his words are good or pleasing to God and he acts according to the will of God and obeys God.
If a person has a good heart or the Spirit of God in his heart, then his motives and his actions and his words are good and pleasing to God and he obeys God and acts according to the will of God.
If a person is led by the spirit of Satan, thus will be manifested in his motives, in his words and in his actions, and such a person does not seek the will of God, but does the will of his father, Satan, and he is led by the wisdom given by demons.
Could the one who calls himself a minister of God be a child of Satan? Yes, of course.
The Bible gives an example of the Pharisees who believed to be God servants and they knew perfectly well what was written in the scriptures and could teach the people and many of the people of Israel considered them to be God servants too, even though the Pharisees held dominant positions in the religious system, they were children of Satan by their nature.
Jesus exposed them by the fruits that they had.
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
The people of Israel believed that they were all from God and belonged to God, but Jesus pointed out their inner nature and the fruits that the guiding them spirit produced.
John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The child of Satan caters to his father´s whims so, his behavior is controlled by Satan and the child of Satan tells what his father Satan tells, that is a lie and he tries to pervert the truth by any means, but he does not hear God and is deaf and blind to God, therefore when God Himself appeared in the human body and spoke to them, they did not recognize Him because they did not know Him and had never heard Him.
We can see very clearly the signs of the apostle which is sent by God to start churches and spread the kingdom of God in the Bible.
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
1. Signs from God will always accompany the ministry of the apostle.
2. Miracles from God will always accompany the ministry of the apostle.
3. The power of God is manifested in the ministry of the apostle.
4. The patience that the apostle has is necessary for him to carry out his mission so to do what God sent him to do and patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
5. The apostle is ready to sacrifice his life, his material well-being and other blessings for those whom God called him to serve. His motive is a strong love for those people whom he serves. Love is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit and when you see its manifestations you understand that the man is from God.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
6. The Apostle of God teaches pure doctrine without any delusion “our exhortation was not of deceit
7. The apostle of God does not have wrong motives and impulses in serving those whom God has appointed him to serve “nor of uncleanness, nor in guile”
8. The apostle pleases God and not people, therefore he is not biased “not as pleasing men, but God.
9. The apostle of God does not tell people only what they want to hear, but says the word given to him by God " For neither at any time used we flattering words "
10. The Apostle of God does not use ministery to people for financial profit or personal aim, it is not a business for him “nor a cloke of covetousness;”.
11. The apostle of God has no motive to become glorified through the ministry " Nor of men sought we glory " This is the fruit of the Spirit meekness.
12 The apostle of God does not overemphesize his apostolate and does not use it as a title in order to have dominion in the church " we were gentle among you "
13. The apostle of God does not want to be a burden to someone or liability in terms of finances " we would not be chargeable unto any of you."
God produces these fruits or qualities in His apostle because the Spirit of God abides in the heart of the apostle.
The false apostle in his heart has the nature or spirit of Satan, therefore the deeds of the flesh might be noticeable in his ministry and he cannot hide them completely because his demonic nature is still manifested somehow.
The false apostle doesn´t have love for people and his motivation to be a minister is in the desire to become famous and rich, and he does his activities out of greed and profit-seeking.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
False apostles look very much like servants of God.
They also know the scripture well and are able to use it to their benefit distorting the teachings and inventing their own teachings.
These are their main goals or rather the goals of demons that operate through false apostles:
1. Gain power in the church. The demons who lead the false apostle must control all the members of the church, so they try to achieve submission from all members of the church to the false apostle and the structure of the church is built only upon him.
2. The destruction of true doctrine. To do this, false doctrines are invented and introduced, and true doctrine is perverted.
3. The spread of the influence of the false apostle to other regions and churches.
4. The false apostle himself seeks to receive glory from people and occupy a high position in the church hierarchy.
5. The false apostle seeks, through service, to obtain material wealth or financial profit.
6. As a cover, his ministry can have charity activities that are also used to create a positive image of the false apostle and receive glory from people.
7. The main part of the profit from the service goes directly into the pocket of the false apostle and his inner circle that is at one with him, and the false apostle satisfies his sinful carnal nature with these funds.
False apostles introduce false teachings that contribute to the establishment of their authority in the church, contribute to the glorification of their name and contribute to increasing the collection of financial resources.
They pervert the doctrine of tithing and offering.
According to the Word of God, tithing was for the meat in the house of God, and not for the high priest to build a palace or to become rich on the tithing by the backs of the people.
There is such a concept as a non-targeted use of resources. In our case, it is when the servants use the donated for the work of God money to satisfy their carnal desires, buy expensive cars, build expensive houses, buy private planes and simply travel around the world in business class, live in expensive apartments and hotels, have their expensive residences built and their luxurious outfits sewed.
Using money for other purposes, they rob God, because the funds were not given for their whims and desires.
They use huge sums of money for their kind of “service” and the point of their “service” is very insignificant, it is said about them that they swallow a camel and the benefit from their activities is like from straining out a gnat, so, they are ineffective.
Romans 8:7 because carnal thoughts are enmity against God; for they do not obey the law of God, and indeed they cannot.
8 Therefore, those who live in the flesh cannot please God.
Greed, arrogance, haughtiness are all of the flesh, and if a person is led by this, then he fights against God and rebels against God.
Hiding behind the name of Christ and calling themselves part of His church, they bring discredit on the name of God and dishonor Him.
Any person who calls himself an apostle or a prophet or simply a servant of God should be tested by you and you should see what is in his heart before you trust him.
This is the way of God and His will for you.
You must learn to distinguish between God's Holy Spirit or the spirit of Satan.
Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.
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