I have used that term to identify the people in the Church who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God.  These are people who have embraced spiritual language, even signs and wonders, but do not have a walk with the Lord that has produced the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.  In Galatians chapter five, the fruit of the Spirit is listed as:  love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.  The book of Galatians deals with Christians who have been bewitched and are operating from a demonic spirit.  However, they believe they are led by the Spirit of God.  The scriptures warn us to determine the spirit that we yield to by the fruit that is produced in our lives.

 I have observed a trend among hurt people who embrace the different movements of God. Prior to having the wounded places in their hearts mended by the healing power of the Lord, they run to meetings and conferences and see people manifesting the true presence of the Holy Spirit. They long to be accepted by man and God so they ask for the manifestation with the wrong motive.  The enemy then gives them a false anointing because they sought signs and wonders instead of a relationship with God.  The Word declares that it is a wicked generation that looks for signs.  Many have not allowed the working of the Holy Spirit in the area of healing the broken hearted (see Luke 4:18).  For example, someone who feels extremely rejected and wants to fit into the Church arrives at a conference where signs of shaking and jerking are manifesting on those that are present, and  they ask the Lord for those signs and wonders instead of seeking Him alone.  The enemy knows they desire to fit into this new move of God so he gives them counterfeit spirituality which manifests in false signs and wonders.

 In Matthew chapters six and seven, great detail is given to check your heart as to the reason behind your spiritual deeds.  In Matthew 6:22-23 it states:  The lamp of the body is the eye. Then if your eye is sound, all your body is bright.  But if your eye is evil, all your body is dark.  If, therefore, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

 If what was light (a true anointing of the Lord) becomes dark (the false anointing of the enemy) then it is very difficult for someone to find freedom.  However, even Jezebel in the Book of Revelation is warned by the Lord and given an opportunity to repent.  The fruit of the Spirit is a vital gauge as to the true state of ones spirituality.  Many have found that God’s Word concerning who they are and how loved they are has set them free from seeking the spiritual gifts and manifestations to prove self worth.  My prayer is that you will examine your own heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if any false manifestations or religious spirits have come into your heart to take you into deep darkness and deception.  At Beauty For Ashes Ministry we minister to those who have found themselves bound to false spirituality.  If you question your experiences with the supernatural manifestations, and the fruit of the Spirit has not been increasing in your life, pray for the Holy Spirit to direct your steps towards deliverance and wholeness.  God bless you as you seek Him.