THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE:

 by Dr. Hank Lindstrom

1.     The Charismatic Movement is willing to accept tongues, interpretation of tongues, visions, dreams, prophecies, etc. as being messages from God to His children.  This is a very serious danger.  Once you accept "extra-Biblical messages" (those which are in addition to the Bible, but not necessarily contrary to the Bible) it will not be long before you will be accepting "anti-Biblical messages" as being valid (those which directly contradict Gods Word).  The Charismatic Movement has done and is doing exactly that!

     In reality, all "extra-Biblical messages" are "anti-Biblical messages" because God's Word specifically warns against adding to the Scriptures.

     "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you (Deuteronomy 4:2)."

     "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plaques that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Revelation 22:18-19)."

     The Charismatic Movement defends these "extra-Biblical, anti-Biblical messages" on the basis that new winds of the Holy Spirit are blowing (John 3:8).  They say, "Who can tell what the Holy Spirit may do?"  (see John 3:8 "canst not tell")

     Let us not forget that the Word of God is a complete revelation and was given by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:19, Timothy 3:16).  We can be sure of one thing--that the Holy Spirit will never contradict Himself (John 14:17 "Spirit of Truth").  It was the Holy Spirit who warned about adding to the word of God.

     Therefore, as Jesus said, if someone tells you something contrary to the Word of God, "believe it not (Matthew 24:26)."  See Galatians 1:8-10.  The Mormons speak in tongues and have, obviously, accepted extra-Biblical revelations.

2.     The Charismatic Movement encourages its followers to stay in churches and denominations of different beliefs in order "to win them over." (See Galatians 2:4; Ephesians 4:14, about "lying in wait to deceive".)  Also God's Word plainly teaches believers that those who preach another gospel are "accursed"- (Galatians 1:6-9), and those who fellowship with false teachers are partakers of their evil deeds (II John 10-11).  The Charismatic Movement is promoting the Ecumenical Movement and may possibly be the "glue" that joins all the churches together for the Antichrist (Matthew 24:24-25)

3.     The Charismatic Movement places undue and unscriptural emphasis on physical healing.  This causes many believers confusion and agony who are falsely taught that it is always God's will to heal.  The Scriptures plainly teach that God may use physical afflictions for refining, correcting, and chastening the believer (II Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 12:3-11; Job 23:10).  The Scriptures leave no doubt as to the ability of God to heal.  But it is wrong and dangerous to teach that God must always heal.

4.     Worldliness (I John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2).  The Charismatic Movement is fostering and encouraging a spirit of worldliness in the church, and in the individual believer.  The Charismatic Movement seems to be trying to out-do the world in being worldly in speech, dress, hair, music, entertainment, etc.

5.     Women Preachers, Evangelists, etc.  It is strange, inconsistent and sad to hear Charismatics using I Corinthians 14 to justify " speaking in tongues" as a gift of the Spirit for our day when that very same chapter says plainly, "Let your women keep silence in the churches (I Corinthians 14:34)."  This results in disorderly homes and disorderly churches with women in places of leadership in direct violation of the Word of God.  This movement is encouraging women to forsake their God-given place in the home and in the church.

6.     "Coming under the Power" or being "slain in the Spirit".  The Charismatic Movement promotes and encourages an experience where the leader "lays hands" on the individual, causing the person to "faint, slump, swoon, experience the power, etc." and thereafter remain unconscious or semi-conscious for several seconds or longer.  The Charismatics have no Scriptures to justify and defend their practices.  There is No Scriptural precedent, example, or command for this experience, which borders on hypnotism and occult.

7.     The Charismatic Movement glories in "miracles and signs" (See Matthew 24:24-25).  A sign (tongues for example) or a miracle (such as physical healing) as a basis for validating a person's message or practices are unscriptural.  This is extremely dangerous, and the Scriptures plainly teach us that the last days will be full of great deceitfulness (II Timothy 3:13).  God warns that the Antichrist will usher in a time of "all power and signs and Lying Wonders (II Thessalonians 2:9-11)."  The False Prophet will deceive men by the use of miracles, even having power to give life to an image (Revelation 13:11-18).  The validation of a man's message and methods today are not "miracles", but the WORD OF GOD (Isaiah 8:20).

8.     What about salvation?  This is the real issue, and I find most Charismatics have a false plan of salvation.  99% of them will say, "YES" when asked if they can lose their salvation.  Whenever anyone says that they can lose their salvation, they are trusting in WORKS!  What they are really saying is that if they live the Christian life until they die they will go to heaven.  But, if they backslide and die they will go to hell.  This makes them the savior and not Christ, because salvation is dependent upon their actions or works in the end.  Christ becomes a helper or a partner NOT A SAVIOR!  Salvation is received at the moment of belief by an act of faith and it is eternal life (See John 5:24).  We are never told in the Scriptures that salvation is a process, or that we are to wait until after we die to see If we have attained it.  Salvation is the gift of God (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9).  Jesus never said, "I and You" are the way!  Jesus Christ ALONE is the Savior!  Unfortunately, most Charismatics, because they are trusting in their works, are not saved.  Jesus will say to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU!"  (See Matthew 7:22-23).  Jesus never says, "I ONCE KNEW YOU AND I LOST YOU."  That is impossible!  Those in Matthew 7:22 are boasting in LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.  This is their claim to salvation.  Jesus says to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU."  They were trusting in works and not Christ!

WATCH OUT DON'T BE DECEIVED!

CHECK IT OUT IN THE WORD OF GOD!