Last week, a colleague sent a note to Lighthouse Trails asking us to review a sermon that Erwin Lutzer recently gave at Skip Heitzig’s Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque (New Mexico) Church. Lighthouse Trails has issued challenges and appeals to Erwin Lutzer on a number of occasions over the past ten years because of our concerns that as a major Christian leader (Pastor Emeritus (as of spring 2016) of Moody Church  – the same church Dr. Harry Ironside and D.L. Moody pastored many years ago), Lutzer would lead many astray because of his written endorsement of Larry Crabb’s book, The Papa Prayer, that openly promotes “centering prayer.” An editor from Lighthouse Trails spoke personally on the phone with Lutzer in 2006 but to no avail.

photo: Moody Church

In 2009, Lighthouse Trails wrote an article titled “Erwin Lutzer’s Warning Falls Short.” This was written in response to a letter we received saying that Lutzer had been on Focus on the Family and spoken against the New Age. The person who wrote the letter to us suggested that Lutzer had come around and was now warning the church. We disputed this because neither Lutzer nor Focus on the Family gave any warning about the contemplative prayer movement (a “Christianized” version of the New Age) IN the church. Warning the church about the New Age out in the world and our culture but neglecting to warn that it had come into the church big time makes no sense (to date Focus on the Family continues to promote contemplative spirituality).

In 2012, Lighthouse Trails wrote, “The Moody Church of Chicago Welcomes Contemplative Advocate Larry Crabb As Guest Speaker,”  showing that Lutzer had still not figured out or acknowledged the dangers of the contemplative prayer (i.e., Spiritual Formation) movement in the church. Crabb is a strong advocate for this spirituality. In fact, in a Christianity Today article, Crabb said he is moving from psychology to “spiritual direction” (another term for contemplative spirituality). For those who might question where Crabb really stands in regard to contemplative spirituality, you can read our article “Larry Crabb to Join Richard Foster’s Renovare Contemplative Conference – Christian Leaders Continue to Promote Crabb” and see this for yourself. You may find the following three quotes from that article helpful:

I’ve practiced centering prayer. I’ve contemplatively prayed. I’ve prayed liturgically . . . I’ve benefited from each, and I still do. In ways you’ll see, elements of each style are still with me.—Larry Crabb in The Papa Prayer, p.9

I’m glad that as a conservative evangelical who still believes in biblical inerrancy and penal substitution, I’ve gotten over my Catholic phobia, and I’ve been studying contemplative prayer, practicing lectio divina, valuing monastic retreats, and worshipping through ancient liturgy. I appreciate Bernard of Clairvaux’s provocative insights. I’m drawn to Brother Lawrence’s profoundly simple ways to practice God’s presence. I’m intrigued and enticed by Julian of Norwich’s mysterious appearings of Jesus.—Larry Crabb, Real Church, p. 41

I generally read books to stimulate my mind, but I read this one [The Papa Prayer] for my soul, and it has left an imprint that I believe will be with me for the rest of my life. In these pages you will be introduced to a new way of praying that will, I guarantee, change the way you think about prayer; and, best of all, you will actually be motivated to pray continually, joyfully, and purposefully. This is a book for all of us who want to pray more but don’t; for all of us who have been discouraged because our prayers have not been answered, and for those of us whose priorities in praying need to be redirected. It is also for those who have read many books on prayer and think they need not read another one! Read these pages and let God change your perspective and your heart.—Erwin Lutzer, from The Papa Prayer endorsement pages (emphasis added)

And now about the sermon Erwin Lutzer gave at Skip Heitzig’s Calvary Chapel Church (to listen to this sermon, see link below).  We listened to Erwin Lutzer’s message at CC ALBQ from September 2016. He, of course, is a very eloquent speaker, and he talked about numerous issues that are on the hearts of many Christians in America today: Islam’s influence, homosexuality, immigration problems, public schools and our kids, the danger of technology on our kids, and same sex marriage. And certainly, what conservative-thinking Christian would argue about the threat these things have on our society. All that he said about these things is true. He told Christians we must love our enemies and look for opportunities to witness to an unbelieving lost world. Again, so true. And he did warn about other religions, especially Islam. He also warned about Rob Bell and his universalistic teachings.

But, and this is the crux of the matter from our standpoint, he did not in any form warn the church (and does not warn the church) of the apostasy that is growing within the church. In fact, he said that the church is “an island of righteousness in a sea of paganism.”  Theoretically, that is what the church is supposed to be. But that is not what is happening today. Lutzer made no mention of the spiritual condition of the Christian church with regard to its move toward Rome, its watered-down seeker-friendly, purpose-driven, anti-Israel new gospel, and its allowing New Age mysticism and occultism (i.e., contemplative prayer through Spiritual Formation) to influence and in many cases take over most Christian colleges, seminaries, mission groups, and so forth.

What he DID say is that we should not attack false teachers because they are basically too powerful and rich (he said let’s help the ones being affected by them instead), and he said that we need the “spiritual disciplines” in order to survive this time period. He said the spiritual disciplines are “absolutely critical.” Ask any contemplative writer what spiritual disciplines are, and they will tell you they are practices in which you must enlist to be “Christ-like,” and those disciplines will ALWAYS include contemplative prayer and the “silence.” Just check out any book by Richard Foster, who basically coined the terms for the evangelical/Protestant church “spiritual disciplines” and “spiritual formation.” If you want to learn more about the dangers of spiritual formation and the spiritual disciplines, please read our article “Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation?,” which will help bring clarification.

And here lies the problem with the Christian leaders. Many of them will warn about the moral decline of America, but they will not warn the church of what is happening on the inside. Lutzer warned the church to prepare for persecution from the outside, but as most Christian leaders today, he is blind to the fact that a different kind of persecution is destroying the church – the persecution from our adversary (and his minions) which is seducing Christians into an idolatrous relationship with “another Jesus,” “another gospel,” and “another spirit.” A perfect example of this is Jesus Calling. A false Christ is speaking to millions of Christians daily through Sarah Young’s books, and to date, we have not heard one leader speak up against it. And did Lutzer even hint that there might be an epidemic within the church regarding the road to Rome? No. In fact, many Catholics would be very comfortable with his sermon and would even greatly resonate with it. No wonder, he boasts on his website that he graduated from Loyola University (a Jesuit school) without any disclaimer or injunction against the school’s beliefs.

This is another perfect example of Christian leaders asleep on the watch. They are warning the church of the titanic going down, but they have woefully neglected to warn the church that there are big leaks in the lifeboat. Lutzer talks of the importance of ministering to the lost, loving the lost, and hopefully leading the lost to Christ. But when new converts come into today’s church, what will we be bringing them into?

Erwin Lutzer and all the other highly influential Christian leaders today, who have millions of Christians listening and eating up their every word, have done a horrible injustice to the church (and ultimately to the lost world) by refusing to warn the church of wolves that have entered to devour and destroy from within.

Will Christians who are compromising their faith by enjoining themselves with pagan practices (Yoga, contemplative, centering prayer, channeling as in Jesus Calling, etc) and dancing a two-step with the Pope and Rome really be persecuted? Or will they, when the time comes, continue their compromising and bow down to Caesar? Time will tell, but if they follow the present course of most Christian leaders, the handwriting is on the wall.

Link to Erwin Lutzer’s sermon at Calvary Chapel Albuquerque: http://www.calvaryabq.org/teaching_player.asp?ServiceID=4113&q=audio.

We want to thank our readers who have been praying for Ray Yungen during his 7-day cancer treatment in the hospital, which we wrote to you about last week. He is finishing that treatment up today and will be released by tomorrow morning. During the treatment, Ray’s white blood count plummeted, and he had to have three blood transfusions. But overall, he did well with the treatment. And with the 98% success rate for people with this kind of leukemia and with so many people praying for him, we are looking forward to seeing Ray’s health greatly improve over the next few weeks and months. Ray is 64 years young and has a lot of motivation to continue on with his ministry for some years to come.

While Ray was in the hospital, he had something happen that has raised that motivation even higher. Here is a synopsis of what happened, written by a Lighthouse Trails reader who was visiting Ray this past weekend. We think you will understand why it affected him greatly:

Ray Yungen

Dear Lighthouse Trails:

I saw Ray yesterday.  He is still managing the chemo well but having difficulty sleeping at night.  No nausea, just sleep deprivation is making him feel a little off.

Shortly after I left yesterday, he called, quite distraught that a woman volunteer had walked into his room and offered to do Reiki on him.  It shook him up considerably.  In his words, “she might as well have been coming at me with a machete.”  Adding to that, when he realized that this woman was free to move about the hospital and offer Reiki to the unsuspecting and vulnerable, it brought him to tears. By contrast, he noted, if someone else was to ask to go room to room and offer to pray with patients, that would not be allowed.  Reiki is no less spiritual, but because it is seen as only therapeutic and not the dangerous spiritual practice that it is . . . it marches in, uncontested. It took him back because he assumed that it might be a “service” that a patient could request, but he was not prepared to have her march right into his room unannounced.  On Tuesday, he hopes to be more prepared to have a conversation with the main organizer.  They show up 2 or 3 times a week. Please pray for him as he is given this opportunity.

By the way, I work in the office of a Christian school.  As I was going through the catalogs that come our way, on the ACSI catalog  (Assoc. of Christian Schools Intl.) in a bold title across the top read “Spiritual Formation.”  I took it to Ray yesterday, and he read it cover to cover and is dismayed that it has reached the elementary schools.  Of course, old news at seminaries, colleges, churches, but now the elementary Christian schools. He acknowledged it is the subject of an upcoming booklet.

___________

Related Information:

Yungen Interview – 2 Million Reiki Channellers in the US Alone! – Millions of Americans Affected

BOOKLET: The Truth About Energy Healing

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Sticks With Contemplative After All

LTRP Note: Another case of the American courts seeking to scare the American public into submission by going after the minority in this country who will stand up for what is right.

“Virginia Man Found Guilty of ‘International Kidnapping’ for Helping Ex-Lesbian Flee Country With Daughter”

By Heather Clark
Christian News Network

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Virginia man who was accused of helping an ex-lesbian flee the country with her daughter has been declared guilty of international parental kidnapping and conspiracy.

A jury handed down the verdict on Thursday after a nearly two-week trial, which centered not on whether businessman Philip Zodhiates of Waynesboro helped Lisa Miller seven years ago, but whether he did it out of the generosity of his heart or to keep the girl away from Miller’s ex-partner.

“We had a lot of evidence about intent,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Van de Graaf, who served as one of the prosecutors in the case, told reporters following the verdict. “We also had strong evidence about the secrecy and deception used by the defendant.”

“Lisa’s secrecy and deception should not rub off on Philip,” argued Robert Hemley, one of Zodhiates’ defense attorneys. “There is no such thing as guilt by association.”

He faces up to eight years behind bars and a $500,000 fine. Zodhiates will be sentenced on January 30. Click here to continue reading.

By Roger Oakland
Understand The Times International
& The Good Shepherd Calls Ministry

Both Old Testament and New Testament writers warned ravenous wolves sneaking into flocks led by false shepherds and cleverly harming the unprotected sheep. This is a fact of life throughout history. Perhaps Jude, the half-brother of Jesus said it best:

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [1]

These “certain men” Jude was writing about were wolves who had an agenda to fleece and devour the flock. Obviously, this was happening in the church that had been planted shortly following the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Very little time had passed before they had “crept in.”

But nothing is new under the sun. Paul predicted this would happen as stated in the book of Acts:

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [2]

The apostasy in the book of Jude was certainly a fulfillment of Paul’s prediction. However, delving back into an earlier time, it is apparent that the forefathers of Paul and Jude were plagued by similar deceptive plans to dupe those who were called sheep. It would take pages and pages to exhaust the references found in the books of the major and minor prophets in the Bible with regard to those who were neglecting, abusing, and leading innocent sheep to the slaughter. As one example, we look to a plea of Jeremiah found in the 23rd chapter. He proclaimed:

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. [3] To read this entire article and for endnotes, click here.

By Heather Clark
Christian News Network

WASHINGTON — Nearly 9,000 people added their names to a legal brief this past week in support of a Virginia school board’s appeal of a ruling requiring that it allow a female student who identifies as male to use the boys’ restroom.

8,914 students, parents and other residents from across the country included their name in the friend of the court brief filed by the religious liberties organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on Wednesday. Over 40 state family policy organizations, such as the Family Policy Institute of Washington, North Carolina Values, and the New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation, were a part of the brief as well.

“Placing students in circumstances where their privacy is compromised and they are at risk of bodily exposure in the vicinity of members of the opposite sex is not only demeaning and humiliating, but also denies individuals’ personal dignity,” it reads. Click here to continue reading.

LTRP Note: While this new booklet by Lois Putnam might not be of interest to everyone of our readers, we believe it is a vitally important tool for parents, grandparents, and teens who are trying to figure out whether Pokémon or Pokémon GO is OK or not from a spiritual standpoint.

NEW BOOKLET: A Christian Parent’s Guide to POKÉMON by Lois Putnam is our newest Lighthouse Trails Booklet Tract.  The Booklet is 18 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% off retail. Our Booklets are designed to give away to others or for your own personal use. Below is the content of the booklet. To order copies of A Christian Parent’s Guide to POKÉMON, click here. 

A Christian Parent’s Guide to POKÉMON

By Lois Putnam

For Pokémon Go gamers, their “Gotta Mantra” is “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”—Pokémon that is. However, a Christian’s motto must be: “Gotta Know, Gotta Learn, Gotta Discern, Gotta Go!” And just what it is that we as born again believers gotta know, gotta learn, gotta discern, and gotta go will be the theme of this booklet.

It was on July 6, 2016, via one’s smartphone, that players could download a free app and get set up to head outdoors to begin to catch Pokémon Pocket Monsters. Soon befuddled folks were bumping into gamers congregating at designated PokeStops be it at a church, a parking lot, a body of water, a library, a museum, a park, or the mall to name a few. Since this began, the Pokémon Go Mania has taken the country, and a number of other countries, by storm.

TV hosts, You Tube video makers, newspaper reporters, and online authors alike have scrambled to describe exactly how these frenzied gamers were zipping Pokémon balls on their phones to catch Pokémon seemingly popping up all over the place. Meantime, all kinds of safety issues were cropping up–kids in the middle of streets, folks walking into objects, a pair walking off a cliff, and even unsavory characters luring kids into unsafe places. All of this madness was taking place over one hundred and fifty-one little characters of which some seemed to be cute and clever, while others really are violent, ugly, and frightening. So with this in mind, what is it that we gotta know?

Gotta Know

At the outset, we gotta know some basic Pokémon info—such as the game of Pokémon, designed by Satoshi Tajiri in the 1990s, is managed by the Pokémon Company which, according to Wikipedia, is a Japanese consortium between Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. Tajiri designed these Pokémon characters so gamers known as “Pokémon Trainers could catch and train to battle each other for sport.”

Officially introduced in 1996, Pokémon celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2016. The new phenomenon Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game currently using the original Generation I Pokémon beginning with Bulbasaur to Mew. However, it’s important to know that now there are 722 Pokémon figures, which means in the last twenty years 571 more have been designed influencing youth and adults via video games, trading card games, comic books, TV shows, movies, and toys.1 Pokémon website, Pokémon.com, is filled with info you gotta know in order to be able to interact with Pokémon Goers! It includes a Pokedex, TV Programs, Trading Card Games, Video Games, A Shop, Attend Events, Pokémon GO and more! It even has a Trading Card Game Tutorial where one can learn to play the card game. Two sections: “The Pokedex,” and “Pokémon GO” are explained further below.2

The Pokedex

If you visit the Pokémon site, you can get to know individual Pokémon—their pictures, statistics, types, strengths/weaknesses, evolution, T.V. episodes, and cards. Under Pokedex, one example of a Pokémon is Haunter. The description of him states:

Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away.3

You will also learn that this gas ghost can “levitate.” Haunter’s card moves include tongue spring, hidden poison, psyshot, sleep poison, haunt, dream eater, Gothic fear, and hoodwink to name some. How gruesome! No doubt this Pokémon has given kids horrific nightmares!

Pokémon Go

On the Pokémon website, you can learn all about Pokémon Go. There are sections on “Pokémon Go Plus,” “Explore Pokémon,” “Teams and Gyms,” and “In App Purchases” where you can find out more game details. “Explore Pokémon” gives blow by blow info about how the game is played including safety, catching a Pokémon, completing one’s Pokedex, the traits of Pokémon, Pokémon evolution, and Pokémon eggs. Out of all this, one has “gotta know” that the goal of this game is: “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”—yes, almost all of the original 151 from the Kanto Region.

Gotta Learn

The Pokémon (Gotta Catch ‘Em All)—Deluxe Essential Handbook: The Need-to-Know Stats and Facts on Over 700 Pokémon is a useful tool to help grandparents, parents, family, and friends learn much more about Pokémon.

Published by Scholastic in 2015, this information-packed book with its glitzy golden title lettering and its shiny Pokémon pics begs one to open its cover.

But, before one opens the book, carefully look at the deceptive Pokémon ball-like pics on the cover. When you do, you’ll note most of the pics are happy and smiley, making the Pokémon appear as if they are just a bunch of cuddly stuffed animals. However, when you open the book, you’ll realize how alluring and deceptive the cover art is, for the Pokémon are anything but cuddly; rather they are often hideous and evil looking.

Title Page: The title page, done in Pokémon logo colors of deep blue, golden yellow, and white, has the Pokémon mantra “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” below the Pokémon logo. Then it once again restates the title, and lists the publisher Scholastic Inc.

Scholastic Books—the book club used by teachers all over the USA!

Welcome Page: In the Welcome Pages of the book, there is a two-page spread highlighting the red page on the left with the rainbow-horned fairy Xerneas sprinting onto the page, while on the right on the blue page there’s: Welcome to the World of Pokémon.” Below the welcome is listed the six Pokémon regions—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos—each full of fascinating Pokémon.

This book also lists the Pokémon picture, type, species, height, and weight, which “can make all the difference in Gym battles, in the wild, and anywhere else you might meet Pokémon.”4 Besides, this deluxe handbook, it is said, will enable “Trainers” to master any Pokémon challenge.

How To Use This Book: This two-page section goes into detail about each Pokémon’s name, pronunciation, height and weight, description, evolution, mega evolution, type, and region. It is such info that one has “gotta know and learn” to equip oneself to answer anyone questioning whether this is “just an innocent game.” Along with Scripture, it is knowledge that one can use when a “Deuteronomy Moment” comes. For as Deuteronomy 6:6,7 reads:

And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Guide to Pokémon Types: The next pages explain the eighteen Pokémon types: fire, grass, water, normal, electric, bug, ghost, flying, fighting, psychic, steel, rock, ground, ice, poison, dark, dragon, and fairy. This ends the seven pages of explanatory notes, and begins the ABC pages which begin on page eight with “Abomasnow” to page four hundred and thirty-two which finishes with “Zygarde.” In between are seven hundred more Pokémon to scrutinize.

To Conclude: I would highly recommend purchasing this book as you can back up your stories and words with the Pokémon pictures and info thus adding weight to your warnings.

Gotta Notice the Names

Many Pokémon names* say “Watch out!”: Names such Abra-Psi Pokémon, Absol-Disaster Pokémon, Alakazam-Psi Pokémon, Arbok-Cobra Pokémon, Arceus-Alpha Pokémon, Beheeyem-Cerebral Pokémon, Carvanha-Savage Pokémon, Chandelure- Luring Pokémon, Cofagrigus-Coffin Pokémon, Darkrai-Pitch Black Pokémon, Darumaka-Zen-Charm Pokémon, Dialga-Temporal Pokémon, Dragonair-Dragon Pokémon, Drapion-Ogre Scorpion Pokémon,  Eevee-Evolution Pokémon, Delphox-Fox Pokémon, Flylon-Mystic Pokémon, Gengar-Shadow Pokémon, Giratina-Renegade Pokémon, Gothitelle-Astral Body Pokémon, Gothorita-Manipulate Pokémon, Gourgeist-Pumpkin Pokémon, Gyarados-Atrocious Pokémon, Houndoom-Dark Pokémon, Hypno-Hypnosis Pokémon, Jynx-Human Shape Pokémon, Kirlia-Emotion Pokémon, Krookodile-Intimidation Pokémon, Lampent-Lamp Pokémon, Latias-Eon Pokémon , Lucario-Aura Pokémon, Manectric-Discharge Pokémon, Mawile-Deceiver Pokémon, Medicham- Meditate Pokémon, Mew-New Species Pokémon, Mewtwo-Genetic Pokémon, Mismagius- Magical Pokémon, Munna-Dream Eater Pokémon, Ninetales-Fox Pokémon, Riolu-Emanation Pokémon, Sigilyph-Avianoid Pokémon, Spiritomb-Forbidden Pokémon, Thunderdurus-Bolt Strike Pokémon, Uxie-Knowledge Pokémon, Xatu-Mystic Pokémon ,Yamask-Spirit Pokémon, Yvetal-Destruction Pokémon. These are but a few of many to watch out for!

Delphox, the Fire-Psychic Pokémon, is one name to notice! Its name has two parts which is a combo of the “Oracle of Delphi” and “fox.” However, even before I found that info, I used Thesaurus.com to find synonyms for psychic, occult, witch etc. Under occult, I noticed “Delphian,” and “Delphic.” I wondered if any Pokémon had a name similar to this, and sure enough there was the mystical Delphox. Looking up “Delphox” on Pokémon.wikia.com, I found this was a fox with the elements of a witch or mage. My Pokémon handbook further said it held a flaming branch in its hand upon which it focused its eyes giving it psychic visions helping it to see into the future. After reading about the “Oracle of Delphi,” Delphox’s story became even clearer. This then can be woven into the Acts 16 story that involves the Oracle at Delphi.5

*Note: Pokémon names were first written in Japanese and later changed into more suitable names for English-speaking gamers. Bulbapedia.com (“The community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia”) is a site that can provide much additional insight by clicking onto the “Origin” section. Bulbapedia.com, by the way, is named after Generation One’s first Pokémon Bulbasaur.6

Gotta Notice the Types, the Moves, and the Illustrations

Altogether, there are eighteen types, and oh, the evil behind these types. Words cannot even describe the things these characters are teaching innocent young children and youth. As I researched the game handbook, a good number of the 700+ Pokémon were “Psychic” with psychic terminology, moves, and stories.

The adjectives describing the game moves would make up one eye-opening glossary with most having absolutely horrendous names. Be sure to peruse “Possible Moves” in the handbook or on a Pokémon info site noting the viciousness of many and evilness of others. This activity alone—the noting of the descriptive names for each move—will surely enable one to discern that this game is literally overflowing with words, concepts, and teachings far removed from the Bible.

Pause and consider the possible moves for Banette, a ghost puppet-like Pokémon that, like a voodoo doll, sticks itself with pins to curse others! Its moves are: knock-off, screech, night shade, curse, spite, will-o-wisp, shadow sneak, feint attack, hex,* shadow ball, sucker punch, embargo, snatch, and grudge trick. Stop and imagine youngsters seven and up familiarizing themselves with such a character. Bulbapedia says, “Banette is a . . . doll-like Pokémon that is possessed with pure hatred.”

[*A hex is: to practice witchcraft; to put a hex on; and to affect as an evil spell: jinx. Synonyms are: charm, enchant, bewitch, overlook, spell, strike. Related words are: curse, jinx, possess, voodoo, attract, beguile, captivate, mesmerize, spellbind, entice, lure, seduce, tempt. (Merriam-Webster) Deuteronomy 18:10-14 makes it very clear what God thinks of those who use witchcraft or other practices named in this piece. It reads: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or observer of times, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all these things are an abomination unto the Lord.”]

Another need-to-notice activity would be to flip through the book or scroll through a site with all of the Pokémon pics and simply notice the ferocious or scary looking parts of each character. Just a few pages into this, anyone with a smidgen of discernment would have to concede that these atrocious characters have no place in the life of a precious young child or teen. For Philippians 4:8 declares, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Gotta Know Pokémon Back Stories

Highlighted here are back stories about various types of Pokémon—stories one can easily recall to share with others who need to become aware of just how deceptive the Pokémon agenda is.

Some Third Eye Pokémon:

Dark: Absol: Disaster Pokémon: George Hutcheon, Bulbapedia contributor, shares that Absol is based on a “Bai Ze,” a creature from both China and Japan who warned good rulers of impending disaster. In Japan, images of the Bai Ze were made into “good luck charms” to ward off monsters and disease. Absol, says Hutcheon, resembles this monster with its dark horn, feline shape, and black oval third eye.*7

Ghost/Poison: Mega Gengar: Shadow Pokémon: Gengar is a “third eye” Pokémon with an oval yellow third eye on its forehead. Its “malicious,” says Bulbapedia, laughing at and delighting in its victim’s terror. It hides in the shadows hoping to attack its prey and enjoys casting curses. How horrible is this powerful mega Pokémon which has evolved from the evil Gengar with his sinister leer and giant teeth. Its “moves” include hypnosis, curses, night shade, sucker punch, dream eater, dark pulse, hex, and nightmare.

Steel/Psychic: Jirachi: Wish Pokémon: Jirachi is another Pokémon which has a hidden third-eye or “true eye” concealed within a seam. Its eye is said to absorb energy to aid in its hibernation. If awakened, it might grant your wish if you write it on one of its tags and sing to it with a pure voice.

The Psychic Third Eye Trading Card: The Trading Card Game has a supporter card labeled “The Psychic Third Eye.”8

[*A third eye is: “A point on the forehead corresponding to one of the chakras in yoga, often depicted as an eye and associated with enlightenment and mystical insight.” (Free Dictionary)]

Aura Pokémon:

Fighting/Steel: Lucario: Aura** Pokémon: Canine-like Lucario (evolved from Aura Pokémon Riolu) raises its four aura appendages to read and manipulate its opponents’ aura. Aura Sphere or “wave bomb” is its very special battle move. Mega Lucario becomes even more ferocious with additional spikes coming from its hands, feet, and shoulders. As its aura heightens, black patches appear on its body. It’s said too that it can activate crystallized Time Flowers by shooting out aura.

Ghost-Dragon: Giratina Original/Altered Forme: Renegade Pokémon: Dragonic, demonic appearing Giratina in either form was banished, the Pokémon handbook states, to another dimension where all is distorted and reversed. Like Lucario, Giratina battles with “Aura Sphere.”

Aura Guardians: In the Pokémon world, Aura Guardians sense aura and control its power.

Aura Capabilities: Bulbapedia lists aura capabilities as being able to read minds/actions of others, sense other auras, view through objects, project aura barriers, transfer aura to others, and activate Time Flowers.

[**An Aura (in Japanese means “wave-guiding”) is: an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being (Merriam-Webster) ]

Meditation Pokémon Trio:

Fighting-Psychic: Meditite: Meditate Pokémon: Meditite’s Japanese name is “Asanan” which comes from “asana,” a name for various yogic poses. It does such intense meditation it nearly starves itself never missing daily Yoga practice. This routine, says the handbook, intensifies its inner strength. Meditite also levitates. Pics of Meditite can be found sitting in a lotus position with each hand fixed in a mudra.

Fighting-Psychic: Medicham and Mega Medicham: Medicham meditates so much it has developed a sixth sense. Its picture shows it doing a yogic asana with its hands held in a mudra position. Some say Medicham resembles a good luck charm doll known as a “Daruma doll.”*

[*A Daruma doll is: a hollow and round Japanese wish doll with no arms or legs modeled after Bodhi-dharma, the founder and first patriarch of Zen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daruma_doll.]

Hypnotic Dream-Eating Pokémon:

Psychic: Drowzee: Hypnosis Pokémon: Drowzee lurks nearby to draw out dreams. Drowzee, a dream eater tapir-like Baku-based Pokémon, uses moves that include hypnosis, meditate, zen-headbutt, psychic, psybeam, poison gas, psyshock, and future sight plus more.

Psychic: Hypno: Hypnosis Pokémon: Hypno uses a pendulum for putting one into a hypnotic trance. Hypno, too, is able to sense what its victim is dreaming. A movie “Hyno’s Naptime” tells how Hypno’s sleep waves have caused children to disappear and Pokémon to grow sleepy.

Psychic: Munna: Dream Eater Pokémon: If Munna, a Baku inspired blimp-like Pokémon eats a happy dream, it gives off pink mist. Some of Munna’s moves include: lucky chant, hypnosis, nightmare, future sight, dream eater, and telekinesis.

Psychic: Musharna: Drowsing Pokémon: Musharna resembles a tapir-like pink pig with its dream stream coming out of its forehead. Some say Musharna seems like a traditional Japanese incense burner called a “koro” that appears on Buddhist altars.

Baku: M. R. Reese of Green Shinto writes that a Japanese child having a nightmare is told if they wake up to repeat “Baku-san, come eat my dream!” three times. After, the legend says, the Baku will enter the room and eat up the bad dreams. However, this mustn’t be overdone or it will devour their hopes and desires leaving them with an empty life. Kids to this day keep “Baku Talisman” by their bedsides. An online site offers a ring, said to have the Baku spirit in it, that one could wear or hang up for protection.9

Psychic Pokémon:

The Psi Quartet: Abra, Kadabra, Alakazam, and Mega Alakazam: These four “Psi” Pokémon, all of the Psychic type, possess many powers. Abra’s signature move is to “teleport” away. Kadabra uses one spoon to greatly increase its powers. Super intelligent Alakazam has two spoons. Lastly, Mega Alakazam has five spoons over head while seated in a lotus position with each hand fixed in mudra. He, records Bulbapedia, is based on a wizard or sorcerer or a Hindu sadhus–a holy man who is a yogi. A Wikipedia article on “Sadhus” has quite a photo display of many holy men with their prominent third eye markings.10

Ghost/Spirit Pokémon:

Ghost Pokémon: Yamask: Spirit Pokémon: Yamask, a very disturbing Pokémon, has a Japanese name Desumasu which comes from death and mask. It also means “Yama” or Lord of the Dead in Buddhism/Hinduism and “weeping mask” in Chinese. It’s based, too, on the Egyptian Ba holding a death mask. Pokedex entries say its mask makes it cry as it wanders around ancient landmarks. Should one accidentally wear this mask, it can be “possessed.” On a post titled “Pokemanical,” a gamer shares stories of really dark Pokémon especially ghosts as Yamask and Cofagrigus. A picture of some of the worst of the worst Pokémon has a comment that says, “Yet still allowable as kids’ game. Huh!”11

Ghost Pokémon: Cofagrigus: Coffin Pokémon: This coffin Pokémon, who lurks in tombs and ruins, is an Egyptian sarcophagus that eats people and mummifies them! Grave robbers who come too close to its shadowy ebony hands find themselves locked inside Cofagrigus. Its name is a combo of sarcophagus and egregious which means coffin and grim. And grim they are!

Light Pokémon: “A Ghost-Fire Trio”:

Ghost/Fire: Litwick: Candle Pokémon: This small candle has a purple flame that’s powered by “life energy.”To get this energy Litwick, a pretender, seems to light the way through darkness all the while sucking life energy from its victim. A Bulbapedia description says, “Litwick leads people astray and sucks out their life force.” What an apt description of Satan! For 2 Corinthians says, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” And 1 Peter 5:8 adds, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.”

In Bulpadedia “Origin” section, it says: Litwick’s name is a combo of hitodama or a blue, black, and purple flame associated with ghosts, yokai, and candles.

Ghost/Fire: Lampent: Lamp Pokémon: Lampent, an ominous Pokémon, lurks around hospitals “waiting for someone to die” at which time it absorbs their departing spirit which in turn fuels its flame. However, 2 Corinthians 5:8 says of those who die in the Lord that we are “absent from the body and present with the Lord!” And Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Ghost/Fire: Chandelure: Luring Pokémon: Third in this spirit sucking trio is Chandelure whose name is like a “sentient” chandelier and lure. Chandelure is based also on hitodama which Wikipedia defines as Japanese meaning “human souls” that are like balls of fire floating in the night—departed souls that have been separated from their bodies. The Deluxe Essential Handbook says, “Chandelure’s spooky fames can burn the spirit right out of someone. If that happens the spirit becomes trapped in this world endlessly wandering.” One of Chandelure’s “moves” in the game is to put a “hex” on someone.

The Kami Trio: Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus:

Flying: Tornadus: Legendary Cyclone Pokémon: Tornadus, a kami* of wind, is based on the Shinto god Fujin. Tornadus is a wizard-like Pokémon that is carrying a bag of wind.

Electric/Flying: Legendary Bolt Strike Pokémon: Thundurus, a kami of lightning and thunder, is inspired by one of the most feared of Japanese deities Raijin. It’s said of Raijin that if there’s a storm Japanese children were told to cover their belly buttons for Raijin might eat them. People prayed to Raijin for rain and lightning. A rice field hit by a lightning bolt, it was believed, would be fertile and produce a good harvest.12

Ground/Flying: Landorus: Legendary Abundance Pokémon: Bulbapedia states that Landorus was the master of this “Forces of Nature” kami trio. In the Pokémon universe region called “Unova,” there’s a shrine in honor of the “Great Landorus” named “The Abundant Shrine.” Landorus is based on a third kami—the Kami of Fertility—also named Inari.13

[*A Kami is: In the Shinto religion, kami are spirits/phenomena that are worshipped. According to Wikipedia: “They are elements in nature, animals, creationary forces in the universe, as well as spirits of the revered deceased.” Under “Etymology” Wikipedia notes: “Kami is the Japanese word for a god, deity, divinity, or spirit. It has been used to describe ‘mind,’ ‘God,’ ‘supreme being,’ ‘one of the Shinto deities,’ ‘an effigy,’ ‘a principle,’ and ‘anything that is worshipped.’” For further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami. The Bible, however, in Exodus 20:3-5 says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them: for I the LORD they God am a jealous God.” ]

A Creator “God” Pokémon:

Normal: Arceus: Mythical Alpha Pokémon: Areceus is the god Pokémon of the Pokémon Universe. It’s based on a creator deity with a stance like an Egyptian bull or calf idols particularly Apis. It has an arc on its back, says Bulbapedia, that is used to represent reincarnation in Hinduism.

Arceus is connected to the Shinto gods Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi who summoned the first goddess and god Izanami and Izanagi to create Japan with a spear. The reference to its having 1000 arms comes from Buddhism. Arceus, it’s said, created Sinnoh, a Pokémon area, and the three Pokémon Lake Guardians Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit and the Creation Trio Dialaga, Palkia, and Giratina.

Upon reading its English name, “Alpha Pokémon,” one can’t help but think about the biblical reference in Revelation 1:8 that declares, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

These stories are but the tip of the iceberg as to what terms and concepts are being put into the receptive minds of our kids straight out of Shintoism, Buddhism, the New Age, and other pagan religions. As Matthew 6:33 says,
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

And as the prayer the Lord taught us to pray which ends in Matthew 6:13 says:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Gotta Learn About the Shinto Connection

Shintoism in Pokémon: In a July 18, 2016 article titled “Pokémon Go and Its AR Universe,” Ray Tsuchiyama shows how much Pokémon is connected to Shintoism. Tsuchiyama says the Pokémon Go gamers out on their Pokémon hunts are “almost like a new religion of seekers.” Tsuchiyama says they are “seeing ‘otherworldly’ aural specter/image in the middle of the ‘material world’ of buildings, shower trees, and beaches.”14

Tsuchiyama recalls Satoshi Tajiri, the Pokémon founder, who was into his bug collecting world as a child, and later the anime character Ash with his electrifying Pikachu made to resemble Tajiri. Tsuchiyama says Tajiri’s childhood hobby surely contributed to Pokémon with all its curious critters. Tsuchiyama states:

But there is also the deeper cultural, mythological, and animist religious history of Japan that influenced this global game.15

Tsuchiyama goes on to show how closely Pokémon is tied to Shintoism when he writes:

[T]he Pokémon Shiftry evokes a Japanese goblin that lives in a tree and causes windstorms. Lombre probably has the greatest resemblance to the Kappa, a Japanese water demon. Ninetales is obviously the fox god in Shintoism. A Shinto reference is the creation of the Hoenn region (in the game) by Kyogre and Groudon, two Pokémon characters . . . A Shinto “world flood” myth has been worked in Mewtwo’s character.16

“In the original game,” maintains Tsuchiyama, “Pokémon trainers gather to mourn and present offering for ‘dead’ Pokémon, since without the chanting of the Pokémon ‘souls’ will wander the material world and transform into vengeful spirits–again evoking Shinto beliefs.”17

Tsuchiyama adds, “Pokémon characters clearly resemble Shinto gods that hang out in rivers, rocks, trees, and other places—and following Shinto, when offered food and incense, Pokémon and friends/allies bring players all sorts of rewards, like points (blessings?).”18

Tsuchiyama ends by noting that Pokémon GO isn’t the original “character hunting” mobile app. Tsuchiyama writes, “For years in Japan game firms like Yokai Watch and Monster Hunter have spawned thousands of small groups . . .  All these games are heavily influenced by Shinto Mythology.”19

Gotta Learn About the Yokai Connection

Yokai are: (ghost, phantom, or strange apparitions) a class of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore. They can be anywhere from malevolent to mischievous, or even bring good fortune. Yokai can appear in different ways: as animals, as humans, as inanimate objects, or as shapeless. They have spiritual supernatural powers with obake shapeshifting being one of the most common ones.20

An informative article titled “Who’s That Pokémon? Yokai Edition” by Kristen Dexter starts out:

But some of my favorite Pokémon were inspired by yokai: supernatural monsters, ghosts, and phantoms of Japanese folklore. Says Kristen, “Gotta catch ‘em all, yokai!”21

Dexter lists the Japanese term for a particular yokai and its definition. She then asks: “Who’s that yokai?” After, there’s a large picture of each Pokémon that fits this definition and a further reference to its/their traits. Here’s what the yokai covers: Sazae Oni, turban shell ogres, like Slowbro and Slowking; Sogen Bi, a fireball floating head, like Gastly; Baku dream eaters, like Drowzee, Hypno, Munna, and Musharna; Jinmenju, human tree heads, like Exegguter; Yamauba, old woman turned witch, like Jnyx; Nekomata, Bake split tail cats, like Esperson; Nukekubi, cursed headless woman or girl, like Misdreavus; Kamitachi, ambusher attacker weasels, like Sneasel and Weavile; Futakushi Onna, two mouthed cursed woman, like Mawile; Tsukimogami, spirit inhabited inanimate objects, like Banette; Hitodama, graveyard colored light, like Litwick; Kodama, ball of light tree spirits, like Celebi, Phantump, and Trevenant; Chochin Obake, paper lantern inhabiters, like Dusclops and Dusknoir; Yuki Onna, evil woman freezer of travelers, like Froslass; and Nurarihyon, old man yokai leader, like Jellicent.22

Gotta Read Up on Church Reactions to PokÉmon GO

One last thing to look into and become aware of is the number of churches that have been designated Pokémon Go Pokestops and Gyms. Churches are crowing about how unbelievably wonderful it is that they have been named stopping places for Pokémon Go players to pick up items to help catch those hidden Pocket Monsters. Now, is it because most churches see it as a reason to share the Gospel with those that happen by, or is it because they think the game is clever and yes even fun and they get to share things like water, or a place to recharge smartphones? Unfortunately, it is the latter in many instances.

I read where an Episcopal church attendee declared if you’re going to do “evangelism,” you might as well have fun doing it. Another “millennial evangelical” opined all that old Pokémon is of the devil drivel, why that’s a thing of the past. He said that “there are 721 Pokémon to date, with more coming this fall, and not a single one of them has a devilish or Satanic sort of name or makeup.”23 How I’d challenge this uninformed millennial, or anyone else, regardless of age, to do the research using sources quoted in this booklet that show how infiltrated Pokémon is with every sort of evil idea that could be thought up. In fact, a verse that well describes Pokémon is Genesis 6:5 that reads:

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil continually.

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it is today!

Gotta Discern, Gotta Go

In summary, once one grasps that Pokémon is inundated with deceptive teachings and occultic references, one must determine to research Pokémon lore and backstories to more fully discern the agenda, the culture, and the religion from which this game has arisen. The question then becomes: “What must one do with this information? Just as Berit Kjos, in her excellent 1999 article: “The Dangers of Role-Playing Games-How Pokémon and Magic Cards Affect the Minds,” listed ideas on how to teach one’s children or grandchildren on ways to resist occult entertainment, I too would urge parents, grandparents, and friends to be ready as Deuteronomy Moments arise; and during devotional times, talk to your children or grandchildren on a regular basis about key words and ideas presented in Pokémon and Pokémon Go and how they contrast with Scripture.

Point out that Proverbs describes the simple—the naive ones—as those who are open to anything that comes down the pike as contrasted to the wise—the knowledgeable ones—those who cry out and search for wisdom as to which paths to take. And as Solomon said in Proverbs 4:10-15:

Hear O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in the right paths. When thou goest thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the path of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
What opportunities await informed Christians, who with both Scripture and pertinent Pokémon information, can clearly point out how deceptive and evil these alluring Pokémon are. Yes, we gotta be ready to go, for not only must we warn about Pokémon Go, but as Mark 16:15, a Bible go verse, reads, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:26, 27)
In this Pokémon Go world, how apt are these verses.

To order copies of A Christian Parent’s Guide to POKÉMON, click here. 

ENDNOTES
1. For more “gotta know” info, read “Pokémon” from Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon.
2. http://www.pokemon.com/us.
3. https://pokemon.gameinfo.io/en/pokemon/93-haunter.
4. The Pokémon (Gotta Catch ‘Em All)—Deluxe Essential Handbook: The Need-to-Know Stats and Facts on Over 700 Pokémon (Scholastic, 2015).
5. See http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/16-16.htm. Related topics include: occult, Delphic, witch, wizard, mage, focus, psychic, psychic visions, oracle, Oracle at Delphi, Apollo, spirit of divination, and Acts 16. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_of_Delphi.
6. “The community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia”: http://www.bulbagarden.net.
7. George Hutcheon, “On the Origin of Species: Absol” (September 23, 2013, http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species:_Absol).
8. http://www.pojo.com/cotd/2016/Feb/23.shtml.
9. M.D. Reese, “Baku, the Legend of the Dream Eater” (December 1, 2014, http://www.greenshinto.com/wp/2014/12/16/baku-the-dream-eater).
10. For more, read “Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam” at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abra,_Kadabra,_and_Alakazam.
11. “Pokemanical” (September 4, 2011, http://pokemaniacal.tumblr.com/post/17760681303/yamask-and-cofagrigus).
12. http://muza-chan.net/japan/index.php/blog/japanese-traditions-fujin-god-wind http://muza-chan.net/japan/index.php/blog/japanese-traditions-raijin-thunder-god.
13. http://pokemon.neoseeker.com/wiki/Kami_Trio.
14. Ray Tsuchiyama, “Pokémon Go and Its AR Universe” (July 18, 2016, http://web.archive.org/web/20160719142124/http://www.mauinews.com/page/blogs.detail/display/5619/Pokemon-Go-and-Its-AR-Universe.html).
15. Ibid.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid.
20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%8Dkai.
22. Kristen Dexter, “Who’s That Pokémon? Yōkai Edition!” (October 31, 2014, https://www.tofugu.com/japan/pokemon-yokai).
23. Ibid.
24. Chris Martin (works at LifeWay Christian Resources), “Is Pokémon Satanic?” (Millennial Evangelical, July 15, 2015, http://www.millennialevangelical.com/is-pokemon-satanic).

To order copies of A Christian Parent’s Guide to POKÉMON, click here. 

By Mike Oppenheimer
Let Us Reason Ministries

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Paul warns us that at the end of the age, inside the church, there will be teachings of demons—quite a serious charge. That it will be a time that is extremely dangerous to believers who do not know the Word correctly and do not watch what they are being taught.

The Devil has tailor-made deceptions for every church in every age; he knows the people’s weaknesses and propensities to do wrong in certain areas. He will use whomever he can in whatever capacity he can to bring confusion, falsehoods, and destruction—especially if he can target a church’s pastor. Contrary to popular teaching, the Devil, who is the greatest of angelic creatures, is of the highest intelligence, has power, and is often underestimated in his scheming by those who think they can bind him.

Some people are deceived by not having the knowledge of the truth to discern what is being introduced as false, and they do not care to hear a different view that may challenge them because they are following a man or woman instead of Christ Jesus by his Word. How do you tell the difference? It is how they respond to the Word. They will either ignore what the Word says and continue listening to the false teacher of their liking and stay in the falsehood they hear as willing subjects to be manipulated to their own destruction, or they will react by acknowledging they were wrong and repent, getting right with God and abandoning the falsehood. This is how we know if someone is yielding to the Holy Spirit in his or her life.

For example, there are those who teach we as spirit had a per-existence with God before we came to earth.

1 Corinthians 15:44-49 explains that the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.  “The first man [Adam] is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.” In other words, only Jesus is like God, not Adam. We are told that He alone came from heaven to become man

vs. 47: It is Jesus who is The Lord from heaven. He is the creator and giver of life, not Adam. vs. 49: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy [Adam], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

It is when we are transformed into the new man in the resurrection that we become incorruptible, sinless, immortal  (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Some teach we are little gods because we are reborn into His image, that we are an exact replica of Him now.

Colossians 1:15: “[W]ho is the image of the invisible God,” “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). Why? Because Jesus is unique, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the only man who revealed the image of God perfectly, being God Himself in human form.

The BIBLE says:

John 1:4-5: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” The key: darkness does not understand the uniqueness of Christ Jesus.

John 5:26: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

Only the Son has life in Himself; so look out when you hear we can speak things into existence as word-faith promoters claim.  Word-faith interpretations distort the Scripture that says “give life to the dead and call things into existence that are not.” This verse does not say this about us but about God alone who has this ability. Romans 4:17: “God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

The BIBLE says:

Isaiah 40:25: To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

Isaiah 46:5: “To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?”

Those who are in the truth confess – Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

John is saying Jesus is the only God/man. There is no other man that is God come in flesh. If they are teaching contrary to this, they have the spirit of ANTICHRIST.

To call oneself or another human being God is what the Bible labels as blasphemy.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: “that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

The spirit of iniquity mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 states, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”The Holy Spirit in the believers, in the Church now restrains (hinders, prevents) the Antichrist from revealing himself. Paul says the mystery – the spirit was already at work in his day, and will one day reach its zenith in a single man, a man who claims to be God. For this to be accepted, the idea that man can be god must be well circulated.

God instills humility in us, not pride. The Antichrist does not come as some Devil but as a lamb – “he had two horns like a lamb and spake like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11-12). He has words to exalt you, that is the antichrist spirit, to exalt man. Listen carefully to what the word-faith teachers speak on man and you will know what the Antichrist will be like. It is the same voice that was heard in the garden to Eve.

This contains such audacity and pride, to exalt man to be as the Creator. It is what New Agers, theosophists, and occultists speak. When a church no longer resists infiltration of non-biblical New Age practices, they will be carried away quickly by having opened the door to lies.

Why would any church allow men to teach what occultist’s and theosophists teach? Something that was never said in the Bible or church history? It is an antichrist spirit that has someone confess he is a little god or has God’s unique abilities (e.g., speaking things into existence).

We are currently bound in our sinful flesh, being conformed to be like Christ who is our Master and Lord. As soon as we lose this perspective, we allow pride to have us boast in what we do not possess.  What a deceptive trap!

What is the antichrist and the spirit of antichrist? “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; 2 Thessalonians 2:4: [the antichrist] . . . so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). Paul warns that inside the church will be teachings of demons. Nothing is more obvious than calling ourselves god. Satan’s goal is to teach self-deification to man just as he offered to Adam and Eve. How many gods are there if we are each little gods?

But doesn’t it say in Psalm 82:6 that we are gods . . . is God confused what He says on this, or are YOU?

What does the true God say to those who want his title, power, and ability, who want to be as equals.

Deuteronomy 4:35: “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.”

Deuteronomy 4:39: “ Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”

Isaiah 43:10: . . . “that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”

Isaiah 44:6: “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Isaiah 45:5: “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.”

God says He knows of no other Gods— do you believe God?

Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

No word-faith gods or messiahs in training. There is no other God but the actual ONE True Eternal God, and He wants to save you from your deception. If you claim to be a god, then you have forfeited salvation because the first act of true worship is acknowledgement that the real eternal God saved you and you worship the only true God.

Jeremiah 10:11: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.” Anyone who claims to be a god, (little g or not) knows they have not created heavens and earth. They have no power to create anything with their words.

The one who started this LIE that man is a god and is now in the church must be dealt with harshly as the liar who first spoke this is coming to gather his little gods.

(source)