False spirituality

I. The characteristics of false spirituality (Caracteristicile falsei spiritualități)

shows devotion to mask an evil heart and lifestyle (fariseism)

Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “ […] These people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

deceiving experiences, revelations and miracles (experiențe, descoperiri și minuni înșelătoare)

Deceiving revelations (descoperiri înșelătoare)

Deuteronomy 13:1–31 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deceiving miracles (Minuni înșelătoare)

Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

False teaching (învățături false)

concerning our behaviour (make the way of Lord either too wide or too narrow)

legalism and selfish view of holiness that hurts people

1 Timothy 6:3–5 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth.

concerning Christ (denying Christ divinity or humanity)

Mix of true and false doctrine

II. The consequences of false spirituality (Consecințele falsei spiritualități)

false hope (nădejde falsă)

lack of power in overcoming sin (lack of sanctification in spite of so much revelation)

2 Timothy 3:1–5 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

eternal damnation

2 Thessalonians 2:12 All may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

III. The causes of false spirituality (Cauzele falsei spiritualități)

living in deliberate sin

lack of biblical knowledge (spiritual laziness)

prioritizing experiences over Bible when it comes to evaluating whether something is true or not

bad influence from the wrong company

IV. The cure for false spirituality

(Combaterea falsei spiritualități)

repentance from sins

recognize

regret

renounce

consistent Bible reading and prayer

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

avoid ungodly influence

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”