Gnosticism Today

This takes us back to Gnosticism. It was already manifest in John's day. It was called "the doctrines of the depths of God", while in fact it was the doctrine of the depths of Satan (Revelation 2:24). It boils down to the fact that in Gnosticism man's redemption and justification is not by faith in God according to the Scriptures, but rather in "mystical knowledge" acquired by personal experience. This theme is intertwined in all the cults and occults.

Though the heavens disappear in a burst of fervent heat and the earth is obliterated out of existence - what will abide? Your experience - or the Word of God?

Signs and Entry Points to Mysticism

1. The cross of Christ is not the sole basis for redemption.

2. The Holy Scriptures are not the complete single revelation of God to man.

3. Experience is the way to perfection and knowledge.

4. Experience takes the precedence over the Scriptures.

5. Intuition is given preference to Scripture and sometimes a substitute for the Holy Spirit.

6. Faith in the Word of God is defected to faith in the Church, man, self, experience, etc.

7. Transubstantiation of the Eucharist becomes Christ in you - i.e. symbols of Holy Communion namely the bread and the wine are transformed into the literal flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.

8. Mediators other than Jesus Christ are acknowledged and believed on.

9. Self is deified.

10. The allegorical method of interpretation replaces the literal.

11. Salvation is based on experience and not the Word of God.

12. The coming of Christ for His Church is spiritualized.

13. The presence of God is sought in a mystical sense.

14. Astrology (the Zodiac) is seen as an accessory to the Gospel - a source of enlightenment.

15. The Church is the ongoing incarnation of the literal presence of Christ.

16. Inner Healing, imagery, centering and "psychology" are substituted for the power of the Gospel.

17. Personal revelations, dreams and visions are given priority to Scripture as final reference in judgments, decisions and guidance.

18. Experiences are sought rather than God's will and His righteousness.

19. A euphoric form of love and unity with little or no regard for Scripture or sound doctrine.

20. Like Simon the sorcerer, signs and wonders are sought instead of true repentance and a right heart before God.

21. Hyper-faith, positive thinking, self-potential, and self-deification are taught as gospel truths.

22. Finding Christ or forming Christ within according to Eastern mysticism or New Age philosophy.

23. Meditation void of the Scriptures and reality.

24. The obsession of "spiritual warfare" with a Gnostic and "New Age" slant - allegedly doing battle in the supernatural realm to free cities and areas from the control of spirit beings before the Gospel can be preached effectively or have power to save sinners in the natural world.

True Spiritual Warfare

The Christian's battle (true spiritual warfare) is not a reeling, an intuition or an imaginative experience in the spirit realm - however real it might seem. On the contrary, the warfare is against every form of mysticism that ties the feelings, intuition and imagination into the spirit world which God strictly forbids. (Deut. 18:10-12).

As Christians we war against the strongholds of spirit mysticism that war against our minds, feelings and intuitions. By the power of the Gospel of Christ and Him crucified we cast down:

·  Reasoning, pagan philosophies, Gnostic concepts and carnal dogmas that nullify the Word of God.

·  Imaginations, theories, religion, fables, metaphysics, theosophy and meditations that defy the knowledge of God; and

·  Every thought, form of godliness and spiritual intent or practice opposed to the Gospel of Christ.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ . . . (2 Cor. 10:4-5)