Many are asking today:

1. "Is what is happening in Lakeland Florida true revival?"

2. Should I go along and get the "impartation", either to Florida or to a centre in my own country?

Many are now coming to the conclusion that some very odd things happening at Lakeland are "of the flesh" - or perhaps from some other source. Todd Bentley has himself often acknowledged from the platform: "that was weird - what was that all about?". We therefore suggest you pray and ask the Lord about these matters.

Some cautionary words from the Bible:

(Jesus) "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." - Mark Chapter 13 verses 22-23

(Jesus) "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles. Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers." - Matthew Chapter 7 verses 21 to 23.

As we have seen, Jesus himself warned us that there would be deception and counterfeits in the last days. Even to the extent that some people may even do miracles and cast out demons, yet Jesus will one day say to some of these workers of wonders: "Away from me, I never knew you". He even calls them "evildoers".

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 verses 9 to 12 says this: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."

Paul's First Letter to Timothy, Chapter 4 verse 1 warns: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

Every Christian therefore needs to on their guard at all times - to love the truth, test the spirits and avoid deception.

In his booklet "The Anatomy of Deception", Art Katz makes the following points:

"Manifestation phenomena are already perplexing the Church, with many asking, "Is it God?" People seem to receive benefit; they are delivered from hang-ups and depression; marriages are reconciled; people are restored to the faith. There is much evidence of 'good' things, but when the Last Days' deceptions come, of which we have been warned, will they not come with 'good' things? Can we tell the difference between the true and the false, especially when we want so much to be blessed and to have an experience and be relieved of our hang-ups and depressions? How discriminating are we about the source from which the 'blessing' comes? How do we tell whether something is of God, or a contrary spirit who is able to lift the depression that he may well have inflicted in the first place? Here is the key: our authentic knowledge of God, not as we thought Him to be, but as He, in fact, is.

Deception is a deception when it contains elements that are dubious and suspicious, and at the same time there seems to be apparent blessing. Who has the acumen and the discernment to see through it except a people of priestly stature whose discernment has been increased by the exercise of it? And who can discern between good and evil, between the profane and the holy? If blessings, so called, can succeed in bringing the Church to viewing benefit as the criterion by which something is judged to be of God, we may well have been brought to the very ground of deception itself. There is something more important than benefits, something more important than being released from depression; it is the holiness of God, it is His name, it is His honor, it is He Himself. Receiving benefit of a dubious kind is too high a price to pay if it is going to throw any shadow upon His great Name. We have lost everything for the sake of benefit when the desire for benefit is, in itself, suspect."

We're not saying Lakeland is a blatant fraud, but since we are repeating the Bible's warning of the need to be on your guard against possible deception, watch this revealing video of Marjoe Gortner who subsequently confessed to being an atheist and a fraud

We suggest:

1. If you are inclined to participate, you ask yourself "why do I want to become involved? Do I want to pursue "the anointing"/"the fire" or do I want "more of Jesus". Should anyone go along we strongly advise you to make your mind up to refuse to accept anything that is not from the Holy Spirit.

2. You pray and ask Jesus to guide you and give you His Wisdom so that you may discern truth and avoid deception.

3. You download and read "The Anatomy of Deception" by Art Katz (pdf file)

4. You read Peter Horrobin's article on discernment "Facing The Reality Of Mixture In The Church"

5. You read PREPARED FOR SLAUGHTER - THE DISARMING OF THE CHURCH - a 1998 article by John Green

6. You read Discerning Of False Prophets a 2005 article by Clay Sikes

Should Lakeland prove in the end to be the "real deal", your obedient exercise of Biblical discernment will surely be commended by the Lord. You will not have rushed in blindly, but will have taken Him at His word by "loving truth", by "being on your guard" and by "testing the spirits".

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