‘They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.’ – 1 John 4:5-6.

[bctt tweet=”The spirit of error causes people to go into error in things pertaining to God. #spiritoferror #KnowHim” username=”AngelaLowe20″]

The spirit of error is exactly what its name implies – it causes people to go into error or to the extreme end [especially] in things pe犀利士
rtaining to God. This spirit is the exact opposite of the Spirit of truth and is of the kingdom of darkness. The special targets of this spirit are Christians – especially ministers of the Gospel. Among other tools that this spirit uses, it employs scriptural half-truths to make Christians go into error.

In the book of Judges, it was told of Gideon, a mighty man of valor and deliverer used by God to rescue the children of Israel from their oppressors, the Midianites. His calling and election by God were so spectacular that it took an angel of the Lord to appear to him and to inform him of his God-given assignment. Gideon with his army of 300 did valiantly and defeated their enemies but unknown to him, the spirit of error was waiting to deceive him and make him go wrong. After he had won the victory over the enemy, he turned down the people’s offer to rule as king over them but instead asked them to give him all the earrings they took as plunder from the war. The people gladly gave him the earrings, ornaments, pendants and even the chains around their camels’ necks. ‘Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.’ – Judges 8:27.

As happened to Gideon, the spirit of error specializes in causing people to take their eyes away from Jesus Christ and to focus on other misleading things. This is how religions and sects are birthed. Gideon’s sect became a source of problem to Israel, even after his death.

Operations of the Spirit of Error

False Doctrines. This is one of its specialties. It attempts to make people misunderstand the scriptures and then it encourages them to create religious doctrines and laws that are a contradiction to the Truth of God’s word. It is the Holy Spirit alone who can accurately give us an understanding of the Scriptures. Those who read the Bible without Him (the Holy Spirit) will make themselves vulnerable to this spirit.

Twisted Truth. Twisted or half-truths are another way this hideous spirit causes an error. This is the same strategy satan used in tempting Eve in Eden’s garden when he said to her, ‘You shall not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ – Genesis 3:4,5. The devil is quite clever and knows that the best way to give you [spiritual] poison is to mix it with a few bible passages. Twisted truth made Eve go into the error of disobedience against God’s instruction and eventually lands her [and Adam] outside of God’s will.

Love of the World. It also influences people to make wrong judgements and take wrong action steps in important areas of their lives especially long-term decisions like marriage, business deals or even the ministry. It achieves this by making people love the world and the things in the world. When people are taken by uncontrolled lust for material possession, money, women and other ‘attractions’, it becomes difficult for them to discern and walk in God’s will for their lives. ‘For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…’ – 2 Timothy 4:10. The spirit of error subtly influences people to make errors later to be regretted in life.

[bctt tweet=”The spirit of error influences people into making wrong choices! #walkwithJesus #Hispath” username=”AngelaLowe20″]

Wisdom Keys to Effectively Get Free from the Spirit of Error

  • Humility. This is a major weapon for you to be free from the spirit of error because one of the things that make it easy for us to fall for the enemy is pride or our confidence in the flesh. You must submit yourself to God and continually depend on His grace which alone can keep you from error. Humility requires that you admit your humanity before God and then trust Him to equip you with His strength. Only then can you withstand and resist the devil’s attempt to bring [or keep] you in error. ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’ – James 4:7.
  • Devotion. Your intimacy with God is a great advantage you have over the enemy and his wiles. God will share vital [secret] information about the devil’s plan with you if you are consecrated to Him and He will warn you of unforeseen danger. A devoted and consecrated Christian is powerful and cannot be easily swayed by the devil. ‘He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.” Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.’ – Psalm 91:1-3.
  • Prayers. Prayer is both an offensive and defensive weapon against the spirit of error. Prayers will keep the spirit of error [and the devil] away and make it very difficult for it to influence you with its lies. Prayer brings you to the place where you draw near to God and ask Him to open the eyes of your understanding so you can differentiate between truth and error. Prayer also connects you to the Spirit of truth, by Whom you will be able to read and understand the Bible [more] clearly as God intends. You need to pray for yourself (or whoever you believe is under the influence of the spirit of error) that the Lord will open your eyes and also keep you from error as you seek to walk with Him. ‘That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.’ – Ephesians 1:17,18.
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[bctt tweet=”Prayer is both an offensive and defensive weapon against the spirit of error. #pray #Hispower” username=”AngelaLowe20″]

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Angela Lowe, MS. Ed., LPC
Angela Lowe is a licensed Professional Counselor, trained Biblical Counselor and certified Holistic Health Coach. Her kingdom mandate is to restore God’s counsel to transform lives, marriages, and churches worldwide.