Bewitched
Are you truly born-again or have you been bewitched by a phony religious experience that doesn't require repentance?
A tract by Ray Pringle
In a society where politicians and preachers, movie stars and entertainers, gospel singers and housewives, presidents and mayors, claim to be "born- again", just what does this mean? Is this professed spiritual experience of being born-again a fad or a reality? Is it a religious phenomenon that is a transforming miracle of God's grace unto salvation, or just a phony and deceitful profession--the results of a spiritual "bewitching?" In all truth and verity the being born-again "Craze" in America possesses both reality and deceit. Here is the awful truth however: Most people claiming to be born-again are not born-again!
THE AUTHORITY
God's Word is the sole authority on this very vital experience and interesting subject that has become both fashionable and a fad in America's Sick Society. Jesus Christ declared: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see (or enter) the kingdom of God." John 3:3,5. Jesus further explained that there is a natural birth every person has experienced - but, to be eligible for eternal life and entrance into the Kingdom of God, every man, woman, boy or girl must have a spiritual rebirth--"Ye must be born again." What does being "born-again" mean? Answer: Receiving a new nature that is Divine, a nature possessing new desires, new loves, a new mind, a new heart, a new spirit. God promised this to all who Repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord: "A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you..." Ezekiel 36:26-27.
Then, what are the manifestations of being truly born-again, the miracle of God's grace performed at Repentance? Answer: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [i.e., new creation]; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Cor. 5:17.
PRETENDING
God's Word warns true born-again believers in Christ of those who pretend to be born-again: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable [i.e., detestable], and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16. Jesus Christ and His Apostles declared the scriptural criterion whereby we may discern a true Christian from a phony: (Jesus) "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. 7:19-20. (The Apostle John) "He that saith, I know him [Christ], and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1John 2:4. Also, "He that committeth sin is of the devil," 1John 3:8. A real Christian must give up all sin! This is not judging--it is spiritual discernment.
A president, governor, mayor, movie star, entertainer, gospel singer, preacher, deacon, housewife, or teenager who really is Born-Again, gives up his sins and world-conformity. Gal 5:24. There are no exceptions, for God's Word declares the conditions of salvation: "In every nation he that feareth him [God], and worketh righteousness [i.e., lives a holy life-style], is accepted with him." Acts. 10:35.
HOW TO BE BEWITCHED!
Jesus Saves! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," Acts 16:31. I don't believe anyone wants to be lost--that is, go to hell! But the devil, to deceive men and to lead them astray and into hell, uses phony religious beliefs and experiences to "Bewitch" them. "To Bewitch" means "to attract through enchantment or charm." Simon the sorcerer fooled or bewitched the people of Samaria through enchantment. Acts 8:9. The Apostle of Jesus Christ cried out to professing Christians: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Gal. 3:1. "Bewitching" is a phony spiritual experience, that simulates the true born-again experience, but does not emulate the work of the Holy Spirit to produce a "new nature" or "new creation" that can live a holy life.
Preachers by the thousands are bringing Jesus and the born-again experience down to the level of human nature--they are not bringing men up to the divine nature of Jesus Christ. This is being done through a gigantic hoax, the preaching of "Another Jesus" who accepts anyone who professes to believe on him without Repenting!
HOW TO BE TRULY BORN AGAIN!
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19. Jesus said unequivocally and soberly: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish!" Luke 13:3, 5. Christ's first message was: "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15. The Holy Scriptures have warned all men: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30.
If a person believes on Christ unto Salvation, he believes Christ meant what He said: "Repent, and receive me as Lord, OR PERISH!" To Repent means, "to turn around and go in the opposite direction; to give up your sins."
DON'T BE DECEIVED
Millions of our fellow Americans claim to be born-again but are deceived--they have not repented nor received the divine nature of Christ. This is discerned very easily by the way they live! The Bible warns that if a man hears the Word of God and disobeys it, he deceives himself. James 1:22. My friend, preachers today don't say much about Hell, but it's still real and terrible. The angels that sinned, God cast into hell, and so will He do to all men who refuse to repent! 2Peter 2:4. We must not get our eyes on these phony Christians who live like the World and Hollywood, and be Bewitched. Do not listen to soothsaying preachers who preach an easy gospel void of old-fashioned Repentance.
"Let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [Christ] is righteous." 1John 3:7.
BEWITCHED!
My friend, if your professed born-again experience doesn't harmonize with God's Word, doubt your experience--don't doubt the Bible! The Lord warns every sinner and professing Christian: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness [i.e., tolerance]; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2Peter 3:9. Christ will save you, if you will repent! Do it now, before it's too late, and be truly born-again!
By Brother Ray Pringle
WORD OF PROPHECY FELLOWSHIP
P.O. Box 10200
Jacksonville, Florida 32247
End of tract.
Word of Prophecy website: http://www.wordofprophecy.org