Apostle A. L. Albury

Kingdom Encounter Ministries International-(KEMI)

In Matthew 16:6 Jesus told the disciples to, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." Leaven in this regard represents that which seeks to oppose, replace and to operate as truth within the Kingdom of God. In many cases we relate this only to the doctrines of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, however it goes deeper. Jesus is revealing to us that we need to pay attention to the schemes and devices of the enemy. Leaven infiltrates, infects and immobilizes the Church. He said be aware of the leaven. The spiritual operation of this satanic and demonic device is called "spiritualism" and those who practice it are called spiritist or better known as false prophets. Spiritualism is a counterfeit anointing and that seeks to produce a false witness of Christ. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I (God) profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:22-23. Sadly this is the result of rebellion, disobedience and lack of submission to the authority of God.

Last week we examined spiritualism in light of prophetic operations in the Church and we will continue this week with understanding three more characteristics of this spiritual operation. We learned that not because something sounds spiritual means that it is from God. II Corinthians 11:14, tells us that "... for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Not because someone appears to be spiritual, dress or speak in religious manner means that they are of God. The Word says know them that labour among you and it goes on to tell us how to; it says you shall know them by their fruits. In our times, we are witnessing the idolatrous and iniquitous manifestations of spiritualism even within some of our churches. Clearly, as we move deeper into this spiritual reformation age, we must be able to discern the difference between the authentic flowing of the Holy Spirit and the operations of spiritualism. Spirit-ualism deeply roots itself in religious traditions, religious rituals and religious cultures. It wants to be where truth ought to prevail. It was these religious seats of false authority that opposed Jesus' ministry while he was on the earth. Spiritualism hates the advancement of God's Kingdom and will seek to oppose it through counterfeit operations. Friends let's not become im-pressed by the operations of spiritual gifts. Look for spiritual fruits (Galatians 5:22). Individuals not led by the Spirit of God are led by a counterfeit spirit. True prophetic utterances should edify, exhort and comfort the hearer according to I Corinthians 14:3. Prophecy should never cause confusion, uncertainty, anxiety or lack of self-confidence. Here are the three manifestations of spiritualism that we discussed in length last week:

1. They seek to function in ministry with no accountability to God's established authority over the Church

2. They demonstrates critical, negative and harmful behavior speaking lies against those who stand for and preach the truth

3. They become Prophetic Mer-chandisers

Spiritualism and the spirit of the false prophet is that leaven that is known as an "opposing spirit." It seeks to oppose the advancement of the kingdom of God and it seeks to oppose your personal destiny. It conceals its true nature, its motive and its source of power. It doesn't want to be exposed. It thrives by operating in darkness. Spiritualism comes to be in opposition to, it goes up against, it produces resistance, it comes to cause spiritual combat in your life, it is injurious, it adversely affects, it causes upset, it brings distress, it causes problems, it objects to, it criticizes, and will seek to pass judgment on your destiny. In Acts chapter six we see recorded that men were hired to speak against Stephen to say that they heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. These hirelings turned the people, the elders, and the scribes against him and he was eventually brought before the religious council. What did Stephen do to stir up this kind of trouble? According to the scriptures, he was a righteous man, full of the Holy Ghost. "And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people." Acts 6:8. "And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." Acts 6:10. Stephen we know was moving in apostolic authority and spiritual truth through the power of the Holy Ghost. Signs and wonders were following him. He was de-stroying the works of the devil "To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8. The works of Satan was being destroyed by Stephen causing the religious council to loose control over the ignorance and sin bound state of the people. They were merchandisers of souls and were prepared to build false witness against Stephen's ministry. In our day there is no difference. The seats of satanic authority will cause false witnesses to rise up against the sons of God. However, we know that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. What are some other characteristics of spiritualism?

4. Spiritualism produces defilement and lack of moral character

"But specially those who go after the unclean desires of the flesh, and make sport of authority. Ready to take chances, uncontrolled, they have no fear of saying evil of those in high places:"

II Peter 2:10. What you will see is immoral recklessness among those who are spiritist. They defile themselves by having no moral character. This is prevalent in religious circles today, men who preach the gospel and practice sweet hearting. They engage in all manner of sins against the order and authority of God. This is not the Kingdom this is spiritualism. When the Kingdom comes, His will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. If our wills are still alive, His Kingdom has not yet come in us. They have no self-control over their lust and will often give in to dark perversions never being satisfied until they can convert others to partake in their acts of defilement.

5. They despise the Fivefold Go-vernment of God

"...despise government..." II Peter 2:10.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder... Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end..." Isaiah 9:6-7 Jesus came to bring a Kingdom government which He further reveals in Ephes-ians 4:11-13 "And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ..." Those who walk in spiritualism despise the fivefold kingdom government of God. They hate authority! They don't like order. They don't like submission. They don't like change and they don't like spiritual newness. They despise spiritual governing authority. The word "despise" means to think of as inferior, worthless or to utterly disrespect. They have no respect for spiritual authority. They freely speak against God's anointed with no fear of God. This is rebellion at its highest order and it exists in the church. They credit the Holy Ghost for never allowing them to be a planting of the Lord in any local church; they just float around town going from church to church, ministry to ministry, conference to conference, and prophet to prophet. There is no accountability among them. They call their own prayer meetings and call their own revivals. They approach church leaders to say, "God told me to have three nights of prayer at your church." Yet they will never submit to church leadership. They use churches to merchandise the people of God. This is rebellion! They say things like, "I don't need any pastor to cover me," "I don't believe in accountability covering." They go to one just like them to hear smooth saying prophesies to justify why they do what they do. There is no order ultimately they refuse correction from the fivefold governing authority of God.

6. Full of self boastings and pride

Second Peter also reveals to us that wherever spiritualism is in operation, there is going to be presumptuousness, self boasting and pride. This is a self-centredness that produces prideful arrogance. They are full of themselves and boast in their achievement. Self will is a prideful spirit that sees self as authority therefore it need not submit to another. Spiritualists are self-centred. They are not submissive unless there is something in it for them. A prideful, self boasting and presumptuous prophet is one who prophesies just because he can and not because he is being led by the Spirit of God. There is no unction of the Holy Ghost they move in self and flesh out of pride and self-centredness. They want to be seen of man.

7. Speaking evil of Authority

This leaven has been in the church for so long that it has leavened much of the Body. "...speak evil of dignities (authority)" II Peter 2:10. Five-fold governmental gifts of God have been given power and authority in both the natural and spiritual realms by God. "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority ..." Luke 9:1. He also said, "Behold I give you the keys of the Kingdom." Spiritualists have great difficulty accepting God's anointed vessels. Friends, rebellion against God's authority is meted with a more sever penalty that against His power. Authority is what establishes power! Authority precedes pow-er. We see this in Satan's act of rebellion, he rebelled against God's authority not His power directly. Satan was not interested in power, he had power what he wanted was God's seat of authority; it is recorded that, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God..." Isaiah 14:13. What a boastful and prideful heart? "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate." Proverbs 8:13. The Word teaches us to "Touch not mine anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm." Psalms 105:15. Yet those who operate in spiritualism are not afraid of speaking evil against God's anointed. They don't fear God nor do they reverence His authority. Let us all become more aware of spiritualism so that we be not deceived.

Friends, keep the emails and testimonies coming (kingdomencounter @gmail.com).

Apostle A.L. Albury is Senior Pastor, KEMI Tabernacle #31 Pioneer's Professional Plaza, P.O. Box F-43601, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. He is considered an apostolic and prophetic teacher and Kingdom revivalist. He ministers the Word with surgical precision and walks in demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit at conferences, prophetic healing revival services and miracle crusades. He also serves as Chan-cellor of the Kingdom Apostolic & Prophetic School for Ministry Train-ing. To learn more about Apostle Al-bury and Kingdom Encounter Minis-tries, Int'l, Email us at: kingdomencounter@gmail.com.