| Scripture References Ephesians 5 1-7 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. 1Corinthians 10:3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Isaiah 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure. Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. |
Cheryl Birch Ministries, Inc
Be Careful of the Jester & his Carnival
| Unprecedented revival is imminent. We are about to enter a time of great joy and rejoicing as the church is set free to minister and as thousands of souls are called out of darkness into the amazing light of Jesus Christ as their Savior. This move of God has already begun. In its infancy there is already a movement of satanic forces to pervert or steal the true joy and joyous celebration of the Lord. As revival begins to pour out in your church or region you can be sure the Jester and his carnival act will come to steal the blessings. Working hand in hand with the prevalent entertainment spirit that tries to turn revived churches into a show, this spirit works using levity that crosses over into mocking the true move of God. As you read this article these definitions will be helpful: Jester is defined as an entertainer who is there to amuse the guests. The word carnival describes the last opportunity for indulgence and sinful behavior before the fasting for lent begins. It's from a word meaning to "take away meat." To mock means to imitate, pretend, scorn, or prevent something. Levity means flippant remarks intended to be amusing, especially when they are out of keeping with a serious occasion. When freedom comes to people long bound, rejoicing is a very normal reaction. It feels good to be free. When those chains fall off people want to celebrate. Jumping for joy, dancing before the Lord, laughing, twirling, shouting, laughing, waving a scarf or hanky all are manifestations of the freedom. This is what some old timers call a Holy Ghost party. Those times in the Holy Spirit are so refreshing and exciting. This is a genuine celebration of the outpouring of God. Our Lord enjoys the celebration and He uses it to ignite zeal and passion in His people. But celebration is only a portion of revival. This is the problem. A lot of people don't want to give up the party as the Spirit of God moves into calling for adoration or deep heart changing works. During my travels, there is a pattern I have observed. A revival center is birthed by God. Dozens or even hundreds are getting saved. The bound saints are getting free. The Holy Ghost party is in full swing. Passion and zeal are building. The awesome party can go on for days, weeks even months. Then the Holy Spirit is ready to move in the revival to something else. He is wanting to teach the people how to draw near to Jesus not only celebrate freedom. Now it's time to learn to be very quiet, tender and worshipful so everyone can listen for the voice of the Lord and receive direction on repentance and healing. But, a lot of people that show up for the meeting heard there was a Holy Ghost party going on. They came for the jumping and shouting. They are disappointed in the meeting because the atmosphere is different than they expected. That's when the Jester with his carnival finds the opening to step in and manufacture what the people want. This spirit comes to steal the "meat" of the revival and to give the people the carnal indulgences they desire. A heaviness comes on the meeting for the first time in days or weeks because the "carnal wants" of the people are warring against the Holy Spirit outpouring what they actually need from God. The ones who want a party become restless. Leadership in the meeting sense a hindrance. Unfortunately, they can easily misinterpret the heaviness and restlessness and miss the real battle. The Jester subtly bombards them with thoughts to pick-up the tempo of the music or stop praying and do a fast pace song. Then someone begins to laugh, but is it in the freedom of the Holy Spirit or out of the fleshy desire to have the party begin? Too many times the tender move of the Holy Spirit is stolen by this Jester as the leadership in the meeting or church goes with the sign that joy is being released. The thought that changing the music will restore the glory wins out. They unknowingly forsake the soft touch of God and healing tears and move into the carnival that satisfies the soulish desires and flesh of man. The results seem good. The people respond and the party is on. But, a party was not in God's plan that night. The true joy and glory, God's intimate presence, are lost. If the Jester wins at this one, the next step is to continue this subtle work by having others label the church or revival as the "Joy revival." Or, proclaim that church is the "fun place to go in town. They have great music. They dance and they laugh all the time." The reputation or name of the revival cause more people to come expecting "JOY." But, they don't understand the true joy of the Lord is strength to endure and persevere. They have it mixed up with fun and happiness. Soon the revival center is filled with people who are there to be entertained, party and have fun. Receiving "holy laughter," getting healed, dancing, jumping and twirling become the revival in everyone's mind, but repentance, weeping at the altar and changed lives become less important and sometimes are forgotten. When that happens the Holy Spirit steps back in order to cause the people to seek Him. When He steps back, a heaviness comes once again. If the Leadership of the church are unaware they can get caught up in the dancing fun of the carnival. When the Holy Spirit steps back, to fill the void, they will let the Jester take His place to keep the "joy" flowing, the dancing and the twirling going. The Jester is only too happy to oblige. He will make sure the party continues but now it's worked up by man. He makes it thoroughly entertaining. Usually, the music is amazing and the praise is loud, but the worshipful soft quiet times with God disappear. Soon the true healing laughter subsides, but the people like to laugh so the Leadership start telling funny stories in their sermons and constantly make jokes and comments about laughter as the Jester moves in for the kill. The revival center has now become a carnival. People still come from all over to dance, laugh and be entertained. The Jester has step by step blinded the leadership to the point that whenever the Holy Spirit begins to move they no longer recognize or want Him. They prefer to cut off the worship and stick more with upbeat praise. Soon they begin to manipulate and control the mood and tempo of the meeting through the music and funny stories. They can bring the place to tears or get them up on their feet jumping. Except for a few true worshippers, all of it is carnal. The joy of the Lord has been replaced by fun and levity. Any true move of the Holy Spirit ushered in by the Remnant of worshippers is mocked and joked about and sometimes those folks are reprimanded or even asked to leave. The church is now dead and they don't even know it. What once was a refreshing outpouring of joy from heaven has become a Mardi Gras. As the Holy Spirit begins to pour out revival and as He establishes revival centers across this nation, it is vital that Leadership be able to discern this mocking pretender spirit who has come to steal the blessings. We must guard the precious outpouring with our lives and not give in to the will of the people or the entertainment trends. Holy Ghost parties are wonderful. I enjoy those times of rejoicing over the goodness and mercy of God. Using funny stories can touch hearts and win souls. Paul said he was a fool for Christ's sake so having a good sense of humor is vital when one is in ministry. But, I have learned that God balances all of that with the quiet reverent times. We can't forget the fear of the Lord is knowledge and the beginning of wisdom. The worshipful times when we tune into how fearfully awesome our God is can be even more powerful to change peoples lives. Those times are revival, too. In fact, most revivals started with repentance and tears. It was broken and contrite hearts that caused God to pour Himself out in all the past revivals. It will be broken and contrite hearts that cause Him to pour himself out in our day as well. Respectfully Submitted Rev Cheryl Birch |
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