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Counterfeit Spiritual Experiences: How Satan Leads People Away from Christ
Counterfeit spiritual experiences can feel powerful, convincing, and even helpful. But an experience that appears to bring healing or relief may still lead someone away from Jesus Christ and the true gospel.
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In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains how practices such as Reiki, qigong, shamanic healing, Christian Science, manifestation, and the law of attraction can encourage people to rely on themselves, spiritual forces, or supposed universal power rather than the Lord.
Doreen also addresses the mistaken belief that God always promises immediate physical healing. Scripture teaches that God may use suffering to deepen our dependence upon Him and make us more like Christ. As 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 warns, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so Christians must never judge a spiritual practice merely by whether it appears to work.
Every spiritual teaching, experience, and claimed miracle must be prayerfully tested by the Word of God so believers are not led away from Christ and the truth of the gospel.
Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 11:14–15; 2 Corinthians 1:9; Exodus 7:10–12; 1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22.
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