Spirit of antichrist

Jason R. Staten

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Those that have greater effectiveness in Spiritual Warfare:

1. Able to look beyond the traits that are being manifest and identify the predominant Spirit that is causing the issue.

2. Be skilled in how to deal with it

3. The desire to be free from it

3 battlefields of spiritual warfare:

1. Obsession - This is where most of our spiritual warfare starts, and it happens when the adversary strives to consume your mind

2. Oppression - This is where it goes beyond obsession in your mind, and your life starts to be affected.

3. Possession - This takes place when the individual has accepted the obsession as normal. Their resolve has been weakened by oppression to the space that they are being controlled by the spirits that torment them

The 10th of the spirits that we are addressing is mentioned four different times in scripture. All in Johns epistles. We find this demonic spirit identified in John’s first Epistle

1 John 4:3 KJV 1900

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The Antichrist Spirit

Our general understanding of the antichrist is a man who embodies undiluted spiritual corruption, playing a key role in the final days of time. According to Scripture, in the end time this man—referred to as "the antichrist" — will make his appearance, attempting to deceive the world.

In the book of Revelation, Jon referred to the antichrist as "the beast." The antichrist (beast) will be so thorough in his deceptive ways that he will receive worship from everyone except God's very elect.

Will be so thorough in his deceptive ways that he will receive worship from everyone except God's very elect.

However, while this end-time antichrist of the book of Revelation will be a literal entity, we would be wise to remember Johns admonition:

1 John 2:18 KJV 1900

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

In this verse, God differentiate between "that antichrist" and "many antichrists". How can that be? If there is going to be one entity that rises up in the end time as the antichrist why does the writer say "now there are many antichrist”?

The reason the Bible speaks of both the antichrist and many anti-Christ’s is revealed in the verse that tells us the spirit of antichrist has been in the world for a long time...

While the man who will be the antichrist will appear in the last days, the spirit of antichrist has been around since the beginning of time.

It is the spirit of this 12th demonic apostle known as the spirit of antichrist, which pushes many in our day to provide the same hindrances and deceptions the antichrist of the end time will accomplish.

You can make better sense of the "anti-Christ", "many antichrists," and the "spirit of antichrist" by summing up these terms in one sentence:

"in the end-time, the antichrist will appear, but already there are many antichrist being driven by a demonic spirit of antichrist trying to accomplish the same thing the end-time antichrist will do in the last days.”

With this established, it should be noted that our goal tonight is not to offer an opinion on "the beast," the end – time antichrist. Instead, we would derive greater benefit from understanding one of the most effective demonic generals in existence – the spirit of antichrist.

To better understand the spirit of antichrist, we should start by cataloging what Scripture reveals about it:

Scripture tells us that every spirit that denies the existence or influence of God is antichrist.

Scripture denotes that some antichrists are from the world around us, while some "went out from among us," having been a part of God’s church at some point.

False prophets that try to emulate the works of God are antichrist.

Those promoting false gods in an attempt to minimize our one, true God are antichrist.

The term antichrist literally means "against Christ" and is often spoke of as being an adversary of Christ or an opponent of Christ. In that light, the spirit of antichrist fulfills a much broader role than just being personified in a man during the end time. Rather, there are many things you and I must battle to live for God that rightfully could be discerned as antichrist.

Here are a list of manifestations of the spirit of antichrist:

Acting against biblical truth, acting against God's word church, acting against God, acting against God's word, agnosticism, atheism, attempts to rationalize spiritual manifestations, blasphemy, denying God's power, denying the blood of Jesus, denying the deity of Christ, discord, harassing the people of God, hindering God's kingdom, humanism, intellectualism, lawlessness, New Age teachings, opposing growth, opposing heartfelt worship, opposing ministry, opposing obedience to Scripture, opposing progress, persecution of righteousness, rationalize in God's miracles, rationalizing spiritual gifts, rebellion, refuting prophecies, refuting God's direction, self-superior humanistic reasoning, worldliness.

We should recall that from the beginning of time Satan sought to dethrone God. Satan surmised if God wasn't in a place of all and authority, he himself could attain that glory. The book of Isaiah gives us glimpse into Satan's motivation and desire:

Isaiah 14:13 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Satan's wicked plans fell through and he was cast out of heaven. Till this day he is driven by a desire to stop God from getting the glory that he alone deserves. The spirit of antichrist searches out ways to hinder, hurt, or halt progress in the kingdom of God and to stop this world from considering the God it so desperately needs.

We find that there are many forces at work to try and emulate the power and the authority of God.

In the book of Exodus we find the magicians of pharaoh who tried to compete with the signs and wonders done and pharaohs palace through Moses.

The magicians sought to convey to the people observing the scene that Egypt's gods and priests were just as powerful as the God of Moses. At all costs they wanted to stop the people from acknowledging God as an awesome, unconquerable force.

Our western culture of America, the spirit of antichrist works in a completely different manner than it did in pharaohs court or than it does in Third World countries today. This evil spirit of antichrist seeks to minimize or deny the power of God entirely.

Schools now battle against things like prayer and Bibles.

Humanistic mentalities mock those who trust in God.

The 10 commandments are removed from courthouse walls.

Intellectuals attempt to explain away miracles.

Shaming of sports figures for kneeling in prayer.

Discrimination against Christianity by other groups.

All of these things are sent to minimize God's influence.

All of these things are attempts to refute any regard for God.

All of these things are driven by the spirit of antichrist.

Sadly, one of the places where the spirit of antichrist is most active in our present society is within our churches.

While carnal people may think they are using common sense, the reality is that some on the periphery of God’s church are influenced by the demonic spirit of antichrist!

Members deliberately making certain cultures unwelcome.

Carnal saints attacking every decision a pastor makes.

Territorial members warring against other church members.

Rebellious congregations warring against the ministry.

Rejecting outreach for fear of losing positions or influence.

Refusing to respond to any type of spiritual inspiration.

Resenting true worship in response to the touch of God.

Again, All of these things are sent to minimize God's influence.

All of these things are attempts to refute any regard for God.

All of these things are driven by the spirit of antichrist.

How can such mentalities be found among churches? Such spiritual atrocities should never be found among God's church! Consider the words of the writer to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:3 KJV 1900

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Carnal mentalities are breeding unholy attitudes that should never be mentioned among God's people! Nevertheless, they are mentioned, and they wreak havoc, making a mockery of the things of God to those standing on the outside looking in.

Colonel mentalities are breeding unholy attitudes that should never be mentioned among God's people! Nevertheless, they are mentioned, and they wreak havoc, making a mockery of the things of God to those standing on the outside looking in. These unholy attitudes render the kingdom of God of none affect to them. It is the spirit of antichrist!

These unholy attitudes render the kingdom of God of none affect to them. It is the spirit of antichrist!

Actions inspired by the spirit of antichrist serve a vile purpose toward the kingdom of God:

They make God look powerless to onlookers because they surmise God cannot change the vile attitudes of those claiming Christianity.

They strip away any regard people once had for God's church because they recognize horrendous character flaws in the lives of those claiming to be in the church.

They cause the very idea of God to appear as a sham because they see some so-called Saints are living just as sinfully as they are.

Old-timers called this "the spirit of Jezebel." It is interesting to note that from all indication the spirit that drove Jezebel was the spirit of antichrist. This is witnessed in her actions:

She espoused the fleshly lifestyle of idolatry, allowing her to act sinfully while still claiming to be spiritual.

She demanded influence over God's people, diminishing their view of God by promoting the worship of Baal.

She fight against Truman of God, surrounding herself with false prophets that she could control.

She plotted a way to tear away Nabal’s righteous inheritance, minimizing the Godly covenant that had given it to him.

All of those actions of Jezebel, whether in the church or out of the church, are inspired by the spirit of antichrist.

Even among those claiming to be gods church, it is a spirit warring against everything Jesus came to accomplish!

God intended the church to be a theocracy, meaning God government, but the spirit of antichrist wants to demand the church be governed by humanistic reasoning. Sadly, when humanistic reasoning overtakes a church congregation, the evidence of antichrist is plainly seen:

They deny the necessity of God's control.

They see God’s man as a powerless hireling.

They initiate compromise to break established covenants.

They reject the need to strive for true holiness.

They become politically driven, ordering for preeminence.

This has never been the plan of God for his church! Even so, the spirit of antichrist has always found a way to infiltrate carnal congregations to such a degree that word should have been a righteous refuge becomes a spiritual circus.

It would make complete sense that the spirit of antichrist would seek to do its greatest damage in the very institutions that are supposed to be promoting God’s cause. While certainly not every congregation is consumed by the spirit of antichrist, every congregation is susceptible to being influenced by elements that will battle against, minimize, or negate the touch of God altogether.

The following are steps that we should take to protect against and defeat the spirit of antichrist:

Step 1: try the spirits you encounter.

Among the passages of scripture that speak about this demonic spirit of antichrist is an admiration both blunt and undebatable:

1 John 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Gods infallible word declares that some things, though they seem spiritual, are not of God. In other words along life's journey you will encounter demonic spirits sent your way to refute, minimize, or attempt to negate God altogether in your life.

Gods infallible word declares that somethings, though they seem spiritual, or not of God. In other words along life's journey you will encounter demonic spirits sent your way to refute minimize or attempt to negate God altogether in your life.

Again, the apostle John wrote the above verse to underline the importance of making sure that no unholy spirit such as the spirit of antichrist, is ever allowed any influence in our lives. The danger of this kind of influence is never more real than when we understand how fearfully close it positions us to blaspheming the Holy Ghost.

For someone who has once possessed a true relationship with God to be so influenced by the spirit of antichrist that they suddenly deny God's existence, hurls them into a fearful category of people who have blasphemed the Holy Ghost and most likely will never again achieve a right standing with God.

This present danger behooves us to heed the admonition to "try the spirits." Because our fleshly nature can be influenced by the adversarial spirits we encounter, we must employ the simple tactic set forth by the apostle Paul:

1 Timothy 5:14 KJV 1900

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

...Give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Step 2 never allow your respect for the things of God to fade.

The second admonition God gives us to assist in warfare against the spirit of antichrist is to guard ourselves against any spiritual erosion of our respect for the things of God's kingdom.

Time has a way of slowly eroding our reverence for spiritual things, allowing the things of God to appear common place or as nothing special...

This is not anyone's fault; it is just a fact of life.

God, Please help everyone of us to remember that spiritual things given by you are always special!

God’s Word warns us about this natural erosion of time and instructs us to guard against the antichrist spirit that would trespass into our midst:

2 John 8 KJV 1900

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2 John

Would be a tragedy to lose the righteous elements our spiritual leaders work so hard to maintain. It is imperative that we keep a healthy respect for the things of God:

2 John 10–11 KJV 1900

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The fact that we maintain a respect for the spiritual things we have been given, is of such importance to God, that the above passage tells us, even accommodating one who defies his word renders us equally guilty of the sin they have committed.

I believe that this time that we are in, where we are not able to gather together freely has created a greater appreciation for the body of Christ. However, I believe that our focus during this time will determine its outcome in our lives after this time has passed. If this is just about us missing the company of one another, the longing for fellowship and community will be satisfied once we are resume our services and we will soon return to the same condition that we were in. However, if we realize that this is not just about seeing familiar faces and restoring a sacred habit…but it is about the wonderful and precious gift that we have been given…to be able to be a part of the body of Christ. There are things that are afforded to us when we gather together, that simply cannot be duplicated when we are apart. If we will dig deeper than just the resuming of our routines and the reunion of friendly faces…but this is a divine privilege to be a part of the body of Christ, the impact will serve to stimulate both spiritual growth and a revival for the church.

When we lose our appreciation for the things of God, it isn’t long before our relationship with God will also fade. When both appreciation for the things of God and our relationship with God begin to fade, you suddenly began seeing unholy actions inspired by the antichrist spirit and damage is done to God's kingdom.

Remember that God declared the antichrist spirit would sometimes come from within the congregation. Consider the following:

I've never seen a church that feels comfortable attacking ministry become a true revival church. Such actions are antichrist.

I have never seen anybody greatly anointed who was not first submitted to spiritual authority. Such lack of submission is antichrist.

I have never seen problematic people who keep disunity stirred up, creating chaos in congregations, we truly spiritual people. Their hindrances are driven by the spirit of antichrist.

Suffice it to say...

being careless with your respect for the things of God or your relationship with the God of those spiritual things is a sure way to open a door in your life for the attitudes and actions of the antichrist spirit.

Likewise, keeping the respect, and the relationship with God it protects, is a sure way to stop the spirit of antichrist from gaining a foothold in your life.

Step 3: Continually walk with an anointing from God on your life!

The third admonition that protects us against the spirit of antichrist comes on the heels of how to identify the spirit of antichrist at work. Once we have identified this demonic spirit, our task is simple:

1 John 2:20 KJV 1900

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

First, the word unction is simply defined as “besmeared with anointing.”

First, the word unction is simply defined as “besmeared with anointing.” This verse tells us we are not qualified to enter into such spiritual warfare if we don't have an anointing on our allies that keeps the daemonic spirit of antichrist at bay.

This verse tells us we are not qualified to enter into such spiritual warfare if we don't have an anointing on our allies that keeps the daemonic spirit of antichrist at bay.

Second, when the writer said, "and you know all things," it goes without saying he was not inferring that humanity possesses the ambitions of God. Rather, our ability to protect ourselves from the demonic spirit of antichrist will require consistently walking with an anointing from God and being constantly aware of every unholy tactic.

If you are dealing with someone who is caught up in the spirit of antichrist, first to be aware that in some cases they have already gone to far to be helped. However, in situations where help is still a possibility, you must approach spiritual warfare with that understanding that you walk with an anointing from God, and you are not going to get caught off guard by the tactics of the spirit of antichrist.

Walk in anointing. Be aware of any seed of doubt or unbelief the spirit of antichrist shows in your world. Use the anointing on your life to bind the spirit and drive it away.