It s Not What, But Who! For every truth the Devil has a counterfeit! Presented by Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD Associate Director, GC Health Ministries Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived... GC 528 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matt. 24:24 Satan and his confederacy of human agents have endeavored to mix the chaff of error with the wheat of truth. We should diligently seek for the hidden treasure, and seek wisdom from heaven in order to separate human inventions from the divine commands. FE 307 Don t Be Fooled By Imitations!
Good and Evil Must Be In Balance! Eve Wanted MORE Eve had been perfectly happy by her husband's side in her Eden home; but, like restless modern Eves, she was flattered with the hope of entering a higher sphere than that which God had assigned her. AH 115.2 Satan Says there is MORE Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4,5 (NKJV) There is more. God is limiting you to the four dimensions in which you exist Appeal to Know MORE Satan beguiles men now, as he beguiled Eve in Eden, by exciting a desire to obtain forbidden knowledge. "Ye shall be as gods," he declares, "knowing good and evil." 4SP 373 Eve Wanted MORE She was flattered that there was a higher sphere than that which God had assigned her. But in attempting to climb higher than her original position, she fell far below it. 3T 483. (A dimension beyond the four she was trapped in.) To those who regard themselves as educated and refined... the great deceiver presents Spiritualism in its more refined and intellectual aspects, and he thus succeeds in drawing many into his snare. He who could appear clothed with the brightness of the heavenly seraphs before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to men in the most attractive manner, as an angel of light. 4SP 373
"We need not be deceived. Wonderful scenes, with which Satan will be closely connected, will soon take place. God's Word declares that Satan will work miracles. He will make people sick, and then will suddenly remove from them his satanic power. They will then be regarded as healed. These works of apparent healing will bring Seventh-day Adventists to the test. Many who have had great light will fail to walk in the light, because they have not become one with Christ." 2SM 53.3 Satan Can Perform Miracles These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by Satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God... No mere impostures are here brought to view. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan's agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do. 4SP 372 It is Happening Today! That which we are beginning to use in the form of vibrational treatments have had their origins in ancient systems of healing which have been held in secret for many centuries. Spiritual scientists will begin to extend the limits of known science to incorporate higher energetic phenomena. Gerber, Richard. Vibrational Medicine, p.499 (1988) But It Works! How does it work? God s way Satan s way Jacob practiced genetics by sight Gen. 30, 31 He thought it was his work It was God s blessing! The snakes in Egypt moved! Ex. 7: 8-13 Saul sought advice of the witch of Endor I Sam. 28:3ff Satan Can Perform Miracles "He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do." Revelation 13:13, 14 Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Acupressure Herbalism Taichi (balancing energy by body-mind exercise) Eastern meditation (altered states of consciousness Yoga (disciplines) Reflexology Healing Touch
Ayurvedic Medicine Desperation Clouds Discernment Energy balancing Manipulation of prana energy Altered states of consciousness Aura readings Transcendental meditation Astrology Mind-body healing Aromatherapy Herbalism Biofeedback Yoga Macrobiotics Unfortunately many Christians are not able to discern if a healing method has been infiltrated by the enemy. They then fall prey to occult practitioners, especially when their first goal is health at any price instead of asking for God s will at any price. (Pffiefer, Healing at Any Price? 1990) Understanding Healing Method Outcomes Therapeutic Procedures Devil s Healing Devil removes curse of disease (2SM 53) Devil fakes it (apparent healing) Includes some form of mind control Weakens faith in God & His Word Apparent Healing Why? Was it the therapeutic procedure, or a placebo, or the natural course of the disease (remission)? OR Supernatural Healing Divine Healing God used the therapeutic procedure Encourages lifestyle change with God's help God's miraculous intervention Increases faith in God & His Word That mighty being who could take the world's Redeemer to an exceedingly high mountain, and bring before him all the kingdoms of the earth and the glory of them, will present his temptations to men in a manner to pervert the senses of all who are not shielded by divine power. 4SP 373 Discernment Essential Sympathetic Remedies Many will be ensnared through the belief that Spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God. 4SP 371 These Satanic agents claim to cure disease. They attribute their power to electricity, magnetism, or the socalled "sympathetic remedies," while in truth they are but channels for Satan's electric currents. By this means he casts his spell over the bodies and souls of men. ST, March 24, 1887
The Bible s Response to New Age Philosophies The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. Deut. 7:25, 26 Remember: It Is Not What, But Who And, It s Not You, But Him GC Working Policy 2009-2010 Health Ministries / 307 the great controversy between good and evil, Health Ministries encourages church members to avoid practices rooted in non-christian philosophy and belief. The Church and its institutions should promote and provide competent and caring service that respects the dignity and rights of patients. Adventist health care and ministries are to promote only those practices based upon the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy, or evidencebased methods of disease prevention, treatment, and health maintenance. - statistically significant evidence that raises probability of effectiveness to a scientifically convincing level. Practices without a firm evidence-base and not based on the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy, including though not limited to aromatherapy, cranial sacral therapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, iridology, magnets, methods aligning forces of energy, pendulum diagnostics, untested herbal remedies, reflexology, repetitive discouraged. 4. loving reaffirmation of freedom of choice, and the dignity of humankind, Seventh-day Adventist health care institutions should give high priority to personal dignity and human relationships. They should seek to provide an efficient, safe, and caring environment conducive to the healing of mind, body, and spirit. Education in healthful habits of living, as well as supportive care of the patient and family through the dying process is integral to Adventist health care. 5. Health care policies and medical procedures must always reflect a EDWIN A. NOYES M.D. MPH 1 Exposing Spiritualistic Practices In Healing