Apostle Allison Smith Conliff focuses on the necessity of divine obedience and spiritual discernment. Using the Book of Ezekiel as a foundation, the Apostle highlights how God called the prophet to deliver messages to a rebellious nation, emphasizing that believers must "eat the word" to truly live it. The message warns against the dangers of false prophecy and "lying divination," urging the congregation to test spirits and maintain a sincere relationship with God. Ultimately, the sermon serves as a call for Christians to prioritize integrity, prayer, and a disciplined lifestyle to overcome modern spiritual challenges.

Key Points:

Believers can distinguish between divine truth and false prophecy by focusing on the source of the message, the character of the messenger, and their own personal spiritual discernment.

The Apostle outlines several specific ways to make this distinction:

Believers must discern whether a prophecy originates from a divine "download" or from a person's "own heart". False prophets often follow their own spirit and speak about things they have not actually seen in a vision from God. In contrast, divine truth is rooted in the word of God, which "could never miss the mark" when it is rightly divided. Apostle Conliff emphasizes that while personal opinions can be wrong, the Lord's opinion, found in His word, is the only reliable direction.

A critical way to distinguish truth is to "try the spirit" rather than blindly accepting a prophetic word. Some individuals may use "familiar spirits" to gain information about a person's situation. Because these spirits can be accurate about current circumstances, a believer might be "hoodwinked" into thinking the message is from God. Distinguishing divine truth requires the ability to differentiate between these familiar spirits and the Holy Spirit.

Believers should be cautious of those who seek to give "words" or prophecies secretly or behind the backs of leadership. The Apostle conveys that true prophetic grace operates within the order of the church, and those who "prophe-lie" can destroy lives. Additionally, divine truth is characterized by:

• A lack of extortion: Unlike false prophets who may give words to get money or property, divine truth is not about "extortion" but about "principles of faith" and "exhorting".
• Obedience and Sending: A true messenger only moves when God sends them; those who speak when the Lord has not sent them are practicing "lying divination".

The sermon notes that even Satan knows the Bible, but he does not live it. Therefore, divine truth is distinguished by its application in a believer's life. Believers are encouraged to study the word so they can become what the word says they should be, rather than just humming along in a "naive world" without a proper prayer life.

To properly distinguish truth, a believer must be fully engaged with God. Being even "1% lukewarm" leaves room for the enemy and makes one a "traitor" to the kingdom. By setting themselves apart and maintaining a surrendered heart, believers allow God to download the "times and seasons" into their spirits, equipping them to overcome hurdles and recognize false influences.

Ultimately, the sermon concludes that if a believer is in doubt about a prophecy, it is safer to "shut [one's] mouth" and wait for certainty from God, as wrong prophecy can be devastating.

Rec. Date: 23rd May, 2024