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Acts 8:9 - 10
ESV - 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great.
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Jesus Himself encountered this and clearly explains to us that there is no 'occult' practice that uses His name to cast out evil, since evil does not drive out evil, otherwise it undermines the foundation of its own house, (Mark 9:38-40, Luke 11:15-20). While those performing these miracles of healing can later be identified as the 'lawless' whose evil motives are revealed and punished by GOD, (Matthew 7:21-23), their personal motives have no effect whatsoever on the divine activities themselves, (which are coming from GOD), just as those preaching the true gospel with evil or immature motives are viewed similarly by GOD, (Philippians 1:15-18). The Holy Spirit is equally pleased as long as the divine power and true gospel are being preached and exhibited. It is only when the gospel is altered or a different gospel is being preached that we see divine judgment arriving upon those doing it, called the 'anathema,' (Galatians 1:8). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever means or mechanism is used to actually convey His power and His truth, the 'effects' will remain the same for the person involved, whether these genuine powers arrive through 'evil' hands, or 'good' hands. GOD uses both equally based only on the willingness of the 'vessel.' GOD has even led evil men by the nose with their own strange 'dual' motives or visions to protect and preserve His holy words, spread His gospel, defend His people from harm, and even grant the gifts of the Holy Spirit, even though the person doing this was otherwise spiritually reprobate. The false prophet 'Balaam' of the Old Testament is a good example. His continuing 'spirit' leads an entire 'impostor' Christian tradition to this day, (2 Peter 2:10-22, Jude 1:10-16), and is perhaps the most evil among them all, yet GOD frequently uses this 'spirit' and its inspired people to 'bless' His own people, exhibit His power and preach His gospel. That is not what this evil 'spirit' has in mind of course, just as Balaam repeatedly tried to curse Israel but simply couldn't, because as a 'prophet' he could only speak whatever was told to him and arrived through him, like an artist without a 'filter.' GOD simply won't curse His own people. People often forget that 'false prophets' are NOT 'fake' prophets. They are real prophets, only inspired by evil instead of good. They are often quite powerful and even sometimes 'channel' GOD's Holy Spirit, though they remain unchanged by the experience themselves. Just like king Saul, who dwelt 'among the prophets of Yahweh' only to 'return to his proverbial vomit' each time afterwards. He blessed others but could never bless himself or do any actual good of his own. While in the ideal, GOD would obviously prefer to use His own holy people to effect all of these changes and demonstrations, GOD will use whatever and whoever is actually willing. The effects and power will be EXACTLY the same, since the media through whom it arrives is not a 'filter' or obstruction to GOD and His Holy Spirit. GOD always remains EXACTLY the same.
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