THE FALL OF THE END-TIME CHURCH – The Charismatic Curse – by Pastor Paul M Hanssen
THE CHARISMATIC CURSE
The so-called Charismatic movement, or Charismatic Renewal as it was often referred to, sprang up in the early 1960’s. In some areas of the universal church there was a genuine move of God. This “renewal” did not only manifest itself through people receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but was also, and predominately, manifested upon people receiving and operating in the gifts of the Spirit.
The renewal was found within all mainstream denominations such as the Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Calvinist, and Presbyterian churches, to mention a few. It was also embraced within the Pentecostal churches throughout the world. What I believe God intended to be a blessing and a stepping stone into greater Truth and an expanded experience with God, has actually become a curse and has opened the door to the present-day Emergent church which has, and is, crippling the church of God (we will look at the Emergent Church in a later article).
The Charismatic Movement erred in that it veered off track by replacing the revelation and teaching of God’s word with prophetic gifts. Not only was the gift of prophecy promoted above the teaching of the Word, but so also were many of the other gifts of the Spirit. The word of God became secondary during this “move” while spiritual gifts became the focus. People who had the gift of prophecy were revered as prophets. There was no distinction made between the ministry of a prophet and those who had a gift of prophecy. Receiving the gift of prophecy does not make anyone a prophet.

THE WORD PROPHET
The “word prophet” is one of the five-fold ministries given to the church. A true word prophet brings God’s word to the forefront. A prophet is called to tear down and build up with the word of God.
Jeremiah 1:5-10. 5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
The Prophets Mission: ROOT OUT – PULL DOWN – DESTROY – THROW DOWN – BUILD – PLANT
This is the ministry of a word prophet! The word prophet operates in his/her calling by teaching, preaching, proclaiming, promoting and declaring the inspired word of God!
All of the prophets in God’s word, throughout history, had the same mandate and ministry that Jeremiah had. A word prophet is sent to the nation as a whole (or to a whole body, group, church). He is sent to deliver word that stirs the heart and causes a shift, a change of direction, a change in mindset, and to give clarity of purpose. A word prophet establishes God’s purpose and will for the particular season and time. He reveals what was, what is, and what is to come through the revelation of the word.
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
The gift of prophecy, on the other hand, is not given to the church as a leading ministry. This gift is given primarily for edification, not for direction or governing.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
The gift of prophecy is for anyone in the church to receive, as are any and all of the gifts of the Spirit. But, as already mentioned, the word prophet is one of the fivefold ministries and must not be confused with the gift of prophecy.
The Charismatic movement made the mistake of allowing “gift prophets” to guide the direction of the movement. These were often spiritually immature people with little depth or spiritual substance. Throughout this renewal period, the word of God was no longer the rock upon which the movement, and indeed the church, were being built. If the move of God had truly been permitted to take root within the various traditional churches where the charismatic renewal took place, then those touched and affected by it would never have remained in their respective church denominations; they would have come out. Many of the traditional church denominations emphatically denounce, reject, vehemently oppose and despise great portions of God’s word; the universal Catholic Church being one of the worst offenders. The true Spirit of God will lead and guide into all truth. The Holy Ghost will never lead anyone away from truth! (John 16:13).
I call the outcome of the Charismatic renewal the Charismatic curse. I call it that because it has become the root of divination and witchcraft that has sprung up in the church, disguised as the Spirit of God. This movement became the root from which has risen false prophets, false apostles, false teachers, and false pastors or shepherds.
§ False Prophets - Matthew 24:23-24, Mark 13:22
§ False Teachers – 2 Peter 2:1-2
§ False Apostles – 2 Corinthians 11:13
§ False Pastors/Shepherds – Jeremiah 23:1
Is the church today conscious of these false ministries and false anointing in their midst? Are we heightened in our awareness of this false spirit that is working overtime to lead God’s people into error?
Surely, we must awaken as the people of God! We must be cautious and alert as there are grievous wolves in the midst of the body of Christ. We must climb the watchtower because there are those who are subtly creeping into the church who are sent to bring destruction.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30).
Cling to TRUTH! The truth must be center. The word of God must be the guide. Be alert!!
We must be careful not to love the gift more than the Giver!