IMPRESSIONS -- TRUE AND FALSE

     Impressions may be of God, the devil, or ourselves. Most teachers and writers treat this subject in such a way as to infer that there is but one source -- the devil. Though they intend well, the effect is not always the best, for the tendency is to discourage and look with suspicion upon any extraordinary working of the Holy Spirit. The fact is, God frequently chooses to lead souls by powerful impressions and we should encourage rather than discourage the genuine. Especially so, since in this age the bulk of professed Christians are on the side of tame conservatism.

     But among those who aim at being intensely spiritual we find some who defeat their own object and hurt their influence by yielding to false impressions, and for the benefit of such is this warning written.

     Genuine Impressions

     Let us first consider genuine impressions. When a leading or impression is of God it will harmonize in at least five respects, viz., the plain teaching of the Word. the clear directions of the Spirit, providential circumstances, Christian counsel, and good common sense. When God is leading there will be no conflict with other clear leadings though there be a lapse of years between. Duty calls in only one direction at a time. When there is confusion and uncertainty as to which course to take, the proper thing to do is to hold still and do nothing. God does not require you to act or decide until the mist clears away. When there are but two things left to do, do not pursue either course until you feel equally clear to abandon the other. To insure divine guidance always be sure of aiming at just one thing -- the glory of God. When there is no unsanctified ambition or self-interest at stake the soul can afford to wait God's time and then unhesitatingly move forward.

     Impressions From The Devil

     He was originally a mighty influential angel and after his fall doubtless retained his former wisdom and power though now employed in antagonizing God and ruining man. He has been practicing on human nature about six thousand years; hence understands when to make an attack as a "roaring lion," when to appear as "an angel of light," and should either fail, then to set in for a lifelong battle as an "accuser." The majority of souls, as in Gideon's army, become "fearful" at the roarings of Satan, and quit the fight. Of those who can not be frightened out of the way, there is another sifting and many are sidetracked by false leadings and impressions. Of this second class we desire to speak.

     Satan doubtless knows the strength of souls fully as well or better than they do, and knowing their different dispositions and temperaments he withholds certain proposals until such a time as there is a likelihood of yielding. Some are more susceptible to false impressions than others. This may be due to hereditary influences, bad teaching, or the effects of certain sins. But whatever the cause, God's remedy is greater than man's ruin. Let us notice some of the characteristics of Satanic or fanatical impressions.

     1. An impetuous spirit. This evidently seems to be the principal feature of the leadings, or rather drivings, of a false spirit. For the devil always hurries and drives souls while God gently leads them. You can settle it that a pseudo-religious spirit is around when something urges you to "do that thing right now, or you will never have another opportunity." "If you fall to do your duty this time the Spirit will be grieved and may leave you forever." "You ought to drop this work and go at once to that neighbor's house and pray with him." These and many more similar suggestions are generally from below. God may lead you to do these very things, but will always give proper time, generally leading up to the point of action by some providential circumstance.

     As a rule it is not the proper time to do your duty by another while you are agitated or heated. God will give you time to wait and pray until you get a special baptism of love and His opportunity will finally present itself. We knew a brother who said he suddenly felt he "must go over to a certain house some distance from the public road and pray with that poor family." When he arrived he found to his chagrin that the house was vacant. He returned a wiser man.

     "He that believeth shall not make baste." Yes, that is it; he that has the rest of faith which believes nothing can transpire without the will or permission of God -- he needeth not make haste and take things in his own hands. But you say, "Doth not the 'king's business require haste'?" Yes, provided you are fleeing from sin, for God was never pleased with any other kind of haste. David gave expression to the above words when he intended to deceive. And, because of his "haste," he later confessed that he had "occasioned the death" of a whole "city of priests, men and women, children and sucklings." This is just what you do when you yield to a hurry influence -- you hurt and ruin more than you help.

     2. An unteachable, unyielding spirit. This is a sure characteristic of fanaticism. Those who are affected may insist that they are not unyielding, but simply standing for the truth. And they are so sure their position is right that it looks like compromise and sin to make any concessions or acknowledgments. To do so would dishonor God. But the fact is, as Wesley puts it, "You will thereby not hinder but adorn the gospel. As an instance of this, be always ready to own any fault you have been in. If you have at any time thought, spoken, or acted wrong, be not backward to acknowledge it. Never dream that this will hurt the cause of God. No, it will further it. Be therefore open and frank when you are taxed with anything, do not seek to either evade or disguise it, but let it appear just as it is."

     These precious souls mistake their own leadings for those of the Spirit; their own self-will for the convictions of God; their own preoccupied opinions for the authority of God. The new light they receive is mostly on eating, dressing, demonstrations, house furnishings, etc., etc. Something extraordinary and in advance of the common run of things; something that eclipses all others and draws attention to self as a sort of religious hero or goddess that because of their conscientiousness and superiority God is going to use them to revolutionize things.

     True, God may lead souls out on these or other lines and He may use one to create a new order of things in religious circles, but when He does, He generally chooses those who are so well saved that there is no advertising of self or personal holiness, those who do not censure and discount others for not quickly endorsing and walking in the same light. A fanatic is never content to walk in his own light but is continually forcing it upon others and when they do not readily embrace his views and mannerisms, he has less fellowship with them and finally denounces and severs connection entirely.

     It would be well for all to remember that no amount of radicalism or zeal can ever atone for an unsanctified tongue or unruly spirit. If you undertake to correct or oppose these dear souls they will cite you to numerous cases where their prayers were answered, and of things God (?) told them that came true. They think because certain things came to them while upon their knees, therefore God had spoken and the reason you did not hear was because you were not living close enough to Him. They look upon you with either pity for your blindness, or contempt for your stubbornness. Hence, you can not teach them because they are in advance of you.

     3. Something new and startling. These precious souls are always discovering and relating wonderful things. A familiar expression with them is, "The Lord showed me," and, "The Holy Ghost told me." He is made responsible for everything. They put great stress upon dreams, visions, and voices; the wonderful things that come to them while upon their knees; the wonderful answers to prayer; the wonderful things God tells and shows them in the night seasons. It is all wonderful; always some new discovery and glorious revelation that eclipses others and puts them in the shade.

     It is a sure characteristic of fanaticism to go from one flight to another, from one startling position to another. The fact is it does not stand the wear and as soon as one extraordinary leading loses its inspiration, rather than admit a failure, another suggestion or prophecy is launched and so on, until it becomes almost impossible for God or any one else to arrest it. If a failure or collapse does finally come, the responsibility is placed on those who did not quickly obey and run at the crack of the whip. As a rule it has to run its full course and to oppose it strenuously and openly is simply to feed and prolong its existence. It thrives on opposition and can not bear to be left unnoticed. This will kill it quicker than anything else. Keep sweet-spirited and do not act as though it were around. If it exhorts and takes the denunciatory attitude, put your own construction on it and say, Amen. If it shouts and screams, do not look sullen, but turn in and let God give a sample of genuine blessing. An ounce of this will silence and disperse fanaticism more effectually than a ton of argument.

     The way to fight strange fire is not to whip it, for in so doing you will only scatter it, but begin another fire and make it so hot that it will envelop the former. Fight wild fire with real fire.

     4. Changeableness. False impressions are changeable and unreliable -- soon to come and go. Persons who are thus affected are very busy, first at one thing, then another; first feeling strongly called to this and then to that; first seeing all Scripture authorizing this view and then that, and so on; ever expecting to see wonderful results and answers to prayer, but it is mostly talk. When we look for lasting results they are not to be found.

     As a rule, impressions and convictions that come very suddenly and produce high emotion are not so enduring as those that begin in a more unassuming manner and increase in strength as time goes by. False leadings are very strong and enchanting at first, but are quick to fluctuate and diminish, so that when one begins to follow them he will soon lose his moorings and there is no telling where he will land. These urgent leadings do not want to hold still long enough to be examined closely; they can not bear to be looked upon with suspicion, but demand every one to "lay aside your unbelief and fall into line." How different when God leads! There is such a restfulness of faith, such a freedom from misgivings and uneasiness. Instead of so many things to look after there is but one -- pleasing God -- and that can be done in little things as well as greater ones; yea, it imparts greatness to little things when done as unto Him.

     5. A spirit of exaggeration. A close observer can readily tell when he has come in contact with one who is given to impressions and wild imaginations. He speaks with a pomposity and positiveness that does not savor of genuine meekness. Fletcher says, "The fanatic speaks far more confidently than the real humble, holy, inspired saint of God." There is no mistake about his leadings, for he has heard direct from heaven.

     "There is always a consciousness that the facts are inadequate for the occasion, and so an effort must be made to put on the coloring as bright as possible, and the least little things in the person's favor, or in the line of success are magnified into great proportions.

     "A little congregation of a hundred is reported to be several hundred, statistics as to religious meetings are run up into fabulous figures, a little financial prosperity is spoken of with such inflated terms as to make it sound like Wall Street.

     "Fanaticism finds mountains in mole hills, construes some little passing incident to be a great fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and imagines that some ordinary dream or mental flashlight in prayer is the signal for something startling and world-wide in its import. It uses high-sounding phrases, and always misconstrues history, prophecy, providence, or revelation; for a lie is none the less a lie for being conspicuously in the center. And instead of a sweet divine passion to give Christ the preeminence in all things, it magnifies self as almost equal to Jesus. The real saints have always shunned the spirit of exaggeration, for a lie is none the less a lie for being wrapped in the pious garb of religious enthusiasm. Have you noticed that Jesus uses simple, positive words, without excessive adjectives because He meant just what He said?"

     6. A spirit that despises authority. This is a sure characteristic of fanaticism. While the sectarian idolizes and defends his church, the fanatic goes to the other extreme and rejoices in his liberty that lets him do as he pleases, and no one has a right to remonstrate. A common expression with him is, "There are no straps on me, I do not belong to anything but God, that's enough for me." "I used to be afraid of man, but bless God I am no longer afraid of the face of clay." We have seen these dear souls shout and take things by storm when it was apparent (and they afterward acknowledged) that a strange power took possession of them and they could not help doing as they did. With some it was the means of opening their eyes to a delusive spirit, while with others it simply confirmed them more fully in that delusion.

     "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

THE END