Higher Power: True Divine Authority Versus Deceptive Spiritual Forces

Many people who do not want to acknowledge God (and therefore to whom they would be answerable), substitute a vague and inferior concept, interpreting their own understanding of a higher spiritual power as they see fit. However, we are ultimately all answerable individually to God, whether we believe in Him or not (Rom 14:12; Heb 4:13).

The True God

The Bible declares all people in their hearts have an awareness of the true God who is a powerful, loving and specific being who created the world and is involved in human affairs (Rom 2:15-16; Heb 8:10). This awareness is universal, yet many choose to suppress or reinterpret it according to their own preferences rather than accepting the biblical revelation of who God truly is.

God is not merely a force or energy, but a personal being with attributes of holiness, justice, love, and sovereignty. He is the creator of all things and sustains the universe through His power. Unlike the vague concepts of "higher power" promoted in secular philosophies, the biblical God reveals Himself specifically through Scripture and through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God has no equal

The consequences of rejecting the true God in favour of self-defined spiritual concepts are serious. Without acknowledging the sovereign Creator, people remain in spiritual darkness, unable to access the truth that sets them free (Jn 8:32). The Bible warns that such rejection leads to deception and ultimately to judgment.

Deceptive Spiritual Forces

A higher power is considered to be a spirit or energy force moving through the world that has the power to affect people's lives and nature. However, through ignorance people open themselves up to deceiving spirits that are not of God (1 Tim 4:1). These spiritual entities present themselves as benevolent but actually serve to entrap and deceive those who seek spiritual experiences apart from Christ.

Satan uses all sorts of methods, including spiritual forces masquerading as benevolent agencies, to entrap and deceive the unsaved so they won't come to the true giver of life (Jn 10:10). The enemy of our souls is cunning and deceptive, often appearing as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Many who seek spiritual enlightenment through meditation, channeling, or other New Age practices are unknowingly opening themselves to demonic influence.

There is only one true God

The Bible states, even as believers we struggle against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm whose aim is to make us ineffective for God (Eph 6:10-12). This spiritual warfare is real and ongoing. The forces arrayed against us are not merely human ideologies or cultural pressures, but actual spiritual beings with malevolent intent. Their goal is to neutralise our witness, undermine our faith, and render us useless for God's kingdom purposes.

Hence, we must utilise the spiritual armour so we are not deceived and taken captive by Satan (Eph 4:27, 6:13-18; 2 Tim 2:26; 1 Pet 5:8). This armour includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Without these spiritual resources, we are vulnerable to the enemy's attacks and deceptions.

Divine Authority

In the physical realm there is a structured line of command, be it in the home, community, church, business or nation with the recognised principle that we all must submit to the higher power of authority over us; in the spiritual realm that is the Lord God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth (Lk 7:8; Rom 13:1-7). Authority structures exist in every sphere of human life, and these reflect God's created order.

As believers, He is our commander-in-chief and we must relate only to Him, not allowing any man-made, mythical or ungodly spiritual influence to have input into or control over our lives. Our primary allegiance belongs to Christ alone. No human authority, no religious tradition, no spiritual teacher, and no mystical experience should ever take precedence over our submission to God's revealed will.

The Bible clearly states, we are not to worship any other God or give any allegiance to human authority if it contradicts God's directives as "We must obey God, rather than [in preference to] man" (Ex 20:3-5; Act 5:29). This principle of obedience to God above all human authorities has been demonstrated throughout Scripture and church history. When human commands conflict with God's clear commands, believers must choose to obey God.

Do I acknowledge Christ as my Lord?

We are instructed to not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God and serve Him only (Lk 4:8; 1 Jn 4:1). This testing involves comparing spiritual teachings and experiences with Scripture. Any spirit, teaching, or influence that does not align with God's Word must be rejected. The Holy Spirit Himself will never lead us contrary to Scripture.

Reflection and Application:

Am I seeking God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, or am I creating my own concept of a "higher power"?
What spiritual influences am I allowing into my life through media, relationships, or practices?
How can I better equip myself with the spiritual armour to stand against deception?
In what areas of my life am I tempted to obey human authority rather than God's clear commands?