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The Dangers of Emotional Highs in False Churches

Introduction

In today’s world, deception is rampant, even within places that claim to be Christian churches. Many of these so-called “Christian” churches focus more on emotional experiences rather than the truth of God’s Word. This dangerous movement leads people into a false sense of spirituality—one that is based on feelings, emotions, and self-glorification rather than faith, repentance, and biblical truth.

Satan himself is behind this deception of “getting high” in false churches. These churches encourage people to chase emotional highs, convincing them that feelings equal the presence of God. But as we will explore, the Bible warns against this deception, urging believers to seek truth over emotion.

The Emotional Deception in False Churches

The modern church has become a place where people:

Live by their emotions instead of biblical doctrine
Seek validation from preachers rather than conviction from God’s Word
Worship themselves instead of Christ
Desire to feel good instead of seeking righteousness

Many come to church not to worship God, but to hear music that stirs their emotions or sermons that flatter them. They want:

To hear how great they are
To be told how much “god” loves them, regardless of their sin
To enjoy concert-like worship experiences (Hillsong, Bethel, and other modern worship music)

But is this biblical worship? The answer is no.

False Prophets and the Danger of Emotional Manipulation

False preachers and prophets have one goal: to make people feel good while deceiving them. The Bible warns about these individuals:

2 Corinthians 11:13 – For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

These false teachers disguise themselves as “ministers of righteousness,” yet they preach a different gospel—one that replaces biblical truth with self-centered emotionalism.

The deception runs deep:

False teachers glorify themselves rather than Christ.
They manipulate emotions to create “religious highs.”
They push a feel-good gospel that eliminates the need for repentance.

The Bible tells us:

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 – And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

If Satan himself disguises as an angel of light, it’s no surprise that his false preachers do the same.

Seeking Signs Instead of Scripture

Many people say, “I can feel God,” or “I know God was with me.” They base their entire faith on feelings rather than God’s written Word.

One example is a woman—let’s call her Faye—who believed she was “filled with the Holy Spirit” in 2004. She described a supernatural experience where she “felt” God’s presence while watching The Passion of the Christ in a movie theater.

But here’s the issue:

The Passion of the Christ is not biblical—it is filled with Catholic doctrines, extra-biblical content, and deception.
God warns against adding to His Word (Proverbs 30:6, Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19).
False religious experiences mislead people into thinking they are saved, when in reality, they may not have even heard the true Gospel.

The Bible tells us not to seek signs but to live by faith:

Matthew 4:4 – Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus Himself rejected Satan’s temptation to prove Himself through signs and wonders. Yet many today fall into this trap—believing in visions, miracles, and emotional experiences over scripture.

The Influence of False Christian Movies and Entertainment

Movies like The Passion of the Christ have led millions away from biblical truth by creating an emotional experience rather than teaching the Gospel.

Consider these questions:

Would God use Hollywood to preach His truth?
Would God use actors who don’t follow Christ to portray biblical figures?
Does God want us to be entertained, or does He want us to know His Word?

The Bible warns against idolizing human-made images and emotional experiences:

Revelation 18:23 – For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Many believe movies and worship concerts lead people to Christ, but in reality, they lead them to a false emotional gospel.

The Search for Emotional Highs in Church

Many churches today resemble entertainment centers rather than houses of worship. People:

Go to church to cry, dance, or feel overwhelmed
Use music to stir emotions instead of worshiping in spirit and truth
Confuse emotional highs with the Holy Spirit

But feeling good does not mean someone is filled with the Spirit.

The Bible tells us not to be deceived by emotions:

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

The Gospel—not emotions—is the true power of salvation.

The Real Power of God: The Gospel

The Bible is clear: we are not saved by feelings, miracles, or religious experiences.

We are saved by:

Hearing the Gospel
Believing in Jesus Christ
Trusting in His finished work on the cross

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

No one has ever been saved through a Hollywood movie, a concert, or an emotional experience. Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.

Conclusion: Stop Seeking Emotional Highs—Seek the Truth

Many people today are trapped in the false emotional gospel—seeking signs, feelings, and religious experiences instead of biblical truth.

False churches manipulate emotions to keep people engaged.
False preachers deceive with “feel-good” messages.
False signs and miracles lead people away from the Gospel.

Instead of seeking a spiritual high, believers must seek the truth.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Bible is all we need. Stop chasing feelings and start trusting God’s Word.

Let’s preach the Gospel, fight deception, and stand firm in biblical truth.

Are you following emotions, or are you following Christ?

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2 responses to “The Dangers of Emotional Highs in False Churches”

Philip Menne

September 14, 2023

So sad so many follow their feelings rather than the word of God. There will be a day of reckoning when the tares will be removed from the good seed. The world grows more evil every day with ever increasing tares, the evil followers of satan, continually increasing their battle with the good seeds, those who are born again followers in Jesus Christ, the sower of the seeds. The corrupt preachers who pretend to do the work of God and their followers who seek God in their own perverse way, relying on their own selves’ sense of well being not rooted in God’s word, will suffer eternal death in the furnace of fire. The angels will reap the world from the harvest of tares, to be consumed in fire, ushering in a new heaven and a new earth, forever free of the evil doers who perverse the works of Christ. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear (Mathew 13: 43)”
Mathew 13:
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Reply
1. Joshua Tapp
  
  September 18, 2023
  
  Hello Philip, you’re right! Thanks for the comment. Hope you are doing well. Yes, it is sad that I go to the door of Jehovah’s Witness and show them that Jesus is God from the Scriptures and they argue. They say, “He’s a creation. He’s the Master Helper but God created Jesus.” Foolishness. Show them John 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Revelation 1:8, 1 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 1:23, and more. But they are too blinded by false preachers that are going to hell and taking them with them. Calling God’s words a lie = foolishness. That’s what these people do.
  
  Reply