Satan And The Holy Spirit

Question

Does Satan send blessings in answer to prayers for the Holy Spirit?

Short Answer

Yes.

Bible Answer

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

Revelation 12:9 (NKJV) "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Inspired Answer

"Then Jesus shewed me the difference between faith and feeling. And I saw those who rose up with Jesus send up their faith to Jesus in the Holiest, and praying, Father give us thy spirit. Then Jesus would breathe on them the Holy Ghost. In the breath was light, power and much love, joy and peace. Then I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne. They did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne and pray, My Father give us thy spirit. Then Satan would breathe on them an unholy influence. In it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children. I saw one after another leave the company who were praying to Jesus in the Holiest, go and join those before the throne and they at once received the unholy influence of Satan." {DS March 14, 1846, par. 1}    

Further Observations

This paragraph comes from a letter written to the Editor of the Day Star in March of 1846, in which she described the things shown her in vision. Towards the end of the vision her attention was directed back to this earth where she saw people praying for the Holy Spirit. Some, who were following Jesus, were given power and much love, etc.. Others, who were not following Jesus, but following Satan, were blessed by Satan, and received much power, but not love and peace, etc. So, in praying for the Holy Spirit, we need to be asking (1) who are we following, and (2) what is the outcome of the prayer, being mindful that Satan also sends blessings of power.

Repeating, but in different words, the sobering part is the devil is also in the business of sending "light and MUCH power"—his counterfeit power obviously— in answer to prayer for the Holy Spirit, but "no sweet love, joy and peace." Whereas the true Spirit sends "light, power and much love, joy and peace." SO... power isn't proof of the Holy Spirit apparently. "Sweet love, joy and peace" are!