I've turned down “free” money and “free” meals before because I realize they are a come on for someone to try to get into my pocket.
In fact I turned down a “FREE” meal last week at a high dollar steak house because the people wanted me to hear their spiel on how I could get 12.5% interest on my investments!
And I certainly don't pay any attention to those who say they are just one court case away from making me a billionaire because of some “defunct” oil property they say I may have a claim on. “ we need your donations to file the court case! Guaranteed win!”
I'll pass!
As a character in a G.K. Chesterton story remarked, "Where does a wise man hide a leaf? In a forest."
How *do* you tell true manifestations from the Holy Spirit from emotionalism? (...and do people in the neighborhood of such things want to participate, see Simon Peter and Simon Magus in the book of Acts)
...and speaking of 'wizards', then, how do you differentiate the work of the Holy Spirit from festivals such as the Hindi event referred to earlier in the thread?
Point being, yes, shutting all such things out will keep you safe from being taken in; but you might yourself get left out.
Note that I am *not* saying one should lay oneself open for just anything because someone describes it with the word spiritual.
Cheers!