Has Your Church Been Hijacked by the NAR? How to Recognize the Signs Before It’s Too Late (Part 2)

In Part 1, we uncovered how doctrinal shifts and authoritarian leadership signal a church’s drift into NAR deception. But the shift doesn’t stop there. Once the foundation is cracked, it gives way to strange spiritual practices, emotional manipulation, and a toxic church culture masked as “revival.”

If you’ve ever questioned whether the spiritual manifestations or church environment you’re witnessing are truly biblical—you’re not alone.

Let’s expose the next layer of this deception.

Spiritual Practices: Mysticism Repackaged

Signs and Wonders Take Center Stage

One of the most seductive features of NAR-influenced churches is their obsession with the supernatural. There is an overwhelming emphasis on signs, wonders, miracles, angelic activity, and glory clouds. These phenomena have become the centerpiece of church life, overshadowing the rich, systematic teaching of Scripture. If no miracle or “encounter” occurs, people feel the meeting as lacking in some way. Intellectual and biblical discernment is discouraged, and skepticism is labeled as a lack of faith, a religious spirit, or subtle rebellion.

Manifestations Over christ-like Maturity

This fascination with the supernatural sets the stage for bizarre and uncontrolled manifestations. Services may feature people shaking violently, laughing uncontrollably, roaring like animals, or collapsing under the so-called power of God. These experiences are given more value than biblical discipleship or spiritual maturity. Emotional highs become the barometer of spiritual health and the “success” of the church service, and it is believed that the goal of the church is to orchestrate these encounters rather than teach sound doctrine (discipleship).

False Prophecies Without Consequence

One of the most troubling trends in NAR-influenced circles is the emphasis on only prophesying “positive things” over people, regardless of their spiritual state. Instead of prophecy being used to call people to repentance or warn of judgment, as seen throughout Scripture, it is reduced to affirmations about “destiny,” “favor,” and “promotion,” etc. Those engaging in prophecy are often taught to “call out the gold” in people, meaning they must focus only on how “wonderfully” God sees them. This remains the case even if they are unrepentant sinners. This belief and practice create a distorted and unbiblical image of God as a “cosmic encourager” rather than a holy and just Judge. In reality, God calls people to repentance and obedience, not just positive affirmations.

Equally concerning is the lack of accountability for false prophecies. When prophetic words fail to come to pass, there are no consequences. Leaders excuse it by saying, “We only prophesy in part,” or, “The timing just wasn’t right,” or, “We have to get it wrong before we can learn to get it right…” Unlike biblical prophecy, which requires accuracy and truth, modern NAR prophecy is treated as a process of “practice,” where being wrong is acceptable as long as the intent is good. This reckless approach leads to confusion and misplaced trust. It also devalues God’s Word and wrecks lives because prophecies that people banked on did not come to pass. Prophecy, as ordained by Scripture, was never about emotional hype or vague encouragement—it was about accuracy and truth. Stripping it of its biblical role encourages deception, fosters spiritual immaturity, and opens the congregation to the occult and mysticism within the church!

Occult-Like Practices Dressed in Christian Language

Adding to the confusion is the increasing use of mystical or occult-like practices. Many churches now host “prophetic activations” where spiritual gifts are supposedly activated through “impartation” or “soaking prayer.” Others engage in guided visualization, such as “visiting the third heaven” during prayer. Some practice ritualistic declarations or use anointed objects and portals. And (believe it or not), some NAR churches and outreach groups even dangerously deceive unbelievers by using so-called “Christian tarot cards” to “prophesy” to them. They blend occult practices with Christianity, leading people into spiritual deception. Instead of pointing them to true repentance and faith in the biblical Christ, they introduce them to a false “Christ.” These practices have more in common with New Age and occult spirituality than historic Christianity.

Worship Driven by Emotion, Not Truth

Worship, too, is not immune. In NAR-style churches, it’s not uncommon to find music that is repetitive, emotionally manipulative, and light on theological substance. The goal is often to induce an altered state of consciousness rather than to glorify God through truth. Lyrics may even present God in romantic or sensual terms, and the “experience” during worship becomes more about how you feel than about who God is.

Cultural Cues: What’s the Church Actually Producing?

Cult-Like Community Dynamics

The culture of a NAR-influenced church tends to mirror the unbiblical values it promotes. One of the most troubling cultural signs is the presence of cult-like behavior. Members are often subjected to fear-based control, guilt trips, and spiritual manipulation. Leaving the church is equated with leaving God’s will. Former members are shunned or publicly discredited as “offended,” “bitter,” or “deceived.” This results in a community that is closed, defensive, and hostile to correction.

Revival Chasing Instead of Steady Growth

Another cultural feature is the constant pursuit of revival. Rather than encouraging steady, faithful, and deeply rooted spiritual growth, these churches chase emotional highs and the next “big move of God.” Conferences, “revivals”, and “prophetic meetings” take precedence over consistent and rich Bible teaching and discipleship. Evangelism is not about presenting the gospel, but about seeking supernatural encounters and miracle moments.

A Mission Rewritten Around Power

Finally, the NAR has completely redefined the church’s mission. Instead of making disciples, the goal becomes “raising up” spiritual warriors, activating “marketplace apostles”, and taking dominion over society. Church members are encouraged to see themselves as cultural change agents rather than humble servants of Christ. This shift in mission distorts Christ’s purpose for the church. It leads believers to pursue influence and success rather than faithfulness and obedience to the LORD.

A Toxic Culture Replaces True Christianity

These cultural symptoms reveal the deeper theological disease. When hype, power, and spectacle replace humility, truth, and grace, the church loses its witness and becomes spiritually toxic.

When a Church Stops Preaching the Cross, It Has Already Fallen

The New Apostolic Reformation thrives in the shadows of spectacle, emotionalism, and doctrinal compromise. But when the church stops preaching the cross, stops submitting to Scripture, and starts chasing after power and hype—it’s no longer a church. It’s a spiritual counterfeit.

So how should you respond?

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” — Acts 17:11 (NKJV)

• Test everything by Scripture—not by feelings or titles.
• Ask hard questions—Who’s leading? What’s being taught? Is Christ exalted?
• Discern the worship—Is it rooted in truth, or built on emotional manipulation?
• Pray for wisdom, and run toward a sound, Christ-centered fellowship.
• Warn others in love—not to divide, but to deliver.

When NAR influence infiltrates the church, it doesn’t just distort truth—it endangers souls…!
And that’s why we must expose it.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words… have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:6-11 (NKJV)