Description: A Warning to Christians About the Counterfeit Spirituality of Autismism
In these last days, a dangerous spiritual deception has infiltrated the church – one that replaces the Holy Spirit’s role with autism spectrum disorder. This book exposes “Autismism” as a modern-day Gnostic heresy that claims this disorder provides a “special connection” to God outside of and apart from Christ.
Drawing from Scripture and real-world examples, this warning guide:
- Reveals how this counterfeit spirituality contradicts God’s Word
- Exposes its roots in ancient Gnostic heresies
- Arms believers with biblical truth to combat this deception
- Defends the preeminence of Christ as the only way to the Father
Essential reading for sons and daughters of the King, seeking to protect the church from this subtle spiritual attack that exalts disorder above Christ’s finished work.
Beloved of God, I was intending to publish this book on Amazon, etc. but haven’t had time, so I will post chapters of this book one by one as I’m able. The message is too important to not share.
Autismism Defined
au·tism·ism | ˈȯ-ˌti-zəm-ˌi-zəm | noun
- A counterfeit spirituality that redefines connection to God by falsely attributing spiritual gifts and special divine connection to autism spectrum disorder rather than the Holy Spirit.
- A modern repackaging of Gnostic beliefs that:
- Attacks Jesus Christ’s preeminence by replacing identity in Christ with autism spectrum disorder as identity.
- Credits autism spectrum disorder as a source of “spiritual gifts” and supernatural abilities, including psychic ones.
- Claims special spiritual knowledge or enlightenment through autism spectrum disorder
- Promotes the idea that those with autism spectrum disorder have superior spiritual capabilities compared to “typicals,” thereby crediting the disorder as the source of these “spiritial gifts”, glorifying the disorder instead of God.
- A doctrine that attempts to replace Jesus Christ and His indwelt Holy Spirit as the only way to the Father.
Used in a sentence: The young man claimed to have a superior connection to God than “typicals” because of his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, but the Word of God categorically destroys this deception as a false doctrine.
Introduction
Despite our Lord Jesus Christ’s declaration that He alone is THE way to our Heavenly Father God, Christians are being bewitched by a different Jesus, a different gospel, of a different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-8; Galatians 3:1).
The original Greek word used for bewitched in Galatians 3:1 – ‘ebaskanen’ – means ‘to cast a spell on’ or ‘fascinate with false representations’. So, we’re speaking of a spiritual bewitching that leads believers away from truth. This counterfeit spirituality boldly proclaims another way to connect with God – a way that exalts itself against Christ’s preeminence.
The founding church faced similar spiritual deceptions. The apostles’ response was swift and uncompromising – they strongly warned the church, exposing these false teachings as deadly poison to our faith in Christ Jesus. For embracing any false doctrine means turning one’s heart away from Him through the enemy’s deceptions.
One such heresy the apostles boldly confronted was Gnosticism, a false gospel emphasizing spirituality and knowledge attained apart from Jesus Christ. Following their biblical example of correction, we need only examine how Paul and other early church leaders consistently exposed and denounced false teachings. They spoke plainly and directly, identifying these false teachings as evil, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
So, in following the pattern and instruction of scripture to plainly and directly call out and denounce false teachings that the church must steer of, I do so through the pages of this book.
The enemy has cunningly repackaged ancient Gnosticism into “Autismism” – a belief system that dares to replace connection to God and His spiritual gifts with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This book is a warning for those in Christ concerning this counterfeit spirituality. For the Word says in Hosea 4:6, “God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Within these pages, you will find:
- How to wield God’s Word against Autismism’s fiery darts targeting you and your children’s hearts
- Biblical light exposing this doctrine’s satanic roots and the devil’s motives
- Evidence of widespread deception leading believers to:
- Disobey Christ’s Great Commission
- Preach a compromised gospel
- Scripture-based armor enabling you to:
- Stand firm for healing and deliverance
- Minister truth to those struggling with unbelief
- Combat deception targeting ASD healing
Like ancient Gnosticism, Autismism claims “special knowledge” and “superior spirituality” through disorder rather than Christ. This deception has already infiltrated churches, leading many to embrace what Scripture clearly identifies as a doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).
The deception targets not only parents of children with “high functioning” autism, but also those caring for children with severe forms. Where knowledge of God’s Word is lacking, our spiritual armor has gaps – dangerous openings for the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
Parents standing on the Word for healing and deliverance from ASD for their children must remember when the Word is sown into our heart, the enemy immediately comes seeking to steal it (Mark 4:15). From personal experience, I’ve seen the enemy attempt to use person after person to aim his lies at my heart, trying to rob it of His truth regarding ASD and Christ’s healing. Fortunately, my heart was well armored with His Word, so his attempts failed, but without His armor, any of us have the potential to be deceived.
Therefore, we must hear and keep hearing the Word of God. For if the enemy is successful with his demonic devices of deception, then parents are lured away from the truth. Therefore, with parent’s permission, they grant the powers of darkness place or “land” in their lives, the lives of their children, and their health. For it is written…
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
Who wants to give the evil one permission to have his way in their lives? I know it’s not you! But sadly, many are falling for Autismism, ranging from its seemingly harmless form to its more blatantly occultic extreme. No matter what aspects or extremes of Autismism one chooses to embrace, it’s not of God!
Soldiers in Christ are not going to win their battles without the full armor of God. Only God-sized spiritual armor and weaponry are our sure defense.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood [people], but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV)
First Peter 3:15 commands us to “revere Christ as Lord” and “always be prepared to give an answer.” This means boldly declaring Christ alone as our:
- Hope and Source
- Identity and Healer
- Deliverer and Provider
- THE exclusive way to the Father through His Holy Spirit
- The ONLY Source for spiritual gifts
It’s not God’s will for His sons and daughters to crumble like a crouton under the weight of demonic-inspired ridicule, false accusation, lies, hatred, and attacks of the enemy intended to cause unbelief. So, let’s dive into the Living Water of His truth to know His Word and will, so you and yours are armored and ready against the rampant lies of the enemy in these last of the last days.
Chapter 1: Understanding Gnosticism
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless babblings, gibberish, and the contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. By professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. – 1 Timothy 6:20-21
The Ancient Deception Returns
The apostles confronted and exposed the false teachings of Gnosticism, a heretical belief system that arose and spread during and after Christ’s time on earth. At its core was the promotion of secret knowledge, derived from the Greek word “gnōsis.” Today, this same deception has resurfaced in a new form.
In our lead verse, Paul warned Timothy to guard his heart from “godless babblings, gibberish, and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” As believers in Jesus Christ, we too must caution others to guard their hearts from similar false knowledge like the counterfeit new age spirituality of Autismism.
Testing the Spirits
Living by the Word and wielding it as Light to test the spirits is key to protecting ourselves and families from the lies of the evil one. For it is written:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
Autismism launches a direct attack against Jesus Christ’s preeminence – His first place in all things – attempting to replace identity in Christ with autism spectrum disorder.
The Light That Exposes
How do we test the spirits, beloved of God? Glory to God, with the Light of His Word! These verses on Identity in Christ and Jesus Christ alone as THE Way test Autismism and give it a resounding “F” for false doctrine:
- For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ (Acts 17:28)
- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:16)
- I [Jesus Christ] am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
- For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
- I am the Vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
We don’t live by the opinions and feelings of man but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Nowhere in the Word can we find that a disorder is a special, alternative connection to our Heaven Father which replaces His Son as THE Way. Any doctrine whose goal is to replace Jesus Christ in even the teeniest tiniest way is a heretical lie from the mouth of satan himself!
The Supplanter: The Spirit Behind the Deception
The term “antichrist spirit” has likely crossed your path. While commonly interpreted as opposition to Christ, the most accurate translation from the original Greek reveals something more sinister – it encompasses the notion of replacing Christ. This is why we must recognize the thief, the father of lies, as the supplanter or usurper.
Throughout this book, I must emphasize that the enemy’s primary goal through his Autismism false doctrine is to take Christ’s place. To grasp the gravity of this threat, let’s examine the very meaning of “supplanter”:
supplant (verb) – displace; replace; usurp; overthrow; undermine; unseat; to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.; to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully; to commit illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.
supplanter (noun) – someone or something taking the place of another, as through scheming, strategy, or the like; replacement; stand-in.
Through this counterfeit spirituality of Autismism, the dark, scheming one roams about like a roaring lie-on seeking whom he may devour, attempting to take the place of Jesus Christ by illegally unseating His Word from people’s hearts through deceptive doctrines of demons.
Chapter 2: The Emergence of Autismism
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8
au·tism·ism | ˈȯ-ˌti-zəm-ˌi-zəm | noun (A term combining “autism” + “Gnosticism” to identify this modern spiritual deception)
In these last days, this particularly insidious counterfeit spirituality that merges autism spectrum disorder with ancient Gnostic heresies has emerged, including within the church. To combat this deception effectively, we must precisely define what we’re confronting.
Autismism is a doctrine of demons that:
- Redefines divine connection by falsely attributing spiritual gifts and special divine connection to autism spectrum disorder rather than the Holy Spirit
- Attacks Jesus Christ’s preeminence by replacing identity in Christ with disorder
- Claims supernatural abilities, including psychic powers, through disorder rather than the Holy Spirit
- Promotes spiritual elitism through disorder
- Attempts to replace Jesus Christ and His indwelt Holy Spirit as the only way to the Father
The Ancient Pattern Emerges Anew
Just as the serpent in the Garden of Eden promised Eve secret knowledge and godlike status apart from God, today’s Autismism offers a counterfeit spirituality that exalts disorder as a superior pathway to divine connection. This deception follows the same pattern as ancient Gnosticism.
Secret Knowledge Claims:
- Ancient Gnostics claimed special revelation apart from God and His Holy Word
- Modern Autismism claims “special perception and abilities” through disorder
- Both intentionally elevate special abilities and knowledge apart from God
Spiritual Elitism:
- Gnostics created a “spiritual elite” class
- Autismism creates a “spiritually superior” category through disorder.
- Claims being “atypical” is the reason one is in a spiritually superior state than “typicals”
- Both Gnosticism and Autismism reject the biblical truth that spiritual gifts come only through the Holy Spirit
Alternative Pathways:
- Gnostics taught multiple routes to divine knowledge
- Autismism presents disorder as a special connection to God
- Both deny Christ as the Only Mediator between God and man
This heretical belief system is outright blasphemy! No Christian can embrace replacing Jesus Christ, THE One and Only possible connection with our Heavenly Father God, with a disorder. No one in Christ can come into agreement with the lie that autism spectrum disorder is a “power source” of spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit alone is THE source of God’s spiritual gifts and power.
Yes, Christians are falling for this lie from the pit of hell, the evil one playing upon being “special” and “more spiritually connected to God” because of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Be careful who is speaking into your child’s life and whether they are saying ASD is THE source of a special connection to God. Satan is crafty with using the term “special” as a weapon to hold children and families captive in his chains.
The New Age Influence
Modern Autismism dangerously incorporates New Age elements:
- Promoting psychic abilities through autism spectrum disorder
- Teaching “evolutionary spirituality” through neurological difference
- Claiming supernatural insight apart from the Holy Spirit
Like its ancient predecessor Gnosticism, this counterfeit spirituality (Autismism) has already infected many churches, deceiving believers into:
- Rejecting Christ’s healing power
- Embracing disorder as identity
- Denying the full work of Christ’s atonement
- Accepting alternative “spiritual pathways” and connections to God
A Clear Warning
Remember beloved, nowhere in God’s Word do we find disorder credited as a pathway to Him, a special connection to Him, or source of spiritual gifts.
Stand firm on the truth that Jesus Christ alone is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. No disorder, no alternative pathway, no counterfeit spirituality can replace Him as our only access to the Father.
Chapter 3: Identity in Christ Not Identity in Autism
“For in Him we live and move and have our being [Greek: esmen – our very existence flows from Him], as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” – Acts 17:28
As God’s sons and daughters, it’s His will for our entire identity to be in His Beloved Son. To know and believe in our hearts that we are One with Him, “for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones,” (Ephesians 5:30). However, in these last of the last days, we see the multitudes embracing every manner of identity besides Jesus Christ. Mental disorders, sexuality, status, educational degrees, and on and on, have taken His place in hearts as identity.
When the evil one steals an identity, he deceitfully claims that his “label” is what makes them special, superior to others, at a level that surpasses the identity of Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of the Great I AM. “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light,” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Identity in Christ alone leads to experiencing true love, freedom, and life. Where identity in a lie of the enemy is captivity that leads to death, and we know by the Word that all sickness is a form of death since it entered the earth through Adam’s rebellion. So, it is written, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death,” (Proverbs 14:12).
The enemy robs identities because his goal is to supplant, usurp, uproot, and therefore take God’s place in people’s hearts.
I’ve witnessed firsthand that a spirit of offense also takes hold of the hearts and minds of those who put identity in autism spectrum disorder in place of Christ. If one bows their knee to the enemy’s identity for them, it’s never enough for him. Give him a centimeter, and he’s gunning for the entire “territory” of a person’s life.
Then, once that liar is successful with the installation of his counterfeit identity and the spirit of offense, the idea of Jesus healing anyone from ASD often stirs up anger, even hatred towards Christ’s Good News of salvation which includes eternal life, healing, and deliverance (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:3-5).
When one says “yes” to the enemy’s lies, they open the door to other demonic spirits like manipulation, control, hatred, and intimidation. Let’s examine some real-world comments and interactions I’ve received to expose the enemy:
A young lady wrote: “People want to be able to hear that God cares about them. Not hates them. God has gifted us [with autism spectrum disorder] with an ability to perceive, reason and understand differently. We are the ones who dream dreams and visions. We can see trajectories and outcomes, and with mentorship and through prayer become prophetic. We are capable of having a more intimate walk, much more easily…”
One of the weapons the evil one uses to attempt to silence the truth of God’s Word is manipulation and control, such as falsely accusing us of hatred. Though I’ve never said anywhere at any time that God hates people with autism spectrum disorder, the enemy deceived this dear person into equating the truth of “Christ’s healing from all manner of sickness” into hatred. Do not crumble like a crouton under the weight of his lies, ridicule, and false accusations. Stand your ground by standing on the Word alone.
Let’s shine the Light of God’s Word on these deceptions of the enemy:
“God has gifted us [those with autism] with an ability to perceive, reason and understand differently.”
God is NOT the author of disorder but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). By His Word, He does not author disorder and therefore does NOT gift anyone with mental and developmental disorders.
Every good gift and perfect gift is from above [where there’s no disorder], and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). All sickness entered the earth through the fall which was rebellion. Anything that has its root in rebellion or sin is not a good gift and it’s certainly not from God above.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7).
God is the author of sounds minds, not fearful, anxious bound minds.
This deception becomes even more apparent when we examine claims that attribute superior spiritual abilities to autism spectrum disorder instead of the Holy Spirit:
“We are the ones who dream dreams and visions…we are capable of having a more intimate walk, much more easily…”
The Word demolishes these lies of the enemy the devil is using to keep people bound:
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28-29).
Nowhere does the Word say dreams, visions and prophesies or any power of God will come through a mental disorder nor operate “more easily” through a disorder only for a select few. It is written, that He made His Spirit and all its gifts available to all flesh by grace through faith.
Here’s another revealing example of how deeply this deception has infiltrated the church:
A young man wrote: “I’m saying this out of love. I don’t think you have a correct view on this…some of the best God-given qualities can be exhibited best by people with autism. My cousin had Asperger’s and, man, he is one loving human being…These difficulties [e.g. he is unable to cook for himself, etc.] don’t even measure up to his love for God…”
My reply: “One surrendered to the Holy Spirit is what makes them exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, be Christlike, and walk in love towards others, and even walk in childlike faith with the Lord and be kind to others even when people are mean to them – not the medical diagnosis of a person, including autism.”
He continued: “Because my cousin and I are autistic, it is easier for us to be more ‘childlike’ in our thinking and more loving to others compared to a typical person. It’s easier to love people even as Christians compared to others. We are more able than most Christians to put aside hatred.”
My reply: “Think about this. Would Jesus want you to go around telling all of your brothers and sisters in Christ that you are more capable of loving better and easier than them because of autism? No way. Would you wear a t-shirt to church that says you can love people better compared to others because of autism? Of course not. It’s Christ alone.
All of the things you described come from loving Jesus from the heart, not from having ASD. It’s the Holy Spirit + nothing = you have everything to love others like Jesus including in a childlike manner and putting aside hatred. And it would never be God’s will for a grown man to not be able to cook and care for himself without help as his constant state of life. That’s a form of captivity. Who are we to speak for this man who can’t cook for himself and be the final judge and determine that this is God’s best for him just because he doesn’t know differently? I’m sure if he was healed from ASD, he’d still be kind and loving because of Jesus Christ in Him, not because of ASD.”
See the devil’s tactic? That liar deceives by getting people to believe that his bondage is what makes someone “more special” than others. This is exactly what the false doctrine of Gnosticism teaches – that only a select few have special gifts, knowledge, and abilities that others are unable to have or have access to.
Did you catch how the evil one was deceiving the young man when he said, “Because my cousin and I are autistic, it is easier for us to be more ‘childlike’ in our thinking and more loving to others compared to a typical person”? Please don’t miss this! Autism spectrum disorder holds people captive in a state of arrested development against one‘s will, giving that one no choice in the matter. Stuck in a regressed state unable to have normal, healthy progress mentally and emotionally.
But the Word says in Matthew 18:1-4, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
In contrast to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, one must use their free will and humble themselves as a little child. This is about faith and simply taking God for His Word. The difference between God’s ways and the devil’s counterfeit is that because God is love, we get to choose whether we want to humble ourselves as a little child and are fully capable of doing so by grace through faith, dependent upon the Holy Spirit. But the devil deceived the young man into believing that being bound in a state of arrested development unable to progress and mature in a healthy manner because of autism is the reason it’s easier for him and his cousin to be more ‘childlike.’
Love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not one of the fruits of autism. The evil one seeks to replace God in people’s hearts, even deceiving them so profoundly that they “give him the glory” for his attacks and oppression in their lives. What a deception! When we see this level of confusion in the church, we must remember it stems from lack of solid biblical teaching. The enemy has found fertile ground where the full counsel of God’s Word is not taught. Our response must be to continue speaking His truth in love while praying for revelation to break through.
The Word says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Not because they are evil or intentionally spreading lies, but because they simply don’t know the truth of God’s Word. This is why we must also continue to shine His light on these deceptions, always remembering it’s not the person but the principalities and powers of darkness we war against.
Ask the Lord in prayer: Should Jesus Christ in us or ASD receive the glory for a kind, loving, forgiving nature? His Word answers clearly – all glory belongs to Jesus Christ alone.
Beloved, we cannot be double-minded about identity. “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). We must choose this day whom we will serve. Will we embrace our full identity in Christ, or bow to the enemy’s counterfeit identity through disorder?
Parents standing for their children’s healing and deliverance must be especially vigilant against this identity deception. The enemy knows if he can get a parent to accept disorder as his/her child’s identity or as some “special connection to God,” he can cause unbelief and offense concerning Christ’s healing.
But remember – a child is NOT a disorder, sickness, or disease. We don’t refer to children who have bone cancer as bone canceristic. No one would equate a child with such a wicked disease or celebrate it in any way. Then why are people, including in the church, so quick to normalize and accept a child afflicted with a “brain on fire” disorder like autism that holds children captive in a state of arrested development? The devil is cunning. That’s why.
Stand immovable on this truth: Your child’s identity is in Christ alone. Any doctrine, teaching, or suggestion that says otherwise – no matter how seemingly nice and smooth sounding – comes from the father of lies who seeks to steal, kill and destroy.
Autism Healing and Deliverance 