Testing the Spirits
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1
Millions of people today live in spiritual confusion. Fostered by an intense media barrage, society is overwhelmed with messages about the occult, psychic experiences, and related phenomena. As a result, more than two-thirds of Americans believe in the paranormal.
But according to a recent study, interest in the paranormal is particularly high among people "with more liberal views of the Bible" and those who are interested in religion but don't regularly attend church. These people are particularly vulnerable to deception. Why? Because they are not solidly grounded in God's truth.
In contrast, there's a major difference with people who regularly attend church and believe the Bible is the literal Word of God. These people are more likely to know the truth and be on the alert for deception.
The Bible warns clearly that deceptive spirits are at work in the world. This is why we need discernment. It's why we must know the Bible and live according to Biblical standards.
We are warned not to "believe every spirit." Instead, we are to test the spirits, and only the spirit that "confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" is from God. We also are warned about a "spirit of antichrist." This spirit opposes the person and work of Jesus (vs. 2-3).
In contrast to these deceptive spirits, Jesus said the Holy Spirit would "testify about Me" (John 15:26). This is why we need to be led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and guided by the Spirit.
Today, be sure that you are alert. Don't allow yourself to be deceived. Declare that Jesus is your Lord. Fill your mind and heart with the Bible, and make it the basis of your beliefs. "Test the spirits," and be sure that you are being led by the Spirit of God.
But according to a recent study, interest in the paranormal is particularly high among people "with more liberal views of the Bible" and those who are interested in religion but don't regularly attend church. These people are particularly vulnerable to deception. Why? Because they are not solidly grounded in God's truth.
In contrast, there's a major difference with people who regularly attend church and believe the Bible is the literal Word of God. These people are more likely to know the truth and be on the alert for deception.
The Bible warns clearly that deceptive spirits are at work in the world. This is why we need discernment. It's why we must know the Bible and live according to Biblical standards.
We are warned not to "believe every spirit." Instead, we are to test the spirits, and only the spirit that "confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" is from God. We also are warned about a "spirit of antichrist." This spirit opposes the person and work of Jesus (vs. 2-3).
In contrast to these deceptive spirits, Jesus said the Holy Spirit would "testify about Me" (John 15:26). This is why we need to be led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and guided by the Spirit.
Today, be sure that you are alert. Don't allow yourself to be deceived. Declare that Jesus is your Lord. Fill your mind and heart with the Bible, and make it the basis of your beliefs. "Test the spirits," and be sure that you are being led by the Spirit of God.
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