“Dear friends, 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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3)
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
John’s letter to unnamed churches deals with a serious problem, one of spiritual superiority. Some members left claiming that they were more enlightened then those they left behind. John is assuring the remaining congregation members that their beliefs are the one true set of beliefs. Here he is pointing out the way to discern if a certain spirit is of God. Discernment is an important spiritual gift to have because there are many in the world today who would love to confuse folks and draw them away from the truth. Some of the most sincere sounding rhetoric can woo individuals from their beliefs and take them down a wayward path which leads nowhere. John is very clear here, anyone who does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came in the flesh, willingly died for the sins of man and on the third day of raised to new life is of the antichrist. Paul, in his letter to the church in Galatia, goes even further in saying that those preaching anything other than the one gospel shall be eternally condemned. “As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:9)
This is why it is so important for the believer to read the word of God and as a result, begin to know God better. It is imperative that we cultivate our relationship with the Lord for it is the only way we will know His will for our life. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ. To do that we must know what He stands for and have knowledge of the precepts of God. What other way will this take place unless we spend time with Him and read His word? Don’t be fooled by the jesters of life who portray themselves as righteous, yet spew out nothing but lies and half-truths. God loves us immeasurably and will not let you be deceived if you sell out for Him.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!
