Test the Spirits

1 Jn. 4: 6

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

John warns believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God. Many may claim to be, but are not, instead they are deceiving counterfeits. So how? By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. It seems to be straight forward. What do you say about Jesus Christ? The spirits that fail this acid test are spirits of the antichrist. In John's time, this deadly spirit was in the world, and so much more now. What is this antichrist spirit waiting for? The time that God has set in place. I love it! This deadly, heinous spirit can only function when God says. All things are the servants of God even this one!

John then speaks to the little children [perhaps those who are newer in the faith, but I am sure this is a reminder for all] reminding them that He who is in them, the Holy Spirit is greater than the spirit in the world. People in the world respond to this evil spirit because that is where their heart is. The converse is true as well. The Spirit that is from God is only heard by those whose hearts are His.  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. So clear! 

Father,

Thank You for the Holy Spirit. His role in my life is so multi-faceted. You have given me all that I need. Open my ears and my mind so that I may listen carefully to Him, and then give me grace and strength to stand in the face of unbelieving spirits.

In Jesus name,

Amen