I John 4:1-6
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. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
The Greek word for "Spirit" in vs. 1 is pneuma which is a noun meaning spirit, heart, mind; Holy Spirit, ghost, wind, breath.
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. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
The Greek word for "Spirit" in vs. 1 is pneuma which is a noun meaning spirit, heart, mind; Holy Spirit, ghost, wind, breath.
The Greek word for "test" in vs. 1 is dokimazo which is a verb that means to test, try examine, or interpret.
The Life Application NT Commentary helps to explain that in vs. 4, "Some Christians want to do this Spiritual Battle as individuals. They take the word "you" as "the spirit who lives in me" but the pronoun is plural, referring to the community of believers. Believers have the personal assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence within. But they must not attempt to do battle with Satan alone. They need others for prayer, resources, advice, guidance, protection, healing and more."
Discussion:
Okay, when I first read this, it looked really hard to explain/interpret...but while studying it I realized it is one of the most essential passages for this whole "where do you draw the line" study. As Christians born again with Christ in his death and resurrection we are lead by the Holy Spirit which serves as our conscience, heart, and our moral/Spiritual guide. Obviously, if you believe that there is a Holy Spirit from God that is guiding you, have you ever thought about the fact that Satan has his own spirits that try to deter you from your correct path??? This passage tells us that we need other Christians for prayer, and advice to sort of keep ourselves in check. It is scary that there are powerful spirits trying to mess with our hearts, minds and consciences! I think this is why it is so important to surround ourselves with Christian friends!
- How do we "test" a spirit? Are you sure you are always listening to the Holy Spirit vs. one of Satan's spirits trying to feed your mind?
- I think prayer is so important in this "game" because that is what it seems to be. Do you feel like your prayer life is where it needs to be so that other spirits cannot creep in?
- What do you believe about spiritual warfare? How do you make what seems to be an abstract concept, real and concrete in your everyday life?
This passage was so much to think about it! I hope your week is a blessed one!! Please remember Earle's mother(my husband) who is undergoing cancer tests this week and surgery.
-CB
3 comments:
Carrie, thanks for inviting me to your site. Just a couple of thoughts about the current topic. . .
The need to "test" things is really an important concept. Paul, too, tells us to "test everything and hold fast to what is good" (1 Thes. 5:21). I truly believe we have a responsibility as Christians to test and evaluate interpretation and teaching, even within our own churches. That's why a commitment to study and learning is so important. In Colossians 2, Paul cautions: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition and not according to Christ."
For me, wisdom is not about combing the Scripture looking for things that might be turned into rules but about coming to "know Christ". In Col. 2:2 Paul says: "In Christ all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden." As we seek Him in study and prayer, the Holy Spirit is able to increasingly transform us into His image (2 Cor. 3:18). It is His Holy Spirit that leads us to "all truth" (John 16:13) and "wisdom" (1 Cor. 2;10) and "power" (Eph. 3:16) and "conviction" (1 Thes. 1:5).
Whether or not something is "of Christ" can be determined by the "fruit" it produces. "The fruit of God's Spirit is found in all that is good and right and true and just" (Ephesians 5:9-10). So, as we test and evaluate things, we have to constantly ask: Is this teaching marked by the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Does it produce justice, compassion, kindness, goodness, humility, patience, forebearance, forgiveness, joy, peace, and love (Gal.5:16; 22-25)? Does it divide and separate or does it bring us together as one in Christ (Gal. 3:28-29)? Does it demonstrate sacrificial love (1 Cor. 13:13)? Does it hinder the Holy Spirit or does it build up and encourage everyone to use their spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)? Does it demonstrate true fellowship and willingness to submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)? Is it in concert with the love and compassion and inclusion with which Jesus treated all people?
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, whatever is excellent and worthy of praise" (Phil 4:8-9), these are the criteria by which we must test things. Time and time again, Jesus defied the legalists. For him, the answer was in the heart, not in the rules. As Bret preached so eloquently a few weeks ago, the more we focus on rule-making and rule-keeping, the farther we remove ourselves from Jesus himself. But when we are in intimate relationship with Christ, rules are secondary because our actions, our worship, and our relationships with one another just flow naturally out of love. We act in love because we know His love.
As far as worrying about Satan's spirits creeping in, I don't give them much thought. I truly believe that the "God of hope" fills us "with all joy and peace in believeing so that we may abound in the knowledge and power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). Our faith gives us an assurance and confidence that is unassailable. I seriously take to heart Paul's words:
"In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 9:37-39)
Amen.
Thank you Judy, for your comments. Your thoughts were quite encouraging. I really like the Romans verse, it really gives us a powerful reassurance of Christ's Love.
Testing a spirit: I like what Judy said about how the fruits of a spirit determine if it is of God or of Satan.
I ask God for discernment especiall when I am struggling (usually in what to say in a difficult situation or how to change my attitude). Often I have to choose between my own will and the spirit of God. It's easy when they are in agreement, the hard part is being bold enough to act in accordance with God's spirit.
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