1 John 4:1-6
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the
world.
2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof
ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world,
and the world heareth them.
6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is
not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit
of error.”
We all have met people or have friends or family who claim
to know Christ. Some of us may have even met those or know of those who claim
to be ministers of Christ or have some other leadership role in a church. We
know of whole churches who claim to be one a church of Jesus Christ. But where
do they stand when we try the spirit or spirits they seem to follow? Are they
following the Holy Spirit of God? Is there witness for the Christ of the Bible
or the christ of their own lusts?
So many we see in the “Christian” world today claim the name
of Christ but when compared to God's Word very little, if any, evidence is
there of the truths of God's Word. In these verses like so many other places in
God's Word, we see the Lord warning His people of false prophets. Those who
seem to preach good but in reality preach false doctrine and the doctrines of
devils.
Why is it that God gives so many warnings in His Word for
false prophets? Why does God spend so much time and so much of His Holy Word on
this topic? Even in the beginning days and years of the Lord's churches we read
of these false preachers/teachers. So why would we think things would be any
different today? Can we not see how much more wicked and evil the world has
become. And not just the secular world. But also the so called “Christian”
world.
With the advancements in technology in the past hundred
years, we are now seeing an onslaught of false prophets. We are bombarded from
every direction by those who have forsaken and distorted the truth of God's
Word. And as sinful people we have fallen for so much of what our Lord declared
to be false doctrine. In every aspect of our lives there are compromises we
have made. There are times we feel ashamed or embarrassed to take a stand for
that which our Lord has said over and over again is the truth.
O child of God, try the spirits. Walk in the light and the
truth of our Lord and His commandments. Follow not after the temptations of
false prophets. Flee the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. Follow
Christ not the world. Pray for our brothers and sisters who struggle with these
things.
Pastors and teachers, forsake not the whole council of
God!!! Preach the truth no matter the cost!!! Show God's people His love for
them by always proclaiming the truth of His Word and refrain from fables and
doctrines of devils. Be not ashamed to preach God's truths not how easy or
difficult they seem to be.
In conclusion; pray without ceasing. Stay in constant
communion with our Lord. If you love Him, follow His commandments. Be a witness
for Christ and not for the world.
Praise ye the Lord!!!
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