Putting The Spirits To The Test

Are you ignoring the spiritual battle taking place all around us? Many people are "and no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14, NIV). So, all the lies and deception become commonplace, just another part of life in this present age. Allow me to remind you that we are all soldiers in this battle, a battle that starts in the spiritual world but uses the resources of the physical world. Do not be deceived; you are a soldier. We are all fighting on one side or the other, even when we keep silent and do nothing. Do not think that sitting on the sidelines, in fear or apathy, will shield you from the struggle. Sooner or later, you will take up your sword and follow the Way and the Truth or be left behind. So, we urge you, brothers, and sisters to walk with the Spirit in this present age, and God will take care of you while you go through the chaos that is engulfing this world.

What do you believe? While you are deciding, know many spirits move back and forth time after time, preaching and teaching things contrary to God's word. If you have yet to make a wholehearted commitment to the Way and the Truth, I am afraid that you may fall victim to their vain philosophy. For this reason, I remind you to test the spirits. Even as the spirits claim to be in God's favor, they present an idea that needs testing. I have it on good authority that God does not show favoritism. Furthermore, it was God who sent the word through John, saying: "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, NIV).

Do not allow people willing to compromise their principles to fill your head with false doctrine, especially if you believe this doctrine attempts to crack the foundation laid by Jesus Christ and the apostles. You recognize the problem, so test the spirits. Scriptures teach that not many should become teachers. Put them to the test, or you may fall prey to spirits who come to teach deception deliberately. Listen carefully to what they say and put on your discernment hat. Beware, all may not be as it seems.

Do not be surprised by their skills. They are meticulous, persistent, and "deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13, ESV). They are good at exploiting weaknesses, appealing to the desires of the flesh according to human tradition. Lies with a nugget of truth are common, and they work. For instance, in the year 2020, there is little evidence to validate voter fraud on a massive scale in the United States, yet some people are perpetuating the lie that dogs are voting, and millions of dead people are casting ballots. There is no denying that deceivers walk among us and can deceive God's elect if that be possible. They have lofty opinions and speak with elegant words. However, their goal is to undermine the Way and the Truth. Decide now what you believe and thus whom you will serve. Then "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11, CSB).

Please break the link in the chain that binds you to the deceiver! Please do not give them a reason to bride you with hidden deeds from your past. But be charitable because they may even be deceiving themselves into believing what they say is true. In that case, they may fight to the death to defend that truth, even though it is a lie. They are like the people that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah about in Jeremiah 14. The Lord told Jeremiah that He did not send them, appoint them, or talk to them. The Lord declared that these people were prophesying lies in His name. Remember that liars are deceivers. Do not allow anyone to deceive you. Watch actions and verify words that are part of wicked plans to take advantage of the widow, fatherless, sojourner, and the poor. Then do something or you may be the next victim! "I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17, GNT)!