Test The Spirits

Test the Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

Never just accept a prophetic word regardless how gifted or important that person may be.

Not every voice we hear is from the Spirit of God. Satan has the ability to counterfeit spiritual gifts in order to bring confusion and allow us to take the wrong course. His ability to counterfeit includes the gift of prophecy.

Too often we forget that we live in a spiritual war zone. Remember, the devil will try to mislead you and will portray himself as the truth. Our spiritual battle is with the devil and his evil forces. But we who are Spirit-filled have the ability to expose his lies and wicked assignments.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. - 2 Corinthian 11:14-15

In order to be effective in discerning spirits, we need to be filled with the Spirit. The anointing of God can only be manifest in our lives if we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

In order to be able to discern whether something is of the Spirit of God or not, we need to have the Spirit of God because in the natural we are not able to discern spiritual matters. It is only by receiving God's Spirit and being transformed by His Word that we are able to discern whether spirits are of God or not.

The Word of God

If we study the Word and are mature in the Scriptures, we can test the spirits and know what is right or wrong. The first test will always be whether anyone or anything contradicts Scripture.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is important to weigh up what a person does and says in the light of Scripture.

The testimony of Jesus

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. - Revelation 19:10

If a prophecy does not sound as if Jesus would have said it and you feel uneasy in your spirit, then it has probably come from another source and not from the Spirit of God.

Jesus has come in the flesh

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 4:2-3

Make sure the person or spirit acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.

Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. - 2 John 7

Jesus is God

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe they shudder. - James 2:19

The devil and his followers acknowledge Jesus but do not confess Him as Lord. The evil spirits in Jesus’ day recognized Him during His ministry on earth. They acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and acknowledged His ministry.

But they will not acknowledge Him as Lord and Messiah. The litmus test for every religion or religious group in the world is to check what they say about Jesus.

Many false religions today can be easily and quickly exposed by asking them what they believe about Jesus. They will mention Him by name and say they believe in Him. They will even believe that He is the Son of God. That is why so many people follow after false religions and cults.

The difference is that although they believe Jesus is the Son of God, they do not necessarily accept that He is equally God with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and an equal member of the Godhead.

These are some of the questions that you should ask that will enable you to tell whether a person or spirit is true or false:

* Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ?

* Do you believe that Jesus died upon the cross, was buried, and rose again physically after three days?

* Do you believe that Jesus ascended bodily into Heaven after His resurrection?