Secret Battles

John says that we have assurance of our salvation and relationship with the Father because of the indwelling Spirit of God. As a child of God, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. He will NEVER leave us!

Immediately after this reminder, John gives a very strong warning about evil spirits. He says it is important that we take heed because there are many who are teaching lies.

1 John 4:1 AV 1873

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

When John was given these words to pen, the Bible was not yet complete. Until the completion of the canon of Scripture, the Holy Spirit would speak to and through individuals using the gift of tongues and other gifts that Scripture clearly tells us were for signs to the unbeliever. However, just as he does now, Satan would have his counterfeits endeavor to infiltrate their assemblies and speak false doctrine among the Christians. They would speak and teach things that sounded good and much of it was even truth.

However, just as he does now, Satan would have his counterfeits endeavor to infiltrate their assemblies and speak false doctrine among the Christians.

Just as today, a lot of what false teachers say is truth, but it is the error that they teach that makes them so dangerous.

How were the believers to know who was speaking truth? John gave them a sort of litmus test to determine what was of God and what was not.

1 John 4:1 AV 1873

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:2–3 AV 1873

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and 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 you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:2 AV 1873

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

The reality was, and still is, that there is a spiritual side of things that we do not see with our eyes. There are both good and bad spirits.

Evil spirits will seek to deceive and draw us away from the teachings of the Word of God. They will try to get our focus on things that please the flesh and promote the world system.

Sadly, more and more follow the evil spirits away from Biblical truth. Multitudes are led to reject the truth of God’s Word for a message that builds up their self image.

Good spirits will point us to Jesus Christ. They will honor Him and uphold the authority of the Word of God.

Primarily, the Holy Spirit will be doing this work in and through our lives as believers. He will help us have discernment regarding what is true and what is false. He will not promote Himself, but He will point us to Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 4:1–8 AV 1873

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 AV 1873

They will tell you that all gods are the same. They will say that all religions will take you to Heaven. Jesus said there is only one way - through faith in Him because of the price

John 10:1–5 AV 1873

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:27–28 AV 1873

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Good spirits will point us to Jesus Christ. They will honor Him and uphold the authority of the Word of God.

1 John 4:2 AV 1873

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Good spirits will point us to Jesus Christ. They will honor Him and uphold the authority of the Word of God.

Jesus said of the Holy Spirit

John 16:7–11 AV 1873

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

John 16:12–14 AV 1873

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

:12-14

As we look around us and see many who claim the name of Christ teaching false doctrine, we know that there must be more to it than just using the name of Jesus.

Jesus is God. So the spirit that is tried must admit that God became a man. Jesus was not just an ordinary man - He was and is the God-man - Totally God and completely man.

His name Jesus is the New Testament version of the Old Testament name Joshua or literally Jehovah-shua. Jo (a contraction for Jehovah, the name of God) and shua meaning salvation. So Jehovah-shua - God is my salvation.

Christ is the Greek word for the Hebrew Mashiyach or Messiah, the Anointed One.

So the spirits have to confess (agree with God) that Jesus Christ is Jehovah God come in the flesh to be our salvation.

1 John 4:3 AV 1873

and 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 you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:1–8 AV 1873

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and 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 you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We 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. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

The evil spirits will oppose us, oppress us, confuse us, persecute us, frustrate us, and generally fight against us. They seek to cause us to doubt God’s goodness, power, and faithfulness. They lead us to question God’s Word. They point us to question Jesus Christ, His deity, His sufficiency, His efficacy in salvation. They want us to be distracted, discouraged, depressed, or to have a defeatist mentality.

These spirits will pile on you and try to convince you that you are rejected by everyone - especially by God. They will say God is mean and you are being used as a pawn in the hand of a God who manipulates and uses us for His own purpose regardless of how it works out for us. They will tell you that you are not worthy. They will tell you that you are wasting your time. They want you to live in fear and doubt and discouragement and depression.

or to have a defeatist mentality.

Many of these can be the result of guilt over our sinful choices, but they may also be physical, chemical, and mental imbalances. However, often they are nothing more than the attacks of our enemy the devil.

Now, If you face some of these or similar struggles, Please understand that I am not singling you out, nor am I making light of your battle. I am simply stating the truth that many (perhaps even including you) have been attacked by the enemy and can walk out of here today on your way to victory.

A spirit of depression wants you to feel low, sad, hopeless, defeated.

God’s Word says that Jesus came to give us life more abundantly!

Fear and doubt will paralyze you and keep you from building relationships, working your job, finding a job, serving Jesus.

Fear has been described as a small trickle of doubt that flows through the mind until it wears such a great channel that all your thoughts drain into it.

Bakss, Robert. What to do when Panic Attacks: Biblical Advice for overcoming Anxiety . Ark House Press. Kindle Edition.

You will be plagued with the questions of “What if…?”

What if I fail? What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t like them? What if I am not skilled enough? What if I do something really stupid? What if I lose this job? What if the church family finds out about my past? What if? What if? What if?

God tells us that He has not given us the spirit of fear. That spirit of fear does not come from God, it comes from the devil! God has given us power, love, and a sound mind!

2 Timothy 1:7 AV 1873

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I want to share with you today some truths that we learn from these verses that I believe will help us to live in the victory God has provided.

All spirits are not good

1 John 4:1 AV 1873

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Evil spirits want you to doubt God

1 John 4:2–3 AV 1873

1 John 4:2

They have already been defeated.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:4 AV 1873

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

And 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 you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Anxiety is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far.

Reasons for depression, anxiety, worry, fear, etc.

Physical issues

Mental issues

Unconfessed sin*

Holding grudges and/or Being Unforgiving*

Spiritual warfare - attacks from the enemy*

* - These may result in physical or even mental issues

Solutions for some facing depression, anxiety, worry, fear, etc.

Remember Jesus Loves and cares for you

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus has given us victory!

Romans 8:37 AV 1873

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

The truth is that time with Jesus in His Word and in prayer, coupled with obedience will bring joy and victory. IT may not be immediate, but it will bring that joy.

John 10:10 AV 1873

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The truth is that time with Jesus in His Word and in prayer coupled with obedience will bring joy and victory.

1 John 4:5 AV 1873

They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 AV 1873

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 John 4:6 AV 1873

We 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.

Remember Jesus Gives victory

Now, when a brother or sister is going through times of attack, we are not going to ignore them, ostracize them, gossip about them, or berate them. We are not going to be like, “When are you just going to get right with God and suck it up?” or “If you would just get in your Bible and live for God, you would be done with this already!”

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The reality is that ALL who will live godly in Christ Jesus

2 Timothy 3:12 AV 1873

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

So, how should we as a church family respond when we see a brother or sister going through difficulty?

1 John 4:7 AV 1873

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 4:7–8 AV 1873

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Let’s act like our Father. He is Love. Let’s model godly love. Let’s be patient and kind, let’s be compassionate and encouraging. Let’s lovingly remind them of the victory that is in Jesus.

1 John 4:8 AV 1873

He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

Rest in Truth

They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We 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.

is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Conclusion

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

Related Media

Related Sermons