Not So Fast Testing the Spirits

SERIES:  Straight Talk in a World of Mixed MessageNot So Fast: Testing the SpiritsI

INTROGood morning!My name is Jeff and I have the privilege of serving as one of the pastor’s here at CCC.I want to say a special welcome to our guests this morning.And to you who are joining us online, we invite you to join us in person and look forward to seeing you soon. Today we continue our study of Straight Talk in a World of Mixed Messages as we study 1 John. Open your Bibles or BIble apps to 1 John, chapter 4. JAB 1: Do you ever get a wrong number calling your cell or receive a text not meant for you?  What do you do?I have a practice of not answering a phone call if I do not recognize the phone number.  FYI - If you call me and I don’t answer, just leave a message and I’ll call you back. JAB 2:  It’s one thing to ignore a number you don’t know or to discard a text not meant for you.  But have you ever received a message that seemed pretty important and felt the need to respond to let the person on the other end know they contacted the wrong person?  I’ve done that a few times when it seemed like the message was important.   RIGHT HOOK: Have you heard of the Neighbor Number challenge?  The idea is that you have a person who has a phone number with one number off to the left and to the right.  So the ending of my cell is 7288 so my Neighbor Number would be the persons with 7287 and 7289. The Neighbor Number Challenge is to text those numbers, your “neighbors” and see if you can get to know your Neighbor Number.Not sure I think that’s a good idea.The Neighbor Number challenge got me thinking, though, about how often it is that we receive messages that might seem right, but in fact are off just a little.Not enough to seem like that big of a difference, but in reality is a HUGE difference. Getting a message from an unknown source that seems close to the truth is not just something we experience with our phones, but even more so regarding spiritual truth.  There are those who would seek to send us wrong messages but man do they seem “close” to the truth.   It’s because of this reality that John warns us to test the spirits. Key Phrase: Not everything that presents itself as truth from God is, therefore we must discern what is truth and from God from what is false and from Satan. READ Why test the spirits? Because not every spirit is of God. Not everything you think, hear, or see is from God. READ :1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. There is good and there is bad, that is a fact of life.That concept has been under increasing attack in our increasingly post-Christian times. But Scripture makes it very clear: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. - Jesus Said:  Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  -   We need to be alert and aware, because there are false spirits that present themselves as from God but in reality are from Satan. EX:Seminary professor says Jesus never raised from the deadChurch states that salvation is given to all, no need to repent, change, grow to be like ChristPopular “person of God” states that all roads lead to Heaven, doesn’t matter what you beieve, you just need to be sincerePopular pastor says parts of the Bible are no longer needed so just disregard and live by the parts of the Bible that you agree with Ideas, teachings and concepts like these claim to be from God.  How do we know? We have to test the spirits!

How do I test the spirits? Whenever we encounter an idea, a teaching or a concept that presents itself as from God, we need to discern if it really is from God or from the enemy, Satan. Discern = to discriminate, to distinguish. We must discriminate between what is from God and what is not. We cannot accept every idea, teaching or concept as if it is true and from God. We have to choose what is from God and what is from the enemy, Satan. How?  What can we use to determine the truth of God vs. the lies of the enemy? 3 Areas, One Key Question. What does the spirit say about -  The Son Who is Jesus? This is a key question to ask of those who claim to speak for Jesus Christ. Jesus asked: who do people say that I am?  Who do you say I am? “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, r“You are sthe Christ.” - :29Any spirit that does not affirm the truth that Jesus isGodTrinityFully DivineFully HumanDied to pay for sinRose again on the 3rd dayAscended to HeavenIs NOT from God. Jesus is all of who Scripture, and He Himself, claims He is.If ANY spirit claims otherwise, it is not from God. Jesus said:John 14:6I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. :58Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” :30I and the Father are one.” Other Scriptural truths about the Son And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, :9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). :3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Scripture is clear about who Jesus Christ, the Son of God is.   When we hear spirits that claim otherwise:Jesus was just a good teacherJesus was just a good exampleJesus was just a manJesus was just a spiritJesus did not die on the crossJesus did not judgeJesus did not claim to be God We can weigh those spirits against the truth as revealed through Jesus, affirmed by the Word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit. It’s only the spirit that affirms the Son of God is from God. So we must ask what does the spirit say aboutThe Son. Next, what does the spirit say about ... SalvationAnother key area to test the spirits is in the teaching about salvation.What does the idea, teaching or concept say about salvation?The spirit of God affirms that salvation:Is necessary for all have sinnedIs provided by total surrender to Jesus Christ as LordIs only possible through faith, not something that can be earned Old nature must dieNew nature, in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit reignsIt is not “my best self” or “a better version of me” but rather an entire new me.We must die to selfWe are new creations in ChristIt’s not me + a little religion or right livingIt is a whole new life -9For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. :5He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. :12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” :8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 3 Areas, 1 key question: What does the spirit say about:The Son, Salvation and finally Scripture ScripturePsalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -14For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. :4But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” :1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. -23My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Jesus reminds us of a powerful truth in .The Pharisees once again had tried to trick Jesus with a question about marriage and the resurrection.In answering their question, Jesus makes it clear that they may know the words of the law but they do not understand the law, the Scriptures, and therefore God Himself. Knowing Scripture is key to testing the spirits. Our opinions are worthless, our feelings ,fleeting, the world deceiving, but the Word of God is powerful and lasting.It can be trusted and it is foundational in order for us to discern truth from lies.

READ -6They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. We have the testimony of Scripture and the apostles that are from God. Because of that power, we, who are of God, can know the truth.   When we encounter people who share ideas, teachings and concepts that are contrary to the truth of the Son, salvation and Scripture, we can know that they are not from God.  

So when we hear an idea, teaching or concept that purports to be from God, we must ask 1 key question, what does the spirit say about… in 3 areas:The SonSalvationScripture Now, we’ve covered a lot of Scripture today.We need to know more and more of God’s Word in order to know God and to be able to discern truth from lies. However, I want to give you an additional set of questions that can help you think through what you are thinking or being taught in order to determine if it is from God or not. BACK OF YOUR SERMON NOTES 7 Questions to help you test the spirits (A.W. Tozer)

Questions to help discern if spirit is of God(from A.W. Tozer) 1.  How is my attitude about my relationship with God affected?Is God magnified and glorified or diminished? 2.  How is my attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ affected?Does it magnify Him and give Him first place?Or, does it subtly shift my focus onto myself or some experience? 3.  How is my attitude toward Scripture affected?Did the teaching come from and agree with the Bible?Does it increase my love for God’s Word, the Bible? 4.  How is my self-life affected?Does it feed self or crucify it?Does it feed pride or humility? 5.  How are my relationships to other Christians affected?Does it cause me to withdraw, find fault, and exalt myself in superiority?Or, does it lead me to genuine love for all that truly know Christ? 6.  How is my relationship to the world system affected?Does it lead me to pursue the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life?Does it lead me to pursue worldly riches, reputation, and pleasures?Or, does it crucify the world to me? 7.  How is am I my attitude toward sin affected?Does it cause me to tolerate sin in my life or to turn from it and grow in holiness?Remember, any thought, idea or teaching that makes holiness more acceptable and sin more intolerable is genuine.

CONCLUSIONWe live in a chaotic and confusing time.We have all kinds of ideas, teachings and concepts coming at us all day long.We must know what is from God and what is not.We must know how to discern truth from error. The key to this truth is not just our strength in getting information and being wiser. Ultimately, we need to constantly rely on who we are in Christ: READ :4Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. As Christ-followers, we have God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit living in us.  He is there to guide us to all truth. We are not alone.  We are never alone when we are in Christ. Let’s pray: Do you have Christ today? Are you trying to figure this out on your own? Are you attempting to live “a good life” with the hopes of having more happiness, joy and peace but finding you can’t battle against all the conflicting voices? If you have not yet turned from yourself and your sin and turned to place you hope, faith and trust in Jesus then I invite you to do that this morning.