Thought For Today

1-Feb-2004

I John 4:1 BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I John 4:2 Hereby know ye the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

I John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an'-ti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.

This was John speaking, he was warning the people of his time to beware of false prophets! There were false prophets, and false teachers using false doctrine even then. How much more should we be warned now? There are many, many false prophets in the world today, there is much more deceit, and false doctrine taught today than ever before in the history of man! BEWARE of those that teach and cannot back-up their teaching with scripture!

I John 4:1 BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. BEWARE, of those that exalt themselves, or certain others among a congregation! If someone is bragging on themselves (Especially from the pulpit) for things they have accomplished in this life without giving God the glory for it then these people are exalting themselves and are teaching false doctrine! If these people exalt certain others from a congregation time and time again, while ignoring certain ones in that same congregation BEWARE, for this is a false prophet looking to satisfy their own lust, and fleshly desires. These type of people can easily deceive you if you are not close to God, God will lead you, rely not on man for man will lead you astray! Put your total faith and trust in God and God alone!

I John 4:2 Hereby know ye the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. We must know the Spirit of God, we need to get close to God and become aquainted with his Spirit, once we have experienced the presence of God's Spirit then we know the true Spirit of God from a false spirit trying to deceive us. God wants you to know his true Spirit, and he will give you the ability to distinguish the difference between his Spirit, and the false spirit used by the enemy to trick us! If you cannot tell the difference between the true Spirit of God, and a false spirit attempting to deceive you, pray and ask God to reveal to you the truth of the spirits that you encounter each day! You must be careful about who you believe, because in:

Revelation 21:8 It says: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

II Thessalonians 2:12 says: That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Therefore we must be careful about who we believe, because believing someone's lies can bring us into danger of damnation, especially if those lies lead into unrighteous pleasures!

I John 4:3 Says: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an'-ti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world. Beware of those that do not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, for they are speaking with the spirit of antichrist! Even when John wrote this the spirit of antichrist was present in the world, and it is even more present today that ever before. Do not listen to those that have not gave their heart to God, and confessed that Jesus is Lord, because they are speaking with the spirit of antichrist! You will hear born again christians speaking things they ought not! Exalting themselves and others, telling untruths, and spreading lies and rumors, gosiping, and talking about other members of the congregation! These people are not filled with the spirit of the antichrist, they are simply deceived by the enemy, the enemy has put blinders on them, and they cannot see the truth!

John 16:2 Says: They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. This is talking about killing your Spirit of God, your faith, your belief, your happiness, your compassion, your godly love! There are many born again christians that will try to utterly destroy you in the name of God, thinking this is what God wants! These are the ones that have been blinded to the truth, beware of these people, and pray much for God's guidance when they attack, because this is the enemy using them to blind you to God's love, and compassion! Keep your eye's upon the Lord, asking him for guidance in every situation you face, trust not any man, because man will let you down, trust only in God, and his precious Son Jesus Christ that dies for us!

Tim V.