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."

This morning, many of God's dear children are steeped in ignorance in regard to their Master and His church. They engage in a form of religion, but the activity is powerless, carnal impulse and desire.
Some of these so-called religions are built on the premise of some man that claimed to have seen a vision, spirit, or other entity (such as an angel). However, their "vision" or "revelation" flies in direct contradiction with the words of "Thus saith the Lord." Therefore, it can be easily proven by this verse and others that whatever they think they saw is not of the Lord.

Many times, folks will say, "Come out to our church. We get filled with the spirit and speak in tongues, do acrobatics, and we even have a few that handle snakes." As they give this report, generally my mind begins to wonder of what spirit they are. I will not deny that they are filled with A spirit, but I have strong doubts as to their being filled with THE Spirit of the true and living God. Paul told Timothy that we have been given the spirit of power, love, and a SOUND mind. (II Timothy 1:7) The Lord gives us sense to use and not engage in dangerous activity in vain religious exercise. The Lord does not author such a spirit. We are to try the spirits, for many will not stand up to Scriptural examination.

 If a man claims to be filled with the spirit and goes about denying that Jesus is the Son of God manifest in the flesh, then he displays nothing short of the spirit of antichrist. If a man declares that he has more perfect knowledge because of a special, private revelation or vision, the Apostle Peter (an eyewitness of Christ) says that such is folly and cankerous, because we have a more sure word of prophecy than even Peter’s eyewitness account. (II Peter 1:19-20) These spirits will try to turn our attentions away from the very One that has redeemed us to God. They will try to convince us that we are not all that corrupt and depraved after all. We are not such bad people, and we have the ability to do for ourselves. Beloved, try these spirits to see whether they come from God.

 The easiest way to try (test or judge) a spirit (whether in another man or our own thoughts) is to ask two simple questions, "Does this thinking give God the proper glory? And, does it put man in his proper place?" If a particular thinking or viewpoint robs God of any of the glory, then it is not a spirit of God. If it gives man too much credit, the Lord has not sent that our way either. The answers to these questions (that a true spirit will bear witness of) is that man is completely destitute, but a Thrice Holy and Merciful God full of compassion and pity purchased, atoned, and redeemed us to Himself. He gave us grace in Him through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is all our salvation and desire, and may we heed the proper teaching that comes from the leading of the spirit that the Lord bestows.

In Hope,

Bro Philip