1 John: Discernment: Testing Spirits in our Faith Journey
Testing the Spirits - A Call to Discernment
Good morning, dear friends! As we gather together in spirit and truth, I want to take a moment to reflect on the message we shared this past Sunday. It’s a message that resonates deeply in our current world, where voices abound, and not all of them speak the truth of God.
In our time together, we explored the importance of testing the spirits, as highlighted in 1 John 4. John reminds us, “Don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God”. This is a crucial call to discernment, especially in a time when misinformation can spread like wildfire.
The Need for Discernment
Just as I shared during the sermon, we live in a world filled with teachings that may sound good on the surface but can lead us astray. It’s like the experience I had during a youth group scavenger hunt when I thought I could easily devour a pizza, only to discover it was loaded with jalapeños! What looked appealing turned out to be quite the opposite.
Similarly, not every message that claims to be from God is truly aligned with His truth. John warns us that many false prophets have gone out into the world. We must be diligent in our pursuit of truth, testing what we hear against the Word of God.
The Test of Jesus
John provides us with a primary test: “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come as a human is from God”. This is foundational. If a teaching distorts the identity of Jesus, we must reject it. The Gnostics of John’s time denied the humanity of Christ, claiming He could not have taken on flesh. But we know that Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to dwell among us, experiencing our struggles and offering us salvation.
The Fruit of Teaching
Another way to discern truth is by examining the fruit of the teaching. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit”. Does the teaching produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit? Or does it lead to division and strife? We must be vigilant in recognizing the outcomes of what we consume spiritually.
The Power Within Us
As we navigate these waters, it’s essential to remember that we are not alone. John reassures us, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”. This is our hope! We don’t need to rely solely on our knowledge or understanding. Instead, we lean on the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth.
A Call to Surrender
Ultimately, the question we must ask ourselves is not just whether we can recognize false teaching, but are we fully surrendered to Christ? When we abide in Him, discerning truth from error becomes second nature. It’s not about being a theological expert; it’s about knowing Jesus intimately and allowing His voice to be the loudest in our lives.
As we close, I encourage you to take a moment of silence and reflect on who the loudest voice in your life is. Is it Jesus? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us tune our hearts to His truth, so we can walk confidently in the light of His love.
May you go forth this week, filled with the Spirit of truth, and may your steps be led by the one who is greater than anything in this world. God bless you, friends!
Good morning, dear friends! As we gather together in spirit and truth, I want to take a moment to reflect on the message we shared this past Sunday. It’s a message that resonates deeply in our current world, where voices abound, and not all of them speak the truth of God.
In our time together, we explored the importance of testing the spirits, as highlighted in 1 John 4. John reminds us, “Don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God”. This is a crucial call to discernment, especially in a time when misinformation can spread like wildfire.
The Need for Discernment
Just as I shared during the sermon, we live in a world filled with teachings that may sound good on the surface but can lead us astray. It’s like the experience I had during a youth group scavenger hunt when I thought I could easily devour a pizza, only to discover it was loaded with jalapeños! What looked appealing turned out to be quite the opposite.
Similarly, not every message that claims to be from God is truly aligned with His truth. John warns us that many false prophets have gone out into the world. We must be diligent in our pursuit of truth, testing what we hear against the Word of God.
The Test of Jesus
John provides us with a primary test: “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come as a human is from God”. This is foundational. If a teaching distorts the identity of Jesus, we must reject it. The Gnostics of John’s time denied the humanity of Christ, claiming He could not have taken on flesh. But we know that Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to dwell among us, experiencing our struggles and offering us salvation.
The Fruit of Teaching
Another way to discern truth is by examining the fruit of the teaching. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit”. Does the teaching produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit? Or does it lead to division and strife? We must be vigilant in recognizing the outcomes of what we consume spiritually.
The Power Within Us
As we navigate these waters, it’s essential to remember that we are not alone. John reassures us, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”. This is our hope! We don’t need to rely solely on our knowledge or understanding. Instead, we lean on the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth.
A Call to Surrender
Ultimately, the question we must ask ourselves is not just whether we can recognize false teaching, but are we fully surrendered to Christ? When we abide in Him, discerning truth from error becomes second nature. It’s not about being a theological expert; it’s about knowing Jesus intimately and allowing His voice to be the loudest in our lives.
As we close, I encourage you to take a moment of silence and reflect on who the loudest voice in your life is. Is it Jesus? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us tune our hearts to His truth, so we can walk confidently in the light of His love.
May you go forth this week, filled with the Spirit of truth, and may your steps be led by the one who is greater than anything in this world. God bless you, friends!
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