TEST THE SPIRIT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.
1 John 4:1-3 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
There are a lot of opinions today about everything. Anyone with a keyboard and computer is suddenly an expert on everything. I have been around church for over 60 years now. I have heard a lot of people say, "Thus says the Lord," or "God told me to tell you …," when God had nothing to do with what they were saying. There has been a lot of damage done by people claiming to speak for God. Some of those people have been well meaning individuals who were just confused. Others have been people with personal agendas of trying to manipulate others or promote themselves. I have three test to help me determine if something is from God. First, does this person claim that Jesus is the Son of God Who came into the world to die for the sins of mankind and that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Secondly, does their message align with the written Word of God. God will never contradict Himself. Any word FROM God will agree with the Word OF God! Know the Word of God so that you can immediately recognize a word that doesn't agree with the written Word. Thirdly, I believe any word from God will build up the body of Christ, not tear it apart. Paul tells us that the gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). Any word from God should strengthen the body of believers, not promote one personality.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit I want to know the Word of God so that I can know when You are speaking to me. Teach me the Word. Open my ears to hear when You speak. Help me discern truth from error.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”