Knowing the Spirit of God

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6)

In this teaching I would like to draw your attention to God’s Word concerning truth and error. In the above text the Apostle John says “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God.” The word “try” in the phrase “try the spirits” carries the following meaning: "to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals "(KJV w/ Strongs).

It is important to notice that the Apostle is not speaking of simply examining a “certain view” concerning matters that do not change one's faith in Christ. He is speaking specifically about “trying the spirits,” and in verse six we see that we are to try the spirits so that we can discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

I find it interesting that the spirit of error of which He speaks is associated with those claim to be prophets "because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” The Bible also warns of false pastors (John 10), false apostles (2Corinthians 11), and false teachers (2 Peter 2). As you examine the scriptures closely, see that there are some things that all false ministers have in common:

• They lead sincere people away from the truth in Jesus.
• They draw attention to themselves.
• There is a love for money that drives them.

There are, however, true ministers including prophets who are sent forth by God with the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon them to testify of Jesus. All true ministers are first and foremost preachers or teachers of the word of God. Their aim is to minister Christ to those to whom God has sent them.

Many today are placing more emphasis on their anointing than they are on Jesus, speaking much about the anointing and promoting men. Yet the true anointing of God is centered in Jesus (1 John 2:27) and one anointed of the Holy Ghost cannot help but glorify Christ - “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:42)

The Apostle John tells us,” Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” But what does he mean by confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? Is it merely an acknowledgment that Christ became a man or does it carry more weight than that? In 2 John, the Apostle speaks again about those who are not true ministers and these verses will help aid our understanding of 1 John 4.

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. ( 2John 7-11)

Notice the similarity to John’s words in each of His epistles. A true prophet comes bringing the message of Christ. A false prophet may talk about Christ, but Christ is only a side issue; he or she has other intentions. A true minister walks in the Spirit of Truth and Jesus said the Spirit of Truth would testify of Him (John 15:26).

Please understand that recognizing the spirit of error is not always obvious. If it were, there would be no need to be warned. The way deception works is on the surface; it looks and sounds like the real thing, in fact, it is very appealing to the natural mind. Yet, at its root, it is another spirit. There is only one God and His Spirit brings honor, glory, and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God will lead men to the Cross and into conformity with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection so that God may be glorified in them. When the message of the cross is absent, watch out!

False prophets will not bring men to the cross, but the Spirit of God will - "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14). Remember: Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God! They may talk about God, the glory, supernatural experiences, angelic visitations, even healing and miracles, but the true Holy Spirit always glorifies Jesus Christ. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God! Those anointed by the Holy Ghost bring the gospel of Christ, and according to the Apostle Paul, “the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16)

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

God is very serious about the gospel message. In both Luke 24 and in 1 Corinthians 15, we have biblical proof of what the gospel message is.

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:46-49)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Real signs, wonders, and miracles sent from God happen as the Spirit wills and follow the preaching of the gospel and the testimony of Jesus.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20)

In closing, there are in our day many false prophets and a good deal of deception leading sincere and spiritually hungry people into error. Many are teaching the saints to open themselves up to things which God’s Word does not teach as well as corrupting the truth of God’s Word about money through their greed. Just because something is supernatural does not mean that it is of God. Follow the indwelling presence the Holy Spirit in you heart and seek God according to His holy written word. The Holy Spirit will always testify of Jesus Christ and bring you into fellowship with him. Just because someone can dazzle people with what looks spiritual is no indication that it is from God. In Acts 8, the scriptures tell us of Simon who practiced sorcery and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great. This man had people believing that his power had come from God. However, when Philip preached Christ to them and they believed the gospel, Simon could no longer deceive them. It is the truth in the gospel of Christ that will keep you safe. Keep your faith in Jesus and follow Him. God bless you.