Dark Attractions
- Thread starter SirSolaScriptura
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
What makes you so special as to think it is at all your place to judge someone's salvation with one comment about one song?
The self righteousness is ridiculous. And disrespectful.
But I'm glad I got the chance to see your true, arrogant, judgemental character before you became more active on the site. It shows me how little trust I should put in your words in the future.
Oh, and it's a miracle when Anyone gets saved. So if you want to insult me you picked the wrong place to go with that choice.
The self righteousness is ridiculous. And disrespectful.
But I'm glad I got the chance to see your true, arrogant, judgemental character before you became more active on the site. It shows me how little trust I should put in your words in the future.
Oh, and it's a miracle when Anyone gets saved. So if you want to insult me you picked the wrong place to go with that choice.
-
1
-
1
-
1
- Show all
Hmm. Similar posting styles, switching font sizes.
Names both pertaining to plants.
Both self righteousnessly attacking me.
Both questioning my salvation based on a few words.
Both going after secular music related comments.
Both recently chimed in close to the same time.
One is a newer user that's only posted twice, Both times were in criticism of people.
Hmm... 🤔
Names both pertaining to plants.
Both self righteousnessly attacking me.
Both questioning my salvation based on a few words.
Both going after secular music related comments.
Both recently chimed in close to the same time.
One is a newer user that's only posted twice, Both times were in criticism of people.
Hmm... 🤔
Yes, but it's always missing a crucial part of the equation.
It's wise to not be so quick to judge others for the evil you perceive in others, just because it looks different from the evil you fight yourself.
What evils are you and your mother regularly tempted by?
What would be said to or about you if you shared what you are tempted by, or are drawn to that others might not approve of?
Please tell us about those first.
It's wise to not be so quick to judge others for the evil you perceive in others, just because it looks different from the evil you fight yourself.
What evils are you and your mother regularly tempted by?
What would be said to or about you if you shared what you are tempted by, or are drawn to that others might not approve of?
Please tell us about those first.
-
2
-
1
- Show all
Though we sound similar, we are different, but you can think what you will. I'm a little flighty, my moms determined. I worry about how to answer, she just does. It take me a long time to write a letter while she can write letters in a day. We both write letters and statements, so I can see where you might get confused. But I think Seoulsearch and snackermom, and perhaps heishere can see the difference.
-
1
-
1
- Show all
The Bible tells us to test the spirits.
If your mother is going to pass on a spirit of correction, as she has here and in jacko's thread, she needs to give us enough about herself, her life, and her walk so that we can deem whether the spirit she is passing on as a credible source.
A credible source would welcome such testing.
If your mother is going to pass on a spirit of correction, as she has here and in jacko's thread, she needs to give us enough about herself, her life, and her walk so that we can deem whether the spirit she is passing on as a credible source.
A credible source would welcome such testing.
-
1
-
1
- Show all
Ah, you are Daisy2's mother? Howdy and welcome (back) to the forum.
We don't do the whole yelling at people and calling them names thing here. That is what they do in Bible Discussions Forum. They also do a lot of it in the news and conspiracy forums. This place is not those places. Here we hang out and chat a lot.
You're not going to impress or convince anybody by yelling at people and putting them down. We've seen professionals, both in yelling and putting down. Believe me, you are nowhere NEAR their insult level.
Putting a spiritual spin on your diatribes doesn't work either. Lots of us know the Bible very well, and we also know more about the person you are talking to than you do. We know you are wrong about what you said about him, and we know you are wrong compared to what the Bible says.
Short version: You're still full of it. And we can prove it.
But welcome to the forum anyway. Here's hoping you calm down and start enjoying your time here. This can be a really fun place if you let it.
We don't do the whole yelling at people and calling them names thing here. That is what they do in Bible Discussions Forum. They also do a lot of it in the news and conspiracy forums. This place is not those places. Here we hang out and chat a lot.
You're not going to impress or convince anybody by yelling at people and putting them down. We've seen professionals, both in yelling and putting down. Believe me, you are nowhere NEAR their insult level.
Putting a spiritual spin on your diatribes doesn't work either. Lots of us know the Bible very well, and we also know more about the person you are talking to than you do. We know you are wrong about what you said about him, and we know you are wrong compared to what the Bible says.
Short version: You're still full of it. And we can prove it.
But welcome to the forum anyway. Here's hoping you calm down and start enjoying your time here. This can be a really fun place if you let it.
-
2
-
2
-
1
- Show all
This is humility: the courage to accept humiliation and receive God’s forgiveness. Our souls should be like transparent crystals through which God can be perceived.
Our crystal is sometimes covered with dirt and dust. To remove this dust, we examine our conscience to obtain a clean heart. God will help us to remove that dust as long as we allow Him to; if that is our will, His will comes about.
Perhaps this is what we have lacked. Our examination of our conscience is the mirror we focus toward nature: a human test, no doubt, but one that needs a mirror to faithfully reflect its faults. If we undertake this task with greater faithfulness, perhaps we will realise that what we sometimes consider a stumbling block is rather a rock we can step on. The knowledge of our sin helps us to rise.
Knowledge of self is very necessary for confession. That is why the saints could say they were wicked criminals. They saw God and then saw themselves, and they saw the difference. We become hurt because we do not know ourselves, and our eyes are not fixed on God alone, so we do not have real knowledge of God. When the saints looked upon themselves with such horror, they really meant it. They were not pretending.
Knowledge of ourselves will help us rise, whereas sin and weakness will lead to despondency. Deep confidence and trust will come through self-knowledge. Then you will turn to Jesus to support you in your weakness, whereas if you think you are strong, you will not need our Lord.
Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.
Confession is nothing but humility in action. We used to call it penance, but really, it is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. When there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. Confession is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys.
The reality of my sins must come first. Most of us are prone to forgetting that we are sinners and must go to confession. We must go to God to tell Him we are sorry for all we have done that may have hurt Him.
The confessional is not a place for useless conversation or gossip. The topic should be my sins, my sorrow, my forgiveness; how to overcome my temptations, practice virtue, and increase in the love of God.
Penance is absolutely necessary. Nothing is of greater force in restraining the disordered passions of the soul and in subjecting the natural appetites to right reason. Through penance, we come to possess those heavenly joys and delights that surpass the pleasures of earth as much as the soul does the body, and heaven the earth.
Our penance is an act of perfect love for God, man, and the whole universe. It is a joyful identification with Christ crucified; it is a hunger to be lost in Him so that nothing remains of us but He alone in His radiant glory, drawing all men to the Father.
This is humility: the courage to accept humiliation and receive God’s forgiveness. Our souls should be like transparent crystals through which God can be perceived.
Our crystal is sometimes covered with dirt and dust. To remove this dust, we examine our conscience to obtain a clean heart. God will help us to remove that dust as long as we allow Him to; if that is our will, His will comes about.
Perhaps this is what we have lacked. Our examination of our conscience is the mirror we focus toward nature: a human test, no doubt, but one that needs a mirror to faithfully reflect its faults. If we undertake this task with greater faithfulness, perhaps we will realise that what we sometimes consider a stumbling block is rather a rock we can step on. The knowledge of our sin helps us to rise.
Knowledge of self is very necessary for confession. That is why the saints could say they were wicked criminals. They saw God and then saw themselves, and they saw the difference. We become hurt because we do not know ourselves, and our eyes are not fixed on God alone, so we do not have real knowledge of God. When the saints looked upon themselves with such horror, they really meant it. They were not pretending.
Knowledge of ourselves will help us rise, whereas sin and weakness will lead to despondency. Deep confidence and trust will come through self-knowledge. Then you will turn to Jesus to support you in your weakness, whereas if you think you are strong, you will not need our Lord.
Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.
Confession is nothing but humility in action. We used to call it penance, but really, it is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. When there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. Confession is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys.
The reality of my sins must come first. Most of us are prone to forgetting that we are sinners and must go to confession. We must go to God to tell Him we are sorry for all we have done that may have hurt Him.
The confessional is not a place for useless conversation or gossip. The topic should be my sins, my sorrow, my forgiveness; how to overcome my temptations, practice virtue, and increase in the love of God.
Penance is absolutely necessary. Nothing is of greater force in restraining the disordered passions of the soul and in subjecting the natural appetites to right reason. Through penance, we come to possess those heavenly joys and delights that surpass the pleasures of earth as much as the soul does the body, and heaven the earth.
Our penance is an act of perfect love for God, man, and the whole universe. It is a joyful identification with Christ crucified; it is a hunger to be lost in Him so that nothing remains of us but He alone in His radiant glory, drawing all men to the Father.
Our crystal is sometimes covered with dirt and dust. To remove this dust, we examine our conscience to obtain a clean heart. God will help us to remove that dust as long as we allow Him to; if that is our will, His will comes about.
Perhaps this is what we have lacked. Our examination of our conscience is the mirror we focus toward nature: a human test, no doubt, but one that needs a mirror to faithfully reflect its faults. If we undertake this task with greater faithfulness, perhaps we will realise that what we sometimes consider a stumbling block is rather a rock we can step on. The knowledge of our sin helps us to rise.
Knowledge of self is very necessary for confession. That is why the saints could say they were wicked criminals. They saw God and then saw themselves, and they saw the difference. We become hurt because we do not know ourselves, and our eyes are not fixed on God alone, so we do not have real knowledge of God. When the saints looked upon themselves with such horror, they really meant it. They were not pretending.
Knowledge of ourselves will help us rise, whereas sin and weakness will lead to despondency. Deep confidence and trust will come through self-knowledge. Then you will turn to Jesus to support you in your weakness, whereas if you think you are strong, you will not need our Lord.
Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.
Confession is nothing but humility in action. We used to call it penance, but really, it is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. When there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. Confession is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys.
The reality of my sins must come first. Most of us are prone to forgetting that we are sinners and must go to confession. We must go to God to tell Him we are sorry for all we have done that may have hurt Him.
The confessional is not a place for useless conversation or gossip. The topic should be my sins, my sorrow, my forgiveness; how to overcome my temptations, practice virtue, and increase in the love of God.
Penance is absolutely necessary. Nothing is of greater force in restraining the disordered passions of the soul and in subjecting the natural appetites to right reason. Through penance, we come to possess those heavenly joys and delights that surpass the pleasures of earth as much as the soul does the body, and heaven the earth.
Our penance is an act of perfect love for God, man, and the whole universe. It is a joyful identification with Christ crucified; it is a hunger to be lost in Him so that nothing remains of us but He alone in His radiant glory, drawing all men to the Father.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I don't trust people who preach and write spiritual prescriptions for other's lives while speaking only in general terms, don't take any time to get to know anyone they're preaching to, and share nothing about or of themselves -- but that's just my own personal discernment.
Enjoy your time here on the site.
-
2
- Show all
My mom lives like a nun; she hasn't dated even once since she divorced (his fault). She wraps her hair like some Pentecostals do. She only watches TV on Saturdays, usually the saints or Christian movies but sometimes a documentary. She reads the bible daily. prays multiple times a day. But she is a sinner like any other and does have impatience sometimes because of others; she tends to be too direct. but the bible says faithful are the wounds of a friend. As for me, I'm a sinner, nowhere close to her. I just gave up K-drama 1 or 2 years ago. I cuss sometimes when I almost spill something, like anyone else.
-
1
- Show all
This is humility: the courage to accept humiliation and receive God’s forgiveness. Our souls should be like transparent crystals through which God can be perceived.
Our crystal is sometimes covered with dirt and dust. To remove this dust, we examine our conscience to obtain a clean heart. God will help us to remove that dust as long as we allow Him to; if that is our will, His will comes about.
Perhaps this is what we have lacked. Our examination of our conscience is the mirror we focus toward nature: a human test, no doubt, but one that needs a mirror to faithfully reflect its faults. If we undertake this task with greater faithfulness, perhaps we will realise that what we sometimes consider a stumbling block is rather a rock we can step on. The knowledge of our sin helps us to rise.
Knowledge of self is very necessary for confession. That is why the saints could say they were wicked criminals. They saw God and then saw themselves, and they saw the difference. We become hurt because we do not know ourselves, and our eyes are not fixed on God alone, so we do not have real knowledge of God. When the saints looked upon themselves with such horror, they really meant it. They were not pretending.
Knowledge of ourselves will help us rise, whereas sin and weakness will lead to despondency. Deep confidence and trust will come through self-knowledge. Then you will turn to Jesus to support you in your weakness, whereas if you think you are strong, you will not need our Lord.
Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.
Confession is nothing but humility in action. We used to call it penance, but really, it is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. When there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. Confession is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys.
The reality of my sins must come first. Most of us are prone to forgetting that we are sinners and must go to confession. We must go to God to tell Him we are sorry for all we have done that may have hurt Him.
The confessional is not a place for useless conversation or gossip. The topic should be my sins, my sorrow, my forgiveness; how to overcome my temptations, practice virtue, and increase in the love of God.
Penance is absolutely necessary. Nothing is of greater force in restraining the disordered passions of the soul and in subjecting the natural appetites to right reason. Through penance, we come to possess those heavenly joys and delights that surpass the pleasures of earth as much as the soul does the body, and heaven the earth.
Our penance is an act of perfect love for God, man, and the whole universe. It is a joyful identification with Christ crucified; it is a hunger to be lost in Him so that nothing remains of us but He alone in His radiant glory, drawing all men to the Father.
Our crystal is sometimes covered with dirt and dust. To remove this dust, we examine our conscience to obtain a clean heart. God will help us to remove that dust as long as we allow Him to; if that is our will, His will comes about.
Perhaps this is what we have lacked. Our examination of our conscience is the mirror we focus toward nature: a human test, no doubt, but one that needs a mirror to faithfully reflect its faults. If we undertake this task with greater faithfulness, perhaps we will realise that what we sometimes consider a stumbling block is rather a rock we can step on. The knowledge of our sin helps us to rise.
Knowledge of self is very necessary for confession. That is why the saints could say they were wicked criminals. They saw God and then saw themselves, and they saw the difference. We become hurt because we do not know ourselves, and our eyes are not fixed on God alone, so we do not have real knowledge of God. When the saints looked upon themselves with such horror, they really meant it. They were not pretending.
Knowledge of ourselves will help us rise, whereas sin and weakness will lead to despondency. Deep confidence and trust will come through self-knowledge. Then you will turn to Jesus to support you in your weakness, whereas if you think you are strong, you will not need our Lord.
Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.
Confession is nothing but humility in action. We used to call it penance, but really, it is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. When there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. Confession is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys.
The reality of my sins must come first. Most of us are prone to forgetting that we are sinners and must go to confession. We must go to God to tell Him we are sorry for all we have done that may have hurt Him.
The confessional is not a place for useless conversation or gossip. The topic should be my sins, my sorrow, my forgiveness; how to overcome my temptations, practice virtue, and increase in the love of God.
Penance is absolutely necessary. Nothing is of greater force in restraining the disordered passions of the soul and in subjecting the natural appetites to right reason. Through penance, we come to possess those heavenly joys and delights that surpass the pleasures of earth as much as the soul does the body, and heaven the earth.
Our penance is an act of perfect love for God, man, and the whole universe. It is a joyful identification with Christ crucified; it is a hunger to be lost in Him so that nothing remains of us but He alone in His radiant glory, drawing all men to the Father.
The Bible tells us to test the spirits.
You give us absolutely nothing to test the spirits you are coming here with, as they seem to be filled to correction and calls to repentance.
What are the things you yourself need continual correcting over, and what do you find yourself repenting over again and again?
A credible source would not only answer such questions -- without evasion with general spiritual summaries -- but would welcome such testing.
-
1
- Show all
Yes, Daisy, we are all indeed sinners.
But may I say, you are the kind of sinner that this particular sinner (me!) would be happy to be friends with. ❤️
And yes, faithful are the wounds of your friend.
But your mother has not made friends with any of us here, and it certainly doesn't seem like she's interested in doing so.
Being a Christian and coming in and plowing people over with Scripture isn't enough, and it certainly isn't coming from a friend when that person doesn't want to know anything about the people they are preaching at.
@Subhumanoidal and I clashed quite a bit in the first, I would say, 5 years we were both here, probably more. (For the record, I've never had an issue with his choice in music, I just saw it as being different -- the way some people say they can watch horror movies and aren't convicted. I can't do that, but I don't judge it either because I see it as their personal walk with God.)
And of course, Sub and I still have times we disagree. We always will. But over time, we learned more about each other, and I would like to think we are now friends (But Sub, you can feel free to disown me if you like -- I totally understand!)
If he were to say something sharp to me, I'd have to listen because he's actually taken the time to invest into who I am as a person and what's going on in my life.
@Lynx and I disagree over something at least every other day! But when he says harsh things to me, I listen, because he's invested over 10 years into becoming friends. We've had disagreements that are the chat equivalent of a "fighting like cats and dogs." (Wait, if he's a cat, does that mean I'm the dog?) Shoot, we probably had a blowout like that just last week! But, because we know each other so well, we're quick to apologize and move on because he is a true friend.
I hope your mom has an interest in making real friends here, too.
But may I say, you are the kind of sinner that this particular sinner (me!) would be happy to be friends with. ❤️
And yes, faithful are the wounds of your friend.
But your mother has not made friends with any of us here, and it certainly doesn't seem like she's interested in doing so.
Being a Christian and coming in and plowing people over with Scripture isn't enough, and it certainly isn't coming from a friend when that person doesn't want to know anything about the people they are preaching at.
@Subhumanoidal and I clashed quite a bit in the first, I would say, 5 years we were both here, probably more. (For the record, I've never had an issue with his choice in music, I just saw it as being different -- the way some people say they can watch horror movies and aren't convicted. I can't do that, but I don't judge it either because I see it as their personal walk with God.)
And of course, Sub and I still have times we disagree. We always will. But over time, we learned more about each other, and I would like to think we are now friends (But Sub, you can feel free to disown me if you like -- I totally understand!)
If he were to say something sharp to me, I'd have to listen because he's actually taken the time to invest into who I am as a person and what's going on in my life.
@Lynx and I disagree over something at least every other day!
But when he says harsh things to me, I listen, because he's invested over 10 years into becoming friends. We've had disagreements that are the chat equivalent of a "fighting like cats and dogs." (Wait, if he's a cat, does that mean I'm the dog?) Shoot, we probably had a blowout like that just last week! But, because we know each other so well, we're quick to apologize and move on because he is a true friend. I hope your mom has an interest in making real friends here, too.
-
1
-
1
- Show all
What Does it Mean to Test the Spirits? (and How Can We Do It?)
Test the spirits. There are indeed many false prophets out in the world today, deceiving many. Don’t be one of them. Learn to recognize the spirit of a false prophet or teacher and don’t be taken in by them.
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1
In 1 John 4:1, we are instructed to test the spirits to see whether or not they are from God. But what does it mean to test the spirits? And how do we distinguish between the Spirit who is from God and a spirit who is not?
What Does it Mean to Test the Spirits
1 John 4:1-6 identifies two different spirits. The first is called “a spirit from God,” “the Spirit of God,” and “the Spirit of Truth.” The second is identified as “the spirit of a false prophet,” “the spirit of antichrist,” and “the spirit of falsehood.”
The first is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who leads us into the truth. The Holy Spirit will never deceive us or otherwise lead us astray. Instead, he will always lead us into the truth and a closer walk with God.
The second spirit that John mentions is a deceitful spirit, a fallen spiritual being working through a false prophet or teacher whose purpose is to lead us astray from the truth. This spirit may look and sound very appealing (2 Corinthians 11:14), but under their sheep’s skin, they are vicious wolves looking to devour the flock (Acts 20:19).
The Applied New Testament Commentary explains: "In John’s time, there were many people who were teaching, preaching, and prophesying through various spirits. It is the same in these present times. We must examine every man’s words. How do we examine them? We examine them by comparing them to what is written in the Bible. If what they say agrees with what is written in the Bible, then we can know that they are speaking through the Holy Spirit.
John says that we must test the spirits to see whether they are from God. When John says test the spirits, he means that we must test what the spirits are saying. We must always examine the words of anyone who claims to be speaking “through the spirit,” because there are many false teachers and false prophets in the world, and they are constantly trying to deceive us."
Let's take a look at some tests you can use to distinguish between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of a false prophet.
1. What Fruit Does the Spirit Produce?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns us about false prophets. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Jesus tells us that one surefire way to recognize a false prophet is to examine the fruit they produce.
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some of the acts, or fruit, of the flesh. What is significant about this list is that each act is something that works against the unity and edification of the body. They are signs of a person who puts themselves first and uses others to accomplish their aims.
And this is contrary to the standard for greatness that Jesus set. In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus told his disciples that the key to greatness lies not in being served but in serving others. This is really only something that comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that produces the fruit that enables us to serve and put others first (Galatians 5:22-23).
The false prophet may be able to disguise their fruit for a time. But ultimately, it will be shown for what it is. Don’t be taken in by smooth talk. Pay attention to the fruit that is produced. Is it helpful to the church or detrimental?
2. Do They Preach According to Scripture?
Peter warns us about false prophets who will secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). Heresy is a doctrine that is contrary to what the Scripture teaches. Sometimes heresy is obvious, but other times it can be very subtle and have the ring of truth to it.
Listen carefully to what a prophet or teacher is saying. How well does it conform to the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is given to us by inspiration from God. And, since God does not lie (Titus 1:2), we can depend on the Bible to always be a reliable guide to truth.
For this test to be effective, we need to have a good understanding of what the Bible teaches. This means knowing more than just a few favorite verses or passages. The false prophet will frequently sprinkle passages into their message that seem to support their position.
But those selected verses are frequently taken out of context or are interpreted in ways that are contrary to the bulk of the Scripture.
Follow the example of the Berean believers who examined the scriptures to verify that what Paul said was indeed true (Acts 17:11). Just because the person preaching or teaching is well known or recommended by a friend is no guarantee that what they are proclaiming is the truth.
Search the scriptures for yourself to see how well what they say conforms to what God’s inspired Word says.
But we need to be careful here. It can be tempting to assume that everyone who disagrees with my understanding of Scripture is wrong. They may be. Or, just as likely, I may be wrong. But what John is referring to here are those who find their "truth" outside the pages of the Scripture.
They may sprinkle selected verses into their teaching, but at its heart, it is contrary to what is found in the Bible. So, be like the Bereans and test what you hear against the Scripture (Acts 17:11). And reject what does not conform to it.
3. Does the Spirit Glorify God?
Another way to test the spirits is to evaluate who they honor. The Holy Spirit, and those led by him, will seek to honor and glorify God. And this is true in everything they say and do (1 Pet. 2:12).
The false prophet, on the other hand, might give lip service to honoring God. But they have no real interest in glorifying God. Instead, the focus of their efforts will be elsewhere.
Their words and actions will demonstrate what is important to them. If they are constantly promoting “their ministry” rather than the Lord’s work or themselves rather than the God of the Bible, that should serve as a warning sign.
4. Do the Spirits Build Up the Body of Christ?
A fourth test is to examine the impact that the spirits have on the body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:11-16, Paul tells us that Jesus has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers to build up the body of Christ, help it to reach maturity, and attain the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
A prophet or teacher speaking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will have a message that seeks to draw the body closer to Christ and obedience to his commission for his church.
A false prophet will not be interested in developing a body that is healthy and committed to the Lordship of Christ.
In contrast, the spirit of a false prophet will be one that is seeking to destroy the church. This will often be done subtly to deceive those who hear them. And, if so, it may be difficult to determine the spirit of the prophet easily.
A local church may be materially prosperous, promoting many ministries, and having a growing membership. But that does not mean that it is a healthy church. The church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22 was all of that.
And yet they took the harshest criticism of any of the seven churches. Jesus had nothing good to say about them. They were spiritually lukewarm, focused more on the external than the internal life of the Spirit.
Test the spirits. There are indeed many false prophets out in the world today, deceiving many. Don’t be one of them. Learn to recognize the spirit of a false prophet or teacher and don’t be taken in by them.
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1
In 1 John 4:1, we are instructed to test the spirits to see whether or not they are from God. But what does it mean to test the spirits? And how do we distinguish between the Spirit who is from God and a spirit who is not?
What Does it Mean to Test the Spirits
1 John 4:1-6 identifies two different spirits. The first is called “a spirit from God,” “the Spirit of God,” and “the Spirit of Truth.” The second is identified as “the spirit of a false prophet,” “the spirit of antichrist,” and “the spirit of falsehood.”
The first is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who leads us into the truth. The Holy Spirit will never deceive us or otherwise lead us astray. Instead, he will always lead us into the truth and a closer walk with God.
The second spirit that John mentions is a deceitful spirit, a fallen spiritual being working through a false prophet or teacher whose purpose is to lead us astray from the truth. This spirit may look and sound very appealing (2 Corinthians 11:14), but under their sheep’s skin, they are vicious wolves looking to devour the flock (Acts 20:19).
The Applied New Testament Commentary explains: "In John’s time, there were many people who were teaching, preaching, and prophesying through various spirits. It is the same in these present times. We must examine every man’s words. How do we examine them? We examine them by comparing them to what is written in the Bible. If what they say agrees with what is written in the Bible, then we can know that they are speaking through the Holy Spirit.
John says that we must test the spirits to see whether they are from God. When John says test the spirits, he means that we must test what the spirits are saying. We must always examine the words of anyone who claims to be speaking “through the spirit,” because there are many false teachers and false prophets in the world, and they are constantly trying to deceive us."
Let's take a look at some tests you can use to distinguish between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of a false prophet.
1. What Fruit Does the Spirit Produce?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns us about false prophets. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Jesus tells us that one surefire way to recognize a false prophet is to examine the fruit they produce.
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some of the acts, or fruit, of the flesh. What is significant about this list is that each act is something that works against the unity and edification of the body. They are signs of a person who puts themselves first and uses others to accomplish their aims.
And this is contrary to the standard for greatness that Jesus set. In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus told his disciples that the key to greatness lies not in being served but in serving others. This is really only something that comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that produces the fruit that enables us to serve and put others first (Galatians 5:22-23).
The false prophet may be able to disguise their fruit for a time. But ultimately, it will be shown for what it is. Don’t be taken in by smooth talk. Pay attention to the fruit that is produced. Is it helpful to the church or detrimental?
2. Do They Preach According to Scripture?
Peter warns us about false prophets who will secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). Heresy is a doctrine that is contrary to what the Scripture teaches. Sometimes heresy is obvious, but other times it can be very subtle and have the ring of truth to it.
Listen carefully to what a prophet or teacher is saying. How well does it conform to the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is given to us by inspiration from God. And, since God does not lie (Titus 1:2), we can depend on the Bible to always be a reliable guide to truth.
For this test to be effective, we need to have a good understanding of what the Bible teaches. This means knowing more than just a few favorite verses or passages. The false prophet will frequently sprinkle passages into their message that seem to support their position.
But those selected verses are frequently taken out of context or are interpreted in ways that are contrary to the bulk of the Scripture.
Follow the example of the Berean believers who examined the scriptures to verify that what Paul said was indeed true (Acts 17:11). Just because the person preaching or teaching is well known or recommended by a friend is no guarantee that what they are proclaiming is the truth.
Search the scriptures for yourself to see how well what they say conforms to what God’s inspired Word says.
But we need to be careful here. It can be tempting to assume that everyone who disagrees with my understanding of Scripture is wrong. They may be. Or, just as likely, I may be wrong. But what John is referring to here are those who find their "truth" outside the pages of the Scripture.
They may sprinkle selected verses into their teaching, but at its heart, it is contrary to what is found in the Bible. So, be like the Bereans and test what you hear against the Scripture (Acts 17:11). And reject what does not conform to it.
3. Does the Spirit Glorify God?
Another way to test the spirits is to evaluate who they honor. The Holy Spirit, and those led by him, will seek to honor and glorify God. And this is true in everything they say and do (1 Pet. 2:12).
The false prophet, on the other hand, might give lip service to honoring God. But they have no real interest in glorifying God. Instead, the focus of their efforts will be elsewhere.
Their words and actions will demonstrate what is important to them. If they are constantly promoting “their ministry” rather than the Lord’s work or themselves rather than the God of the Bible, that should serve as a warning sign.
4. Do the Spirits Build Up the Body of Christ?
A fourth test is to examine the impact that the spirits have on the body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:11-16, Paul tells us that Jesus has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers to build up the body of Christ, help it to reach maturity, and attain the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
A prophet or teacher speaking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will have a message that seeks to draw the body closer to Christ and obedience to his commission for his church.
A false prophet will not be interested in developing a body that is healthy and committed to the Lordship of Christ.
In contrast, the spirit of a false prophet will be one that is seeking to destroy the church. This will often be done subtly to deceive those who hear them. And, if so, it may be difficult to determine the spirit of the prophet easily.
A local church may be materially prosperous, promoting many ministries, and having a growing membership. But that does not mean that it is a healthy church. The church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22 was all of that.
And yet they took the harshest criticism of any of the seven churches. Jesus had nothing good to say about them. They were spiritually lukewarm, focused more on the external than the internal life of the Spirit.
5. Insight from the Holy Spirit
A final test is one that can be difficult to discern. And that is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. You need first to be in tune with the Spirit, listening to him in your daily life.
And, if you are, he will make clear to you if the one you are hearing is proclaiming a gospel other than the one from Scripture. Listen to that prompting of the Spirit and look for other signs that would verify the Spirit’s warning.
Test the spirits. There are indeed many false prophets out in the world today, deceiving many. Don’t be one of them. Learn to recognize the spirit of a false prophet or teacher and don’t be taken in by them.
A Prayer to Test the Spirits
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a humble heart, seeking Your wisdom and guidance in accordance with 1 John 4:1. You have instructed us to test the spirits to discern whether they are from You, and I earnestly seek Your discernment and protection in this matter.
Grant me the discernment to recognize Your truth and Your Spirit in all that I encounter. Give me the wisdom to examine every teaching, prophecy, and message in light of Your holy Word, the Bible. May Your Word be the standard by which I measure all things.
I pray for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit to lead me in discerning what is in alignment with Your will and what is not. Help me to recognize any false teachings or deceptive spirits that may try to lead me astray. Strengthen my faith and conviction in Your truth.
Lord, I place my trust in You and Your Word. I ask for Your protection and discernment as I navigate the spiritual influences in this world. Help me to stay firmly rooted in Your love and truth.
In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen."
A final test is one that can be difficult to discern. And that is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. You need first to be in tune with the Spirit, listening to him in your daily life.
And, if you are, he will make clear to you if the one you are hearing is proclaiming a gospel other than the one from Scripture. Listen to that prompting of the Spirit and look for other signs that would verify the Spirit’s warning.
Test the spirits. There are indeed many false prophets out in the world today, deceiving many. Don’t be one of them. Learn to recognize the spirit of a false prophet or teacher and don’t be taken in by them.
A Prayer to Test the Spirits
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a humble heart, seeking Your wisdom and guidance in accordance with 1 John 4:1. You have instructed us to test the spirits to discern whether they are from You, and I earnestly seek Your discernment and protection in this matter.
Grant me the discernment to recognize Your truth and Your Spirit in all that I encounter. Give me the wisdom to examine every teaching, prophecy, and message in light of Your holy Word, the Bible. May Your Word be the standard by which I measure all things.
I pray for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit to lead me in discerning what is in alignment with Your will and what is not. Help me to recognize any false teachings or deceptive spirits that may try to lead me astray. Strengthen my faith and conviction in Your truth.
Lord, I place my trust in You and Your Word. I ask for Your protection and discernment as I navigate the spiritual influences in this world. Help me to stay firmly rooted in Your love and truth.
In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen."