“Test the Spirits”
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I think mostly this testing of spirits should go on within ourselves. As it not only "strengthens" us, but helps in the "ridding of tares" which promotes "root" growth. Meaning, it can cause a "stony grounded" believer to become "stronger."
But, I can also "see" where this might be appropriate during a one on one conversation.
Doing so in venues such as this? Although, there are several I'd like to enquire from, would just be so futile and fruitless.
I dunno where that verse is, nor what translation you're using.
But, I can also "see" where this might be appropriate during a one on one conversation.
Doing so in venues such as this? Although, there are several I'd like to enquire from, would just be so futile and fruitless.
I dunno where that verse is, nor what translation you're using.
1Jn 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.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 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.
It is obvious that it is speaking of testing the spirits in relation to people, because many false prophets are gone out into the world, and to avoid their deception.
But this appears to be a simple thing, and how can someone that confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh be confused, or be deceived, concerning people that do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, for it should be cut and dry, for they are opposites.
If I confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, how could I be deceived by people that say that Jesus Christ did not come in flesh.
But it can happen, and it is obvious that Jesus Christ was in flesh, whether a true Christian, a hypocrite, a new ager, a Buddhist, a Hindu, some of the world, and even Judaism, and even Islam would say Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
For many would say Jesus Christ came in the flesh, for He was born into this world, and probably the majority of the world will say Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
But when the Bible says Jesus Christ is come in the flesh it means that God was manifest in the flesh, which many people would not say that it was God, but He was only human with no deity, or a created god.
For some would give an alternate viewpoint of Jesus, and try to convince people of that, and that He is not God manifest in the flesh.
Many will say He is a prophet, and some He was a good man, and some He was a good teacher in spiritual enlightenment, the power of nature, and love, and an ascended master, and avatar.
Some will say He is Lord, but deny His deity, for He was appointed of God, or He is Lord, and a created god.
So test the spirits for many false prophets have gone out in to the world, and say that Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh, that He is not God manifest in flesh, but try to convince you that He is less than that.
And then some say that Jesus Christ did not even exist, so He would of not come in flesh, but since the Bible says many false prophets have gone out in to the world, then it means they will tell you Jesus Christ is less than being God manifest in the flesh.
Such as Mormons that say saints can be like Him, and be like the Father, and Jehovah's witnesses, and Scientology, and Christian Science, and the new age movement that says Jesus is a teacher in the evolutionary process, but the New Age Christ is the final teacher.
But if you believe Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, how can you ever be deceived, because if it says to test the spirits then it would be speaking to people in the truth that believe Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh.
Maybe it means they want to fellowship with the people that confess Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, as if it does not matter if they all fellowship together, and be as one, and their different interpretations of Jesus does not matter, so long as they claim Jesus Christ to have existed on earth, and a great help in spirituality whatever they believe.
But we would not want their false interpretation of Jesus mingling in with the truth of Jesus Christ, and have different viewpoints of Jesus by people that have grouped together with different viewpoints of Jesus, for we want to proclaim Jesus as God manifest in the flesh, and Lord and Savior, and only have that interpretation of Jesus among us.
Not having a mixed group of people with different beliefs of Jesus, but it does not matter.
The same with many people that say all religions are compatible, and have a core truth, and all beneficial, and they are all really the same, and one, and serve the same God, but that is not true, and we do not want that kind of belief system in Christianity, but Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, and Lord and Savior, and that is all we proclaim, and nothing else.
We do not want to hear that your Jesus is only a human, and not God manifest in flesh, but still favored by God, or hear that we can be like Jesus in His deity, and be like the Father, and diminish their greatness, and authority, or hear he is a man that the Christ conscience cam e upon, and he became an ascended master, and avatar, like the people who follow the New Age Christ in the future will become, when the Christ conscience comes upon them, or hear your Jesus is a prophet, and nothing more.
For many people will try to convince you that Jesus is not God manifest in the flesh, although they will still say there is a benefit by him to be had.
So test the spirits whether they are of God, so you know not to associate with that group that claims Christianity, and Jesus, but not according to the truth.
1Jn 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.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 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.
There are denominations that claim Christianity, and that they are of God, but have a wrong interpretation of Jesus, and who He is, so test the spirits that say they are of God, if they are really of God, by their confession of who Jesus is, for if they claim Christianity, and Jesus, but do not believe that He is God manifest in the flesh, or a created god, then know they are false, and to avoid them for they have no part in true Christianity, and not part of Jesus.
Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh is of God, and any other viewpoint of Jesus is not of God.
1 John 4 testing the spirits is interaction with people, for it says that there are false prophets that have gone out in to the world, and teach contrary to the truth of Jesus, although they claim Jesus, and that every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that is not of God, so the spirits have to do with people, and what they confess, so it is interaction with people, and not within ourselves.
For how can it be within ourselves if we believe Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, for will we be wishy washy, unsure, and argue with ourselves over what we believe.
Will we have a mindset like this, Jesus is come in the flesh, no He has not, yes He has, you are wrong, you want me to slap you, go ahead and try it, you are in falseness, no, you are, no, you are, no, you are, no, you are.
How can we test anything within ourselves, when all our information, and what we learn, and see, and hear, comes from without, so whatever is within had to be without first.
This is testing the spirits of people whether they are of God, or not.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 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.
It is obvious that it is speaking of testing the spirits in relation to people, because many false prophets are gone out into the world, and to avoid their deception.
But this appears to be a simple thing, and how can someone that confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh be confused, or be deceived, concerning people that do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, for it should be cut and dry, for they are opposites.
If I confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, how could I be deceived by people that say that Jesus Christ did not come in flesh.
But it can happen, and it is obvious that Jesus Christ was in flesh, whether a true Christian, a hypocrite, a new ager, a Buddhist, a Hindu, some of the world, and even Judaism, and even Islam would say Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
For many would say Jesus Christ came in the flesh, for He was born into this world, and probably the majority of the world will say Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
But when the Bible says Jesus Christ is come in the flesh it means that God was manifest in the flesh, which many people would not say that it was God, but He was only human with no deity, or a created god.
For some would give an alternate viewpoint of Jesus, and try to convince people of that, and that He is not God manifest in the flesh.
Many will say He is a prophet, and some He was a good man, and some He was a good teacher in spiritual enlightenment, the power of nature, and love, and an ascended master, and avatar.
Some will say He is Lord, but deny His deity, for He was appointed of God, or He is Lord, and a created god.
So test the spirits for many false prophets have gone out in to the world, and say that Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh, that He is not God manifest in flesh, but try to convince you that He is less than that.
And then some say that Jesus Christ did not even exist, so He would of not come in flesh, but since the Bible says many false prophets have gone out in to the world, then it means they will tell you Jesus Christ is less than being God manifest in the flesh.
Such as Mormons that say saints can be like Him, and be like the Father, and Jehovah's witnesses, and Scientology, and Christian Science, and the new age movement that says Jesus is a teacher in the evolutionary process, but the New Age Christ is the final teacher.
But if you believe Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, how can you ever be deceived, because if it says to test the spirits then it would be speaking to people in the truth that believe Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh.
Maybe it means they want to fellowship with the people that confess Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, as if it does not matter if they all fellowship together, and be as one, and their different interpretations of Jesus does not matter, so long as they claim Jesus Christ to have existed on earth, and a great help in spirituality whatever they believe.
But we would not want their false interpretation of Jesus mingling in with the truth of Jesus Christ, and have different viewpoints of Jesus by people that have grouped together with different viewpoints of Jesus, for we want to proclaim Jesus as God manifest in the flesh, and Lord and Savior, and only have that interpretation of Jesus among us.
Not having a mixed group of people with different beliefs of Jesus, but it does not matter.
The same with many people that say all religions are compatible, and have a core truth, and all beneficial, and they are all really the same, and one, and serve the same God, but that is not true, and we do not want that kind of belief system in Christianity, but Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, and Lord and Savior, and that is all we proclaim, and nothing else.
We do not want to hear that your Jesus is only a human, and not God manifest in flesh, but still favored by God, or hear that we can be like Jesus in His deity, and be like the Father, and diminish their greatness, and authority, or hear he is a man that the Christ conscience cam e upon, and he became an ascended master, and avatar, like the people who follow the New Age Christ in the future will become, when the Christ conscience comes upon them, or hear your Jesus is a prophet, and nothing more.
For many people will try to convince you that Jesus is not God manifest in the flesh, although they will still say there is a benefit by him to be had.
So test the spirits whether they are of God, so you know not to associate with that group that claims Christianity, and Jesus, but not according to the truth.
1Jn 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.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 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.
There are denominations that claim Christianity, and that they are of God, but have a wrong interpretation of Jesus, and who He is, so test the spirits that say they are of God, if they are really of God, by their confession of who Jesus is, for if they claim Christianity, and Jesus, but do not believe that He is God manifest in the flesh, or a created god, then know they are false, and to avoid them for they have no part in true Christianity, and not part of Jesus.
Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh is of God, and any other viewpoint of Jesus is not of God.
1 John 4 testing the spirits is interaction with people, for it says that there are false prophets that have gone out in to the world, and teach contrary to the truth of Jesus, although they claim Jesus, and that every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that is not of God, so the spirits have to do with people, and what they confess, so it is interaction with people, and not within ourselves.
For how can it be within ourselves if we believe Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, for will we be wishy washy, unsure, and argue with ourselves over what we believe.
Will we have a mindset like this, Jesus is come in the flesh, no He has not, yes He has, you are wrong, you want me to slap you, go ahead and try it, you are in falseness, no, you are, no, you are, no, you are, no, you are.
How can we test anything within ourselves, when all our information, and what we learn, and see, and hear, comes from without, so whatever is within had to be without first.
This is testing the spirits of people whether they are of God, or not.
Spirits speak, whether people or angels or even our conscience and we are to compare those words to Scripture and/or the principles of Scripture. If they align then we receive those words, if they contradict, we reject them.
This is why it is sooo important to be immersed in the Scriptures as the Holy Spirit normally speaks to us through His own Word.
This is why it is sooo important to be immersed in the Scriptures as the Holy Spirit normally speaks to us through His own Word.
Seems to me (anyway) you are in dire needs of doing some "testing of spirits" within yourself.
1 John 4 (KJV)
3 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.
"Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh is of God, and any other viewpoint of Jesus is not of God."
So? This is the God you worship?
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and EXALTETH himself ABOVE ALL that is CALLED God, or that is worshipped; so that he AS God SITTETH in the temple of God, SHEWING HIMSELF that he IS God.
You even said it yourself: "How can we test anything within ourselves, when all our information, and what we learn, and see, and hear, comes from without, so whatever is within HAD TO BE without first.
Seems you didn't take verse 3 "to heart!" 3 Let no man deceive you by ANY means(!)
Even Jesus HIMSELF sez:
John 7
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am NOT COME OF MYSELF, but HE THAT SENT ME IS TRUE, whom ye know not.
29 But I know him: for I am FROM him, and HE HATH SENT ME.
I didn't see ANY MENTION AT ALL, Jesus saying he WAS GOD!
Having said this, I do understand this "romanticizing" (and too many oft times, by so many people, the over romanticizing) of the "Rescue Team!" As God was certainly IN/WITH Him! Much to the disdain, OF THE DISPATCHER, WHO SENT HIM! Him being "Jehovah's Saviour!" or "Jehovah's Salvation!" "Yeshua MESSIAH!" The "Lamb OF God!" And NO ONE "comes UNTO the Father, but BY Him!"
Does in NO WISE Make the "Lamb of God?" GOD!
Believers on this side of the one source of Christian faith "as it is written" as a result the completion of the revealed will of God now that we have the perfect have a advantage over them. What they had in part. We have the whole. or full knowledge, as the face of God. (faith to faith grace to grace.)
The verse in 1 John 4 is in respect to defending the faith of Christ as that which defends "us" the word of God. The "us" as to the manner of spirit (faith) the unseen eternal.
1 John 4 King James Version (KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
We are to try the spirts to see if they are men inspired from heaven or of men earthly inspired after the things seen (the wrong maner of us)
I think we can make it more complicated then it was meant to be. We have the perfect and are not anticipating any new revelation. if any man says thus says the lord as a new revelation or a I had a vision or out of the body experience we are to believe not.. He warned us before hand,
Mark 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Like the noble Berean's used to represent the kingdom of priests (believers) who had the Spirit of Christ in them .When they had doubt as to the proper manner of spirit (us in Christ) The Holy Spirit moved them daily to help them understand if those things were true .
The same Holy Spirit that works in us who believe Christ according to His work of faith that does work in us to both will and do his god pleasure.
This would make every false prophet that came after the Book of Revelation saying Lo is Christ I had a vison or a new word as false prophets .They add or subtract form the now whole word of God sealed up till the end of time with seven seals
The "us" are those who are moved by the Holy Spirit in order to seek his approval
Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The verse in 1 John 4 is in respect to defending the faith of Christ as that which defends "us" the word of God. The "us" as to the manner of spirit (faith) the unseen eternal.
1 John 4 King James Version (KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
We are to try the spirts to see if they are men inspired from heaven or of men earthly inspired after the things seen (the wrong maner of us)
I think we can make it more complicated then it was meant to be. We have the perfect and are not anticipating any new revelation. if any man says thus says the lord as a new revelation or a I had a vision or out of the body experience we are to believe not.. He warned us before hand,
Mark 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Like the noble Berean's used to represent the kingdom of priests (believers) who had the Spirit of Christ in them .When they had doubt as to the proper manner of spirit (us in Christ) The Holy Spirit moved them daily to help them understand if those things were true .
The same Holy Spirit that works in us who believe Christ according to His work of faith that does work in us to both will and do his god pleasure.
This would make every false prophet that came after the Book of Revelation saying Lo is Christ I had a vison or a new word as false prophets .They add or subtract form the now whole word of God sealed up till the end of time with seven seals
The "us" are those who are moved by the Holy Spirit in order to seek his approval
Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. Jesus Christ is not the Father but has every bit of the Father dweleth in Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ was begotten of the Father and came forth from the Father and was in the Fathers bosom. Jesus is God because Jesus is the Word of God which comes from God and not of Himself. Though He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But the Father is greater than Jesus. God the Father is the creator and Father of all. But God made everything through the Word. He sent His only begotten Son His Living Word manifest in the flesh to die for our sins. The blessed lamb of God.
John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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