Text: 1 John 4:1
Further Reading: 1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1 NKJV
MESSAGE
Today many are being deceived by false prophets who go about with false prophecy. Not as though such prophecies and predictions are false, but the end is to put their captives in the bondage of satan.
Before Philip went to Samaria, everyone gave heed to a man who was a mere sorcerer. He had bewitched the people into thinking he is such a great power of God. Until men who had the light showed up this man was deceiving the people.
One of the signs that Jesus gave us about the end times is that satan will introduce many spirits into the world to deceive, even the very elect. This is why God’s people must be careful. You must be careful where you go and who you listen to. The fact that a man calls himself by God’s name is not enough to accept him and his doctrine, you must check.
One of the most important gifts the Holy Spirit affords those who are full of Him is the ability to judge if a person is under the influence of God’s power or not. He does this sometimes by inner knowledge and many other times He shines the light of the word of God on error or truth that is being taught.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:20 NKJV
This is the reason why Christians must read the Bible for themselves and have a personal daily relationship with the Lord. You must constantly trust the Lord to help you identify those false prophets and teachers.
Also, you can test them by the scriptures. Jesus said that by their fruits you shall know them. Anyone who claims that they are prophets and are living contrary to the word of God must be avoided. You must avoid them with all your life.
REFLECTION
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV
You will need discernment of the Holy Spirit everyday of your life.
PRAYER
Father, please grant me the spirit of discernment in my everyday work or business in Jesu’s name. Amen.
