How do you test the spirits?

[Figure of eighty]

Like step by step what do you do?

[missmuffet]

You need to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. You need to know the Bible well enough that you can discern a counterfeit when you see it. 

[Hopefully]

8 hours ago, Figure of eighty said:

Like step by step what do you do?

“My dear friends, many false prophets are in the world now. So don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.
 

This is how you can recognize God’s Spirit. One spirit says, “I believe that Jesus is the Messiah who came to earth and became a man.” That Spirit is from God.

Another spirit refuses to say this about Jesus. That spirit is not from God. This is the spirit of the enemy of Christ. You have heard that the enemy of Christ is coming, and now he is already in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭

[Kelly2363]

9 hours ago, Figure of eighty said:

Like step by step what do you do?

 

Well you could take a position that has it that you cannot know any truth unless God Himself reveals it to you by the Holy Spirit. So in that view testing a spirit would mean setting the 'spirit' against the rod of truth and seeing if it falls short.

To give an example:

Two Mormon boys come to my house and seeing that they are polite and decent boys I give them a moment to witness to me. And after a short while I ask them if they are Christians. To which they assure me that they are - so I ask them "do you say that Jesus is Lord?" And they both agree with their own mouths that Jesus is Lord. So I then cite the full verse of Scripture which I have half cited and say, "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3)

So here we are then - I have two Mormon boys who have stated freely with their own mouths that Jesus is Lord and so according to Scripture I must now receive them as being in the power of the Holy Spirit because it is written 'no one can say that "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.  

And where is the problem with that?

According to the official teaching manual of the Mormon (LDS) called Gospel Principles - Jesus is the spiritual brother of Satan.

We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, “Whom shall I send?” (Abraham 3:27). Two of our brothers offered to help. Our oldest brother, Jesus Christ, who was then called Jehovah, said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27)….Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1).

So Sister, can I ask you a question please?

How can I know that the two boys on my doorstep are not Christians?

I could express my question in this way. How can I know from 1 Corinthians 12:3 cited above that these two Mormon boys are not Christians? What instrument could I use to make a proper judgement? They have spoken from the Scripture that Jesus is Lord - they are clean - respectable and polite. How can I know that they are not in fact Christians?

 

 

Edited September 9, 2021 by Kelly2363

[other one]

9 hours ago, Figure of eighty said:

Like step by step what do you do?

That would depend on what you are talking about.....   if you are speaking of direct contact with spirits it has been my experience that if you ask them to say that Jesus comes in the flesh they can't say it, or won't, I don't know which. They also have to agree that Jesus is Lord of all, and Satan is defeated;  they do not dare declare that if they are not of God.  Flesh people can say that, but spirits can not.

Also if you are really going to mess with them you need a really good knowledge of what the Bible says and compare everything they say and do to what it written in the bible.    However consider that they were here thousands of years ago and are also very familiar with what is written so know it well.

If you are speaking of people and not spirits themselves, I look to see if they really love everyone or are mostly out for themselves.  but everyone spirit or flesh must be able to agree that Jesus comes in the Flesh.   He is man and God

[enoob57]

Understanding God's Word is the litmus against all lies .... for God says   

John 17:16-20

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
KJV
but also knowing that satan is a liar and the father of all lies...
John 8:44

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
KJV
So simple understanding in this- it is with God's Word (which is nothing but truth)  that we see lie that comes from false spirits....

[appy]

When 1 John 4:1-3  speaks of testing the spirits, he is not referring to being able to recognize the difference between angels and demons per se, but in recognizing the attitude and spirit behind what people are saying or teaching and how they live.

As others have pointed out, we need to read our bibles daily, so that we can spot what is false and what is true whether we are measuring a person or doctrines. The bible is the yardstick by which we use to measure with. A person that affirms Christ as the bible teaches, will place emphasis on Jesus, and direct others to Him.

The example in Acts is a good example of how we are to test....  The Bereans, did NOT just blindly believe what Paul told them about the gospel.  But checked to see if his words were the same as scripture. You test people  by their view of Christ. And you test people by how they live. Do they demonstrate the characteristics of being regenerated?

A person's validity comes from the doctrine of Christ. He or she will affirm that Jesus Christ is God in flesh, and they will place emphasis on Jesus, and direct others to Him.

False teachers, and or false teachings contradict what the bible says, and the focus and emphasis is in the direction of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. However, when measuring a person or doctrine/teaching, We must be careful when observing others, because we may not have the full story. For some, they might just be beginning their walk in Christ. We don't want them to start doubting their salvation, or they may stop trusting Christ. Everyone is at different places in their walk with Christ. And no one is ever immune to temptation and sin.

 

[Waggles]

19 hours ago, Figure of eighty said:

Like step by step what do you do?

John the apostle is writing to and for Spirit-filled Christians who have the Spirit of truth dwelling within them.

Already by John's latter years many heresies and other gospels were being preached and causing problems in the church (the body of Christ).

John is encouraging the saints to test the spirits (that which is being preached by some people) by remembering their unction and the original commandments of the gospel they received.

So praying in tongues (praying in the Holy Spirit) is a first step to seeking guidance from God over questionable doctrines that go against what the apostles had already set out in writing.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual gifts to the Spirit-filled church -

1Cor 12:10  and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues;

this gift is available when prayed for to assist those in the body of Christ insight and guidance over spiritual preaching and doctrines that are suspect or at variance with the fundamental truths of the gospel once delivered to the saints.

Some years ago everybody was agog over a new set of must read books by a high profile celebrity U.S. pastor. Everybody was claiming that this was a new revelation and would change Christian faith and church life forever. 

I started reading a borrowed copy from a besotted brother in the Lord and after a couple of chapters I thought to myself this is rubbish; there is no new revelation here. This is feel good fudge with chocolate, not meat and potatoes. 

So I laid hands on this book and prayed in the Spirit over it for a good 15 minutes or so - and the Lord revealed to me that this work was not from Him, but inspired by the enemy. 

Some offences are highly visible, like all the Halloween nonsense, but some offences are subtle and need us to be vigilant. 

[Kelly2363]

4 minutes ago, Waggles said:

John the apostle is writing to and for Spirit-filled Christians who have the Spirit of truth dwelling within them.

Already by John's latter years many heresies and other gospels were being preached and causing problems in the church (the body of Christ).

John is encouraging the saints to test the spirits (that which is being preached by some people) by remembering their unction and the original commandments of the gospel they received.

So praying in tongues (praying in the Holy Spirit) is a first step to seeking guidance from God over questionable doctrines that go against what the apostles had already set out in writing.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual gifts to the Spirit-filled church -

1Cor 12:10  and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues;

this gift is available when prayed for to assist those in the body of Christ insight and guidance over spiritual preaching and doctrines that are suspect or at variance with the fundamental truths of the gospel once delivered to the saints.

Some years ago everybody was agog over a new set of must read books by a high profile celebrity U.S. pastor. Everybody was claiming that this was a new revelation and would change Christian faith and church life forever. 

I started reading a borrowed copy from a besotted brother in the Lord and after a couple of chapters I thought to myself this is rubbish; there is no new revelation here. This is feel good fudge with chocolate, not meat and potatoes. 

So I laid hands on this book and prayed in the Spirit over it for a good 15 minutes or so - and the Lord revealed to me that this work was not from Him, but inspired by the enemy. 

Some offences are highly visible, like all the Halloween nonsense, but some offences are subtle and need us to be vigilant. 

Rob Bell will be shattered at your assessment of his ministry. 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Kelly2363

[Figure of eighty]

15 hours ago, other one said:

That would depend on what you are talking about.....   if you are speaking of direct contact with spirits it has been my experience that if you ask them to say that Jesus comes in the flesh they can't say it, or won't, I don't know which. They also have to agree that Jesus is Lord of all, and Satan is defeated;  they do not dare declare that if they are not of God.  Flesh people can say that, but spirits can not.

Also if you are really going to mess with them you need a really good knowledge of what the Bible says and compare everything they say and do to what it written in the bible.    However consider that they were here thousands of years ago and are also very familiar with what is written so know it well.

If you are speaking of people and not spirits themselves, I look to see if they really love everyone or are mostly out for themselves.  but everyone spirit or flesh must be able to agree that Jesus comes in the Flesh.   He is man and God

Lol no spirits thank Goodness. Just wondering if a dream was from God or not.