This Is Just A Test!

Reading: I John 4: 1-6

How many times have we heard people share the “facts of a news story” as if every word were true, because they heard it on CNN, FOX, ABC, or better yet, saw it on the internet?! Many of us have the tendency to believe as “gospel” what we hear on the news or read in the newspaper.  Others of us are skeptical of almost everything as being “Fake news.”  How are we to know what is true and what is false?  This is a dilemma we face often in our world.

The Apostle John was concerned about a similar issue in the spiritual realm: How do we know if what a preacher or prophet says is from God or some other spirit?  He warns, “Don’t believe every spirit,” but put it to the test to see if it is the Spirit of God who speaks. Here is how we know: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; those who do not confess Jesus are not from God.  As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, helping us overcome the false in our world, because He is greater than he who is behind all the lies, deception, and corruption (ie, Satan).

John is joined by Paul in helping believers discern true from false prophets. He tells the Corinthians that no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit [I Cor 12:3]. Interestingly, even Paul was scrutinized by the Berean believers, as they “…examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17: 11).” 

And Jesus Himself gives evidence of good and bad (true and false) prophets, that we might be on the alert for them [Read Matthew 7: 15-20]. He describes those who would lead us down the wrong path as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” He likens them to a bad tree which is not capable of producing good fruit, and in time, will be cut down. The true prophets or spirits, in contrast, produce only good fruit. Of both groups, Jesus states, “by their fruit you will recognize them.”

We need to take these warnings seriously, so we do not find ourselves chasing after, and spreading, “fake news” regarding who Jesus is. Let’s keep testing what we hear from pastors and teachers, so that we may ourselves pass the test of living in, and sharing, the truth of the gospel.

Great God, we pray you would keep us ever-vigilant for your truth, that we may remain strong in our resolve to follow that truth that sets, and keeps, us free. Thank you for your Spirit living within us, helping us to discern true from false. Amen