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The Need for Spiritual Discernment
1 John 4: 1-6
If I was to tell you 4+4=10 you would either call me a liar or dumb.
But if I was to get enough people to actually begin to consider that just maybe the mathematical equations we have learned for thousands of years could be wrong, then would you believe me?
NO of course not, but that is exactly how false doctrines get started.
How do you think scientology has gotten as big as it has or how about the LDS or the hundreds of other cults.
That is also how this doctrine of relative truth has gained so much traction.
You know the crowd that says that if you believe it to be true then its true.
What maybe false to you maybe true to me.
Thats how society thinks now.
We all remember that children's song:
Be carful little ears what you hear
Be carful little eyes what you see
be carful little lips what you say
Now I know that song is teaching children to live a pure life but I believe it is also teaching them and us not to believe everything we see and hear and not to speak lies.
It is foolish to believe everything we are told and much of what we see.
Lies and deception were used to tempt Adam and Eve and the enemy and his associates have not changed their tactics.
Our world is filled with false doctrine and deception.
Such deception has existed for centuries, since the fall of man.
In recent centriures we have had false prophets that have gotten national headlines.
Some of you remember Jim Jones leading more than 900 people to commit suicide in Guyana in 1978, how about David Koresh and the Branch Davidians of Waco Texas, Warren Jeffs of the FLDS and many others.
These were all false teachers who led people astray under the cover of spirituality.
The plain truth is We must know what the Bible teaches, what we believe, and why we believe it.
There is no shortage of false prophets in our day, and it will continue until the Lord returns.
John urges us and his readers to develop spiritual discernment and guard against deception and the spirit of antichrist.
In these six verses, the phrase “of God” is written seven times.
John makes it a point to tells us that before believing anything spiritual it must be tried to see if it is of God.
Let’s examine the insights of the text as we consider: The Need for Spiritual Discernment.
I.
The Believer’s Diligence
(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.
Our discernment requires due diligence if we are to overcome the spiritual attacks we face.
Consider:
A. The Appeal
(1a) – Beloved, believe not every spirit.
John offers a simple yet profound appeal.
We cannot believe everything we hear or experience in this life.
He simply challenges the believer against being gullible.
It does not matter if it is inside a Baptist church or out on the street, do not believe something just because some man with so called authority tells you to believe it.
Be like the Bereaians.
Have you ever known a time when we were bombarded with more new age doctrine and modern philosophy than today?
Society and culture have adopted their own set of rules.
We are challenged by many who are against a literal interpretation of Scripture.
Many argue the Bible doesn’t hold the same weight today as when it was written.
They claim it was given for others, but no longer applies today.
Many false prophets appear sincere and maybe believable, but we must examine every aspect of their lives with Scripture.
B. The Approach
(1b) – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
When we are offered a philosophy or view from others, always approach it from a biblical perspective.
Here is two important questions you need to ask,
Is it consistent with the teaching of Scripture?
What does the Bible have to say about this particular doctrine or behavior?
Try the spirits and teachings of others.
We are expected to examine the motives and teaching of others, seeking to determine their merit based on the Word of God
Have you ever heard someone say, “I know what the Bible says, but…?”
We can rest assured God will never lead us contrary to His Word.
If the motives, teaching, or behavior of others contradicts Scripture, we can know for sure it isn’t of God.
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, there is a pretty good indication that it is a duck!
C. The Aggression
(1c) – because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Bear in mind, they were only a few decades removed from Christ’s ascension and yet John proclaims there were already many false prophets among the world.
With the first of humanity, Satan sought to defile men and lead them astray.
I am convinced he plants counterfeits among the world in an attempt to hinder the Gospel message.
Man is a spiritual creature with an inward desire to worship something, even if it is himself.
All of humanity will either worship the true and living God or gods of their imagination.
The doctrines and religions of our day continue to diversify and grow.
Man wants some sort of worship that is consistent with his personal desires.
Satan will provide a teacher and doctrine to accommodate man’s wishes.
We are surrounded by false prophets, many of whom seek to spew their poison under the banner of Christ.
1–3 John—Fellowship in God’s Family (Test the Teaching (v.
1))
[In our day of watered-down doctrine, some believe we should not get hung up on doctrine.
“Doctrine divides,” they say.
We just all need to love everybody and get along.
Let’s have an Oprah group hug and all sing “Kumbaya” around the ecumenical campfire.
Why, you don’t want to be intolerant and judgmental of people who don’t agree with you, do you?
]
That sounds altruistic and appealing, does it not?
The fact of the matter is, true Christianity is doctrinally intolerant.
Jesus said, “I am the way.”
There is no other way.
Either he is right or wrong.
Either John 14:6 is true or false.
Christianity is by definition a God-revealed religion whereby God says this is truth and this is error.
God gets to make the rules.
It is his world.
it is His Word
We need to remember that Satan is out for the destruction of truth, and where he cannot succeed in that, he is interested in truth corruption.
Satan knows that if he comes directly to you and says that Jesus isn’t really God in human flesh, most Christians will see through the lie.
So what does he do?
He sends someone into the church who is wishy-washy on some doctrines, someone who is willing to compromise on some truths.
Satan can sound so educated and so reasonable.
He dilutes and distorts until finally he destroys truth.
II.
The Believer’s Discretion
(2-3) – We do not have to live in darkness.
We can know the truth and abide in the light.
John reveals the litmus test for truth.
Consider:
A. The Criteria
(2) – Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
There is a lot we could say about this statement, but in reality Jesus Christ is the defining factor regarding truth.
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