Friends, we are warned in scripture not to believe every spirit. Instead, disciples are to test to see whether an idea or word is from God or from the essence of Satan, the spirit of the world. The Bible also warns disciples about false prophets. On the surface, with so many divergent opinions and ideas, determining the truth might appear to be extremely difficult.
Speaking and reading in context is probably one of the most important issues when dealing with Scripture. I am not discussing a general context overall right now, but rather the context within a limited body of scripture, like something that you would casually sit down to read.
When you read an entire passage, do you “cherry pick”, looking for a single scripture that agrees with what you want to prove? Perhaps you know someone who does. When you find a scripture to make your point, do you consider the context of the verses or even the chapters surrounding the text? Context in scripture combined with understanding what is truly being said is probably the most important aspect of understanding scripture.
Some denominations have built theological statements and whole belief systems based on two or three scriptures scattered throughout the Bible that are out of context. In the same way, as you and I consider the text at any place in scripture, reading the entire passage is important in discovering the truth of what the Bible writer is telling you. Knowing the truth is important. Your life and the lives of others could count on what you understand somewhere down the line.
For example, on the surface, an evangelist can take a piece out of 1 John 4 and state that “every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” On the surface, this sounds really fine, but does scripture really support any random teaching from divergent ministries that admit the ministry of Jesus Christ existed? On the surface, that is exactly what 1 John 4:2 could be construed to say. This single scripture, by itself, could be used to prove that any ministry or religion that admits that Jesus Christ walked the earth to save the world is justified and approved by our Heavenly Father, while being good for teaching, reproving and setting things straight. Can you take every church pastor, television or radio evangelist at face value for being in harmony with scripture? I think you know better. Don’t sell out to fleshly convenience.
Valid teaching doesn’t conflict with the Word of God or make light of surrounding scriptural text. Reading 1 John 4 or any or other scriptural passage will shine the light of God on your understanding when you are willing to read scripture in context first and then compare the understanding to the remainder of the Bible, carefully considered in context. This isn’t just for theologians. This is important for every Bible-believing, Bible-reading disciple of Christ.
Remember too, that chapter and verse in scripture did not always exist. While these aids really help to find the way in scripture, they don’t dictate context in scripture. For example, when reading 1 John 4, you probably want to consider 1 John 3 and 5 for a reasonable understanding at the very least, since John was writing a letter with a harmonious meaning designed to make multiple points in harmony and understanding. Remembering this keeps the true seeker of scriptural truth from engaging in “cherry picking” God’s Word.
For example, just before 1 John 4, John writes this immediately preceding:
“And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he who keeps His commandment dwells in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He gave to us.” ~ 1 John 3:22-24
This information and perhaps other details earlier in the chapter reveal important details to help the understanding of 1 John 4. In this case, John tells us that those that follow Christ’s commandments must do things that are pleasing in God’s sight. Through belief in Jesus Christ, exhibiting God’s commands and keeping the commandment of love, the Holy Spirit can dwell in disciples of Christ.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” ~ 1 John 4:1-6
Here, John is discussing the very basis of Christian faith. We are to examine what is going on and being said around us for the Truth and Spirit of God. As a disciple, you want to be able to recognize an antichrist when you see one, for example. As faithful disciples, you and I will overcome the spirit of the world through Jesus Christ being stronger in us than the world. A disciple needs to be able to recognize the spirit of the flesh that comes from the world. God’s people hear Him. The world does not. Who we hear from, as disciples, determines whether we are really disciples or not. We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Naturally, for a more complete understanding, you would do well to continue to read on as you come to fully understand what the a Bible writer is telling you. The overall topic of 1 John is the function of love in the life of a disciple. Knowing this and other details may assist the understanding of the verses that we have just considered.
Through accurate knowledge and God’s Holy Spirit, a disciple comes to a more complete knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives His disciples the power to love as He lives in your heart. God’s love is active and sensitive to you. You must know when you are confronted with the Spirit of Truth or the spirit of the world. The holy combination of knowledge and Holy Spirit reveals the light of God in life. Even better, His love continues to be completed more and more in us as we learn to be more like Him.
John says that your love, the love of a disciple, is like God’s love. The world that you live in presents you with at least two choices of action. God’s love as a source of action is different from the world. The world thinks that love should be self-centered while focused on a close circle of friends and characters. The thinking of the world easily contaminates the scriptural understanding of pure love. The world would have you believe that love makes a person feel good. The love of the world always strokes the flesh to make the flesh feel better.
Feeling good is not the love of God. God’s love makes you more like Christ. God’s love expresses itself in purity. God’s love is not sinful, evil or selfish. Testing the spirit of conduct and words around you will reveal either God or the rot of the world. Even a spirit of light that seems good can be from the world. Test the spirits to see if you are seeing a spirit of light or God’s Truth. A spirit of light usually involves a rush decision. God takes His time and generally wants you to involve trust in Him. That trust is the beginning of relationship.
You know the world or a spirit of light from your own discernment. A preacher can’t live his life on your shoulder. Another person is not your judge of right and wrong. Your relationship with God through Jesus Christ is yours. Your relationship with Jesus Christ starts with accurate knowledge and understanding helps you to develop your conscience as well as deeper relationship with God. You are never alone. God will let you know. You simply have to believe that He will tell you while looking for Him to do what He promises. You do this by removing your opinion and having the humility to ask God first.
Understanding God’s Word
Tags: bible, Christian, church, counterfeit message, discernment, disciple, flesh, friend, God, heart of God, heart of man, Holy Spirit, interpretation, man, music, preacher, relationship, Spirit, word
Some Christian music tells of Jesus Christ through the teaching of the Word of God. The only way to describe the love that you have for Jesus is the love that you have in your heart. That wasn’t placed there by man. Your love was placed there by the Word of God. Where does that put some ministries that operate in the flesh and focus on the flesh? God puts His Word into the hearts of man through personal relationship. I believe that many of the teachings that we have today are in reality a counterfeit message that comes from the hearts of man, borne from the heart of man, not from the heart of God. You will never know the difference if you do not have discernment borne from reading God’s Word and having right relationship through God’s Holy Spirit.
Man’s understanding of the Word is readily accepted instead of having God teach and place the true love that He has for you into your heart to understand the aspect of His ministry. When Jesus was here, He taught the Word of God. Man saw it work through healing and life changes. He taught us about demonic control. He spoke to demons and set people free from all kinds of negative influences.
All Jesus had to do was to speak the Word. Jesus not only was the Word, but He spoke it. Or should we turn that around? Jesus spoke the Word because He was the Word. He still is. You can’t understand the Word from going to church and listening to someone ramble on about some scriptures in man’s interpretation. You’ve got to hear from God yourself. Most preachers say nothing about this reality. You must sit down yourself, open up the Bible and let God teach you. God is a friend to invest time with. Only by His Spirit will you learn to come to know God for who He is.
If you hear a godly message from the world, you won’t get that from God, but from the world. When you hear God’s spoken Word by reading it, sounding His Word into your heart and coming to an understanding by His Word, only then can you begin to understand and receive what God and His Son are all about.
It’s not a matter of moving emotion. Some are moved by the crucifixion of Jesus, by watching a movie. Are they moved by flesh or by the Spirit of God through their hearts? No one on the outside would ever know. Who would go around broadcasting the truth of the matter? How many people know the difference to even ask the question? Most people do not understand that you must open up the Bible and contemplate His Word daily, exactly like you get up and feed your body. God’s Word must be spiritual food for you to live daily.