Suspend Seduction By Scrutinizing The Spirits

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” 1 John 4:1a (KJV)

It's been said that love believes the best of everyone and is super swift to do so. On the surface this statement seems safe, sure, and spiritual. However, what sounds safe, sure, and spiritual can oftentimes be strikingly seductive. This is because without any spiritual scrutiny or employing a scriptural litmus test you will be setting yourself up to be dropped in a ditch of deception.

Now I acknowledge and concede to the reality that our human condition (sin nature) will be centered, or concerned, or even charmed by negative things we hear about people. But we should not be in the practice of suspending personal scrutiny of what people say. Our opening text calls us to be intentional in what I deem as a spiritual discipline or Holy Habit: trying or testing the spirits. This is especially essential for the body of Christ and consistent of those who are born-again.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:21-13 (KJV)

There are countless people with platforms of communication such as podcasts, blogs, radio, television, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook that are speaking in the hearts and lives of believers and unbelievers. Those who elevate and embrace Jesus Christ as God, Lord and Savior must examine the messages being shared. Now who are these people to whom I am referring? People like political pundits, governmental bureaucracies (W.H.O., CDC, NIH) as well as the plethora of media platforms and their personalities, celebrities, Christians, non-Christians, family, and friends.

Unless you have moved and marked your life with a monastic mentality or roped yourself in a resolution to be a recluse, you should be cognizant to the reality that as a nation we are cemented and condemned as the Divided States of America. Our country has become trapped in tribalism: liberal, progressive, conservative, left vs. right, Republicans vs. Democrats, red states vs. blue states, vaccinated vs. unvaccinated. In the community of Christ, we also have denominational division: traditional vs. progressive and Calvin vs. Arminius.

Our opening passage powerfully warns Christians to test the message that individuals or spirits declare. This is true in all situations but especially when a person or spirit is declaring to speak for God. Christians are to be attentive and astute hearers and readers of all messages.

The Greek word for “try” used in the text is dokimazō. Within the context of our passage, it means to test, examine, prove, and scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not). Therefore, it is paramount that we practice this holy habit of scrutinizing the spirit in this time of apostasy and as the spirit of anti-Christ advances. Remember, apply the fire of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to the metal of all messages.

For the Glory of God,

PBKSR