Topic: Test the Spirits
Opening Prayer: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
Scripture: 1 John 4:1–6
Reflection
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 26 June 2020 Message
Supernatural manifestations can have divine or satanic origin (2 Cor. 11:13–15). We need to test the spirits. In the Old Testament, prophecies were judged by with known injunctions of God. See Deuteronomy 13:1–5. We have here two tests of true prophecy.
Read vv.2–3 and note the first proof test – belief in the human nature of Jesus. Docetism, a very distinct heresy in the first century Church, suggests that Jesus did not have a real or natural body during his life on earth but had only an apparent or phantom one. In 1 John 1:1&2, John clearly affirms the humanity of Jesus. Every true prophet and preacher will teach that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Anything less is ‘the spirit of the antichrist’.
In vv.5–6, John presents a contrast between those who belong to the world and those who belong to God. Note the distinctive characteristics of each group. False prophets and preachers tend to seek popularity by telling people things that will please them. A faithful Christian preacher will emphasize holy living, present God’s word against sin and evil lifestyle and demand transformational living. They are not likely to be popular with the world.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• And So? Have you personally taken seriously the responsibility to test every sermon and prophetic message? Pray for grace to do this so you will never fall prey to their tricks.
Prayer Points
• Lord give me the grace to discern and decide rightly between good and bad.
• Pray that God will sustain all Christian literature and Bible printers and publishers.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Exodus 3:12a
Read the Bible in one Year
Deut. 1–3; Acts 1
Scripture Union Daily Guide 26 June 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.