Scripture: 1 John 4:1-3
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Observation: There are spirits out there masquerading as Christians and yet they are from the evil one. Before you decide to believe anyone who might guide you spiritually, give him or her a quick test: Does he/she acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh to die for our sins and be resurrected? If anyone does not fully acknowledge this fact, do not follow his or her spiritual guidance. They are not from God but from the evil one.
Application: There are lots of advice-givers out there. It’s critical to analyze anyone giving spiritual advice and hold him or her up to the truth test. I cannot let myself get sucked into lies… even from a “nice” or “smart” person.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding me and sending me the Holy Spirit to keep me on the path to you. Please continue to raise red flags for me, and raise them for others, too, so that we will not heed the advice of false prophets, but only follow you.
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