Discernment: Testing Spirits in Our Faith Journey
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the importance of discernment in our spiritual journey, particularly in recognizing and testing the spirits behind the teachings we encounter. We began by acknowledging the spiritual realm's influence on our physical world, emphasizing that not all teachings that appear spiritual are truly from God. Drawing from 1 John 4, we explored how John warns us to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, as many false prophets have gone out into the world. This discernment is crucial because false teachings can appear appealing and even convincing, yet they may lead us away from the truth of Jesus Christ.
We delved into the primary test John provides: the confession of Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. This confession is a fundamental truth that distinguishes the spirit of God from the spirit of deception. We also discussed the historical context of Gnostic teachings, which denied Jesus' humanity, and how such teachings were contrary to the gospel. Furthermore, we explored additional biblical tests, such as examining the fruit of a teacher's life and teachings, as Jesus instructed in Matthew 7, and the affirmation of Jesus as Lord, as Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.
The sermon highlighted the importance of grounding ourselves in core Christian doctrines, such as the Trinity, the deity and humanity of Jesus, the bodily resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, and the authority of Scripture. These doctrines serve as guardrails to help us discern truth from error. However, the ultimate assurance in testing spirits comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who is greater than any spirit of deception in the world. By abiding in Christ and surrendering to His guidance, we can confidently discern truth and remain steadfast in our faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Discernment in Spiritual Teachings: It's vital to test the spirits behind teachings, as not all that appears spiritual is from God. False teachings can be deceptive, leading us away from the truth of Jesus Christ. We must be vigilant and discerning, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us in recognizing truth from error. [23:27]
- The Centrality of Jesus' Identity: The confession of Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh is a fundamental test of true teaching. Any teaching that denies this truth is not from God. Understanding Jesus' true nature is crucial for our faith, as it anchors us in the gospel's core message. [27:50]
- Examining the Fruit of Teachings: Jesus taught that we would know false prophets by their fruit. Good teachings produce the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace, while false teachings lead to division and immorality. Evaluating the outcomes of teachings helps us discern their spiritual source. [40:13]
- Core Doctrines as Guardrails: Core Christian doctrines, like the Trinity and the authority of Scripture, serve as essential guardrails in discerning truth. These doctrines have been foundational throughout church history and help us identify teachings that align with the gospel. [42:58]
- Relying on the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit within us is greater than any spirit of deception. By abiding in Christ and surrendering to His guidance, we can confidently discern truth and remain steadfast in our faith. Our reliance on the Spirit ensures that we are not led astray by false teachings. [49:56]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Offering and Prayer
[02:00] - Announcements and Potluck
[04:15] - Baptism Sunday Invitation
[06:00] - Prayer First Posture
[08:30] - Prayer for Reilersdam Family
[12:00] - Personal Story: Hidden Jalapenos
[14:30] - Introduction to 1 John 4
[16:45] - Testing the Spirits
[20:00] - The Spiritual Realm's Influence
[23:27] - Discernment in Spiritual Teachings
[27:50] - The Centrality of Jesus' Identity
[30:54] - Examining the Fruit of Teachings
[34:39] - Core Doctrines as Guardrails
[37:43] - Relying on the Holy Spirit
[40:13] - Conclusion and Prayer
[42:58] - Dismissal and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 4:1-6
- Matthew 7:15-20
- 1 Corinthians 12:3
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 4:1-6, what is the primary test to discern if a spirit is from God? How does this relate to the identity of Jesus? [27:50]
2. In the sermon, what historical context was given about Gnostic teachings, and how did they contradict the gospel? [37:43]
3. What does Matthew 7:15-20 say about recognizing false prophets, and how does this relate to the concept of "fruit" in the sermon? [40:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers discern truth from deception? [49:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is the confession of Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh considered a fundamental test of true teaching according to 1 John 4? How does this confession anchor believers in the gospel's core message? [27:50]
2. How does the sermon suggest that core Christian doctrines serve as guardrails in discerning truth? What are some examples of these doctrines mentioned? [42:58]
3. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the importance of examining the fruit of a teacher's life and teachings? How can this be practically applied in today's context? [40:13]
4. How does the sermon explain the assurance believers have in testing spirits through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit? [49:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed appealing but later realized it was not aligned with the truth of Jesus. How did you discern this, and what steps can you take to improve your discernment in the future? [23:27]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of grounding ourselves in core Christian doctrines. Which doctrine do you feel you need to understand better, and what resources or steps can you take to deepen your understanding? [42:58]
3. Consider the "fruit" of your own life and teachings. What specific aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you feel needs more cultivation, and how can you work on this in your daily interactions? [40:13]
4. The sermon encourages reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance? [49:56]
5. Think about the voices and teachings you regularly listen to. Are there any that you need to evaluate more critically? How can you ensure that the loudest voice in your life is that of Jesus? [58:14]
6. How can you create a habit of testing the spirits in your life, especially when engaging with new teachings or ideas? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not led astray by false teachings? [52:31]
7. Reflect on the role of community in discerning truth. How can you engage with your church community to support one another in testing spirits and growing in faith? [52:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Testing the Spirits for Truth
In our spiritual journey, discernment is crucial to distinguish between teachings that are truly from God and those that are not. The spiritual realm influences our physical world, and not all teachings that appear spiritual are aligned with God's truth. False teachings can be deceptive, leading us away from the truth of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is vital to test the spirits behind these teachings. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can recognize truth from error and remain vigilant in our faith. [23:27]
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a teaching or belief you have encountered recently. How can you test its spiritual source to ensure it aligns with God's truth today?
Day 2: The Incarnation as a Litmus Test
The confession of Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh is a fundamental test of true teaching. This truth distinguishes the spirit of God from the spirit of deception. Understanding Jesus' true nature is crucial for our faith, as it anchors us in the gospel's core message. Any teaching that denies this truth is not from God. By affirming Jesus' incarnation, we align ourselves with the truth of the gospel and safeguard our faith against false teachings. [27:50]
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist." (2 John 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of Jesus' incarnation. How does this truth impact your faith and daily life?
Day 3: Evaluating the Fruit of Teachings
Jesus taught that we would know false prophets by their fruit. Good teachings produce the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace, while false teachings lead to division and immorality. Evaluating the outcomes of teachings helps us discern their spiritual source. By examining the fruit of a teacher's life and teachings, we can identify whether they align with God's truth or lead us astray. [40:13]
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:15-16a, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a teaching or influence in your life. What fruit has it produced, and how does it align with the fruit of the Spirit?
Day 4: Core Doctrines as Spiritual Guardrails
Core Christian doctrines, like the Trinity and the authority of Scripture, serve as essential guardrails in discerning truth. These doctrines have been foundational throughout church history and help us identify teachings that align with the gospel. By grounding ourselves in these core beliefs, we can navigate the complexities of spiritual teachings and remain anchored in the truth of God's Word. [42:58]
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a core doctrine that you find challenging. How can you deepen your understanding of it to strengthen your faith?
Day 5: Relying on the Holy Spirit for Discernment
The Holy Spirit within us is greater than any spirit of deception. By abiding in Christ and surrendering to His guidance, we can confidently discern truth and remain steadfast in our faith. Our reliance on the Spirit ensures that we are not led astray by false teachings. The Holy Spirit empowers us to navigate the spiritual landscape with wisdom and clarity, keeping us aligned with God's truth. [49:56]
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's guidance? How can you invite Him to lead you today?
Quotes
In our passage today in 1 John, John warns us about false teachers and false teaching. How we need to be diligent to test what people claim is from God or claim is biblical. Not everything that we hear or we read is always as it appears. Sometimes on the onset, it can look good. It can sound good. It can even make us feel really good. But under careful consideration, you can realize that it's not aligned with Jesus or the Bible. [00:25:40] (34 seconds)
We have to be careful. Not everybody who claims that they have a word from God actually does or the truth. So we want to be people who surrender to Jesus and obey his commands so that we can reflect his goodness and help other people do the same. In order to do that, we need to know what the truth is from error. We need to be able to use discernment to know what is actually from Jesus and what is not. [00:26:43] (29 seconds)
Test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone into the world. This is how you know if a spirit comes from God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come as a human is from God. And every spirit that doesn't confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist. Which you have heard is coming and is now already in the world. [00:28:45] (29 seconds)
Messages either come from one of two sources, the spirit of God, which points to Jesus and aligns with the truth of scripture, or the spirit of deception of the devil, which distorts Jesus and leads people away from the truth. Ultimately, when you boil things down, you can boil it down to those two things. Is it good and is it from God or is it not? And it's deceptive and it's lies leading you away from Jesus. [00:34:03] (29 seconds)
But throughout the Bible and church history, there are core, like non-negotiable teachings, we call them doctrines, that help us with guardrails for the truth. So this is an exhaustive list, isn't an exhaustive list, but some of these core teachings are as follows. The Trinity, that there's one God in three person, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now, if you scour the Bible for this word Trinity, you won't find it. But what you will find is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit interacting as three distinct beings, but operating on the same plan. [00:42:14] (44 seconds)
We are not saved by our good works. You cannot save yourself. Everything that we have to offer God is filthy rags to him. We don't have anything good. But God is good. And he has great love for us. And something we've talked about in 1 John is he calls us his children and he invites us into his family through the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we are called righteous and redeemed through Jesus. And that's by grace through faith. [00:44:50] (36 seconds)
So we see John responding specifically to one error, namely the Gnostic teaching that was running amok. But that's not the only point where we can and should utilize to test spirits, right? All these things that I've just listed here, these are pretty core tenets, core doctrines of the church. It's not an exhaustive list. We'd be here too long. But these things are helpful tools for us to test spirits. If people get Jesus wrong, his nature, his work on the cross, if people get the nature of faith and God's grace and salvation wrong, if people think have a low view of scripture, these things should all be red flags that this is probably not from God. [00:46:17] (48 seconds)
But here's, here's what the good news is. And what John tells us right here in the middle of the passage in verse four, verse four, he says, you are from God, little children. Again, I just want to remind you, John has already affirmed to us in this letter that you are in fact, a child of God in Jesus Christ. That is who you are. You are holy, righteous, and redeemed. And he's yet again saying, you are from God, little children. Don't forget that. You are his, you belong to him. So you are from God, little children, and you have defeated these people, these false teachers, these spirits of deception. You've defeated them. How? Because the one who is in you is greater than the one in the world. [00:48:04] (52 seconds)
You see, when we rely on Christ, testing spirits should not be a burden. It becomes second nature because we are so focused on Jesus and what he has for us. It's easy to spot error. It's not about our own intelligence. It's not about our ability to debate. It's not about how well you know every single word in this book and you can win every single argument with anyone ever. That's not what it's about. It's about surrendering to Jesus because the one who is in you is greater than the one in the world. [00:49:51] (35 seconds)
The truth will be clear, lies will be exposed and our faith will remain firm when we are focused on the one who is greater, not on our own wisdom, not on our own knowledge, but we surrender, we obey Jesus and he will conquer the spirit of deception for us. [00:58:56] (23 seconds)
May we walk in that confidently, led by your Holy Spirit and grounded in your great word. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. Well, friends, I hope that you will go now filled with the spirit of truth, walking in confidence that he who is greater is living in you than he who is in the world. May your hearts be tuned to his voice. May you be listening to the truth that comes from scripture and may your steps be led by the spirit of God. God bless you, friends. You're dismissed. Have a great week. [01:02:40] (41 seconds)
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