Trying the spirits

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." 1John 4:1

It seems that often times instead of trying the spirit of what we see and hear; instead we try the words: their meanings, what the speaker (though long ago dead) really meant by this word or that word, perhaps how it measures up to our own experience or understanding....

But trying a spirit- not a "spook", a spirit. Have you ever noticed that when you listen to some people you respond differently for awhile afterwards?

Perhaps you listened to a very convicting message on the tongue, and afterward your heart and mind are very thoughtful about how you speak, for awhile at least.

Perhaps you heard a fiery sermon on the judgement of sin and the fate of the dammed; and for a period of time your concern for those held under the sway of judgement was very intense.

Well, in the same way, when one listens to someone who is... say a gossiper, or a critic, or a depressed type of person, often times it almost seems as though you've been spiritually insulted, or manipulated in some way.

I wonder, do you suppose that someone can be empowered by the Holy Spirit and not have perfect words? (DL Moody comes to mind)

Perhaps someone from India would express something in a way that would be very strange to me; as well, somethings that I may express would be very strange- perhaps even offensive to certain areas of the world. (perhaps the mere fact that I am a woman expressing myself in the open would be offensive)

No, rather the measuring line is to be "whether they are of God." Now John does go further to explain his position regarding the believing/accepting/receiving of someones spirit as those who "confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh"

In this day that seems to be a rather simplistic approach as many "confess" such a thing... Yet, if one confesses, not merely with his words, not merely with his "lifestyle" (as they can be judged very imperfectly by mere humans...); but rather by the spirit of the man.

I have heard men who have preached a very fine message, led a very traditional christian lifestyle, yet..... quietly I could just not absorb not merely his words but rather the "spirit" behind the words.

One the other hand I have heard men preach things that I may not necessarily agree with (such as teachings on headcoverings, or some view on authority, or baptism, or on,......); BUT their hearts, their spirits come from God.

I may not understand all their perspectives, but I have to respect them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sure, we have to watch the fruit. Sure we have to be a studier of God's Word. But we must also be careful not to be a judge, but rather a tester of the spirit.

When we meet someone that we've never met before, and they are a Christian, most of the time we can tell; why is that?

I ask the God of all the universe to help me to not put Him or His word into such a box that I close it up to those that belong to His Kingdom and His body. Help me walk circumspectly, wisely; but harmless, humble and careful.

A Sister in Christ

kind of a neat perspective on testing the words versus the spirit behind them. I don't think we can disregard one for the other, but there are times that have come recently that a person will preach or say something that I don't agree with, but it does not cause a disturbance in me because I believe that person is following God and because I love the brethren, and love will cover a multitude of sins or faults. The faults may be mine as I am not perfect either, and I am glad that people have been longsuffering and merciful toward me through my bullish walk with God.

I believe that God is working in many in these areas as we are to be exhibiting overcoming love. The way I try to look at many faults or differences that are generally petty anyhow, if both the other person and I were fleeing for our lives under persecution, having abandoned everything, would this be enough to separate us, is this person truly a brother or sister in Christ. This scenario may not be that far down the road. Thanks for the post topic as it is good to think on these things.
Love in Christ, Barry

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." Eph 4:2

I believe that God is working in many in these areas as we are to be exhibiting overcoming love. The way I try to look at many faults or differences that are generally petty anyhow, if both the other person and I were fleeing for our lives under persecution, having abandoned everything, would this be enough to separate us, is this person truly a brother or sister in Christ.

Thank you brother for your response. Yes, I agree that learning to love one another is a very vital part. One that I have no doubt that God is teaching His people, He always has.

I do believe, however, that as a "Christian" group in whole we have much to learn.

True enough that persecution does weed out what is important and what is not important, I guess my hope is that weather or not we have persecution in the western world; we will repent and overcome that which causes us to be disobedient to God's word and Christ's commandment.

I fear, lest people become too overconfident in their own ideas, becoming a judge over people they have never met. When I stand eye to eye with another Christian the Holy Spirit that is within me gives me an agreement in my spirit as to their spirit (a peace, a sense of unity, a concord of harmony); and often I recognize a fleshly struggle within the human which must be treated with great prudence.

But walk up to Kieth Daniel, or Denny Keniston, or David Wilkerson and you KNOW they are a brother in Christ. Are they perfect? Do they not ever stumble in word? Should I be a sponge for everything they say? Or should I on the other hand judge every word, and make sure that what they say lines up with what I think?

Personally, I believe that the annointing that God has given me by the Holy Spirit alerts me when what someone says comes from their own experiences, their own ideas vs. what comes from the well of the living water of Christ. (1John 2:27) that does not mean that I instantly become defensive at what they say, some things need great caution in approaching as it may be my understanding that lacks. Perhaps God is asking me to study the matter further...

Other things the Holy Spirit within me has moved me to respond to (one an adult Sunday school teacher that demeaned the character of God and left room for great struggle in those that are weak; the other a brother that was asked to "share" was teaching a very distorted view of how good a loveless relationship was.. I responded differently to each one as I felt was within my realm as a woman so that I did not overstep any bounds)

I guess, I am just concerned that instead of being the part and function in the body of Christ we were intended to be; instead we sit around as a critic and wonder weather the toe is really doing his job right; or weather some other saint in times long past meant something distorted by what he said.

I fear that instead of "coming to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ"; we will "bite and devour one another", striving about words to no profit.

Love and unity are not blind, they do not walk hand in hand down the road with error; but it certainly is not foolishly condemning another without personal knowledge, and without the discernment of Christ through His eyes of love.

I hope I'm not just babbling on to no avail, I apologize if I can not find words to express what I mean.

Love in Christ,
Lori

Until we have our own Gethsemane, we'll deal with one another in the human response mode or suspiciously, or over-lenient - to our own human bent from however many years we've been on this earth.

Thank you for your post. How very true. Not my will but Thine; how true to any growth in the spirit!

But God is faithful, and if we desire to DO His will, and to know His ways He will lead us to those times and places where we know that our own hearts so easily stray, where our own understanding is so easily discolored, where our own minds look through eyes laden with splinters and beams.

Where we must learn that I KNOW NOT THE WAY!!Another I MUST follow! and I must travel the way HE leads me!

(Sometimes we must learn these things over and over and over again.... :-) )

"All the way my Savior leads me what have I on earth beside Thee? Can I doubt His tender mercies who through life have been my guide? Heavenly peace divinest comfort, whereby faith in Him to dwell, for I know whate'er befall me Jesus doeth all things well, for I know whate'er befall me Jesus doeth all things well."

Amen He Reigns!

Lori

when it is said , we come into the unity of Christ.
Is it by me just saying oh, Im not to judge and just agree with all for the sake of peace.
Or, is it by holding each other accountable by what we teach and preach?
If I start teaching bad doctrine especially some herisy that could send someone to hell, maby more people should publicly admonish me, ohhhh lets remember what Paul does to peter, when he was being a hippocrite in front of everybody.
shrinking back from the gentiles and staying with the circumscision group.
UNLESS, someone has the GIFT of discerning of spirits the rest of us normal folk will have to rely on the word of God.
I test a spirit this way.
Hey buddy I listened to your sermon but I found this statement bothered me. could you help me out you said such and such, but the word says so and so.
I may be wrong but in the right spirit he will help me ease my concerns or he will realise his error and admit his or her mistake.
A wrong spirit will get haughty. or not have time for me.
My two cents, but scripture validates teaching, and his word is our plumbline.

Good thoughts. God has been on me so much in these areas as I have been on the letter vs. the spirit side too long. My doctrine hasn't really changed but God has been giving me love for others that is understanding, patient and doesn't boast. I actually spoke with our new pastor about war, elections, and doctrine and many things are eye to eye, but in some war and election areas we didn't agree. After the evening passed I felt refreshed. We had discussed but not debated. We listened and talked and enjoyed and loved the other brother and walked away still friendly. WOW! In the past I would have probably questioned whether he was even saved with those kinds of wrong views! I have been on posts here (and I love SI forums) that have been harsh divisive and contentious (over lesser issues) and I have been in some that were fragrant and lovely with Spirit led comments. We are all capable of either reaction. For me it really isn't as much about doctrine (because we can't "convince" anyone of anything) but acting in love with truth and in the spirit of love. The Holy Spirit has been showing how loud I clang without love. I may be babbling but I hope my heart comes through. Love you all, and may God bring glory to Himself through His servants. Barry

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when it is said , we come into the unity of Christ. Is it by me just saying oh, Im not to judge and just agree with all for the sake of peace. Or, is it by holding each other accountable by what we teach and preach?

Love and unity are not blind, they do not walk hand in hand down the road with error; but it certainly is not foolishly condemning another without personal knowledge, and without the discernment of Christ

Dear Poet,
I think that if you have the freedom to ask a preacher or teacher about something that they said for further clarification, that is great!

Looking at someone in the eye and in a spirit of Christian love making sure of what they mean is exactly what we should do. Much better than going home and discussing what you considered
as questionable with 3 or 4 other people and never determining if the issue was simply miscommunication or truly a misunderstanding of the Word of God.

Unfortunately many people do not do so, yet, if I judge another simply by what I see as words on a page, is there not room for much error?

The word of God is not only our "plumbline" it is our lifeline! It is not words, it is the manifestation of a Holy God to a most unholy humanity! ".....but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.."

"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstation of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

No, we should not "put up with" anyone teaching falsehood (I wonder though, if one brother may think that teaching predestination is falsehood, or that women should wear a headcovering, or if there is any manifestations of the Spirit any longer...is that falsehood? or is that understanding?). But when someone teaches something that we just simply "don't agree with" or don't understand we need to be careful in condemning the just with the unjust.

Thank you for your two cents!

but acting in love with truth and in the spirit of love. The Holy Spirit has been showing how loud I clang without love.

AMEN!!!!!
How loud we all clang without love!

I am still human and always will be and sometimes get angry at the ones I love most, because I want the most FOR them - but some sisters and I were talking last week about 'how' to take what "the spirit" is feeling - that flows into our human emotions and bring the soul/heart under His steering with those emotions.

"For the kingdom of God is not in meat or drink; but in righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believeing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

Many times I have said to the Lord, that I desire for my emotions to be under His control and watchful eye.

And by the Holy Spirit those things are tried...(often showing me how much more I need to surrender!. We have been given the grace and the power by the Holy Spirit to excercise self control, to learn patience, to bless when cursed, to shut our mouths when we desire to speak, to allow God to do His work and simply use us as a vessel.

"Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be; let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering soul to Thee; Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart oh take and seal it seal it for Thy courts above."

Very true, we're not Paul. But Praise be to God that we have the same Holy Spirit as Paul.. we may not however, have the same gift... but we ALL have the same gift giver, the same One who imparts the grace we need for every situation!

But as brother BVO mentioned, we can disagree with people, we just need to do it in love!!!!

I'll quote Warren Wearsby from years ago:
"Truth without love is harsh; love without truth is mushy sentimentality"

Thank you for your point, I appreciate it much!
Lori