Test the Spirits

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

“Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.”

1 John 4:1

“Dear 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.”

One of the manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit is the “distinguishing of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10), and this gift is available to all true believers. The Spirit makes this available to us, but we have to let Him manifest it in us as, and when, He determines we need it (1 Corinthians 12:11).

This is another reason why we must not quench the Spirit, because we are instructed by both Paul and John to test prophecies, and test the spirits, to see whether or not they are from God. False teachings and false prophets abound.

Jesus warned repeatedly in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, that we must be careful not to be deceived in the last days leading up to His return. He said, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

So, I want to be sure I am among “the elect”, don’t you? I am convinced we all need the manifestation gift of distinguishing or discernment of spirits.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Tell the Father you want to be able to better discern the spirits of false teaching or false prophecies by the Spirit’s manifestation gift. Ask Him to help you learn to listen and obey His Holy Spirit.

Dive Deeper: Study 1 Thessalonians 5; Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5-6, 22; Luke 21:8; 1 Corinthians 12:10-11.