Testing, Testing... #283

"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." (1 John 4:1)The spirits to be tested are the spirits of men and women.We are to determine whether or not they truly represent God by testing their spirits.

But how do we do that? We must have a standard by which to test the words of these men and women. In order for there to be a high degree of accuracy, this standard must not be based on feelings. Internal sensations can throw us off track. If we have an objective set of guidelines, we are on a higher road.

This set of guidelines is found in the Bible. For example, the Bible tells us, "If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it prophets me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3). I can give money to help the poor in order to be applauded by others. I can give up my life in rescuing someone from a fire in order to be applauded for my bravery. My actions are good. My motives are bad. I do not act out of a love for God or my neighbor. I want to be loved. I do not pass the biblical test. "By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (1 John 4:6).

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