Testing the spirits ||| Try the spirits

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV

Previously, we discussed what Christians are NOT to judge HERE – Judge Not

Now, to discuss what we ARE to judge. Righteous judgement.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 7:24 KJV

Christians are called to Love and serve God (Personal Relationship); and to Love and serve one another.

In testing the spirits, it’s not about going around to dispute, debate, and strive.

However, if something comes before us, we are to exhort one another. Contend for the faith in Spirit (Holy) and Truth. In meekness and with Love.

Only if our own hearts have been examined, as to our intent (motive), with/in constant prayer.

We lift up JESUS CHRIST.

Encouraging others to Him and the Scriptures.

….

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 1:4‭-‬5 KJV

Charity is Love (Verb). An ACTIVE Love- Loving.

Testing the spirits:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:7 KJV

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 KJV

In constant prayer for discernment,
test the spirit of others, when first talking (if there is question to their intent).

Jesus many times asked others;

“Why do you ask?”

To see the heart’s intent
or purpose.

There are a few ‘Tests’ that reveal the spirit in a man, and whether they are a True Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ.

Most Christians are aware of the various confessions to listen/see for. Hence, those will be towards the end of this article.

However,

Many Christians do not realize there is another Test to

Watch for.

Keeping in mind, with prayer, that some are New Believers and we are ALL growing. Always be extending grace, as we ourselves have been given grace, by God.

Testing the spirits

Fruit of the Spirit

But the FRUIT of the Spirit is

LOVE,
JOY,
PEACE,
LONGSUFFERING,

GENTLENESS,
GOODNESS,
FAITH,
MEEKNESS,
TEMPERANCE

Galatians 5:22-25

(For the fruit of the Spirit is

in all goodness and righteousness and truth)

Ephesians 5:9 KJV

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Proverbs 10:16‭-‬18 KJV

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:10 KJV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:4‭-‬5 KJV

Beloved, let us love one another:
for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is born of God,
and knoweth God.

1 John 4:7 KJV

Fruit of the Spirit
First one is Love

What is the Opposite of the Fruit of the [Holy] Spirit?

The FRUIT of the [Holy] SPIRIT Galatians 5:22-23 and
Ephesians 5:9

Compared to

Opposite / Opposition

(Carnal/Sin -in parentheses) listed first.

The Holy Spirit/Spirit of Truth reveals the Scriptures and gives us Discernment.

God is Love.
He in us, Loves
(Fruit of the Spirit)

But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to God,
ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:22-23

Praise & Thanksgiving to GOD!

Testing Confession:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 KJV

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10 KJV

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:3‭-‬4 KJV

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 KJV.

Confessing Jesus Christ as Saviour AND their Lord

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24‭-‬25 KJV

Confessing Jesus Christ came in the Flesh

Confessing Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Son of Man.

Word Made Flesh. (John 1)

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:2‭-‬6 KJV

The Son of God died for man’s sin as the Lamb of God. Reconciling mankind back to our Heavenly Father.

Rose from the Grave on the Third Day and sits at the right hand of the Father.

If any of these Tests fail,

They may be unlearned.

Or, they are not our Brethren.

Note: Flattery is NOT Love.

With Gentleness and Kindness, Teach, Admonish, and Encourage. EVERYTHING WITH/IN PRAYER

Reprove, Rebuke, and Exhort

If they refuse correction, walk away. Bless and curse not.

If they are Sons of Perdition, Mark them. But, DO NOT Judge them to Condemnation!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13‭-‬15 KJV

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Matthew 23:23 KJV

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7:2 KJV

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 6:36‭-‬37 KJV

Further Reading:

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13.

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:17‭-‬21 KJV

God Bless and go before us, directing our steps and growing us in His Spirit, according to His Will and Way. For the Glory of God! In Jesus’s Name, Amen.