RECOGNIZING THE SPIRIT OF GOD
From The HeartPublish date: 06/07/1998
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.
2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has
3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is
There are billions of Christians all over the world and there are also those who call themselves Christians, but who do not really know Jesus as Lord and Savior, because they are not actually born-again. There is a difference between thinking you are a Christian and knowing it, because the Holy Spirit, together with your heart testifies to the fact!
Romans
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
You can live in a kennel, but that does not make you a dog. You would have to be born as a dog. Of course, some people actually think that a person can also be born as a dog in another life, but that is scripturally untrue and has nothing to do with what we are discussing here! Only God ultimately knows who is truly born-again and of the Spirit of God, and who is only going through the motions.
Many Christians are suspicious of another Christian who does not believe exactly what they believe, and they stand in judgement of their salvation. We do not have a right to decide a person’s salvation or lack thereof – only God does that. Aren’t you glad that a forgiving heavenly Father decided to save you and give you a chance, when no one else would? People are quick to proclaim someone “saved” or not, by their own standards, but we need to measure by God’s standards.
The bible says that we are of the Spirit of God if we proclaim with our mouths that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. In other words, we must agree and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God in human form! The Bible also says that we can sincerely say, “Jesus is Lord”, only by and under the influence of the Holy Spirit. You cannot curse Jesus if you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit. People who can curse Jesus are definitely not children of God and are definitely not saved and definitely not born-again.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)
3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
People get so hung up on “testing” everybody and meanwhile they themselves, are not in such great shape. Some people, who are totally paranoid about being deceived by false prophets, are actually already deceived. They live in fear and dread and have no peace. The bible says that if God and His love live in you, you are not tormented – you have peace and confidence.
I John 4:15-18 (KJV)
15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
If the Spirit of God lives in you, you are not easy to deceive, because you know the voice of your good Shepherd and you do not follow the voice of the stranger. Jesus speaks to your heart – not your head. Let your heart be the guide, let the anointing be your guide - and you will stay on the right track. Learn to hear and know the voice of your good shepherd and you won’t be led astray.
John 10:4-5 (NIV)
4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."