RECOGNIZING THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Sunday, June 07, 1998
Foundation scripture: I John 4:1-3 (NIV)
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 come in the flesh is from God,
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 coming and even now is already in the world.
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 8:16 (NIV)
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."
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the