Recognizing the Different Spirits

Scripture: 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, 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. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:2-6

Observation: John acknowledges that satan is at work in the world and has his own "spirit" that influences people. He outlines three differences between the Holy Spirit and these false influences:

1) The Holy Spirit acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah and manifest son of God; false spirits reject Jesus.

2) The Holy Spirit represents knowledge and understanding consistent with God's love and teaching; false spirits present ideas that are completely of the world.

3) The Holy Spirit within someone listens to those who speak truth by the Holy Spirit; false spirits cause people to reject God's truth and listen to worldly falsehoods.

It is these elements in combination that represent the challenge of the Church. The false spirits cause people to both a) reject the truth when spoken to them, AND b) actively accept worldly falsehoods. However, this is also then how we can understand others ... if a person actively rejects God's truth and embraces the world's lies, they are greatly influenced by satan's spirit indeed.

Application: As I approach depression again today, I am encouraged by God with this understanding ... those who have wronged me are clearly under satan's influence. These people were not "borderline" - they weren't neutral about the worldly movements of this day that stand strongly opposed to God's precepts and commands - but rather they were active and vocal champions of worldly concepts, and likewise visibly and outwardly opposed to Jesus. Truth is not in them, yet it is ordained that the world will listen to and believe them anyway. In addition, I cannot and will not be listened to by the world and anyone who is of the world.

In this way, I am reassured of the original truth of my circumstance ... this has been a spiritual attack, completely in line with the persecutions expected for believers. I seek God's restoration, but am a little comforted today to see that I am on God's side, and vice versa.

Prayer: Lord, while I thank you for your comfort today, please also guide me in my response to this message. I seek to love your people who are in the truth, and of the Holy Spirit, and who embrace Jesus as a result. While we cannot insulate and isolate ourselves from the world, these are people I wish to embrace as brothers and sisters. I have done a poor job with that in the past, but you have now shown me the beauty of your flawed, frustrating, yet loving body of believers. I will be one of those flawed people loving my brothers and sisters, and knowing that the world, and all those under the influence of the world, stand against us. I pray for protection and restoration. I also pray for patience, love, joy, peace, and kindness within and among your faithful. Amen.