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Beloved, 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 NASB)

Though someone may appear to be spiritual, that doesn’t mean they’re filled with the Spirit; nor does it mean a person knows Jesus, because he has acquired a lot of facts about Him (see Matthew 7:21-23). Appearances can be deceiving. The Bible tells us that Satan can appear as an angel of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:14). Moreover, he knows Scripture (see Luke 4:9-11). Therefore, we must be careful not to assume something is good simply because it sounds desirable, or looks pleasant. Everything proclaimed as being inspired by God must be examined in the light of the truth as it is in Jesus (see Hebrews 5:12-14).

Failure to investigate such matters could lead to a destructive end, as Satan works most effectively to deceive those who don’t ask questions. If what is proclaimed as coming from the Holy Spirit doesn’t agree with what is written in the Bible, then such a testimony should not be acknowledged as coming from God.

There are many deceivers among us. Learning how to identify them is crucial to remaining on the right path. Counterfeits can only be detected by those who know the truth; comparing a counterfeit with another counterfeit isn’t helpful. The truth we are expected to understand will only be understood as we follow Jesus; and His testimony can be found in the Scriptures (see John 5:39). Those who diligently study the Bible and apply its teachings to their lives will gain discernment. They will get to know Jesus in a personal way. Thus, they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (see 2 Timothy 2:15; John 8:32, 36).

Post by Chris Esty

+Chris Esty is an Inspirational Writer, Photographer, and the Founder of The Bible Post ministry. Listen to his testimony Here