Tag word

Testing the Spirits: Knowing God’s Will Through Scripture

The Preacher Leave a comment

Many who claim to follow Jesus assert they “hear God” or “feel the Holy Spirit” guiding them through personal experiences, visions, or inner promptings. While sincerity is commendable, the New Testament instructs believers to test such claims against the inspired Word of God, which alone reveals His will. The Bible warns that not every spirit is from God (1John 4:1), and it provides the sole standard for discerning truth. Today, no one receives divine revelation apart from Scripture, and we must lovingly but firmly guide others to this truth.

The New Testament teaches that God’s revelation was completed through the apostles and prophets. John 20:30-31 declares that the recorded signs of Jesus are sufficient for belief and life in His name. Similarly, 2Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that Scripture is “by inspiration of God” and equips believers for every good work, leaving no need for additional revelation. The apostles, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Acts 2:4), delivered the faith “once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). This completed revelation warns against adding to or subtracting from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19).

Claims of hearing God apart from Scripture often lead to confusion, as seen in the conflicting beliefs among denominations. The Bible cautions against deceptive spirits and false prophets (2Corinthians 11:13-15; 1Timothy 4:1). Jesus Himself warned of false christs and prophets who would mislead many (Matthew 24:24). If individuals claim divine guidance that contradicts Scripture or leads to opposing doctrines, such “spirits” fail the test of 1John 4:2-3, which demands alignment with the apostolic testimony about Christ.

The Holy Spirit’s work today is not to provide new revelations but to illuminate the written Word. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13), a process fulfilled in the New Testament’s completion. Ephesians 3:3-5 reveals that God’s mystery was made known through apostolic writings, not ongoing personal revelations. Peter underscores that Scripture, inspired by the Spirit, surpasses even eyewitness experiences (2Peter 1:16-21). Thus, any claim of divine communication must be measured against the Bible’s unchanging standard.

To those who feel they “hear God,” we respond with compassion but clarity: God has spoken fully through His Word. Hebrews 1:1-2 contrasts God’s past revelations with His final word in Christ, recorded in Scripture.

Personal feelings, while powerful, are subjective and fallible (Jeremiah 17:9). The Bereans were commended for testing even Paul’s teachings against Scripture (Acts 17:11). We must do the same, trusting that the Bible alone is sufficient to guide us into God’s will (Psalm 119:105). In a world of competing voices, Christians must anchor their faith in the inspired, complete Word of God. By testing every spirit against Scripture, we guard against deception and find the true path to knowing God.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

“I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 26:9)

agape

Spencer

What a Saint KNOWS in 1John

The Preacher 1 Comment

The Letter of 1John is an outline of the things the Saint KNOWS about salvation, love, sin, the Holy Spirit and Obedience.

When we read it, we can use it as a personal Test or examination of ourselves.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Here are ALL the verses in 1John about knowing.

KNOW. 31 verses.

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

 1Jo 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

 1Jo 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

 1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

 1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

 1Jo 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 1Jo 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

 1Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

 1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

 1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

 1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 1Jo 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

 1Jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

 1Jo 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

 1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

 1Jo 4:6 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.

 1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

 1Jo 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

 1Jo 4:16 And 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.

 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 1Jo 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

 1Jo 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 1Jo 5:20 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.

If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for Bible Study on 1John.

The Holy Spirit and the Written Word of God are said to do the same thing.

When a Person uses a tool, we know it was the Person that does the work through the use of the tool.

How to know if we’re ungrateful

The Preacher Leave a comment

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.”

(2Timothy 3:2)

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he warns of imposters in the last and perilous days. He lists a series of qualities that describe these traitors (cf 2Tim 3:2-8).

Among this descriptive list is the quality of being “UNTHANKFUL.”

We usually know when someone ELSE is being an ingrate, but seldom do we recognize it in ourselves. There are only two ways I know to see it in ourselves. One is through constant self-evaluation (cf. 2Cor 13:5), the other is learning by example (both positive & negative).

Let’s combine these strategies with a self-evaluation test using biblical examples.

Take this GRATITUDE self-test to know if we’re being grateful or ungrateful.

Do I only see…

  • the FORBIDDEN fruit?
  • the freedom to eat every other FRUIT in the garden?

(Gen 2:16-17; 3:4-6) Metaphorical for those forbidden “fruits” of the lust of the flesh.

Do I only notice…

  • Those that are ABSENT from the assemblies?
  • Those that are in ATTENDANCE?

(Mat 18:20; 1Cor 11:18)

What do I regularly think about…

  • WORRY and anxiety?
  • the WORD?

(Mat 6:33; Phil 4:8)

When I’m planning my contribution…

  • Do I Give GRUDGINGLY?
  • Do I Give GLADLY?

(2Cor 9:6-15)

When studying my bible do I…

  • Dread READING?
  • Look for the REAPING from what I read?

(John 20:30-31; 2Tim 2:15; Eph 3:3-4; 2Pet 1:5-10)

When assembling to worship with the saints, do I…

  • See it as an OBLIGATION I have to do?
  • See it as an OPPORTUNITY I get to do?

(John 4:24; Heb 10:25)

When it comes to my brethren what do I notice…

  • The HURT of some?
  • The HELPFULNESS of most?

(Num 11:5-6)

When the weather turns…

  • Do I only see the RAIN, snow, sun etc.?
  • Do I notice the blessings of REFRESHMENT?

(Acts 14:17; Matt 5:45)

What is my attitude toward my job?

  • Do I view it only as WORK to pay my bills?
  • Do I see it as WEALTH building to share & enjoy?

(Eph 4:28; 1Tim 6:17-19)

When I’m ill…

  • Do I exemplify the SICKNESS with an organ recital?
  • Do I SHOW my hope in my faithful endurance?

(Jas 5:11; 2Cor 4:16-18)

When trouble comes…

  • Do I only see the STRUGGLE?
  • Do I see the STRENGTH and patience that comes from endurance?

(Jas 1:1-3; Heb 12:11)

When I go into the marketplace…

  • Do I lament the COMMERCIALISM?
  • Do I see the nearly limitless CHOICES?

(Mat 20:13-15)

Life on earth is seldom easy. The way we respond to the struggles of life will determine how much HOPE we display. A positive response gives the best chance to reach the lost through our godly example (cf. 1Peter 3:1-6).

Spencer is an evangelist for the church of Christ in Borger Texas

The Strange Church

The Preacher Leave a comment

There’s a bittersweet scene in Ezra chapter 3 during the time when the exiles, returning from 70 years of captivity, were rebuilding the temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

As they laid the foundation, all the younger folks, “…praised the Lord, because the foundation was laid.” But the older ones, the ones who had seen the first temple built by Solomon, “wept with a loud voice.” [Ezra 3:12; cf. Haggai 2:3]

Why such a disparity in the reaction between the two groups? It is the answer to this question about which I want to speak.

The reason for the weeping was that the older one’s could still remember how beautiful the first temple had been. They could remember the gold plating, the cedar paneling, the incredible beauty. The younger ones had no point of reference, therefore they rejoiced while the others wept.

POINT OF REFERENCE

The religious world is suffering from this same thing today. Many religious, churchgoing folks are looking for a church based upon their social programs, entertainment and food options. Why? It would be easy to just say that their stomachs have become their gods.

“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” [Philippians 3:19]

You would be mostly right. But let me suggest that another part of the reason this is so is since people have been separated from the truth about a sound church for so long they don’t even recognize one when they see it. There are some who have never even heard the truth on certain matters. They’ve never seen a sound church.

You may think I’m referring to denominationalism, but no sir. I’m speaking about the Lord’s church. The Lord’s body is suffering from this failure in having a sound POINT OF REFERENCE.

It is certainly true that denominations have ruined the truth about worship and the work of the church, Paul called it a perversion, and therefore many people of the world only think of the church as a benevolence or social welfare institution. They don’t even consider the church as a teaching organization.

The Strange Church

There was a time when Christians were thought of as strange. Peter said, “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” [1Peter 4:4]. He also said that members of the Lord’s body were, “a peculiar people” [1Peter 2:9].

Many of our ‘denominational’ minded brethren have never heard the truth on subjects like, institutionalism or the errors of the social gospel. Instead they’re rejoicing that they have ‘youth pastors’ & ‘children’s church’ and many other such perversions of the Gospel.

I know this to be true because I’ve asked of their members, “Do you know why we’re separate from you?” To a person they say no! One person was super excited to tell me the news that they found a ‘youth minister.’ I asked, “what is that, aren’t the biblical youth ministers the older people of the congregation?” [Titus 2:4] Yes, they think it strange.

Think about this; it was the strangeness of Christ that drew people to Him and His church. Strange in that He taught the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. [John 17:17]

He didn’t give His life on a cross to bring about an earthly kingdom and earthly bliss [Mat 10:34]. No Sir! He died to bring reconciliation between mankind and God. [1John 2:2]. This is not to say that joy cannot be found, it’s just not the work (responsibility) of the Lord’s church. Peace & Joy are blessings for people who, having put on Christ in baptism, are in Christ [Ephesians 1:3].

The Lord’s church is a teaching organization [1Timothy 3:15]. We are to reach out to the spiritually lost of this world with the Gospel message and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then we are to teach these Christians “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” [Matthew 28:18-20]

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” [Romans 14:17]