“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1 KJV). Of what need to try the spirits? Like determining if the water is safe to drink, when visiting a foreign country. Consider that it was John the Beloved Apostle, who made this command or imperative to his “little children” (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21), so he was being careful for the young ones without being an alarmist. Why did John mention “false prophets,” when speaking of “spirits”? Just as God’s Spirit influences the godly, evil spirits influence the ungodly. God’s Word taught by His Spirit enables us to discern the spirits. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
Our mistake is to assume the Kingdom of God is not in active warfare with the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8). Only action based upon faith can put the enemy to flight. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (5:9). Start with not being afraid. “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do” (Luke 12:4). But, you say, ‘The agony of the pain the enemy may inflict may be too much for me.’ True, we do not have a No Suffering Clause in our contract with the LORD.
[Scan ahead. This is a bit longer of a blog entry, but not too long.]
What’s the importance of suffering? Jesus promised us suffering or “tribulation” (John 16:33), but added He had “overcome the world” (16:33) — and, so will we, if we trust Him. Suffering is God’s appointed means to teach us obedience, for “though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). But it is important to note, we do have an Escape Clause to limit our suffering to no more than we can bear. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13).
All enemies visible or invisible are to be dealt with through faith. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith” (1Peter 5:8). How does that work? Scripture is essentially a book of promises that God means what He says and says what He means, that is, take God at His Word. “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Our chief difficulty is the prevention of becoming Dead Letter Literalists, where we neglect the spiritual reality of our existence. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). If we can only remember this life is not just preparation for eternity, but we are duplicating or attempting to replicate life as it is in Heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The Almighty is so much more ready to assist us, when He sees we are comprehending His plan. And, we are all the more delighted to labor for the understanding, since it puts us among His royalty to gain that understanding. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).
Now, when we speak of Spiritual Warfare, we should not become frightened of the ghost and the darkness. What is true during the day is true during the night. “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1Thessalonians 5:5). When God opens our eyes to the teeming hordes of the darkness around us — “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12) — for there are more with us than with them. “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2Kings 6:16-17).
May God give us discernment by His Spirit from His Word to know the spirits, whether they are of God or nay. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Father, educate us about the reality of the war in which we are engaged. Cause us to measure the spirits with the light of Your Word. Cause us to see not just the foul fiend of the enemy, but to have a greater appreciation of You as the LORD of the Host. Hallelujah! Cause us to have courage and overcoming, and by Your grace, we shall! Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 