Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
The threat of false teaching is as old as the garden of Eden, when the serpent lied to Eve, tempting her to sin against God by violating His word. The apostle John strenuously cautions us not to believe every one professing to bring the spirit of Christ. Jesus Himself warned of false prophets – describing them as ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15). Put every teaching to the test by comparing it to what the apostles of Christ taught. John explains: “We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 Jno. 4:6). Test everything you are taught by the apostles’ teaching, the New Testament. If it does not agree with the Scriptures, do not believe it. It is the devil’s lie.
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