Be Not Deceived: Learn to Test the Spirits

The Wolves Are Out There

 

Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. 1 John 4:1 AMP 

We are exhorted throughout the Word to take heed and beware of false prophets, false apostles, false shepherds, etc. that would seduce and lead astray the Church, but distinguishing between genuine Christians and imposters isn't easy in that wolves are often wolves without realizing it themselves. When deceived people fall into pride, greed and control, it may be a gradual process that isn't readily evident to those who are around them. Sincerity becomes a convenient reason to excuse questionable behavior, something I did for years.

Testing spirits can seem like a cold, impersonal process that most people aren't going to want to work through. But the devil absolutely never plays by the rules; there is no such thing as "playing fair" with him. We can know full well that he masquerades as an angel of light but still look at someone and ignore the still, small voice telling us that something is wrong, simply because we don't want to believe the worst of anyone.

After being deceived by an abusive church for quite a few years, it has become important to me to become very discerning about all the "Christian" voices out there. I realized that in all the years I've been born again, I don't recall ever hearing one teaching or sermon anywhere about how to test the spirits or how to judge righteous judgment. 

 

So I am presenting here the little I've learned since leaving that church and hopefully will be adding links later to sites that offer more information than I have. What follows is from Chapter Eleven of my book Red Flag Churches, available as a free download.

Like the Bereans

Don’t Believe Everything You hear

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

It is absolutely imperative that we train ourselves to be skeptical by testing doctrines, testing fruit, and then listening to the voice of the Spirit of God in the inner man to determine what is of God and what is not. The book of 1 John contains several verses that deal with this concept, verses that highlight at least some of the processes we need to master to protect ourselves from deception. 

 

All through this little book, John exhorts his fellow believers to watch for those who would deceive them and pull them away from true faith in Christ. He states that the purpose of this letter to these people was specifically to warn them about those who would seduce them and lead them astray (2:26), so the whole letter could be taken in this context.

The word "test" or "try" in King James is dokimazo (1381)- to test or approve. Vine's Dictionary adds "with the expectation of approving," and under the word "approve" it adds "the power to make a deliberate choice... approves of after having put the matter to the test." In Acts 17:10-11 there is reference to the Bereans who received the Word with all readiness of mind but didn't just swallow it, they tested it first. They searched the scriptures to check to see "whether those things were so".  John gives us a few ways to determine whether or not a doctrine and the people that teach it are of God. First, does the person consistently walk in love? Second, are they consumed with the love the world? And third, is the teaching an "antichrist" teaching?

The Love Walk

The Primary Fruit Test

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1 John 2:9-10 KJV

The premier test, the primary criterion in judging someone's fruit is the test of love. The one command Jesus left us is to love one another (1 John 3:23), and John reiterates throughout his letter the connection between walking in love and knowing God.  Those who walk in love are those who truly know God, making the love walk a test of Christian character and heart motive:

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:3-6 KJV

Anyone who disdains other Christians for whatever reason has a fruit issue. When people are treated with disrespect and even contempt by other Christians and especially by leaders, they just failed the primary test John gave us in his first letter. Heart motives should immediately become suspect if someone consistently fails the test of love. Of course, we all are working on our love walk; it is in consistency that the true nature of someone's heart is seen. This is brought out in the Amplified version of another passage in 1 John:

No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. 7 Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous. 1 John 3:6-7 AMP

The Love of Money

Watch for Priorities

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 KJV

The will of God is to love, and love cannot be expressed to those in the community if a large portion of the church's money is diverted into the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Churches that emphasize the prosperity message along with bigger houses and better cars are more than likely consumed with the love of the world, not the love of God.

What many churches often teach is that your blessing is dependent on your giving, turning the blessing into works, when it should be the other way around. You give because you are blessed; your are not blessed because of what you've given. This kind of teaching pulls the believer out of faith, turns giving into works- religion- and becomes a stumbling block that ultimately blinds believers to the Truth.

If a church seems to have an undue emphasis on prosperity doctrine, if they demand the tithe with the threat of the curse if you don't, and if there seems to be a trend toward conspicuous consumption, beware. Covetousness is a nasty spirit that has taken untold numbers of ministries down. Any doctrines that seem to promote covetousness and/or conspicuous consumption are to be avoided at all cost, particularly if they are being promoted by people who seem to be consumed with their image. 

 

Those motivated by the love of money will use their possessions to impress those around them, claiming all their stuff is the "blessing of God". How much better it would be if people would seek first the Kingdom of God and let God bring them what they need, rather than pursuing the things of this world. It's a matter of priorities.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things . . . 1 Tim. 6:8-11 KJV

The Antichrist Test

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. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 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. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 1 John 2:18-24 KJV

I have pondered over this particular test for years, wondering about what it means to deny that Jesus is the Christ. Maybe this, literally, was the primary opposition to the truth in John's time- those that came against the Church claiming that Jesus was not the Messiah. Those people would fit the description of antichrist in that they would have denied that Jesus was the Christ. The first churches no doubt would have dealt with that particular challenge to the truth on a regular basis.

But in attempting to apply this passage to today and giving it a broader application, I have a couple lines of thought. Perhaps any teaching that would take away from the lordship of Jesus in a believer's life could be classified as an antichrist doctrine.

Shepherding/discipleship teaching and the spiritual covering doctrine in particular would most definitely fall into this category in that they pull their adherents away from Jesus and into idolatrous soul-ties with leaders that demand complete obedience. Their followers no longer acknowledge Jesus as Lord; with submission to these doctrines, they are acknowledging their covering pastor or apostle as their lord instead, whether they realize it or not.

Another way to look at this passage is as simply a general doctrine test, checking someone's teachings against scripture. In this passage, John very clearly explains how to test a doctrine- check it against the Spirit within you. You have the Spirit, you have the anointing, and He is your teacher, as covered in Chapter Eight of my book Red Flag Churches. It is the witness of the Spirit within you that will give you confirmation as to what is of Him and what isn't. You have no need that anyone teach you. The Spirit test could also be considered the "peace test", this one really being the final test for anything.

The Peace Test

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Col 3:15 AMP

Distinguishing between real peace and the false peace in an abusive church doesn't seem like it would be difficult, but when you're immersed in the deception, it might not be readily evident. 

 

Abusive churches present the illusion of peace when there is no peace (Jer. 6:14; 8:11; Eze. 13:10,16), making it an absolute necessity to learn to hear the voice of God to distinguish the real from the fake. It is important to remember to let peace be the decision-maker in your heart, not what you see, hear and feel.

To be perfectly honest, I'd have to say that I was seeking goose bumps more than I was seeking peace while attending that church. In spite of the fact that the Word was preached and the gifts of the Spirit were operating, over the course of a few years, what peace there was in that church early on was gradually replaced with frustration. It was very easy to be distracted by the "glitter"- the whole aura of spirituality in the place that served to blind us to the reality that the peace left years before I did. The Word exhorts over and over to seek peace:

Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!] 1 Pet. 3:11 AMP (See also Psa. 34:14 and Heb. 12:14)

A Church of Peace

The most overridingly important characteristic of a godly church is peace. There will be no confusion in a church of peace, and its members will leave services built up and edified rather than frustrated and feeling empty. Peace is an indication that the leaders of that church are operating according to the wisdom of God. Psalm 29:11 says the Lord blesses His people with peace; a peaceful church is a blessed church.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat. 5:9 KJV

. . . to the counsellors of peace is joy. Prov 12:20 KJV

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Cor 14:33 KJV

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom 14:19 KJV

. . . Her [Wisdom's] ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Prov 3:17 AMP

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:17-18 KJV

It is Wisdom that builds the house (Prov. 9:1), and that Wisdom is characterized by peace. A church built on Wisdom will be a church that is first of all pure, then peaceable. Are these fruits in your church? Judge the fruit, and let the peace of God rule in your heart, deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds.

God's Righteousness Produces the Fruit of Peace

And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction . . . Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith . . . Gal. 3:10-11 AMP

In a works-based system, there is no real righteousness according to the Word of God, and so no peace. In an authoritarian church, the people are forever running on the treadmill of works to gain acceptance and promotion with a spirit of slavery taking over, pushing people into more and more performance, more and more works. Righteousness before God is by grace through faith, not of works (Eph. 2:9). Resting in the grace of God, not relying on the works demanded by authoritarian leadership, is the way God intended for us to receive the gift of righteousness, and the fruit of that righteousness is peace:

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isa. 32:17 KJV

. . . the peaceable fruit of righteousness . . . Heb. 12:11 KJV

Peace is Our Protection

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:2 AMP

Jesus left us with a command to stay in peace. He told us to not allow ourselves to become fearful, intimidated, cowardly and unsettled. Note in particular the word "intimidated"; authoritarian leadership is very intimidating. When you make the decision to stay in an environment that produces these things, you are opening yourself up to spiritual attack of the enemy:

And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Php. 4:7 AMP

It is peace that guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, so when you choose to stay where you have no peace, you leave your mind and heart defenseless. It is up to you to choose peace. If your mind is in a turmoil over church, you will allow yourself to slip into a carnal mindset, the mind of the flesh, that the Word says is death:

Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. Rom. 8:6 AMP

Note that the mind of the flesh (death) is portrayed as the direct opposite of the mind of the Spirit (peace). If you are not in peace, you are not in the Spirit and in life. That only leaves one other option- you are in the flesh, in carnality and in death. No wonder it is a command to stay in peace.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isa. 26:3 AMP

God's Covenant of Peace

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isa. 52:7 KJV

Churches that publish peace, that promote peace, and that leave their members in peace are godly churches that have been built on the wisdom of God. Churches built on the wisdom of man promote man's agenda and demand sacrifices of obedience, financial support and unending loyalty on the altars of idolatry. They function on a works-based system in which promotion only comes by complete surrender to the "vision of the house" and all the demands made by the leadership; these are churches that are built on the sands of pride and deception.

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isa. 54:10 KJV

God's covenant with His people is a covenant of peace: Jesus came to bring peace, peace between God and man. The Gospel is the Gospel of peace. The Christian life is meant to be a lifestyle of peace; the Word exhorts over and over to live in peace with one another, for blessed are the peacemakers (Mt. 5:9). We are to live in peace and we are to minister peace one to another. Peace should be our direction as well as our protection, guarding our hearts and minds from the upsets and fears of life. 

It is faith in God that produces peace, not faith in a man; fear is a result of unbelief that comes when trust is placed in the flesh. When controlling people pull others into ungodly soul-ties created through covenants with men, faith in God is undermined, fear takes its place and peace is destroyed. Those ungodly soul-ties need to be broken to begin the healing process that will ultimately restore peace in your soul. I recommend the book Breaking Unhealthy Soul-Ties by Bill and Sue Banks to work through that process.

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. Hag. 2:9 KJV

Postscript

The longer I am on this earth, the more I realize how gullible I have been, not just as a Christian in a church setting, but in life in general. Perhaps I am becoming more and more cynical as I age, but I have seen so many instances of people taking advantage of others, that I am coming to the conclusion that we need to approach most situations with a certain amount of skepticism from the beginning. We all know what "assume" means! 

As I age, I come to believe more and more that the devil is out to take whatever advantage he can get through whomever he can manage to use. Testing the spirits must apply to everyday life as well as in a church, allowing the peace of God to settle with finality ALL questions that arise in our minds. Our Christian walk frankly has more to do with our everyday lives than it does with a couple hours on Sunday anyway. Be not deceived- the devil roams about seeking whom he may devour. Test those spirits and let the peace of Christ rule in everything you do.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 5:21

Recommended Reading

The Importance of Discernment in the Christian Life- a great paper written by Jim Peacock; lots of references to discernment are explored with word studies. It is an in-depth look at the concept and well worth the time to read.

Prophets or Fortune Tellers? It's About Time We Learn the Difference- great article by Bert Farias

For more information on abusive churches, go to Red Flag Churches where you will find a list of links to sites offering help to those who have experienced spiritual abuse, as well as a summary of my book. The entire book is available at smashwords.com. as a free download.

Breaking Unhealthy Soul Ties by Bill and Sue Banks. Controlling, manipulating people create soul ties with their victims that need to be broken. The concept is explained and the process to break them is presented.