Today I read and thought about how 1 John 4:1-6 applies to my life. The big take away from the passage for me is "don't believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit," or in other words, everyone who claims to speak for and by God doesn't.
This is good counsel for me. I'm a pretty trusting person. I also am a discerning person, so if someone says something that doesn't sound right- I usually pick up on it. However, if someone says something or asks for something, my first response is to trust that they are genuine.
John says that church needs to be very discerning about those who claim to speak for God. His criteria is pretty simple- what does the person claim about Jesus? If they don't acknowledge the truth about Jesus, then that person is not from God.
I would also add that a person claiming to speak for God should not contradict what God has clearly said in the Bible. I have had many people say to me, "God said to do _______," but I know that God has clearly said, "Not to do ________" in the Bible. God does not say to do something that He has clearly forbidden somewhere else.
I think one of the great things about being a Christian is that God does speak to His children through the Bible and other Christians. I am glad God wants to reveal things to us. However, we must be willing to test the messengers. Jesus said that there would be many false teachers seeking to lead us astray, so be careful about who you listen to.
Do they acknowledge who Jesus is? Do they stay true to what God has already revealed in the Bible? Then listen to them. However, if they do not acknowledge the truth about Jesus and they contradict other parts of the Bible, then tell them to take a hike.
Jesus, thank you for speaking to us. Give us wisdom in discerning Your messengers and Your messages.
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