Testing the Spirit

[Catchup]

If my question is in the wrong forum , please transfer. I need help from someone who knows the word of God. I found this information but I am still troubled.

Lots of people--cult members as well as Christians--claim that God has spoken to them. How do you evaluate those claims? Deuteronomy offers two tests. First, a prediction made in God's name must in fact come true (18:21-22). The second test, given here, matters just as much. If a prediction does come true, but the prophet tries to lead people to worship some other god, that prophet should be rejected.

Let’s say a prediction did come true. The person giving the prediction said that everything is out there…we just are unable to see. Exact person, time to the second, place, and many specific and unusual details were given and came true…. Passed the first test. Do you agree?

Second test…. Other God? Jesus was not mentioned in the message. But when person cries out... How can I help if I do not even know if you think Jesus is good? An audible Spirit immediately using a form of our communications (radio)… sings JESUS is Good...JESUS is Goood...Jesus is Good !! (Does anyone know if there is such a song?This would be the ending and the announcer said it was an oldie...I would very much like to know the rest of the song.)

Now just to rule out that this is the rambling of an insane person…. Suppose their were numerous witnesses to the prediction and other unusual happenings. I will not go into detail but, there were also more and more unusual events surrounding these occurrences. What is our obligation?
Does the Spirit agreeing that Jesus is good satisfy the second test?

So go ahead, its OK to say what ever you belief. I will not take your opinions personally.

LOVE

 

[zamar]

The Bible says in Romans that Those that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God. New Testament believers are to be led by the Spirit of God. Many people claim that God spoke to them. (He has spoken to me) It is not so much a spoken word as it is an inclination to do something.

Your cliams are rather unique. I have never experienced this. To answer your 2nd question. A spirit claiming that Jesus is good is now proof that the spirit is of God. There was a girl who proclaimed that Paul was a prophet of God was truth but the spirit that proclaimed it was demonic.

I guess I am wondering what you are looking for specifically?

Z

 

[Catchup]

Zamar: I am merely one. I need opinions from others. I have only told you the tip of the iceberg. Re read your post. I do not believe you meant to type what you did. I am sure your intention was to say NOT instead of Now. Am I correct?

LOVE

 

[ZiSunka]

Hmm, well, I know people who use the name of Jesus while trying to lead others away from worshipping and following Him. Just using His name wouldn't be enough for me; they'd have to be actively using the prophesy to lead people to the Jesus of the Bible.

Like, I know these people who call themselves Essenes (no relation to the Jewish Essenes) that preach that the real gospel of Jesus says that salvation is found through taking enemas. Yep, enemas. The more times you flush your bowels, the more holy and Christ-like you will become. God won't accept you into heaven if your intestines are not clean enough. They teach that Jesus said the Father is loving only to people who don't eat cooked food, too. Only raw vegetables are acceptable to that Jesus!

Another bunch I know, and who have a church here in town, are called Unity. They believe in Jesus, they believe that Jesus was the son of God, but they also believe that he didn't die to take away our sins, he died to show us that all people are going to heaven, no matter what god they worship, no matter how they live. This is obviously wrong, too. They've way misinterpreted the Bible's view of Jesus.

So you not only have to listen for the word "Jesus," but listen to how it is used, too. If their description of the plan of salvation is radically different from the Bible, they are not Christians and their prophets should be avoided like the plague!

 

[Catchup]

I am not speaking of a religious group of people... that is off the subject a bit. But your post was interesting.

LOVE

 

[Josephus]

Test things by the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control) if the fruit of the manifestation produces anything opposite, even one thing, then it is false.

Second, test it with the word of God to see if it is "acceptable in context" or with precedent in truth. Whatever you get out of something, if it is from God, will always harmonize with everything else God says in His word.

Often it will take the Holy Spirit to do this and show you if something someone is sharing to you is really off-the-wall or different from the norm. If you can't find it in the bible, or it fails the fruit test, then what you are seeing or hearing is probably not from God.

And definatly, if you feel fear, pride, or any of the roots from which such fruit is derived that is not of God, then you can be certain it is false. This is testing according to the Spirit.

 

[filosofer]

Also, the person's teaching/preaching for the long haul has to match with the key doctrines of the Bible (not an end times focus only).

Key Doctrines:

Humans are sinners and dserve God's punishment.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment we deserve. He also lived a perfect life in obedience to the Law - for us.

Jesus Christ is true God and true Man.

Jesus' work included redemption (sacrificial offering of himself, death, resurrection, ascension, and promise to return)

There is a resurrection of the dead, believers raised to eternal life with God, unbelievers to judgment and eternal damnation.

-----

Usually if someone is questionable, then there will major problems here in one of these areas.

Then examine the witness of the person's life.

 

[Catchup]

There is no sense of pride in myself. I am only wondering why me? I have a strong belief in God...it is unshakable...both before and after the experiences. There were many unusual occurrence but never any sense of fear...quite the contrary.

Let us say that the message was given and believed by the world. It would not change anyone but unbelievers. It would not unite Faiths. From this I get two angles... one is that Christians believe that everyone needs to come to God thru Christ. The other is that the anti-Christ will try to bring everyone to one Faith. Its damned if you do and damned if you don't! I am confused...not by God but by humans.

Now let's further suppose that the message is The Secret of life. Does Secret imply that I am to keep my mouth shut. Or is it the secret we search for. I do not know ...what is my obligation? I pray that doing nothing will not be wrong. I will always treasure this time in my life. If it was all from God and I have let him down …I am eternally sorry. If it was from the Devil… he failed miserably. Because what I knew by Faith I now Know by fact. There is much more and much less to our life and this world then most ever realize.

LOVE

 

[Catchup]

I thought I had better jump back on here and explain...That I am a Christian. Always have been and always will be. I believe that Christ is the son of God. I believe that Christ is God. I believe that Grace by the sacrifice of Christ was a gift from God to his children on this Earth. No stipulation is added other than to belief in God and try to life your life by his laws. Mainly to love First God and then all the peoples of the world...friends and enemies.

LOVE

 

[filosofer]

If you are the one receiving the message...?

Then, be sure to share it with the elders of your church. Let them wrestle with it. I have found that spiritual advice is very important in this area. Last week someone was given a message to speak to the senior pastor about him causing offense. This was MAJOR!

This person checked with two elders to determine whether it was of God and appropriate. Both agreed,a dn the person spoke the words. Cause major confusion for the person giving it because of subsequent difficulties separate from this.

Anyway, I helped the person review the process and checked Scripture. Then the person received confirmation this week, when another person was given the same message on the same day, for the same pastor - and did it, but at another service. Both were unknown to each other. Yet God confirmed the testimony, but always in accord with the spiritual leadership of the elders.

Not sure if this is the direction you are going. But hope it helps.

 

[Catchup]

On second thought it would change people of all Faiths ...if they believed the message was from God. They would quit fighting. This is not a result of a person on Earth wanting to end a war. The message came months before the war began and was not of human origin.

I have nothing else I wish to say. I would like your opinions.

LOVE

 

[ZiSunka]

I am not speaking of a religious group of people... that is off the subject a bit. But your post was interesting.

But religious groups are made up of individual people. The person might be using the name of Jesus to draw attention onto him/herself, too. Listen to the whole message of the person/group. If they espouse the gospel and nothing but the gospel, then they might be believed to be in communication with God. If his/her message is about anything other than the gospel, or if it conflicts in anyway with the Bible, or purports to come from a new revelation or testament, then run like heck!

 

[zamar]

Yes, I apologize for the typos. Not every spirit that proclaims that Jesus is good is of God.

Thank you for pointing out my typo.

Z

 

[Hishandmaiden]

I think the thing to tell if it is a spirit from God or not is to hear what it says. It should draw you nearer to Jesus, not away. It should admit that Jesus is God, and the trinity is the only God. It should draw you away from SAtan and proclaimed Satan as a liar and not as powerful as God. It should not attempt to glorify God. It should not be afraid of deliverence, prayer to God or the name of Jesus.
It should draw you away from sin. It should not encourage you to sin.
WEll, and if despite all that I said above, and the spirit is still not from God, then it must be a crazy spirit fighting a losing casue.
Because we all know that Satan's chief concern is to draw us away from God.

 

[Wildfire]

Catchup; Did you have a dream? Would you please share a little about the source of this message, if you feel comfortable. I am interested. Wildfire

 

[tom]

the bible stays that we are not to test the lord are god in any way. there is one verse where it says test me.
ps78:18 and proverb 30:5

 

[ZiSunka]

But Tom, it also says we are to test any spirit who comes to us claiming to be from God. His Spirit never lies, but some other spirits, though claiming to be from Him, are not. They are evil spirits trying to trip us up. So we test them against the Bible, to make sure they are on the level.

 

[Hervey]

Z:

You said >"Yes, I apologize for the typos. Not every spirit that proclaims that Jesus is good is of God.

Is this another typo, or another spirit that is not of God ?

Jesus himself said - "Why callest thou me good ? there is none good but "one " , that is God "

Love IN Christ - Hervey

 

[ZiSunka]

But there are people who preach that Jesus was good, without acknowledging his Godhood. It is not enough to say He is good! The person/spirit must be willing to acknowledge that Jesus is God and there is no other way to the Father except through Him.

 

[zamar]

My point is that there are many voices in the world. They are not all from God even though they must acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.

Z