Testing the Spirits

[Stanfi]

I know a minister who is all the time telling us to "Test the Spirits to see if they are of God". He uses this in reference when trying to determine if it is actually God instructing us to do something. My question is how do we properly do that?

 

[wgjones3]

I'd say it means to judge (as in a trial) the spirit in accordance to God's word... if the spirit lines up with God's word, then it's probably God's spirit. If not, it's not.

 

[drdeancrosby]

God seldom tells us what to do because He wants us to make our own choices and decisions in order to see if we are going to live faithful and fruitful lives.Some ministers believe that God directs them personally frequently.As long as their imagination remains within biblical guidelines there's no problem but sometimes they are misled.Testing the spirits refers to the screening out of satanic guidance.In addition to checking the bible to make certain no teachings are violated,God can also be requested to produce a specific sign or event to confirm that the idea or message is from Him.The biblical phrase,"by their fruits you shall know them" refers to people who are engaging in ungodly behavior while pretending to be of God.These people apparently never bothered to test the spirits before they embarked on their obscene behavior.An example is the television minister who kept selling non-existant timeshares in a vacation condo that hadn't been built.He was certain that God had told him to do this.But he became so anxiety-ridden that after his show ended, he felt the need to unwind by engaging in homosexual acts with his staff in a large hot tub he had installed next to his television studio.If he bothered to test the spirits by just paying attention to biblical teachings,he never would have been sent to prison for fraud.

 

[Yitzchak]

I know a minister who is all the time telling us to "Test the Spirits to see if they are of God". He uses this in reference when trying to determine if it is actually God instructing us to do something. My question is how do we properly do that?

I agree with the advice to study the bible. This is a great starting point for a good foundation in our christian walk. Prayer and fasting is also a helpful activity for tuning in to God's will concerning things. I think the bottomline is that we are not to assume that just because we have had a supernatural or emotional experience that we are hearing from God.
Balance is important here. Because second guessing every activity can drive us to distraction also. But never questioning anything and just going with the flow always is to be avoided. To use a cliche, it is good to be proactive and not just reactive in our lives.

 

[seebs]

The trick is when God needs to lead you to a new understanding of something you think you already understand. In that case, He needs to lead you away from what you think the Bible says, and into what He meant. This can be a painful process, and it's not always one we take to easily.

So, how do we tell them apart? Prayer and patience, mostly. Don't be in too much of a hurry to make a decision on something God is leading you too; errors cost deeply, and a bit of delay may help you understand the leading of the Spirit more clearly.

 

[Stanfi]

The trick is when God needs to lead you to a new understanding of something you think you already understand. In that case, He needs to lead you away from what you think the Bible says, and into what He meant. This can be a painful process, and it's not always one we take to easily.

So, how do we tell them apart? Prayer and patience, mostly. Don't be in too much of a hurry to make a decision on something God is leading you too; errors cost deeply, and a bit of delay may help you understand the leading of the Spirit more clearly.

This sounds like some good advice.


A question to all. Let's say God was leading you to contact someone. You have a shaky past with this person.

One outcome could be healing, and greater good. The other outcome more damage and pain to both parties.

How would you determine this from God?

Or let's say you have been praying for a new job. You found out about an opportunity, but it's not in the local area, and not in your specific field of expertise. You don't feel "convicted" by this. However, you have been praying, and here is an oppourtunity. What do you do? Is it God's will or not?

 

[Peter]

There IS objective truth to testing the various winds of doctrine. It's the pillar and foundation of truth. It can be found in Pauls epistle to Timothy (I Tim 3:15). It existed long before the Bible did.

Peace.

Peter

 

[Sunbeam]

An example is the television minister who kept selling non-existant timeshares in a vacation condo that hadn't been built.He was certain that God had told him to do this.But he became so anxiety-ridden that after his show ended, he felt the need to unwind by engaging in homosexual acts with his staff in a large hot tub he had installed next to his television studio.If he bothered to test the spirits by just paying attention to biblical teachings,he never would have been sent to prison for fraud.

Can I ask who this was?