Testing the Spirits

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

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~1 John 4:1-6 (NIV)

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15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

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~1 Peter 3:15-17 (NIV)

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33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

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~1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)

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I apologize in advance for any and all strong language used inside this video. I humbly ask for grace for the sake of the message inside it. It is from a former FBI agent giving explanations on effective interrogation techniques. I found this invaluable in debates and testing spirits and/or false prophets. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Luke 14:1-6, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:1-14)


Here is a Christian version of the above video's message (2 Corinthians 13:1-10, Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:15-20):


IN LAYMAN TERMS: Simple questions require simple answers. If anyone is unable to do this, then be wary. Answer with Scriptural truth but ALSO ask questions to see if the opponent actually KNOWS what s/he is talking about. God is NOT the author of confusion. Do it RESPECTFULLY and EXPECT the opponent to do the same. Otherwise, know when to walk away (Matthew 7:1-6, 10:11-16, 1 Peter 3:15-17, Proverbs 26:4-5). In the words of a clown, "I don't think so. Homie don't play that!"[6] There are times when the only way to win is to not play at all.

"If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you probably don't understand it yourself."
~Unknown

"It is NOT lowering your standards, it is making the truth more accessible to others. God wants the uneducated too."
~My mentor teaching me (paraphrased from various meetings).

Every day, READ, STUDY, and KNOW Scripture, do not simply memorize it. The Devil can memorize AND twist Scripture (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11). Where do you think wolves in sheep's clothing[5][7] learned this from? (John 8:44, 10:10 vs. John 14:6-7, 14:15-21)

William Lane Craig is an apologist and theologian. While I have not watched this debate at all yet, I have heard Mr. Craig has proven to be a challenge for Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. Richard Dawkins outright refuses to debate Craig for reasons that make no logical sense.[3][4]

These famous atheists were going up against a Christian who KNOWS what he is talking about. All of us NEED to be able to do the same, in order to be proper witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. Overreliance on others to read, study, and know scripture for us carries an OUTRAGEOUSLY high level of risk, as I have learned the hard way.


For everyone living inside the Western World, such as Canada and the United States of America, we have average literacy rates of 95-100%[1][2] and (hopefully) unrestricted access to the Holy Bible (If not physical copies, then the internet). Most, if not all, of us simply have ZERO excuse for Bible illiteracy.

And finally, we ALL must swallow our pride and admit that none of us have all the answers. Otherwise, that makes us omniscient. (Luke 14:7-11, Matthew 23:1-11, Proverbs 6:16-19, 16:5, 16:18, 26:12, 2 Timothy 3)

Take care, stay safe, and God bless!

1. Literacy
2. List of Countries By Literacy Rate
3. Dawkins Refuses God-Debate with William Lane Craig
4. Why I refuse to debate with William Lane Craig | Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
5. 2 Peter 2, 1 Timothy 6, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4, Galatians 1, 2 Corinthians 11, 1 John 4, 1 Corinthians 12, and Matthew 7.
6. In Living Color (TV Series 1990–2006) - IMDb - Quote Source: Homey D. Clown
7. wolf in sheep's clothing

Pavel Mosko said:

Wow long scroller!

It almost seems like you took 2 ideas that could and should have stood alone in separate threads and smooshed them together. (1)The general topic of testing the Spirits, and 2) How contemporary Evolutionists fit into that)


On a second look, I guess it's not so much long, as dense. Too much stuff to wade through for most posters. I like links etc. but its a little too involved for me.

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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

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~1 John 4:1 (NIV)

False prophets get their lies from lying spirits. Demons are all too happy to use humans as puppets, whether we are aware of it or not.

Yes, this post may be long, but I am now making an effort to strive for quality over quantity. I STRONGLY recommend giving this a thorough read, and contribute ideas to improve any of this. Please and thank you.

Taming the Tongue
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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~James 3 (NIV)

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33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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~Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV)

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25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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~Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV)

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The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
~Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

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18 Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
~Proverbs 26:18-19 (NIV)

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Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
~Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

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