IV - Discernment

There are all kinds of seducing spirits. Spirits that whisper, “Hast God said?” We are told to try/test the spirits,

(1 John 4:1) “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

The rest of the passage gives very specific instructions about how you do this. You measure what prophets say against God’s Word. If anything they say is not true according to God’s Word, it is a lying spirit. A false prophet is not a spirit, but one who lets a lying spirit control his thoughts. The prophet himself may even be fooled. Never trust anything that disagrees with the written Word. God never leaves us in the dark.

(Psalms 33:11)  "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

(Psalms 100:5)  "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

The devil is the master of deceit. He creeps in through whispers of doubt, “Hast God said?” Why do you think there are so many different “versions” of the Bible? He doesn’t say outright that God is a liar, he simply plants doubt. He doesn’t want you to know who he is, or what the truth is. He wants to remain anonymous. He uses your trusted friends, acquaintances, family, and people you admire. How can you trust someone whose words do not line up with truth? Mythology was written by men who wanted their gods to be like them. God wants us to be like Him. Ever heard phrases like this?

“Well, they say…” “But I heard…” “You know what I think…”

“Well, perhaps…” “Maybe…” “What if…”

The devil creeps into the weak minds of influential people. (College “professors,” parents, friends, etc.) He uses their own thoughts and ego against them. Any intellect that elevates “self” above the Truth becomes weak and susceptible to the influence of the “whisperer.”  He corrupts them with “worldly wisdom,” and then uses their influence to corrupt others.

(Proverbs 16:25)  "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

(1 Corinthians 1:27) “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" (Take time to read this passage, vs. 18-31)

Satan infiltrates your mind with doubt. “Hast God said?” He can’t read your mind, but he can give your mind something to do. The whispers of thought must be tested and tried against God’s Word. We cast out false thoughts. God, too, whispers to His children, and His whispers are always true to His written Word.*

(2 Corinthians 10:5)  "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

(Matthew 4:10)  "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

 Faith and doubt cannot co-exist any more than light and dark. You believe all of God’s Word, or none. There is no middle ground.

(Philippians 2:5)  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

What mind is this? It is the mind or attitude of selfless obedience.

(Luke 22:42)  "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

John the Baptist explains this attitude of holiness.

(John 3:30)  "He must increase, but I must decrease."

God said, (Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together..." (Related passages - John 8:1-11 – esp. 15:1-8)

Reasoning that disregards the Truth of God’s Holy Word will be worthless. Results arising from this type of reasoning are worthless and unprofitable. To reason with God, one must “believe that he is”, and that He rewards “them that diligently seek him." One must believe that God exists to seek Him. To reason with God requires faith in what He says, “I AM.” I must trust God’s Word! This is what God said to the unbelieving Pharaoh. “I AM!” Pharaoh refused to believe, so God made an example of him. Pharaoh hardened his own heart the first few times,  and then God hardened it for him. Be careful that you don’t become a “Pharaoh.” Our God gives second and third chances, and maybe even fourth. But there is a limit. Pharaoh pushed the limit, and he paid the price.

(Galatians 6:7-8)  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."