EXPOSETRUTH

Or

Error

Do you believe in Spirits? You have one

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Jesus Indwells in us (Proverbs 20:27) John wrote this letter to help Christians

discern God-centered spirits from those which are not

Test all Spirits (1 John 4:1-6) Christians must not believe all spirits. (v.1) When people teach or act outside the will of

God they are living within the influence of demonic spirits (Ephesians 2:2 , 1 Timothy 4:1)

Some spirits come in the name of love. Some false religions use the name of Jesus. Satan wants to create misery and destroy (John

10:10) Ask the Lord for discernment

What is the right teaching? (v. 2-3) “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, 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.”

Only those who claim: Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (against Science) Was crucified, dead, buried and resurrected (against

Da Vinci Code) Now seated in the Father’s right hand and one day will

come to Judge (against philosophy that everybody will be saved)

False Teachings Gnostics

Material world is evil and spirit is good. Some of their writings do not talk about Jesus’ death and

resurrection Today

So Be Careful and ExamineWhat you Watch What You Listen to

What You Read

Ask: What spirit is behind this?Ask: What spirit is behind this?

2 Things Warning: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy

the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Rejoice: 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. (1 John 4:4)

Can you distinguish between the two?

Those Who Truly Love are of God (1 John 4:7-12) John uses the word “love” 13 times Loving our fellow believers means helping them

see and practice the truth Truth is useless if we do not have the power to

practice them. God gives us the power.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

God’s Spirit is Our Witness Within (1 John 4:13-21) Confront false teaching (Matthew 18:15-20) Pray for that person first. Then Speak the truth in love (Ephesians

4:15) Question: Does the love of Christ control

us?

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out

fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

Fear and love are incompatible in a believer's heart. For Believers: God will guide us as we trust in the

Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6)

People fear because they know they deserve punishment

Christ’s death on the cross has paid for our sin… so we won’t have to fear.