EPISODE 0052 | Biblical Discernment

Oct 11

THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0052

How can we tell the difference between truth and deception in today’s world? In this episode, Pastor Stephen teaches a crucial message on discernment, based on 1 John 4:1-6. Learn how to "test the spirits" and gain three essential keys for living with unmistakable discernment, starting with understanding who Christ is and His role in our lives.

1 John 4:1-6 says: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Three Keys to Biblical Discernment:

1. Who is Christ to me?

1 John 4:2-3, John says 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

2. Who is Christ in me?

1 John 4:4 says: You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

3. What is truth?

1 John 4:6 says: We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Truth is found in the person of Jesus and the Word of God.