Discerning the truth

[abigya]

DISCERNING THE TRUTH

by Neil Anderson

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good

If you accept prophetic utterances as valid for today, I would encourage you to test them in the following ways.

First, is the person giving the prophetic utterance living a balanced and righteous lifestyle? You must carefully evaluate the person announcing, "Thus saith the Lord." Also, be on guard for the person who wants to bring a "new thing." If it is true, it's not new. If it is new, it's not true.

Second, is the person committed to building God's kingdom or his own? Is Christ being lifted up or is he?

Third, does the prophetic utterance establish confidence in the Word of God and is it consistent with a balanced presentation of it? Are people going to have a greater dependency on God's revelation or man's inspiration? Are prophetic utterances a substitute for the serious, personal study of God's Word?

Fourth, does the use of the spiritual gift bring unity to the church and build up the body? Be careful in this test because those who hold to a form of godliness but deny its power are not in balance either. They will quench the Spirit through censorship and very little will be accomplished in the church. They can cause disunity as well.

Last, do the spiritual manifestations bypass the mind? God operates through our mind; Satan bypasses it. If a person takes on a medium-like trance, be assured it is occultic. God renews our mind and brings back to our mind all that He has taught us. We are to think so as to have sound judgment.

All of us receive input from a myriad of sources today. With Satan still using false prophets in his battle for your mind, determine to discern the truth God wants you to know to set you free and keep you free.

 

[jari]

Fourth, does the use of the spiritual gift bring unity to the church and build up the body? Be careful in this test because those who hold to a form of godliness but deny its power are not in balance either. They will quench the Spirit through censorship and very little will be accomplished in the church. They can cause disunity as well.

I wonder this, can you give examples of what could be to "deny its power" ?
I know this is not your post.
And I have been wondering that very particular verse...

 

[Whendancer]

Thank You For This Posting!

And, thank God for the indwelling Holy Spirit that teaches us all things so that we can discern what is and what is not "Christlike". It is when we lean to our own understanding that we tend to fall into confusion. But, when we line things up to the Word of God and look at the fruit that each word or deed produces.....there is no way for the elect of God can be deceived!

 

[abigya]

I wonder this, can you give examples of what could be to "deny its power" ?
I know this is not your post.
And I have been wondering that very particular verse...

the writer is trying to emphasize above all "Love" "Unity" is important, in contexts of book of 1 Corinthians 13 and Timothy 3:5



1 Corinthians 13:8-13
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.


2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

and also ....


1 Corinthians 14:26
Let all things be done for edification.


i hope that help ,

in Christ

abigya