1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The apostle John considered that people were inspired by various spirits (by angelic hosts — whether good or bad — or by the spirit of God). Of course, the spirit of God is always whole-some, but when teachings come from angelic spirits, John told us to try (or to put to the test) the various spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world inspired by evil spirits. It must be understood that evil spirits (including Satan himself) do not often look bad in their external appearance or in their social and religious teachings. Indeed, we are told in Scripture that there were numerous people in the first century teaching doctrines about Christ and even looking so good on the outside that they could trick people into thinking that they were the very apostles of Christ Jesus and yet they were instruments of Satan the Devil. The apostle Paul warned people in no uncertain manner to be aware of their tactics because these false apostles and false prophets normally look good and righteous on the surface. As a matter of fact, Satan himself appears as an angel of light. Notice what Paul warned speaking about men who wanted the Corinthian Christians to return to believing and observing a type of Judaism in their Christian walk. Paul said: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 This section of Scripture tells us very much. It shows that these false teachers are normally those who look righteous and good on the surface. They even appear as "ministers of righteousness" by teaching messages that are socially and religiously acceptable to most ordinary people in the society. Remember that Christ himself also taught that at the end of the age, many people would arise who would be saying that Christ was indeed the Messiah of the world, but even though they did this, they would also be great deceivers.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:33:00 +0000
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