Page updated 28 September 2018
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Testing the spirits
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. 1 John 4:1
Read Test What You Hear.
The Word of God clearly and distinctly instructs us to "test the spirits" but people almost never do. People are not reading the Bible to even know this and what people do not understand they seem to skip over or they seek answers which allow them to stay in their comfort zones. The best way to test the spirits is to pray and ask God to reveal the persons spirit to you. He will do it if you ask Him. Then wait, observe and listen. Does the message you hear from this person line up with scripture?
1 John 4 goes on to say,
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:2-6
In my situation with false prophet Marty Layton God was revealing things to me from the very beginning but I was ignoring God. These false prophets are charmers and this is one of Satan's slickest tricks to hook people. God was giving me one signal after another until I finally began to listen. One day I made a specific prayer and God answered it very specifically soon after. As the months went by God was giving the same message to many other people who did not even know each other. This was confirmation to me about what God was telling me.
I never knew anyone from Marty's services who could really say that any of his prophecies ever came to pass. His following was very small but people are attracted to charmers. People become mezmerized by anyone who will speak to them what their itching ears want to hear even when it is all lies. Psychics and soothsayers get their information from demonic spirits. Satan can make a false prophecy APPEAR to be coming to pass just to lure you deeper into a web of deceit and disillusionment. Satan knows your past but he does not know your future. He does hear what you say. He see's your tears and he knows how to feed upon your emotions and fleshly desires. If you follow your heart (Jeremiah 17:9
The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?Jeremiah 17 verse 9) and your flesh and ignore God's voice then sooner or later you will hit major destruction. If not here on earth then you will come judgment day.
Here's the key - TEST, the spirit, meaning, line up what they are saying with the word of God. If it doesn't line up with the word, if it doesn't point people to the cross, if their words do not cause men to reject sin, repent, seek a holy life, then something is wrong with the message. -Christopher Gregory†-
So How Do We 'Test the Spirits'
- Read and study the Bible.
- Pray and ask the Lord to show us the truth in the Scriptures.
- Do not pick out a Scripture in the Bible just to support what you want to believe. Allow the Lord to speak to you in your spirit, and show you the Scriptures.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
- Then wait for your answer for however long it takes (Exodus 14:13-14(verse 13) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
(verse 14) The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.Exodus 14 verses 13-14, Psalms 25:4-9(verse 4) Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
(verse 5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
(verse 6) Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old.
(verse 7) Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
(verse 8) Good and upright [is] the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
(verse 9) The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.Psalms 25 verses 4-9, Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Psalms 27 verse 14,
Psalms 37:7-9(verse 7) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
(verse 8) Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
(verse 9) For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.Psalms 37 verses 7-9, Habakkuk 2:3For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.Habakkuk 2 verse 3).
Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Matthew 7 verse 15,
Jeremiah 14:14Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.Jeremiah 14 verse 14,
Matthew 24:24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Matthew 24 verse 24
†Sharing this quote from Christopher Gregory is no endorsement of him. While we agree with some things he says we do not necessarily agree with everything he says. He calls himself a "prophet" and he is not.