The phrase "to test the spirits to see if they are of God" comes from the Bible, specifically 1 John 4:1. It refers to the need to discern the origin and truthfulness of spiritual influences, particularly those claiming to be from God. It's a call to avoid blindly accepting any spiritual message or experience without careful examination.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
* "Spirits" refers to:
* Prophets or teachers: In the context of 1 John, it often refers to individuals claiming to speak for God, delivering messages or prophecies.
* Spiritual influences or doctrines: It can also broadly encompass any teaching, idea, or belief system claiming a spiritual origin or authority.
* Inner voices or impulses: More generally, it can even refer to feelings, intuitions, or internal convictions that may seem divinely inspired.
* "To see if it is of God" means:
* To discern the source and nature of the spirit: Is it truly from God, or is it from another source, such as human error, deception, or even a malevolent spiritual force?
* To evaluate the truthfulness of the message: Does the message align with God's character, teachings, and established truth as revealed in Scripture?
* To assess the impact of the spirit: Does the spirit produce good fruit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, or does it lead to division, fear, selfishness, and other negative consequences?
How to "test the spirits":
Various methods and principles are used to discern the authenticity of a spiritual influence. Common approaches include:
* Scriptural Alignment: The primary test. Does the message or teaching align with the clear teachings and principles of the Bible? Any message that contradicts Scripture should be rejected.
* Fruit Test: Examining the results or effects of the spirit's influence. Does it produce positive, Godly characteristics and actions, or does it lead to negative outcomes?
* Confession of Jesus Christ: 1 John emphasizes that a spirit from God will acknowledge Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. This affirms Jesus' divinity, humanity, and atoning sacrifice.
* Humility and Openness to Correction: A genuine spirit of God will lead to humility and a willingness to be corrected by Scripture and mature believers.
* Prayer and Discernment: Seeking God's guidance and wisdom through prayer and relying on the Holy Spirit's discernment.
* Counsel from Mature Believers: Seeking advice and counsel from trusted, spiritually mature individuals within the Christian community.
Why is it important?
* Protection from Deception: Discernment helps believers avoid being misled by false teachers, deceptive doctrines, and harmful spiritual influences.
* Preservation of Truth: Testing the spirits helps maintain the integrity of Christian faith and practice by ensuring that teachings and beliefs are grounded in God's truth.
* Spiritual Growth: Developing discernment enables believers to grow in their understanding of God's will and to make wise decisions in their spiritual lives.
In summary, "to test the spirits to see if they are of God" is a crucial principle for discerning truth from error in the spiritual realm. It involves careful evaluation of spiritual influences, messages, and experiences in light of Scripture, the character of God, and the fruit they produce.