The Spirit Of God
In the Scriptures, particularly in the writings of John, we find profound teachings on discerning between the spirit of God and the spirit of the Antichrist. This distinction is crucial for believers to navigate the spiritual landscape wisely. Let’s explore key passages that shed light on this topic.
1. Confession of Jesus Christ
Spirit of God (1 John 4:2-3): The Spirit of God confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This means acknowledging Jesus as the incarnate Son of God who came to earth as a human being.
1 John 4:2-3: “This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist…”
Antichrist Spirit (1 John 2:22): Conversely, the spirit of the Antichrist denies Jesus Christ, rejecting his true nature and redemptive work.
1 John 2:22: “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.”
2. Origin of Teachings
Spirit of God (1 John 4:6): The Spirit of God speaks through apostolic teachings that are grounded in the Scriptures.
1 John 4:6: “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
Antichrist Spirit (1 John 4:5): The Antichrist spirit propagates teachings that are contrary to the truth revealed in Scripture.
1 John 4:5: “They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.”
3. Fruit of Love vs. Deception
Spirit of God (1 John 4:7-8, 16): The Spirit of God is characterised by love. God’s love is sacrificial, selfless, and transformative.
1 John 4:7-8: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Antichrist Spirit (1 John 4:4-5): The Antichrist spirit promotes deception, hatred, and division.
1 John 4:4-5: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.”
Conclusion
To discern between the spirit of God and the Antichrist, believers are called to test the teachings and spirits they encounter against the revealed truth of God’s Word. The spirit of God will always affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, promote love, and align with the apostolic teachings of Scripture. In contrast, the spirit of the Antichrist seeks to deceive, deny Jesus, and lead people away from the truth.
By anchoring ourselves in the Scriptures and cultivating a spirit-led discernment, we can walk confidently in the truth and avoid being misled by counterfeit spirits. May we always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and grow in our understanding of God’s truth as we navigate the spiritual challenges of our time.
