JR Staton

Try the Spirits

Did you know that Christians are supposed to do just that?  For many years I did not.  Yet look at what 1 John 4:1 says:  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world."  I will let you read the next four verses for yourself but notice what verse 6 states:  "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."  According to this scripture, there are two spirits for us to consider---truth or error.  This is what a Christian should do daily...determine whether what we see or hear is of God.

Try = test, prove, discern ( from Young's and Strong's concordances ).

Note that John writes about not believing every spirit and then mentions false prophets are in the world.  Their intent is to shut up the kingdom of God to people and turn them from the faith.  Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 13, dealt with Elymas, a false prophet, who was also described as being a sorcerer.  Listed next are just a few references you should read concerning false ministers.

False prophets/sorcerers -- Matt.7:15-23, Matt. 24:23-24 & Mark 13:21-22, Acts 8:5-24, 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Pastors and prophets -- Jeremiah 23.

Prophets and prophetesses -- Ezekiel 13.

How Jesus Walked and What He Said

Jesus said this in John 5:30-31:  "I can of mine own self do nothing:  as I hear, I judge:  and my judgment is just;  because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.  If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true."  He judged ( tried, distinguished, discerned ) if what he heard was of the Father, if it was the spirit of truth.

Jesus had to judge because He was walking in the earth as a man, just like you and me.  He did not walk as the Son of God with no problems but as a servant, in the likeness of a man ( Phil. 2:7 ).  He was tempted just like we are tempted and He overcame every temptation.  Because of that, Heb. 2:18 says  "...he is able to succour ( aid ) them that are tempted."  Read Luke 4 and see how Jesus was tempted by the devil.

He humbled himself, made himself to have no reputation and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Because of His obedience, Jesus was highly exalted by God and His name is above every name ( Phil. 2:7-10 ).

Jesus did not speak his own words, only the words of the Father.   He said in John 12:44-50:

"He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not:   for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:  the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself;  but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting:   whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

Jesus made it clear that the Father gave him the words to be spoken.  It is still the same today with people God has ordained to be His ministers.   Jesus is our example and a Christian should walk as He did in the earth, only doing the will of the Father.

Not the True 

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:13, mentions false apostles, deceitful workers, who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ.  They make themselves to be ministers of the Gospel but they are not true ministers.  Paul continues in verses 14 & 15 by stating:  "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."

What is their purpose?  To deceive people.  To shut up the kingdom of God.  To prevent people from obeying God and receiving His blessings.   See what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-6:

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy;  having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."

These spirits operate in people.  Read about the false prophets mentioned in 2 Peter 2.  See for yourself what they say and do.  People will be deceived because their flesh will like what these false ministers promise them.   The end result, however, is anything but pleasant.

Not Judging After the Flesh

In John 8, Jesus was teaching in the temple when scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery.  They said she should be stoned according to Moses and the law.  Their purpose was to tempt Jesus, that they could then accuse him.  Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground.  In verse 7, they persisted in asking him until he stood up and told them, "...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

He stooped down again and began writing on the ground.  They began to depart until everyone was gone from Jesus and the woman.  Jesus asked her in verse 10,  "...Woman, where are those thine accusers?  hath no man condemned thee?"  She answered and said that no man had done so.  Jesus then told her that neither did he, but to go and sin no more. 

Jesus had been tempted to disobey God by men with the law in their hearts.  According to the law and because there were witnesses, she should have been stoned.  Notice, however, what Jesus said in John7:24:  "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." 

He did not make judgments based upon what He saw or heard.  He judged by the Spirit.  He only did the will of the Father.  That is what Christians should do as well.

Ministering by the Spirit  

Look back to John 5.  In verse 8, Jesus told the impotent man to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."  The man did so and was immediately made whole.  The Jews saw this man carrying his bed on the sabbath day and told him it was not lawful to do so.  They did not hear that he had been made whole by the words Jesus spoke.  They were more concerned about keeping the law.

There are ministers today in various denominations that are more concerned about people keeping the law than seeing the power of God manifest.  They are more concerned about their doctrines being followed than seeing people healed and set free of devils.  There are many ministers who believe, and teach, that miracles are not for today, that speaking in tongues is not for today.  Why?  That is what they were taught and that is what they teach.  Only the power of God can open their eyes, ears and hearts to the truth and power of the Gospel.

Later, after Jesus talked with the man in the temple, the man told the Jews that Jesus had made him whole.  John 5:16 states, "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day."  In verse 17, Jesus simply answered them, ..."My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."  He said in verse 19 that He ( The Son ) could do nothing of himself;  But what He saw the Father do, is what He ( The Son ) did.

John the Baptist said this of Jesus in John 3:31-34:   "He that cometh from above is above all:  he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth:  he that cometh from heaven is above all.   And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth;  and no man receiveth his testimony.  He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:  for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."

In 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Paul says: 

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;  but our sufficiency is of God;

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;   not of the letter, but of the spirit:  for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

The words Jesus spoke were by the Spirit.  They were spirit and they were life.  They were also the truth because they came from the Father.   Remember 1 John 4:6 mentioned earlier?  Words spoken will either be by the Spirit of truth ( see John 14:17 )  or the spirit of error.

Jesus Pleased the Father

Jesus pleased the Father because He only did His will.  As Jesus obeyed, God's power would manifest and heal people, cast out devils, still the wind and calm the sea, feed the multitudes and raise the dead, just to name a few things.  

Look back at John 8:28-29 and the words Jesus spoke:  "Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself;   but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  And he that sent me is with me:  the Father hath not left me alone;  for I do always those things that please him.'"  In verse 30 it says that many believed on Jesus as those words were spoken.  Why?  Because Jesus spoke and ministered by the Spirit. 

People believed on Jesus because the Father drew them to Jesus ( John 6:44 ).  In John 6:63-64 Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth;   the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you that believe not."  Many disciples then departed from Jesus and did not walk with Him anymore.  They were convicted of sin by the work of the Holy Spirit ( John 16:9 ).

Speaking the Truth in Love

Back to John 8.  In verses 31 & 32, Jesus speaks to the Jews which believed on Him and told them if they continued in His word, they would be His disciples and they would know the truth, and the truth would make them free.  They responded that they were Abraham's seed and had not been in bondage to any man.  They wanted to know why Jesus had told them they could be free.  They believed they were free already.  Read verses 33-36 for yourselves.

Jesus, in verse 37, is confronting people ( Jews/Pharisees ) that want to kill Him and tells them it is because His word has no place in them.  He even told them He knew they were Abraham's seed.  In verse 38, Jesus said, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father:  and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."  The next verses get really personal but Jesus is doing the will of the Father by speaking the truth in love.

In verse 39, "They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.  Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."

Jesus continued speaking in verse 40:  "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God:  this did not Abraham."

Jesus said, "Ye do the deeds of your father" in the first part of verse 41.  They replied they were not born of fornication and that they had one Father, who was God.

Look closely at the next three verses ( 42-44 ) and what Jesus says to them: 

"If God were your Father, ye would love me:  for I proceeded forth and came from God;  neither came I of myself, but he sent me."

"Why do ye not understand my speech?  even because ye cannot hear my word."

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Again, this is Jesus speaking the words of God by the Spirit.   He was speaking to people.  Look back at verses 31-33 and notice that He certainly spoke to those Jews which believed on Him.  While it is not specific, it is apparent that non-believing Jews were being addressed as well because he was still in the temple.  He continued to speak to them through the rest of the chapter. 

In verse 47, Jesus said, "He that is of God heareth God's words:  ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."   Notice in verse 59, it reached the point where the Jews took up stones to cast them at Jesus, who "...hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."  How could Jesus hide himself in the midst of people?   It could only be the power of God.

The Result of Disobeying God

Jesus said that the devil was a murderer and a liar in verse 44.   Read what is recorded in Genesis 3:1-4 concerning the serpent ( the devil ).   In verse 1, it says that the serpent was "...more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made." 

Subtil means "crafty" or "sly"or "shrewd."  The serpent tempted Eve to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by saying to her in verse 4, "...Ye shall not surely die:"  She had already told him that God said that they were not to eat of it or touch it, lest they die.  The Lord God had told Adam in Genesis 2:17, "...for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

You should read the rest of chapter 3.  You will see that in verse 5, the serpent told Eve that God would know that when you eat the fruit of that tree, "...your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."  Look at verses 22-24:

"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:  and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

So he drove out the man;  and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

The serpent was correct when he said that Adam and Eve would know good and evil when they ate of the fruit of the tree.  That is what verse 22 says.   The problem was disobeying what God had said not to do.  It is called rebellion.

The Result of Obeying God 

Jesus resisted the temptations of the devil in Luke 4 by faith, by knowing the word of God and being filled with the Holy Ghost.  He then returned in the power of the Spirit after the devil had ended all the temptation and departed from Jesus for a season ( verses 13-14 ).   Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that Eve was beguiled by the serpent through his subtilty.  Beguiled, according to Young's concordance, means "to deceive greatly."

Jesus was not deceived.  He walked by faith and in the power of God.  Paul addressed what happened because of Adam's disobedience in Romans 5.   I encourage you to read the chapter for yourself to see what the obedience of Jesus did for all of us.  Please note verses 17-21:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one;  much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;  even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." 

Workers of Iniquity

People, including ministers, speak and do things that God is not pleased with each day.  Again, it is called rebellion.  Jesus said the following in Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;  but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  and in thy name have cast out devils?  and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

For a number of years, I never considered that people could minister power and not be doing the will of God.  That they could prophesy, give tongues and interpretations, cast out devils, teach, do wonderful works, all in the name of Jesus and be in rebellion.  That they could say, "God said..." and it not be so.  That they could have been in the ministry for 30, 40, 50 or 60 years and not have revelation of the Gospel.

God's Power Delivers from Evil

Look back at Acts 8 and read about Simon.  He used sorcery and bewitched the people of the city of Samaria.  He considered himself to be someone great.  There was a power with him that affected the whole city.  The people of the city said this about Simon in verse 10, "...This man is the great power of God."  Verse 11 states:  "And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries." 

Simon had a spirit he could use that was demonic.  The people of Samaria obviously did not know the power with him was not of God.  Yet, when Philip came to their city in obedience to God, the power of God not only manifested, but also brought forth great joy to the people.  Why?  Because people were healed and unclean spirits came out of many that were possessed.  Because a servant of God will speak the words of God and minister by the Spirit and people will have joy and peace that comes through the Gospel.

Notice how one person affected a whole city with a wrong spirit.   It is still that way today.  Evil spirits work through people to oppose the purposes of God for our lives. 

People that do not believe the Gospel or the words of God also oppose what God has for people.  Just read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts how people wanted to kill Jesus, Paul and others simply for obeying God and ministering the things of the kingdom of God.  Some of them were killed - John the Baptist was beheaded and James was killed with the sword.

Look at Acts 13 where Elymas the sorcerer, a false prophet, was seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.  The power of God dealt with him through Paul, who spoke by the Holy Ghost in verses 10 and 11: 

"...And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.  And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness;  and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand."

In verse 12, it says the deputy believed when he saw what happened, "...being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." 

God has not changed.  He will do what is necessary to move on behalf of His people in the earth.  He will bring us out of the bondage of religious tradition and the law, deliver us from false ministers, deliver us from the traditions of our fathers and the wisdom of this world.  He will work righteousness in us so that we will know no man after the flesh, including family and friends.  He has a purpose for every person which He will bring to pass each day by His Spirit and power.

Do Not Assume Anything      

For years I assumed that ministers I heard preaching and teaching from the Bible knew what they were talking about.  I also assumed that they were doing what God wanted them to do.  As far as I knew, they had graduated from seminaries or religious organizations, so they must have had the necessary training and understanding of the things of God to minister to people, right?

Wrong.  I "assumed" they knew what they were doing and were ordained by God.  You and I should not assume anything, regardless of whatever, or whoever, it may concern.  Now, I know that God ordains people to preach the Gospel.  He is the one who chooses and who sends them forth ( Matthew 10, Acts 1 & 9 ).  We must pray and believe the Gospel to know the will of God for our lives.  Remember, Jesus is our example and He only did the will of the Father. 

Jesus did not assume the Father wanted something said or done, He made sure of it by prayer and by judging what He heard.   Romans 8:14 states:   "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."   The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of truth and the Comforter, will guide a person, "...into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself;  but whatsoever he shall hear, shall he speak:  and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me:  for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew unto you" ( John 16:13-14 ).

A Person will Serve God with Their Spirit in the Gospel

A minister ordained of God will have revelation of the Gospel, be led by the Holy Spirit and will minister the things of the kingdom of God.

What did Jesus say about himself?  Look at John 5:36:  "But I have greater witness than of John:  for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."  The Father sent Jesus to preach the Gospel to people, to teach them and they saw God's power manifest.  Jesus was not concerned about honor, prestige, money or delivering a good message.  He only did the will of his Father. 

Paul stated in Philippians 3 that all he had attained in the flesh, he now counted as loss "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ."  He was delivered from living in the flesh to serving God with his spirit in the Gospel.  Furthermore, he wanted to "...know him, and the power of his resurrection" ( vs. 10 ).  Why?  Because the power of God had changed his life. 

Paul could then do the will of God...preach the Gospel, with power, in obedience to God.  The word alone did not change him and it cannot change us.  The law did not set Paul free.  The law cannot heal or save any person.   It was not intended to do so.  We remain under the law until faith comes ( Galatians 3:23 ).  Faith comes by hearing the Gospel ( Romans 10:17 ).  Thank God for revelation of the Gospel!

Doing the Will of God 

A Christian will hear the voice of God because Jesus said in John 10:27:   "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."   Galatians 5:16 says to... "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."  Verse 17 mentions that the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.  They are in opposition to each other.  

People, including ministers, can yield to the flesh.  If so, they will speak and do things of the flesh, because of the condition of their hearts.  People who like those things, walk in the flesh themselves.

How to overcome the flesh and not be deceived?  By trying the spirit.  Judge what you hear and see.  By believing the Gospel and walking in the Spirit.  By seeing what is written in the Bible.  Mix your faith with the Gospel and God will not let you be deceived by a spirit of error.  In Hebrews 5:14 it says that people can reach a point in their lives where they will "...have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." 

Do not assume that ministers know what they are talking about.  Check out what they say and do, including me...for your benefit.   Remember, try the spirits!

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:7:  "Consider what I say;  and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

A Personal Note 

I am doing what is written in Acts 14:22:  continuing in the faith and through much tribulation ( pressure, affliction ) entering into the kingdom of God.   His power continues to produce salvation in my life each day.  I expect to see the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel manifest in my life and I pray that you will see it manifest in your life as well.  God bless you.

E-mail me at jrs@jrstaton.com.