Read 1 John 4:1-3 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. How should we respond to people who claim to speak by the Spirit?
2. How do we know if someone truly has the Spirit of God?
3. What markers are evident in someone who isn’t from God?
Reflect
In today’s verses, John reminds us that we live in a world of fakes and frauds. He uses the word “spirit” in two ways – one capitalized, one not. The capitalized word refers to the Holy Spirit, or the third member of the Trinity. The uncapitalized word refers to the spirit that someone carries themselves with. In other words, do they demonstrate the “fruit of the Spirit,” not just in what they say, but how they live their lives?
John urges us to not be gullible – to test, but not be paranoid. In order to be ready on judgment day, we have to acknowledge Jesus as God, and we have to make sure we’re learning from sources that do the same. Discipleship is whatever we’re being formed into the image of, and every day, we’re discipled by what we’re exposed to and consume.
When you look at the content you consume, how would you say it’s shaping you? Do you regularly test sources to understand if they acknowledge Jesus as God? What needs to change in this area of your life?
Respond
Pray through today’s reading, reflecting on the questions just posed. What do you think God is prompting you to do in response? Write it down, share it with a friend, and take a step to start making it happen.