Spurious Anointings! (Part Two)

Supernatural sensations, visions, or emotions do not guarantee divine origin; they must align with God's Word, character, and produce godly fruit. What does 1 John 4:1 mean? It instructs believers to examine spiritual claims, since not every teacher is loyal to the truth. Verse 1 explains what we are to do: test. It also explains why: the presence of false teachers. The use of the term "spirit," in this case, is a reference to the attitude and approach of a particular teacher. The reason for John's warning is given next. Believers will face false prophets, because there are quite a few in the world. If this was a problem when John wrote his letter many centuries ago, it's even more of an issue today. Be encouraged! Be discerning!

~Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., (Andersonville Theological Seminary)