Test the Spirits (1 Jn 4:1) by Dr. Rich Reich

06 Jan Test the Spirits (1 Jn 4:1) by Dr. Rich Reich

Welcome God now with this LIFE Runners Devotion (FB) provided by Team Leaders and Guest Authors.

“Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” ~ 1 Jn 4:1 (full readings)

Rich’s Reflections:  In today’s reading we are warned not to trust every spirit, because there exists good spirits and evil spirits.  The evil spirits that inspire false prophets are under control of the devil and are designed to lure followers away from Christ.  True believers follow the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17), which is the Holy Spirit.  As Christians we are baptized in the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8) who will guide us to all Truth (Jn 16:13).  We can test the spirits by evaluating their followers.  The World cannot accept the Holy Spirit, because it does not know or follow Him; just like the World cannot accept that abortion is morally wrong and should be abolished.  Today we live in the Information Age.  Information inspired by good and evil spirits are readily available to us within seconds by a few button clicks on the internet.  We are bombarded with information.  This can make it difficult to discern the Truth if we do not educate our conscience.  It is our responsibility as Christians to educate ourselves on the teachings of Jesus Christ and diligently study the Scriptures.  Only then are we prepared to fight in this real Spiritual Battle.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the National LIFE Runners Team.  He is married to Erica and lives in Colorado Springs, CO.  Full bio.

Faith Challenge:  Educate your conscience so that you may distinguish the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
.
Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
.
Feast Day:  St. Andre Bessette

Faith Quote: “It is Satan’s constant effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin, and the real issues at stake in the great controversy. His sophistry lessens the obligation of the divine law and gives men license to sin. At the same time he causes them to cherish false conceptions of God so that they regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love.” ~ Ellen G. White, Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22