TESTING TESTING 1, 2, 3 Terry Somerville

From Terry Sommerville


TESTING TESTING 1, 2, 3 Terry Somerville

...they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed;
Acts 17:11-12
Why Test?
When I became a Christian I was amazed how spiritually gullible I had been up till then. I had been following several "spirit guides", but it never occurred to me that they had been lying! I had believed what they said must be true because it was supernatural! I had accepted, without question, that they were the spirits of the dead helping me! How wrong I was. Thank Jesus He saved me!

Today I am alarmed that many hungry Christians fall prey to the same deception of the enemy. If it's supernatural it's accepted as genuine! For example, if a Christian has a powerful encounter with an angel we tend to believe in it without further examination. Or, if a sign occurs, we believe it must be God! Well, why should it be genuine? Who says it's God? The prophet? Why believe him? How do you know? What if it's "a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets?" (a biblical possibility) What if it's "false sign" (a biblical possibility) What if an "apostle" made the story of their spiritual encounters up? Or, what if they are real stories, but it was an angel of light? (a biblical possibility) This is exactly the reason we need to test things.

The bible instructs us to test everything because real, supernatural spiritual deception is possible. You and I can be deceived.

Judge, Discern, Test, Prove
The word of God tells us to judge, discern, test and prove what we have heard or experienced, to see if it is of God.

Judge - The Greek word for "judge" is "krino" it means to condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence

Discern - Another word translated judge is "diakrino". It is sometimes translated as weigh or discern. Strongs says "to separate thoroughly, to discriminate, to differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver"

Examine - "Anakrino" is another Greek word closely associated with judge - to scrutinize, investigate, examine.

Test - dokimazo - to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:--allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try

Prove - peirazo to test (objectively), , scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.

What Do We Test?
Prophets
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.(diakrino)
(I Corinthians 14:29)

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matt 7:15, 16

The spirit of the prophets
Dear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test (dokimazo) the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(I John 4:1)

Apostles
I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried ( peirazo) them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
(Revelation 2:2)

Angels
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:8,9

Teaching
searched (anakrino) the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed;
Acts 17:11-12

Fruit
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person
1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Everything
Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove (dokimazo) all things;hold fast that which is good. 1 Thess. 5

Objections The devil has sown many objections into the mind of the church to stop us from discovering his deceptions. Here are a few common ones.

1. "It Feels Like God"
For some reason many Christians think spiritual deception will look wrong, or fake. This is not true. The reason we are warned to test again and again is precisely because the devil works as an angel of light! It looks right, and feels right, but fails the test! Remember dioxin? A few grams in a lake kills everything. We are testing for spiritual dioxin!


2. "We Are Not To Judge"
Usually scriptures like "Judge not, that ye be not judged" are quoted. (Matt 7:1) The problem is, a few verses later Jesus talks about judging the dogs, swine and fruit of false prophets! In fact Jesus says we are to judge. "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. "John 7:24

Paul also instructed us to judge in the house of God! Especially concerning immorality.

After all, is it my business to judge outsiders? You are to judge those who are inside, aren't you? 13 God will judge outsiders. u201cPut that wicked man away from you.u201d1Corinthians 5:12,13

It is clear that judging is a matter of context. In frivolous matters, appearances NO. In matters of immorality, the gospel, apostles, prophets, the spirits - YES


3. "Don't Touch God's Anointed"
When I hear this verse quoted I have to excercise patience. It reeks of arrogance and spiritual pride, It is an excuse that elevates a man, and shirks spiritual responsibility! Even the people that say it feel it isn't true, but don't know why! Heres why.

First, the term "God's anointed" refers to King Saul. He was anointed King of Israel. Not touching God's anointed meant David could not murder Saul and remain guiltless. (1 Samuel 24:6) Unless anyone is intending to murder the "man of God" it doesn't apply.

Secondly, we are all brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ! Unlike King Saul and David, there is no Christian that is lord over another. No prophet or apostles is beyond having his teaching, prophecies and revelations tested!
Anyone who claims otherwise already fails the test! Contrary wise, the Bereans, in the book of Acts, were commended for checking out the apostles teaching!


The Three Tests
Here are three simple tests that can be applied to any situation. I learned them while attending a seminary where I encountered many false doctrines. The liberal professors were very nice people, and very convincing. I was a young Christian and did not know my bible very well, so I asked the Lord to help me. Through the help of a very seasoned pastor these tests enabled me to keep on track. Of course, Jesus was front and center. It is the most important characteristic of all three tests. At first I methodically applied the steps one at a time, but with use they became a "filter" that I now apply automatically.
1. The Spirit Test
Dear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This is how you can recognize God's Spirit: Every spirit who acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 But every spirit who does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist. You have heard that he is coming, and now he is already in the world.
(I John 4:1-3)

This is an amazing scripture because John tells us to check the actual spirit involved with a prophet, revelation, or manifestation. The test is simple. What spirit is it? Is it the Holy Spirit? How do we know? Does that spirit confess Jesus as God in the flesh? Jesus, the only begotten son of God? If it's not pointing to Him, it's not Him! It is the spirit of Antichrist.

Remember, "Antichrist" does not mean 'against Christ" but "instead of Christ". Something else is the focus instead of Jesus. Amazingly, some prophets today actually tell us they are listening to another spirit! But, according to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will always be making known the things of Jesus Himself.

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said, u2018He will take what is mine and declare it to you.u2019
John 16:14,15


2. The Scripture Test
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17

This test is so obvious we can miss it. The Holy Spirit gave us the scriptures, so anything supernatural He does today, prophecy, signs, visions, etc. must agree with what He says in scripture! We can easily apply the test to any teaching, but also to conduct and a spiritual instruction! But what happens if we listen to a false spirit without testing?

A minister I know lost his wife to cancer. Then a "spirit filled" Christian woman in another city thought the Spirit of God was prophetically telling her to leave her husband and marry this minister. She wrote letters to his office, but because they were so strange, and it was a time of grieving, the secretary chose to "file" them. Eventually the woman wrote saying God told her to kill her husband! At that point it was all exposed and the woman's pastor was contacted.

This woman was passively receiving every thought as if it was from God. But, it was an evil spirit imitating the Holy Spirit! This is how Satan is destroying lives in the modern church that seeks God's glory and anointing! We need to apply the scripture test! We know the Holy Spirit says adultery and murder are sin! So we know this was an evil spirit! But what about things that may not be such an obvious sin. What about motives and chartacter? The next test covers those.

3. The Fruit Test
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
Gal 5:19-23

This test is simple. The flesh not only produces clear sin, but is lacking in the fruit of the spirit. We can test "the character" of a revelation, a spirit, a prophet,a supernatural experience. The Holy Spirit will inspire His characteristic "fruit of the Spirit". The devil will entice his characteristic "works of the flesh". We can ask many questions to do this test.

-Does what we are testing exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?
-Does the experience have the character of Jesus? Is it like Him?
-Is it pushy and demanding it's own way, or does it leave time to be tested?
-Is it righteous and holy? Does it produce peace and joy?
-Does it point to grace, and the gospel, or to man's works?
- Does it have religious obligation, and striving for God to work?
-Does it say "you must or you'll miss it"? Does it stir up envy? Pride?
-Does it exalt a man? Who are people talking about? It should be Jesus!

Ask the lord to give you the needed question.

If we can see Jesus, that is a good sign that it comes from Him. If we see repentance, holiness, and love. Thats a good sign the Holy Spirit inspired it. He is HOLY.

Conclusion
For false christs and false prophets will appear and display great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(Matthew 24:24)

As the kingdom of God draws near we will experience many more supernatural events. Satan is also working to "deceive the very elect". The Lord has warned us to be on guard, to test everything and resist the devil. We have clear instructions for our protection.

When something passes every test, then we can "go for it" with confidence!

May the lord bless you!

Terry