The Spirit of God? A true test

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“You will remember that before you became Christians you went around from one idol to another, not one of which could speak a single word. But now you are meeting people who claim to speak messages from the Spirit of God. How can you know whether they are really inspired by God or whether they are fakes? Here is the test: no one speaking by the power of the Spirit of God can curse Jesus, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” and really mean it, unless the Holy Spirit is helping him.” 1 Corinthians 12v2-3 (The Living Bible).

“Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12v3 (AMP)

Many people would love to hear God speak. What does God say on this matter and what does He not say? The wonderful thing is that God has given us His Word, and today the Bible is accessible to most. As well, He has given us His Holy Spirit to be with and in us. John 14v26 (AMP) says “But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.” Thank God for His Spirit. But even as we move around and commune with other people, how do you know who is speaking as inspired by the Spirit of God, or some other spirit. 1 Corinthians 12v3 cautions that those who speak from the Spirit of God cannot curse Jesus, and apart from the Spirit of God helping a person, that person can never truly say Jesus is Lord. Moreover the verses below tell us again how we might perceive and recognize the Spirit of God versus the spirit of the antichrist.

Supplementary Text

“By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you have heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4v2-3 (AMP)

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Spirit and Your Word. Thank You for how we can recognize and perceive Your Spirit. Thank You for this in Jesus name, amen.