ANSWERS: 8
  • the first part of 1 John 4 is warning about those whom claim being from the Lord but are actually living in the flesh or false gods. Then it goes into Loving the Lord God and loving others and believing in the Lord God although we have never seen Him to believe in Him by faith. Love God and love one another. The chapter is almost totally on love.
  • 7-13-2017 It is not reliable to let people tell you what the bible says. Many people will make up stuff because they don't know what it says, and many will make up stuff because they wish it would not say what it says. You just have to read it for yourself. Read a chapter of Proverbs every day. Proverbs has 31 chapters so you can keep your place by just looking at a calendar. There is no religion or nothing in Proverbs and you don't have to believe anything. Just read to find wisdom. When you are comfortable with that, then read the bible from Romans to 2 Thessalonians over and over until you start to remember what it says. That is the part that applies to Christians.
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      It's only reliable if Scripture is put in context. Jesus said in (Matthew 11:15), "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
    • Linda Joy
      I invite others opinions for the edification of all. However before reading scripture I pray to God for focus and understanding that's where I get my direction.
    • Jewels Vern
      There are three sources of prophecy: God, Satan, and man's own heart. Most people have no idea how to tell one from the other. So until you learn that, your only protection is to get your prophecy straight from the bible, no opinions, no interpretations. If you don't understand something and it's not explained where you read it, write your question and put the paper in a safe place. In the fullness of time God will send understanding, and then you can retire the paper.
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      Jewels Vern, you said it yourself that prophecy comes from God, Satan and man's own heart. I've studied Greek. You can't grasp Scripture in English. The word prophecy in Greek is propheteuo. It means to speak forth in a divine teaching. Acts 2:17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" So again, it's only reliable if Scripture is put in context. Therefore, let him who has ears hear.
    • Linda Joy
      Satan is the author of contention. God is love.
    • Linda Joy
      We all learn line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little. In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. So simple a child could understand. Yet when you learn about the creation of the universe and the beginning of time itself you realize you have a lot more to learn. The only scripture I recall not being able to understand is Isaiah. And maybe revelation. But there's a difference between understanding The Words and understanding the symbolism.
    • Linda Joy
      I also like the fact that I can text my Bishop and get guidance and direction whenever I need it.
    • Linda Joy
      I ask others what they think because I care about their opinion and it helps me understand who they are and why they think the way they do I care about people. I don't normally ask these questions for guidance although that is sometimes the case.
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      Linda Joy, I couldn't agree more, especially when you said: "But there's a difference between understanding The Words and understanding the symbolism."
    • pugwashjw65
      Hey ! Linda,...and what makes you so sure your bishop has got it right...did he back up his claims with scripture?
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      Linda Joy, while you're add it with text messages: text your bishop and invite him to these comments so we can have a reasonable discussion.
  • The assertion from the beginning is to "test" all spirits to see if they are from God. How? You shall know them by their fruits. As the scriptures go on to the end of the chapter: it is not possible to know God if you do not have love for others, since God is love.
    • Linda Joy
      The spirit of discernment will alert you when they're not who they claim to be.
    • Jewels Vern
      It is not the "spirit" of discernment. Likewise there is no "gift" of prophecy or "gift" of speaking in tongues. The bible plainly says each is one of nine manifestations of the holy spirit, which is given equally to every person.
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      Linda Joy, I don't know what you're trying to prove, but you have the wrong comment.
    • Jenny The Great ⭐
      Jewels Vern, the Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit.
  • Its about love. Please love one another.
  • 1 John 4 English Standard Version "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." The antichrist is about love? Are you saying you are supposed to love the antichrist?
    • Linda Joy
      No,keep reading! It's about loving one another!
    • Jenny_Rizzo
      I don't believe in the gods. I do like learning about different religions. I would agree the nature of God in the bible is about loving one another. I just don't see how you can jump to a conclusion without analyzing the antichrist and his supporters early in the chapter.
    • Linda Joy
      You've wrongly assumed I haven't analyzed the spirit of 'the antichrist'. Key points: the antichrist will speak to the world and will not confess Christ. By their fruits ye shall know them. If you are born again and have His spirit in you, then greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! Important to note that the antichrist is a spirit and may take many forms. False gods are not necessarily human and can be made of many things but beginning with your thoughts.
    • Linda Joy
      If you believe The Ten Commandments to be the word of God then you believe God Himself confessed 'other gods' exist when he said that "Ye shall have no other gods before me." A person can make god's out of anything they put before God.
    • Jenny_Rizzo
      I'm not wrongly assuming anything. The start of 1 John 4 SPEAKS of the spirit of the antichrist who is at work with those who confess Jesus is not from God. I did not write the bible, so don't blame me for your error of not quoting specific verses.
    • Jenny_Rizzo
      Now that you mention the 10 commandments, the Quran also teaches you shall have no other gods besides Allah. How do you know your view is correct? Because you say so?
    • Linda Joy
      Mike, Jenny and whomever else you may be... speaking of being 'false' is hard to swallow coming from a Deceiver. Just putting it all out there so you know I know. After all you insisted this be about detecting false Spirits right? You do know what a spirit of discernment is don't you?
    • Jenny_Rizzo
      Quote: "Mike, Jenny and whomever else you may be..." Interesting how you compare me with other users. I know more about Religion than what you think. By the looks of it, I have no need to answer your question, now that it seems like you are part of the AB staff. So my bad for asking you questions.
  • Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God. Q.E.D.
  • It's about recognizing if a spirit is of God or not by observing their love. God first loved us and through that love fear is cast out. Those who believe in God will not have a spirit of fear. Many can act loving - but just acting. The other criteria is if the person can acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. Those who can't or won't are not of God. It was through love that He sent His son to us. Accepting Him is to invite God's love to live within you.
    • Linda Joy
      that's precious. Thank you!
  • 1 John 4: 1-21 makes it clear that no one has SEEN almighty God [ Jehovah] but thousands DID SEE Jesus...If you cannot SEE someone, how can you interact...So it becomes Jesus' job to relate to us... And he is relating ALL that his father [ Jehovah ] wants done. Jesus' sacrifice as a perfect man has PAID to remove death from humanity...So no death = living forever...on this earth...[ 1 Corinthians 15: 54,55 ] and death can only afftect living people.....it is not a continuing existence as a spiritual being...there being no death in the spiritual realm as we know death. And the earth will continue...indefinitely... *** Bible Citations *** (Isaiah 45:18) For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. He means, no other supreme being...He does not mean there is NO Jesus/ Michael...[ who, by the way, is ALONGSIDE his father in heaven. And is soon to rid this earth of Satan and wickedness...(Revelation 6:2) And I saw, and look! a white horse, and the one seated on it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went out conquering and to complete his conquest.

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