Too often, pastors are hesitant to speak of Satan and evil spirits. These evil entities should never be raised to a high position, but neither should their existence be ignored. Scripture is very clear that demons exist; Satan is not a made-up bogeyman.
Scripture also tells us that we must put our faith in God. False teachers who don’t teach all of Scripture only preach “God is love”; that is a true and beautiful message, but the loving God we serve told the men who wrote Scripture to include things like prophecy (another neglected topic), the fact that God will never turn away from Israel entirely (no, the church didn’t replace Israel), and the existence of evil spirits (we are in the end times, and evil is growing stronger).
That’s why it’s better to teach through Scripture rather than just pick verses (usually out of context) to make a “feel-good” sermon. Many pastors do just that. They tickle ears but don’t teach all of God’s truth. Congregations are left ignorant of the times in which we live, a time when prophecy is being fulfilled, Israel is under attack, and evil is permeating the world around us.
By the way, this opens the way for the evil spirits to infiltrate congregations. What does the Apostle John have to say?
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
What does John mean? John knew, from walking with Jesus, that there is perfect love found in Christ. John also witnessed demonic evil that possessed people, but he also sawJesus cast out demons and learned how to discern good from evil, light from dark. Those same evil spirits are roaming the earth today. False teachers abound today, and many people are being deceived.
Peter also knew of the wiles of the devil and warned us. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Satan isn’t like God and cannot be everywhere at once, but he is able to influence thoughts. As we study through John’s letter, we see that he talks so much of God’s love, and sometimes we miss that he also warns us to be aware of evil. John says we shouldn’t believe every spirit, but we should try the spirits; test them. John isn’t talking about Casper the Friendly Ghost and the Ghostly Trio. John is talking about a real fight between God’s goodness and Satanic evil.
Christians need to study Scripture and listen to the Holy Spirit to avoid being deceived by someone who claims to be of God but is really Satan’s mouthpiece. As we draw near to the Rapture, evil grows stronger. Be sure that you are firmly planted in God’s truth.
How do we know the good from the bad? Sometimes it’s very obvious if something is of God or if Satan is behind it. Run everything through Scripture, and if a teaching doesn’t conform to God’s word, then you shouldn’t be a part of it. “Christian Yoga,” for instance.This is an oxymoron, and no Christian should be a part of it. It isn’t just a way to stretch your muscles; it is a way to open your mind to Satanic spirits.
John gives us a test to use. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:2-3).
The next time a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses knocks on your door, ask them about the deity of Christ and whether He came in the flesh. I’m sure you can think of many things, ancient and modern, done by people claiming to follow Christ but are totally against God’s word.
The Crusades, for instance. It was the pope who sent the crusaders to do evil in order to free Jerusalem. If this had been an acceptable thing to God, wouldn’t Jesus have taken an army and killed anybody who stood in His way? Jesus came the first time humbly as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but He will return in power as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. A “holy war” ordained by the Catholic church doesn’t represent Jesus but is the spirit of antichrist. Don’t be deceived. If the congregation you’ve joined promotes anything that isn’t found in Scripture, flee from that group even if it’s presented as a very good thing.
I’ve attended many churches in my lifetime, and most supported things not found in Scripture. I learned from these experiences, and I’m thankful for God’s guidance in my life. Remember, John wrote this letter to Christians and not to the world. Christians need to be aware of what is of God and what comes from Satan. Scripture is your guide.
When we truly come to faith in Jesus, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Don’t be fooled by the false teaching that you are saved by baptism. Too many people claim they were baptized as a baby, so they’re saved. Wrong. That’s a teaching straight from Satan. Each of us must make our own choice as to whether or not we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s been said that God has children but has no grandchildren. You have to make your own decision.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
A baby cannot make that confession of faith, nor choose to believe. So, let me encourage you right now: if you are one who thinks you’re saved because you were baptized as a baby, or even as an adult but didn’t confess the Lord Jesus, do that now. Confess you are a sinner, repent, and place your faith in Jesus. Jesus was God incarnate; He entered His creation and shed His blood as the only way for a sinner to find grace and salvation.
It was Paul who also wrote, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of your inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12–14).
You have to hear the Gospel and believe in order to gain eternal life through Christ. What an amazing fact that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, is sealed within Christians. If all of us truly believed that fact and understood the power given to us, we could stop the evil that’s permeating the world today…not us as people, but the Holy Spirit in us.
John understood that power. He was in the locked room when the risen Christ entered and breathed upon the disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit. He was also there on the day of Pentecost when the fire of the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. John faced persecution, but was given the Revelation so we can see what the unsaved will face during the Tribulation.
John knew the power of the Holy Spirit and wrote, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
What powerful words, yet they mostly go unheeded. If every one of us would be aware of the power we have, and allow that power to flow through us for the glory of God, what a change we would see all around us.
Once again, John turns his attention to encouraging Christians to love fellow Christians. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7–8).
Can a non-Christian love? Yes, but not with a Godly love. The world has taken the word “love” and defines it in worldly terms. I “love” my car, I “love” my dog. I went on a date, and afterward we made “love.” These are worldly examples of “love.”
The love of God is a sacrificial love that every Christian should show to fellow Christians, but go back to the first verse in this chapter and see that we need to test every spirit. Just because someone comes to you for help and claims to be a Christian, test them to be sure. The Holy Spirit may urge you to help non-believers, but do it in the name of Jesus, and let that fact be known.
Before we came to know Jesus, we were headed down a very treacherous path to destruction. But God loved His creation enough to sacrifice Himself for our salvation.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:9–11).
That’s such an important point to remember, but so easy to forget. Christians aren’t perfect, but we need to ask for forgiveness when we do fall back into sin. When we see a fellow Christian falling into sin, we need to love them enough to help them to get back on the right track. Be sure to speak in love. God is always willing to forgive. When you see someone who is living a sin-filled life, share the Gospel. If they respond, then lead them to repentance and guide them in a path that honors Christ. If you see a fellow Christian wallowing in sin, confront them in a loving way.
God loved us long before we loved Him, so share that love. Let all who come in contact with you see God living in you and through you.
It’s easy to find many reasons to fear these days. The Apostle Paul didn’t mince words when he spoke of the enemy we face. He urged us to put on the full armor of God and fight.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11–12).
God’s love has given us tools to fight; He doesn’t want us to fail in our Christian walk. Life has many challenges, and sometimes it’s easy to shrink in fear. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:17–18).
Fear can cause us to shrink from a fight that God’s love could win. Remember, God is stronger than any demonic enemy we face. We are puny humans, but with God we are strong. We are living in the end days, and the principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of the world are trying to stop us from sharing God’s love. Be bold.
Once a father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for help. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
Read through the book of Acts and see how many times Peter, John, Paul, and the others faced prison just because they loved God. Be bold in God’s love. In these last days, we need to encourage fellow Christians. Love the brethren.
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:20–21).
Brotherly love is something missing from Christian life. I can tell you that brotherly love isn’t completely missing. Lately, I’ve had some great needs, and some dear Christian friends have stepped up to help me, and I’m so thankful.
God works through people, and we all need to allow His love to work through us. Be bold; face fear with the armor of God firmly in place. Let others see God living in you.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” or God-breathed.
If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).