You Can't Believe Everything!

Daily Reading:  1 John 4

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. (1 John 4.1)

Devotional Thought: John realized that his high demands could give Satan opportunity to twist his words and cause doubt for his readers.  So, he wrote that we should test the spirits that speak into our hearts. 

Do you ever struggle with doubts and fears?  To put these things to rest...

• Look squarely and honestly at what is bothering you.  If you find your behavior or attitude to come up short of God’s will for you – as revealed in his Word – then repent and accept God’s forgiveness and grace in Jesus Christ.  Then, let it go.  If - after repenting - you still have doubt and fear, then you need to recognize that these originate from a “false prophet” that has gone out into the world – even the devil himself.

• Look squarely and honestly at Jesus!  Do you acknowledge that he is the Son of God?  If so, then you know that God lives in you and you live in God (see v. 15).  Focus on Jesus, dear friend, and your failures and fears will dissolve in God’s amazing love.

• Let the love of God be made complete in you (v. 17).  Having doubts and fears is only a temporary condition caused by the spirit of darkness.  We can defeat that spirit by living out – making complete – the love of God, by doing loving things for others.  God dwells in these acts of love - not because of the deeds themselves, but because of the Spirit of love behind those deeds.  God is with you!

When you are struggling with doubt: 1) examine yourself and repent; 2) focus on Jesus; 3) act in loving ways.  That, dear one, is a certain way to cast out fear.

Prayer: Lord, you are bigger than my fears, and your love is greater than my doubts.  Help me to test the spirits, to trust in you and your Word, and to respond to your voice.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 129.5-8

5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!

6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms,

8 nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"