WHEAT AND TARES

WHEAT AND TARES

1John [MKJV] 4:1-5  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

  The true church is made up of John 1:12; 3:3 repentant born-again authorized sons and daughters of God’s family. However, the Word tells us that the visible church is a mixed group that includes darnel, false wheat; those of the family of the wicked one, the devil. (Mt.13:24-30)

  But how may we recognize them?

  By the measure of sound doctrine, that’s how. The Apostle John tells us the acid test is their position on the divinity of Jesus. (Jn.1:1) The Apostle Peter Said they bring destructive heresies contrary to sound doctrine. (1Tim.1:10; 2Tim.4:3; Tit.1:9; 2:1; 1Pet.2:1) These heresies could be as subtle as Satan with Eve: reliance on marketing strategies instead of declaring the gospel (Act.4:12), Eastern practices such as yoga, mindfulness, channeling, T.M., or many other contrarian ways.

  God does not prevent these false prophets any more than He restricted Satan from the garden in Eden. Restricting was Adam’s task as it is now ours. Adam failed. Shall we?

  God’s equipping is available. Shall we acquire it in mind (Tim.2:15), heart (Heb.4:12), and hand (Eph.6:17)? Or shall we be less than noble sons and daughters. (Act.17:11)

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