Consequences of "Regeneration Before Faith"

There are only two places in the Bible where the word "regeneration" occurs. Here they are:

"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt. 19: 28 kjv)

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3: 5-7 kjv)

With few exceptions, nearly all Bible teachers and scholars agree that in the first passage Jesus speaks not of individual regeneration when a sinner is saved, but refers to the regeneration of the creation that will bring about new heavens and earth. This is what is described in these verses:

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3: 19-21 nkjv)

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Rom. 8: 20-22 nkjv) 

The second text above in Titus is agreed by all to be a reference to the initial salvation of a believer. That being so, is there anything in that text that indicates that the "washing of regeneration" occurs prior to faith or evangelical conversion? "No" is clearly the right answer. In the passage the words "saved," "renewed," "washed," and "justified" are used to describe what accompanies regeneration. All these follow faith in Christ as the rest of the Bible says. For instance, Paul says: *"for by grace are you saved through faith." (Eph. 2: 8) The same apostle says that sinners are "justified by faith in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 5: 1; Gal. 2: 16; etc.) The apostle Peter in the Jerusalem council wrote: "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." (Acts 15: 8-9 nkjv) 

*The passage in Ephesians is talking about being "quickened" (made alive spiritually) with all the other things that occur in conjunction with it. (verse one) But, those who say people are regenerated before faith must deny that the salvation of verse eight is talking about regeneration or quickening and are forced to say that the salvation of that text is a salvation that comes after initial salvation, to final salvation. They do this, not because the context warrants this, but because their man-made proposition forces them to do so. 

Further, the Bible plainly says that Christ is received by faith, that people enter into Christ by faith, that union with Christ is by faith. (Eph. 3:17; John 1: 12; 14: 23) In several posts in the past I have used the following texts to prove that people enter into Christ by faith.

"And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and is believing on him (eis-unto him), may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye may be believing on him (eis-unto him) whom He hath sent." (John 6:29)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that is believing on (eis, unto) Me is having everlasting life. I am that bread of life." (John 6:47-48)

Another text that clearly affirms this truth is this:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3: 20 nkjv)

In my recent post "Union With Christ By Faith" (here) I cited Dr. A.H. Strong who correctly said:

"...because faith, and not repentance or love or hope is the medium or instrument by which we receive Christ and are united to him."

I also cited from the catechisms of the 1647 Westminster Presbyterian Confession and the 1689 London Baptist Confession of faith, which both said:

Q. 34. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. 

Those Calvinists who affirm that regeneration precedes faith do not believe these older Calvinist confessions. They believe that Christ enters a sinner's heart and unites himself with the sinner before the sinner comes to faith in Christ, before the sinner "receives" Christ or the Holy Spirit. Some of them will try to say that sinners receive Christ and the Spirit passively. However, the Greek word for "receive" is nearly always in the active voice, not in the passive voice. Paul plainly says that the Spirit is received by faith in these words:

"This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?...that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3: 2,14 nkjv)

The same apostle said:

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Rom. 8: 9 kjv) 

So, in order to become one of Christ's sheep, one of the children of God, or to be born again, a sinner must receive Christ and the Spirit. Christ and the Spirit are received by faith. Ergo, faith precedes regeneration.

How do sinners "become partakers of Christ"? (Heb. 3: 14 nkjv) It is by receiving Christ, and receiving Christ occurs when a sinner believes or trusts in Christ for salvation. (John 1: 12: 6: 65)

John Gill on Hebrews 3:14 makes a most bewildering statement, saying -- "The phrase is expressive of union to Christ, which is not by faith on man's part, and by the Spirit on Christ's part." 

But how can he deny that Christ is received by faith seeing this is so plainly stated in so many places in scripture? John 1:12 clearly says that "to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name." Here we see that receiving occurs in believing and that being made children of God by spiritual birth follows that receiving. If sinners receive Christ by faith, then they did not possess him before faith, and therefore were not spiritually alive or regenerated before faith. The apostle John said -- "whoever has (possesses) the Son has life" and "whoever does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life." (John 5: 12) 

In commenting upon Ephesians 3: 17 and the apostle's statement that Christ dwells in hearts by faith Gill wrote the following:

"...the means by which he dwells is faith; which is not the bond of union to Christ, nor the cause of his being and dwelling in the hearts of his people; but is the instrument or means by which they receive him, and retain him, and by which they have communion with him..."

Again, I find this bewildering. It really does show that Gill had Hyper Calvinistic tendencies. The above comments by this eminent theologian are unworthy of his level of intelligence. He contradicts himself in those few words. He denies that faith is the bond of union that believers have with Christ but then says that faith is the means by which Christ dwells in them. He says faith is the means by which Christ dwells in believers and then says faith is not the cause of his dwelling in them! If it is a means then it is an instrumental cause, and he even admits that faith is the means or instrument by which they receive Christ.

In commenting upon Galatians 3: 2 and receiving the Spirit by faith, Gill wrote (emphasis mine):

"...received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? This question supposes they had received the Spirit; that is, the Spirit of God, as a spirit of wisdom and knowledge in the revelation of Christ; as a spirit of regeneration and sanctification...for by "faith", is meant the Gospel, and particularly the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ's righteousness; and by "the hearing" of it, the preaching of it, the report of it, Isaiah 53:1 which, in the Hebrew text, is "our hearing", that by which the Gospel is heard and understood. Now in this way the Spirit of God is received; while the Gospel is preaching he falls on them that hear it, conveys himself into their hearts, and begets them again by the word of truth..."

I find this commentary likewise stunning. Gill, unlike the Hyper Calvinists who deny means in regeneration, believes that sinners are regenerated or born again by means of the gospel. But, here he seems to suggest that the Gospel regenerates a man before he believes the gospel. That is absolutely absurd. So Abraham Booth (1734-1806), another leading Calvinist, wrote:

"Regeneration must precede faith. This, though assumed as a certain fact:, may be justly doubted: for the page of inspiration does not warrant our supposing, that any one is born of God, before he believes in Jesus Christ; or, that regeneration is effected by the Holy Spirit, without the word of grace." ("Glad Tidings to Perishing Sinners," page 122) 

Gill also even says that the Spirit that is received by the hearing of faith is "a spirit of regeneration"! 

In his commentary on Galatians 3: 14 and Paul's statement that sinners receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Gill wrote:

"...that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith...by "the promise of the Spirit" may be meant, either by an "hypallage", the Spirit of promise, who opens and applies the promises; or the Spirit promised, not as a spirit of regeneration, conversion, and faith; for, as such, he cannot be received by faith; Since, antecedent to his being so, there can be no faith; but rather as a spirit of adoption, in respect to which he is said to be received, Romans 8:15..." 

Here he makes verse fourteen of Galatians chapter three to contradict verse two of the same chapter! Further, why did he not simply give the same interpretation as in verse two? The plain reading of both passages, however, says that the Spirit is received by faith, and this includes a "spirit of regeneration."

When the writer of Hebrews says that believers have been made "partakers of Christ" he adds these words: "if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end."

By these words we see that "the beginning" of the Christian life, the beginning point when a person becomes joined to Christ and partakes of him, begins with a "confidence" in Christ, and this word entails faith and trust. Faith and confidence in Christ is what initiated union with Christ and it is what preserves that union. And, true faith, faith begotten of God, faith that is a fruit or product of the Spirit of God, will remain steadfast to the end. So the apostle John affirmed when he wrote:

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5: 4-5 nkjv)

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." (vs. 18)

Further Consequences of the Born Again Before Faith Error

One error leads to another. This is true in this ordo salutis debate also. I have a separate blog devoted to the ordo salutis debate. (See here)

1. The view that says that in regeneration or initial salvation the sinner is entirely passive led to affirming that regeneration precedes faith.

2. The view that says a biblical command or imperative implies ability to obey the command led to the view that regeneration precedes faith.

3. The view that says regeneration precedes faith led to a denial that the gospel or word of God is a means in regeneration.

4. The view that says regeneration precedes faith led to Hyper Calvinism and the belief that only those who show signs of regeneration are commanded to believe and repent.

5. The view that says regeneration precedes faith led to a denial that unregenerate sinners are offered salvation by the gospel.

6. The view that says regeneration precedes faith led to Hardshellism, the most extreme form of Hyper Calvinism, and to their view that people may be regenerated and know not God nor Christ, but remain polytheists.

7. The view that says regeneration precedes faith led to the idea that regeneration precedes justification, logically and chronologically, which is the Catholic view, but not the biblical or historic Calvinist view. It has this order: passive regeneration, faith, justification. 

8. Since regeneration entails sanctification, and it precedes faith, and since faith precedes justification, therefore the regeneration before faith view leads to the Catholic view that sanctification precedes justification.

Broad vs. Restricted Regeneration

Many Calvinists today, especially those who are Hyper Calvinists, or who lean much in that direction, have done much harm by their coming to redefine biblical "regeneration" in a narrow, highly restricted, or limited manner, so as to exclude evangelical conversion. This they do when they say that sinners are "regenerated or born again before faith," or before conversion. The older Calvinists, however, did not do this, but saw biblical regeneration or rebirth as including conversion. I have many posts on this point wherein I give witness to this by many scholars of historic Calvinism. Truly in this debate the devil is in the definition.

I take the view that initial salvation, whether it be called salvation, quickening, resurrecting, regenerating, renewing, re-creating, rebirth, washed, forgiven, justified, sanctified, converted, etc., is talking about what occurs when a person believes in Jesus Christ and accepts his teachings, and repents of his sins, which is what we generally call conversion. When the apostles wrote in their letters about the salvation of those believers to whom they addressed, they all refered to what took place when they were converted, when they believed and repented. They do not view regeneration as something that took place before believers were converted. All the references to initial salvation in the Bible describe it in terms of conversion. I challenge anyone to prove this is not so.

Some of my Calvinists brothers who believe in the "born again before faith" error say that regeneration is one side of the coin of salvation and conversion is the other side. But, this analogy totally divorces one from the other. Further, which side has justification? Forgiveness? Sanctification? Union with Christ? Etc.?

The idea that "regeneration" is defined in scripture as excluding conversion is totally unfounded. No one is regenerated till he has been converted, before he has believed and repented, before he has been united to Christ by receiving him, or by his entering into Christ and by Christ entering him. These things occur together. It would be ridiculous to say that my wife was joined to me in marriage before I was joined to her in that union. Yet, this is what those who teach that sinners are born again or regenerated before faith are forced to believe. They are also forced to deny that the Bible teaches that union with Christ is by faith.

My blogs are filled with scripture references that show that a sinner is united to Christ, or enters into Christ, when he receives Christ or believes in Christ. Marriage is one of the ways the Bible writers use to illustrate this union. Becoming members of Christ's body is also another way. Another way is by eating Christ's body and drinking his blood, for Christ is the living bread and whoever eats that bread by faith, by believing and mentally feasting upon him, becomes one with him. Water baptism is a picture of our entering into Christ (Rom. 6: 1-4) and the Lord's Supper (Communion) is a picture of Christ entering into those who believe in him. The "regenerated before faith" view must say that a person enters into Christ, and Christ enters into a person, before he partakes of Christ, before he is joined in marriage to Christ.  

I have shown in many articles how it was a later invention among Calvinists with Hyper Calvinistic tendencies who narrowed the definition of regeneration so that it excluded evangelical faith and repentance (i.e. conversion). See for instance "Regeneration - Broad and Narrow?" (here). In another article in my series "The Hardshell Baptist Cult" titled "Chpt. 111 - Mediate or Immediate?" (here) I cited from Dr. Archibald Alexander, a Calvinist, who wrote:

"Evangelical repentance, conversion and regeneration, are substantially the same. They all signify a thorough change of views, affections, purposes and conduct; and this change is every where declared to be essential to salvation."

This is the historic or original view of the Reformers and Calvinists of the sixteenth century and is what is stated in their oldest confessions of faith. It was the view of John Calvin. In that chapter I gave many citations that the reader is encouraged to review. In it I made this comment about the first Calvinists of the Reformation:

"They all taught that scripture did not distinguish between regeneration and conversion."

I gave some examples from Calvinists who admit this fact. I cited from Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) and his writing "The Work of the Holy Spirit," wherein he promoted the "regenerated before faith" error. In section XXIII of chapter four, on "Regeneration and Faith," Kuyper's views are stated. He wrote (emphasis mine):

"We answer: The Holy Spirit may perform this work in the sinner's heart before, during, or after the preaching of the Word. The inward call may be associated with the outward call, or it may follow it. But that which precedes the inward call, viz., the opening of the deaf ear, so that it may be heard, is not dependent upon the preaching of the Word; and therefore may precede the preaching."

"If I designate the whole conscious work of grace from conversion until death, "regeneration," without any regard to its mysterious background, then I may and must say with the Confession (article 24): "That this faith, being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word, and the operation of the Holy Spirit, doth regenerate him and make him a new man."

"Hence God's work of grace runs through these three successive stages:

1st. Regeneration in its first stage, when the Lord plants the new life in the dead heart.
2d. Regeneration in its second stage, when the new-born man comes to conversion.
3d. Regeneration in its third stage, when conversion merges into sanctification.

"Describing it still more closely, we say that in the first stage of regeneration, that of quickening, God works without means; in the second stage, that of conversion, He employs means, viz., the preaching of the Word; and in the third stage, that of sanctification, He uses means in addition to ourselves, whom He uses as means."

By "the confession" he means the Belgic Confession (1561). You can read Kuyper's work (here). The citations are from chapter twenty one titled "Regeneration the Work of God." 

We see how accepting the proposition that "regeneration or rebirth precedes faith" leads to the denial that the word of God or preaching of the gospel is a means in regeneration. This is what Kuyper affirmed in the above citation and in taking that position he admits that it is not the traditional or Orthodox view of the Calvinist or Reformed faith and its confessions.

Abraham Booth (1734-1806), another leading Calvinist, wrote:

"Regeneration must precede faith. This, though assumed as a certain fact:, may be justly doubted: for the page of inspiration does not warrant our supposing, that any one is born of God, before he believes in Jesus Christ; or, that regeneration is effected by the Holy Spirit, without the word of grace." ("Glad Tidings to Perishing Sinners," page 122) 

This is quite logical. If it is true that sinners are born again by the word of God (I Peter 1: 23, etc.), then obviously it can only be such by believing it, for it would be absurd to say that it regenerated a person who rejected it.

Dr. W.G.T. Shedd, a leading Calvinist with Hyper Calvinist leanings, agreed with Kuyper. Shedd in his Dogmatic Theology wrote (emphasis mine):

"The Holy Spirit employs means in conviction, in conversion, and in sanctification but not in regeneration. The appointed means of grace are the Word, the sacraments, and prayer. None of these means are used in the instant of regeneration, first because regeneration is instantaneous, and therefore there is not time to use them, secondly because regeneration is a direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon the human spirit." (Vol 2, page 506)

Since the view that affirms "regeneration before faith" leads to, or entails, a denial of the word of God as a means in regeneration, we can overthrow that view by showing that the scriptures teach that regeneration is effected by such means. These scriptures do teach means, as the older Calvinists taught:

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever...Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached unto you." (I Peter 1: 22-23, 25 nkjv)

"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1: 18 kjv)

"For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." (I Cor. 4: 15 nkjv)

In my article "PaedoBaptist Shedd on Regeneration & Means" (here) I cited from Shedd as follows.

In "Various Uses of the Term Regeneration"  (See here) Shedd wrote (emphasis mine):

"The term regeneration has been used in a wide and in a restricted sense. It may signify the whole process of salvation, including the preparatory work of conviction and the concluding work of sanctification. Or it may denote only the imparting of spiritual life in the new birth, excluding the preparatory and concluding processes. The Romish church regards regeneration as comprehending everything in the transition from a state of condemnation on earth to a state of salvation in heaven and confounds justification with sanctification. The Lutheran doctrine, stated in the apology for the Augsburg Confession and in the Formula of Concord, employs regeneration in the wide meaning, but distinguishes carefully between justification and sanctification. In the Reformed church, the term regeneration was also employed in the wide signification. Like the Lutheran, while carefully distinguishing between justification and sanctification, the Reformed theologian brought under the term regeneration everything that pertains to the development as well as to the origination of the new spiritual life. Regeneration thus included not only the new birth, but all that issues from it. It comprised the converting acts of faith and repentance and also the whole struggle with indwelling sin in progressive sanctification." 

"This wide use of the term passed into English theology. The divines of the seventeenth century very generally do not distinguish between regeneration and conversion, but employ the two as synonyms. Owen does this continually (On the Spirit 3.5), and Charnock likewise (Attributes, Practical Atheism). The Westminster Creed does not use the term regeneration. Instead of it, it employs the term vocation or effectual calling. This comprises the entire work of the Holy Spirit in the application of redemption. Under it belongs everything pertaining to the process of salvation, from the first step of conviction of sin to the act of saving faith in Jesus Christ (cf. Fisher, On the Catechism)."

So, Shedd admits that it was not the original view of Calvin or the first Calvinists of the Reformation to deny means in regeneration nor to see regeneration as distinct from evangelical conversion.

Dr. Louis Berkhof (1873-1957), well known biblical scholar, of the Dutch Reformed faith, wrote the following (emphasis mine):

"The word 'regeneration' is not always used in the same sense. Our Confession uses it in a broad sense, as including even conversion. At present it has a more restricted meaning." ("Calling and Regeneration" - See here)

Why did the older Calvinists and their confessions say that regeneration includes conversion? Is it not because they saw that this was how the Bible defined or explained it?

He also wrote:

"Several seventeenth century authors fail to distinguish between regeneration and conversion, and use the two terms interchangeably, treating of what we now call regeneration under vocation or effectual calling. The Canons of Dort also use the two words synonymously, and the Belgic Confession seems to speak of regeneration in an even wider sense. This comprehensive use of the term "regeneration" often led to confusion and to the disregard of very necessary distinctions." 

So, why did they not distinguish regeneration from conversion? Is it not because they saw, as I do, that in the scriptures regeneration was a sinner's evangelical conversion, the result of his faith? Did not Calvin say that sinners are born again by faith? Did he not say that regeneration was by faith? See these posts where I give citations from Calvin and others which show this to be true: (here, here, here).

Berkhof continued:

"For instance, while regeneration and conversion were identified, regeneration was yet declared to be monergistic, in spite of the fact that in conversion man certainly co-operates. The distinction between regeneration and justification had already become clearer, but it gradually became necessary and customary also to employ the term "regeneration" in a more restricted sense. Turretin defines two kinds of conversion: first, a "habitual" or passive conversion, the production of a disposition or habit of the soul, which, he remarks, might better be called "regeneration"; and, secondly, an "actual" or "active" conversion, in which this implanted habit or disposition becomes active in faith and repentance. In present day Reformed theology the word "regeneration" is generally used in a more restricted sense, as a designation of that divine act by which the sinner is endowed with new spiritual life, and by which the principle of that new life is first called into action. So conceived, it includes both the "begetting again" and the "new birth," in which the new life becomes manifest. In strict harmony, however, with the literal meaning of the word "regeneration" the term is sometimes employed in an even more limited sense, to denote simply the implanting of the new life in the soul, apart from the first manifestations of this life." (See THE USE OF THE TERM "REGENERATION" IN THEOLOGY - here)

"DEFINITION OF REGENERATION. From what was said in the preceding respecting the present use of the word "regeneration," it follows that regeneration may be defined in two ways. In the strictest sense of the word we may say: Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of the soul is made holy. But in order to include the idea of the new birth as well as that of the "begetting again," it will be necessary to complement the definition with the following words. . ."and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured."

This view makes a distinction between being "regenerated" and being "born again." This is what many believe, affirming that spiritual birth is exactly like physical birth. Physical birth has three distinct stages. First there is implanting of the seed and its germination in the female womb (or egg), then there is a living human being and a period of time spent developing in the womb, and finally a deliverance from the womb or birth proper. The three stage model of birth, as in the Old Regular or Primitive Baptists of the 19th century, saw birth as a process that included (as it also does in natural birth) three stages. Under this view (also held in modern times by men such as A.W. Pink) the planting of the seed is regeneration, the time in the womb is the time spent under conviction of sin, and the time of delivery (emergence) from the womb is birth proper. I have written on this view in several articles. This post (here) is one example and where I give several citations from those who espoused it.

However, many of those Calvinists who believe that regeneration precedes faith will say that regeneration and rebirth are the same. So they will affirm that not only is regeneration before faith but rebirth of the Spirit is also before faith. This is what they argue from I John 5: 1, saying that the text says that people believe in Christ after having been born of God. Of course, that is not what the text is saying. See my posts on that text here and here. 

Many of those Calvinists who affirm that regeneration or rebirth precedes faith and conversion will agree that this was a view that was developed by later Calvinists and will say that its restricted definition helped to make things clearer. But, that is a mistake. Rather, I firmly believe, it made things less clear and produced much confusion and was a departure not only from Calvin and the older Calvinists but was a departure from what the scriptures teach. It certainly led to a denial that the gospel and word of God was a means in effecting regeneration or rebirth. It also led to Hyper Calvinism and to the idea that the gospel is not to be addressed to the unregenerate and that offers of salvation are not to be given to all men in preaching. This is what the Hardshell Baptists teach. It also led them to say that heathen, pagans, and believers in many false gods, may nevertheless be regenerated and born of the Spirit!

In the Bible conversion and regeneration are the same experience. I would encourage the reader to view this blog (here) where I have most of my articles on the ordo salutis. I deal with all the arguments of those who argue for "regeneration before faith" and I give scriptural arguments against that view. 

Another error that the regeneration before faith view led to was that they then taught that regeneration (which includes sanctification) logically precedes justification. But, this creates all kinds of difficulty, and is the view of the Catholics. I have written many posts on this difficulty also. The ordo salutis blog also has many articles dealing with this difficulty. See this post (here) as an example.

Testing The Spirits (4)

The above text, which we have addressed in the previous postings, tells us to be on guard as to what kind of spirit, attitude, frame of mind, or disposition, we are being influenced by. It is also true that we must be on guard as to whether we are being led by the Spirit of God or by some evil spirit. So the Lord said through the prophet Malachi: "Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth." (Mal. 2: 15 nkjv) We have seen where the apostle John has exhorted Christians to "test the spirits whether they be of God" or whether they be not of God. This testing should also include testing ourselves and not be limited to testing the spirits of others. 

We are responsible for ruling over our own spirits and insuring that they are ruled by the word and Spirit of God. This is what the Lord commanded in the wisdom of Solomon, who wrote: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." (Prov. 16: 32 kjv) The apostle Paul also said -- "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." (I Cor. 14: 32 nkjv) Though none has power over his spirit in death, he ought to have power over his spirit in life. Wrote Solomon again: 

"No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it." (Eccl. 8: 8 nkjv)

We must protect our minds, hearts, and spirits. So Solomon said further: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach (or break) in the spirit." (Prov. 15: 4 kjv) Which simply means that words can either heal or harm the spirit, whether by "spirit" is meant one's inner self or one's inner emotional or mental state. Solomon also said: "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly." (Prov. 20: 27 kjv) We need to make sure this spirit remains a good one. So David prayed -- "Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me." (Psa. 51: 10 kjv) This is a prayer that ought to be prayed regularly because it is easy for anyone, even Christians, to get in the wrong spirit.

Deception Via Evil Spirits

In preceding chapters we referred to the apostle Paul's warning about those who give "heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (I Tim. 4: 1-2). He also wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, saying:

"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand." (II Thess 2: 2)

What does he mean by being shaken and troubled in mind "by spirit"? Many commentators suggest that Paul alludes to false teachers who claim to be speaking from a divine spirit. We should see the words as saying "neither by a spirit as from us." People, especially religious teachers, speak from a certain spirit. Of the martyr Stephen we read: "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." (Acts 6: 10 nkjv) False teachers and deceivers, however, speak from an evil spirit, as we have seen. 

Paul spoke of his "spirit" being with the Corinthian church as they acted in excluding an immoral member, writing: 

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (I Cor. 5: 4-5 kjv)

Here, I think, by "my spirit" Paul means his mind, state of mind, his attitude, belief about things, his manner, and his way of seeing and judging things. People today sometimes say "though I won't be there, I will be with you in spirit," by which they mean their thoughts will be on the place and is a way to give moral support to what will be occurring to those in that place.

In cults we see how they likewise have their own unique or peculiar spirits. Nazis, for example, have Hitler's spirit, his influence, his beliefs, his attitude and state of mind, and this spirit is with them when they gather together. Many religious cults often exude the spirit or spirits of their leaders or founders, the social atmosphere in their gatherings, the air of the setting, giving emotional sensations and initiating moods and mental images. 

Recognizing False Spirits

"For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him." (II Cor. 11: 4)

How do you discern a counterfeit? Is it not by knowing the real thing? If one knows and discerns the presence of the Holy Spirit, then he can spot false spirits. But, it is not always easy to judge spirit, such as sincerity or honesty. Jurors in court are often trying to ascertain whether a witness is speaking sincerely or honestly, or the spirit by which they speak.

Some of the Jews rejected Jesus and said of him -- "he has a demon." (John 7:20; 8:48: 10:20) Obviously they had no discernment of spirits nor were able to try spirits so as to know whether they were of God or some other source. How do we know if someone has a demonic spirit? Personally, I believe I have seen demons in the eyes of many people in my lifetime. If demons only manifested themselves as did the demon in the well-known film "The Exorcist," then it would be easy to identify them, for that possessed girl vomited green slime, spoke in tongues, moved physical objects with her mind, etc. 

There is mention in the Bible of the "evil eye." So in Mark 7: 22 we have “ophthalmos ponēros” (literally, “evil eye”). Though "evil eye" does not always mean demonic eyes, yet it may at times. It is true that "the eyes are the windows of the soul." Matthew 6:22 describes the eye as the "lamp of the body." Eyes reveal a lot. Judges, detectives, prosecutors, parents, etc., often intently look into the eyes when questioning a witness, or children when they lie, because the eye can often indicate truth or deception.

The demons Christ encountered in one man were named "Legion" because there were many in that one man. It was not hard to see he was possessed because the man made his home in the tombs, broke his shackles and chains from extraordinary strength, spent his time screaming and cutting himself, and could not be tamed. (Mark 5: 1-20) In Acts chapter sixteen Paul recognized that a slave girl was possessed with a "spirit of python." In our original text, the apostle John, in exhorting Christians to try or test spirits to ascertain whether they are of God or not of God, mentions the "spirit" of Antichrist, which he says resides in everyone who confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, such as the early Gnostic sects. One of the ways to detect whether a person is possessed or influenced by this spirit is to see what they have to say about the Lord Jesus Christ. Recall that we have previously cited the words of the apostle Paul who said: "no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus Christ accursed" (I Cor. 12: 3).

Hypocrite or True Believer?

Many pastors agree that there are many people who profess the name of Christ but who are not true believers, not really saved. These are called hypocrites, fakes (Greek pseudo, "false brethren"; Gal. 2:4), frauds, wolves in sheep's clothing, nominal Christians, etc. So, how can we know who is really saved or not? How can we test or try the profession of a professing Christian? Jesus told us how when he said:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt. 7: 15-20 nkjv)

Though these words address "false prophets" (or false teachers) yet they are applicable to false brethren. We are able to discern their real condition by examining "their fruits." In this way pastors especially are fruit inspectors. There are some things that saved people cannot do. Jesus said his sheep hear only his voice and will not follow the voice of strangers. (John 10: 5) Sheep will not deny that Christ came in the flesh. Sheep will follow Christ their shepherd. True Christians will hold fast to the faith. (I John 2: 19) True believers only recognize Christ as Savior and Lord. Etc. Are we a true sheep of Christ or a wolf in sheep's clothing? On this text John Gill wrote the following on verse 20 (emphasis mine):

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. This is the conclusion of the whole, and a repetition of what is before said, the more to fix the rule of judgment upon their minds, and engage them to try men by their doctrines, and their doctrines by the standard of the Scriptures, and not believe every spirit; for with some care and diligence such persons may be detected, and the malignant influence of their ministry be prevented."

The Lord calls us to make visible to everyone what is invisible, secretive, and sinister, in false teachers. So Jude, the Lord's brother, warned of those false teachers who "crept in unawares" (Jude 1: 4). Paul likewise spoke of those who entered the church for the purpose to "spy" on the apostle and his followers and who also came in "unawares" or by subterfuge. He also wrote: "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." (Gal. 2: 4 kjv) These infiltrators into the Christian community need to have their sins and evil intentions revealed, or uncloaked, uncovered so as to show what it is that motivates them and their sinister designs. To take the cloak off them and to  uncover their pretensions, smokescreens, veneers, semblances, exterior, is our duty. Jesus did this and he is our example. He uncloaked sin. He revealed what people really were. He uncovered their hypocrisy and pretensions. 

Uncloaking Sin

"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin." (John 15: 22 kjv)

Through a cloak you can easily conceal something, such as a dagger. This has given rise to the expression "cloak and dagger," a figure of speech that refers to espionage. To cloak something is to hide it. Star Trek fans will remember that Klingon and Romulan vessels were equipped with cloaking devices that made it so that you couldn’t see their ships coming. It is common for sinners, saved and unsaved, to cloak their sins, so we read where Paul spoke of a "cloak of covetousness." 

"For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness." (I Thess 2: 5 kjv)

Know that Paul says that "covetousness is idolatry." (Col. 3: 5) People cloak covetousness in several ways. One way is by the facade of frugality, by claiming that their unchecked desire to acquire wealth is being prudent, a way to save, or to be financially responsible. While true frugality focuses on minimizing waste to live according to one’s core values, the counterfeit version weaponizes thrift to justify extreme hoarding, ruthlessness, or the exploitation of others. This sin needs to be uncloaked.

The apostle Peter speaks of another sin that wears a cloak, writing these words:

"As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." (I Peter 2: 16 kjv)

On this text Dr. Albert Barnes wrote the following (emphasis mine):

"And not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness - Margin, as in Greek, "having." Not making your freedom a mere pretext under which to practice all kinds of evil. The word rendered "maliciousness" - κακία kakia - means more than our word maliciousness does; for it denotes evil of any kind, or all kinds. The word maliciousness refers rather to enmity of heart, ill-will, an intention to injure. The apostle has reference to an abuse of freedom, which has often occurred. The pretence of these who have acted in this manner has been, that the freedom of the gospel implied deliverance from all kinds of restraint; that they were under no yoke, and bound by no laws; that, being the children of God, they had a right to all kinds of enjoyment and indulgence; that even the moral law ceased to bind them, and that they had a right to make the most of liberty in all respects. Hence, they have given themselves up to all sorts of sensual indulgence, claiming exemption from the restraints of morality as well as of civil law, and sinking into the deepest abyss of vice. Not a few have done this who have professed to be Christians..."

The Pharisees and Sadducees and other Jewish sects that Christ encountered cloaked their sins, especially their hypocrisy. Matthew chapter twenty three gives a discourse of Christ wherein he fully unmasks the hypocrisy and enmity of these groups. He says to them -- “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (vs. 15, 23, 25, 27, 29); "fools and blind!" (vs. 17, 19); "blind guides" (vs. 24); "serpents, brood of vipers!" (vs. 33). He says this unto them to uncloak their real natures:   

"For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (vs. 27-28)

A cloak is simply a covering. Solomon spoke of those who "conceal their sins" rather than confessing them (Prov. 28: 13). Jesus warned: "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." (Luke 12: 2) Some sins will be uncovered in life, but all will be uncovered in the day of judgment. How did Jesus remove the cloaks from the pretensions of false teachers? 

How wisely did Jesus test the spirit of the young ruler who said that he was without sin! We read of this interaction in all three synoptic gospels. He came to Christ with this question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matt. 19: 16) Jesus told him to "keep the commandments," but not because he thought that anyone could be saved that way, but this was Christ's way to uncover the man's covetousness and his erroneous opinion of himself. The ruler responds -- "all these have I kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said -- “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (vs. 21) The result of this instruction is that "the young man...went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (vs. 23) Jesus tested this man's spirit and showed that it was not right.

Testing The Spirits (3)

In the previous two posts on this subject we saw how "spirit" may denote a disembodied being such as angels and demons (or ghosts) but may also denote a person's state of mind, as in having a happy spirit, a vengeful spirit, an angry spirit, etc. So, to "test" or "try" spirits (I John 4) will involve "discernment of spirit" (I Cor. 12: 10) to discover what is influencing a person in what he says and does, especially as it relates to teaching the Bible in the name of Christ. We saw where even born again people, yea, even apostles of Christ, may have a bad spirit or state of mind. 

Anyone who has a smattering of knowledge about church fights and divisions knows this to be true, for many professing Christians who were engaged in such were acting out of a bad spirit or attitude. Oftentimes these church fights reveal a Christian's "true colors." So James the Lord's brother wrote:

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" (James 4: 1 nkjv)

John Gill, commenting on Luke 9: 55 and the case of James and John, said: "...so good men, for want of attention, may not know sometimes from what spirit they act; taking that for a good one, which is a very bad one..." 

This is why there are so many scriptures that warn people to be careful of the spirit that is motivating them, such as when Solomon wrote: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16: 18) As followers of Christ we ought to be careful of the kind of spirit that is moving us to believe things, especially religious dogma, and to do things. We must not only test the spirits of others, but our own spirits. Scripture enjoins us to work on being of a humble and contrite spirit and to avoid being influenced by a proud spirit, a vengeful spirit, etc. 

How many professing Christians have, out of false zeal, killed other Christians who they deemed as "heretics"? So Jesus said: "the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." (John 16: 2 nkjv) In doing this the murderers are acting out of a bad spirit for such zeal comes from a wrong spirit. 

The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to "examine yourselves whether you be in the faith" (II Cor. 13: 5), and this would certainly include examining our spirits. 

Every lost unregenerate sinner is greatly influenced by the "spirit" of the Devil, or "the prince of the power of the air." So wrote the apostle Paul:

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Eph. 2: 1-3 nkjv) 

Here we see that the word "spirit" refers to an intelligent being. However, having this malignant spirit working in a person produces a kind of spirit, attitude, belief system, state of mind, etc. So we read of people being "hardened in spirit" (Deut. 2:30) and having a "spirit of whoredoms" (Hosea 4: 12) and experiencing "vexation of spirit" (Eccl. 1: 14,17), rather than having "a right spirit" (Psa. 51: 10) or "a faithful spirit" (Prov. 11: 13) or a "humble and contrite spirit" (Psa. 34: 18; Prov. 16: 19).

What is said of all men who are "dead in trespasses and sins" in regard to being influenced and controlled by "the spirit" or "the prince of the power of the air" may also be similar to what is said by the prophet: "The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit." (Isa. 19: 14 kjv) This "perverse spirit" was a judgment given by God for Egypt's sins and it "caused Egypt to err" even further. This is similar to what Paul wrote in these words:

"...because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thess. 2: 10b-12 nkjv)

This delusion of mind and spirit is a judgment from the Lord for their rejection of the truth and leads them to believe the lie of the "man of lawlessness." Similarly we read this oracle of the Lord:

"Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin." (Isa. 30: 1 nkjv)

Here there is an allusion to sinners having a rebellious spirit and who devise plans from some other spirit other than Yahweh's Spirit. These have a "spirit of error" as John said (I John 4:6), and "follow deceiving spirits." Of saved people Paul wrote: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (II Tim. 1: 7 nkjv) This "spirit" is a spirit of faith, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, a spirit of a sound mind. The unsaved sinner does not have such a spirit, but has rather a spirit of fear, a weak or impotent spirit, a spirit of hate, and a spirit of foolishness in things pertaining to God. 

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, said to those who were departing from the gospel of grace and embracing salvation by law keeping, "this persuasion comes not from him who calls you." (5:8) You could just as similarly say "this spirit comes not from him who calls you." So we hear Paul say to the Christians in Rome: "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Rom. 7: 6 kjv) Unsaved people do not have this newness of spirit. 

Do you have this newness of spirit? Or, are you trying to serve God or a god by your good works or merit? If so, you have the wrong spirit, the wrong belief, a spirit of error. We will have more to say about that in the next concluding chapter.

Testing The Spirits (2)

"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (I John 4: 1-6)

What is meant by "spirit" and "spirits" in these words? As we saw in the previous post, "spirit" may denote an intelligent being, or may denote an attitude or influence. So we speak of people with "team spirit," or a person who is a "free spirit," or a church that sings with "spirit," or of "Christmas spirit." Does it mean such in the above words of the apostle? Or, is John speaking of evil spirit beings? Or, are both meanings of "spirit" included? How can we "try" or "test" a spirit? 

In the above text we see where "the spirits" are able to "confess" and this would suggest that they are intelligent entities. However, it could be that John means that the person who confesses is confessing by a spirit being's influence. But, even in that case, "spirit" could simply mean "influence," which is what many Bible commentaries suggest is the meaning of "spirit" in this passage. But, some influences may come from spirit beings, either from the singular Spirit of God or from the spirits of demons. So the apostle Paul warned of false teachers who give "heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" and who "speak lies in hypocrisy." (I Tim. 4: 1-2 nkjv) He also wrote: 

"Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." (I Cor. 12: 3 nkjv)

So, people, or preachers, or prophets, may speak by the inspiration or influence of the Spirit of God or by demon spirits. They also may say or teach things from a spirit such as envy or covetousness. So Paul wrote: 

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." (Phil. 1: 15-18 nkjv)

Here we see how people may be influenced in their speech and beliefs by envy, strife, selfish ambition, pretense, or by the love of truth and from goodwill. The scriptures speak of "pretense." Jesus said that the hypocrites "for a pretense make long prayers" in public (Matt. 23: 14; Mark 12: 40) Paul in the above text says that a preacher (speaker) may preach for the wrong reason, from the wrong motive, or wrong spirit. 

In the text we are examining in First John chapter four, we must also consider the fact that John mentions the "spirit of error" and "the spirit of truth." This would suggest that by "spirit" or "spirits" John does not strictly denote spirit beings. Also, when John says "every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God" he cannot mean the Holy Spirit because "every spirit" denotes more than one. So "every spirit" means "every person." But, every person who confesses Christ is doing so from his renewed spirit which is governed by the Holy Spirit. Every such confessor is described as "spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb. 12: 23). Mary, the blessed mother of Jesus, said "my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1: 47) and Paul said "if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays" (I Cor. 14: 14). Every believer's spirit in confessing Christ is "speaking by the Spirit of God" as Paul said. 

So, how do believers put demonic spirits on trial? Is it not by trying the human persons, the false prophets and teachers? Is it not by trying their teachings by the standard of God's word? If trying a person's religious beliefs is trying their spirit, does it mean trying their spirit or inner being, or trying what is influencing them, trying their state of mind? How do believers try the spirits, i.e. the moods, motivations, attitudes, influences, etc., of such teachers? How did Paul know if someone was a pretender? He said "some preach Christ" out of envy and strife, or for ulterior purposes, so how did he know who was operating from such a wrong purpose or state of mind? 

Recall that I cited the words of the Lord Jesus from Luke chapter nine where he said to James and John, two of his original apostles -- "You know not what kind of spirit you are of" (Luke 9: 55). So, even holy men of God may at times be motivated by an evil or erroneous spirit or state of mind, or principle of belief. These two apostles thought that the Samaritans who had rejected Christ ought to be instantly destroyed by calling down fire from heaven as Elijah did. Christ corrected them by telling them that the spirit moving them was not a good or right spirit and their reasoning for believing that this should be done was erroneous, for Christ said to them "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Christ judged or tried their spirit and false beliefs. Christ had what the Bible calls "discernment of spirit." 

Discerning Of Spirits

"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits..." (I Cor. 12: 10)

What does it mean to be a discerner of spirits? What is meant by "spirits" in this text? In the case above, Christ discerned that the spirit motivating James and John was not a wicked spiritual being necessarily, but a "spirit of error," a bad "spirit of mind," perhaps an "angry" or "vengeful spirit," and certainly not a "meek and quiet spirit." It was not a "spirit of wisdom." It was not a "holy spirit." 

In this text Paul says that "discerning of spirits" is a special gift of God given to one saint and not to another, each saint having his or her own peculiar gift. That does not mean however that every saint cannot in any degree be a discerner of spirits. In the lists of these special gifts of God Paul mentions "faith" (vs. 9), which denotes special or great faith, faith that can do miraculous things. This kind of faith he describes in chapter Thirteen when he said: "and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains..." (vs. 2). All believers in Christ have faith, but all do not have the supernatural gift of faith so as to be able to have power over the physical world to work miracles. Likewise, all believers should be able to discern spirits though not to the degree as those who are especially given the gift of "discerning of spirits." Anyone who has the Spirit of God abiding in him is able to have spiritual "discernment" of the Scriptures or things of the Spirit. (I Cor. 2: 14) In Malachi God promised to so redeem his people that they would "return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." Mal. 3: 18 kjv)

In Hebrews 5:13-14 we read that a believer who has matured beyond using the milk of the word as a babe in Christ is able to discern both good and evil. This involves having spiritual insight, the ability to perceive a person's state of mind, intentions, or motivating spirit, being a kind of spiritual intuition. It seems to be the ability to "see right through people," to discern their insincerity, pretensions, subversions, and hypocrisy. The apostle Peter when dealing with the false convert Simon the sorcerer, said to him "For I see (or perceive) that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." (Acts 8: 23) We see this ability exemplified in Jesus in this passage: "And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" (Mark 2: 8 kjv)

Wrote Barnes in his commentary:

"To another discerning of spirits - compare 1 John 4:1. This must refer to some power of searching into the secrets of the heart; of knowing what were a man's purposes, views, and feelings. It may relate either to the power of determining by what spirit a man spoke who pretended to be inspired, whether he was truly inspired or whether he was an impostor; or it may refer to the power of seeing whether a man was sincere or not in his Christian profession. That the apostles had this power, is apparent from the case of Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-10, and from the case of Elymas, Acts 13:9-11."

"Testing the spirits" means to test that animating or motivating principle, or influence, within the psyche of prophets and Bible teachers, whether good or bad. "Spirit" thus may speak to a hidden inner purpose, to a disposition and attitude, to a sentiment and feeling, to a state of mind. But, if that is so, how can you test an attitude? A disposition? Etc.? Do believers have a kind of Rorschach test for the spirits of false prophets and teachers? Are there psychological tests for heretics? Testing the spirits involves testing what comes from the "spirit of the mouth," or testing words and other verbal expressions. It is testing the thing which motivates these false teachers, whether it be ego, money, prestige, fame, etc. It is to test the pretensions, the veneers, the cloaks, the hidden intentions, of the false teachers. 

In the previous post we saw how "the breath" of the mouth is called "spirit" or pneuma in the Bible. So, Christ, when he returns will destroy the wicked with the "breath of his mouth." (II Thess. 2:8; Isa. 11:4) In these texts his breath stands for his word. In Revelation 19: 15 we read: "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations." (kjv) Just as the breath signifies word, so too does sword signify the same. So, in trying the "spirits" (air or breath) we are trying the word or teachings of false teachers and those who claim to be prophets of God. 

Further, it is from man's inner spirit that religious thoughts originate. So Paul wrote: "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?" (I Cor. 2: 11 nkjv) Further, the "heart" of a person, in the Bible, denotes the center or core of his being, and often is used as a synonym for "spirit." So Jesus said:

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6: 45 nkjv)

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. " (Matt. 15: 18-19 nkjv)

"Out of the heart" also means "out of the spirit." So we read: "They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isa. 29: 24)

To err in what is taught by the mouth is to err in heart or spirit.

How are we to try or judge what comes out of the mouths of Bible teachers? Nearly all Protestants affirm that it is by comparing teachings by the Scriptures, which is the standard, the only rule of faith and practice. So we read that this is what the Christians in Berea did:

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17: 11 kjv)

Isaiah also said:

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8: 20 kjv)

The apostle Paul also said:

"Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. " (I Cor. 14: 29 nkjv)

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." (I Cor. 14: 37 nkjv)

In the next chapter we will continue our thoughts on this subject.

Testing The Spirits (1)

In this short series we will examine how the word "spirit" or "spirits" is used in the Bible and in every day speech. As we will see, the Bible uses these words in the same way people do in their conversations. Sometimes the word denotes the immaterial, non-corporeal, aspect of a human being, similar to the word "soul." Sometimes the word spirit refers to incorporeal beings. God is Spirit (John 4: 24) and does not have a physical body, though he did appear in a human body when he became a man, and the Son of God, before his incarnation, appeared in a human form in the old testament period. These appearances are called "Christophanies" or "Theophanies." It seems that God often appeared to Adam and Eve in a human form when they were in the Garden of Eden, for we read that he came to them "walking in the cool of the day" (Gen. 3: 8). 

Angels also are disembodied spirits. (Heb. 1: 7, 14) But they have the ability to appear in human bodies. They appeared as such to Abraham and visited Sodom before its destruction. (Gen. 8 and 9) Two angels in bright shining clothes appeared at the grave of Jesus and were seen in human form. (Luke 24: 4-6) When Christ ascended into heaven we are told that "two men" who were angels in white raiment were present and gave a message to the disciples who were present. (Acts 1: 10-11) The writer of Hebrews said - "do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." (13: 2) It is also a common belief of old testament Jews and new testament Christians that the "sons of God" in Genesis chapter six were angels who sinned by having sexual relations with the "daughters of men." 

In the Bible we also read about "wicked spirits" or "demons," and also about "ghosts," or the disembodied spirits of the departed dead. We must also not forget that every person has a spirit embodied in his or her body. (I Cor. 2: 11)

But, in the scriptures, as in common speech, "spirit" or "spirits" also refers to things that are not beings. So we refer to alcoholic beverages as "spirits," probably because it puts those who drink much of it into a different mood or spirit. We also have what are called "mineral spirits," called such probably because of the odor or air they emit, for "spirit" often means air, breath, or wind. It is from the Greek word pneuma which means such. We have many words in English derived from pneuma, such as pneumonia, pneumatic, etc. dealing with the idea of "air."

"Spirit" or pneuma may denote "an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms." It is also defined as a "temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated," as in speaking of someone who is "in high spirits." It is also defined as "the activating or essential principle influencing a person." It is also defined as being "an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind" and as "a special attitude or frame of mind" as in "the money making spirit." Mood is also a word often used to describe spirit, as in "he is in a bad spirit." The ideas of wind and breath are also often connected with passion, with the quality and nature of something, with passionate speech, as we will see.

Spirit or air is often connected with a man's words as we see this in this passage: "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord..." (Acts 9: 1) The Psalmist mentions those who "breathe out cruelty" (Psa. 27: 12). Jesus "breathed on" the disciples and said to them -- "receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20: 22) In the creation story we are told that God "breathed" into body of Adam "the breath of life" so that he became a living soul, obtaining his spirit thereby. (Gen. 2:7)

Then there are those passages that speak of spirit in conjunction with mouth or speech. An angel was sent out in judgment to be "a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets." (I Kings 22: 22-23) When Christ returns he will destroy the man of sin "with the breath (spirit) of his mouth" (II Thess. 2: 8). Isaiah said Christ the Lord would "smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." (11: 4)

"Air" as a metaphor can mean “the general appearance or character of something.” Something might have “an air of originality” or someone might have an “air of importance.” Since at least the 1700’s "airs" in the plural has been used to refer to a false show of pride. Thus to "put on airs" is to apply a false veneer of superiority to oneself. We also use the word "atmosphere" in a figurative way to describe the mood of a setting, and the "vibes" of it. So we speak of people who show an "air of superiority."

There are other words connected with the idea of air or wind in relation to words such as "blustering," which is a "speaking loudly and aggressively," as in blustery talk, in noisy self-assertive language. There is "windy speech," a being "long winded" in discourse. A similar metaphor for air (wind, spirit, or breath) is the word "flatulent," a word that literally refers to an "act of blowing air," from a Latin verb meaning "to blow," but which is applied to speech as when people speak of certain speakers "blowing hot air" or of "flatulent rhetoric." It can also be seen when we speak of a report or statement being "overblown." Also when people say of someone that he is "full of hot air." There is such a thing as "inflated discourse," and "inflated egos," instances where the metaphor of air or breath is involved. 

The idea of air, wind, or spirit is also seen in the word "puff," as in "puffed up," as when Paul wrote: "that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up (Greek 'physioo') for one against another." (I Cor. 4: 6) Strong says physioo means "to inflate, blow up, to cause to swell up; to puff up, make proud; to be puffed up, to bear one's self loftily, be proud" (Strong) Paul used this expression frequently, especially in his first letter to the Corinthians. Notice these:

"Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you." (4: 18)

"the speech of them which are puffed up" (vs. 19)

"you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned" (5: 2)

"Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies." (8: 1)

"charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up" (13: 4)

"vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Col. 2: 18)

Sophists, popular worldly speakers, false teachers and prophets, are they who are "inflated" in their appraisals of themselves, in their opinions, in their egos, and thus have a "proud spirit." The source or reason for this puffed up attitude and frame of mind is "the fleshly mind." The thing to counteract this inflation of spirit, this pride, is divine love. It deflates rather than inflates pride. Such airy discourse is immoderate or extravagant. The speech that is intended to "allure" or attract sinful lusts, as Peter described when he wrote: "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error." (II Peter 2: 18) Used car salesmen have been known for their "puffery," where a car is described in far better ways than it actually is. Airy, puffy, or windy speech use swell words. So we speak also of "airy speech" or "blustery speech." "Tumorous speech" denoting swollen, arrogant, vainglorious, bombastic speech.

That "spirit" also sometimes denotes a state of mind, emotional state, attitude, or disposition, is seen in these statements:

"You know not what kind of spirit you are of" (Luke 9: 55)

"meek and quiet spirit" (I Peter 3: 4; I Cor. 4: 21; Gal. 6: 1)

"contrite and humble spirit" vs "proud spirit"

"spirit of fear" (II Tim. 1: 7)

"slave spirit" (Rom. 8: 14)

"strong in spirit" vs "weak spirit"

"fervent in spirit" (Rom. 12: 11)

"spirit of holiness" (Rom. 1: 4)

"newness of spirit" (Rom. 7: 6)

"spirit of slumber" (Rom. 11: 8)

"spirit of faith" (II Cor. 4: 13)

"spirit of wisdom and revelation" (Eph. 1: 17)

"spirit of your mind" (Eph. 4: 23)

"spirit of glory" (I Peter 4: 14)

In none of these passages is "spirit" to be understood as a non-corporeal being. "Spirit" in these passages denotes "air," metaphorically speaking. 

Notice how "spirit" is used in this prophecy:

"And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." (Isa. 11: 2)

Paul talks about "letter" versus "spirit" and so do teachers of law. (II Cor. 3: 6)

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary says:

"The Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "spirit" is ruah. It appears 389 times in the Old Testament. Its varied use almost defies analysis, but some emphases are discernible. It is used more often of God (136 times) than of persons or animals (129 times). 

Its basic meaning is wind (113 times). The trees of the forest sway before a wind (Isa 7:2); a wind sweeps over the waters (Gen 1:2); and the Lord walked in the garden at the breezy time of day (Gen 3:8). It was an east wind that brought locusts (Exod 10:13) and a strong east wind that divided the Red Sea and dried it up (Exod 14:21). 

 

Breath is also a basic meaning of this term. It is the Lord who gives breath to people (Isa 42:5) and to lifeless bodies (in 1:1 Ezek 37:9-10 in; this chapter there is a wordplay on ruah [;jWr], allowing it to mean wind, breath, spirit a similar phenomenon is found in John 3:5 John 3:8; where pneuma [pneu'ma] means both wind and spirit). It is also used of bad breath Job's breath was repulsive to his wife (Job 19:17)."

 

In the latter case, "bad spirit" denotes "bad breath."

"Ruah can also refer to feelings..."Shortness" of spirit is impatience, whereas "longness" of spirit is patience (Prov 14:29). To be proud in spirit is to be arrogant (Eccl 7:8). The suspicious husband is said to have a (fit) spirit of jealousy (Numbers 5:14; Numbers 5:30)." (Baker's)

In the next chapter we will finish our thoughts on this topic and word study.

Colossians 1: 24 Difficulty

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church." (Col. 1: 24 kjv) 

When this verse is first read it causes the reader to wonder what Paul could mean when he implies that the "afflictions of Christ" are in need of being filled up by Paul's sufferings. The afflictions or sufferings of Christ are ended and are sufficient in themselves and need no addition. Right? Commentators give several ways to interpret Paul's words, but they all agree that what they seem to say is repugnant. But, we should keep in mind that things are not always as they seem to be.

Gill in his commentary wrote the following, and I believe he is correct in his interpretation:

"and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh; by which are meant not the afflictions or sufferings of Christ in his own person; for these were all over, he was now entered into his glory, was exalted at the Father's right hand, and was crowned with glory and honour: there was nothing left behind of his sufferings, to be undergone by any of his people; he had drank of the cup and all the dregs of it; he had sustained the whole of his Father's wrath, and all the curses of the law, being abated nothing, but was made perfect through sufferings; having perfectly suffered all, he suffered once and once for all, he will suffer no more; nor is there any need of his suffering more or again, for he has finished sin, wrought righteousness, made peace, and obtained eternal redemption; nor had he any partner in his sufferings, nor did he need any, or left any part of his sufferings to be filled up by others; for he endured all and the whole, which the law and justice of God could require in his own body, in the body of his flesh through death; of these sufferings the apostle does not speak, but of such which he filled up in "his" own "flesh"; and design the afflictions of Christ in his members, which are called "his", because of that near union there is between Christ and them; so that what befalls them may be predicated of him; when anyone of them suffers, he suffers with him, as the sufferings of a part of the body are ascribed to the whole person; and because of that sympathy there is between them, he has a fellow feeling with his people in all their infirmities; in all their afflictions he is afflicted: if Saul persecutes his saints, he persecutes him; whatever injury is done to them, he takes it as done to himself, who are to him as the apple of his eye. Moreover, hereby they are conformed unto him, and made like him; as he was, so are they in this world; there is a good deal of likeness between the afflictions of Christ and his people, though in some things there is a great disparity; add to this, that the afflictions of the saints are endured for Christ's sake, for the sake of his Gospel, and the profession of his name, and therefore called his, and the more cheerfully bore by them: now of these there were some remains to be filled up by the apostle; not that all the afflictions of the whole body of Christ were to be, or have been filled up by him; there was a great deal left behind by him to be filled up by others, and which has been filling up ever since, and still is, and yet all is not fulfilled to this day, nor will be till the end of time; but he speaks only of that part and measure of them, which was to be filled up in his flesh; he had his measure of afflictions allotted to him, great part of which he had endured already, but some remained, the measure was not yet full, though pretty near being completed, which gave him pleasure..."

By the "afflictions of Christ" or "sufferings of Christ" Paul does not allude to what Christ suffered at the hands of the Romans prior to his crucifixion and including his crucifixion, in his physical body, but rather refers to the sufferings and afflictions of his mystical body, the church, the people of God, which with Christ is identified. 

When the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the persecuting and murderous Christ hater, Saul of Tarsus, he said to him -- "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4) Saul was not personally persecuting Jesus for he was no longer on earth as before. So, in these words, Christ says that in Saul's persecuting of Christians he was persecuting him. 

Of these sufferings of Christians for the sake of Christ, Paul reminded the Christians, saying -- "that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this." (I Thess. 3: 3 nkjv) And, every Christian has his peculiar afflictions ordained for him in life and he will not die until he or she has experienced them to the glory of God. When Christ appeared to Ananias in order to inform him of Saul's conversion and to appoint him to go to Saul so that he might minister to him, he said to him:

"But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9: 15-16 nkjv)

Notice the words "how many" and "must." These words tell us that Saul, who became the apostle Paul, had a certain number of afflictions and sufferings to endure for Christ's sake. These afflictions Christ owns as his own. We see this same truth implied in the following text:

"9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." (Rev. 6: 9-11 nkjv)

There was a certain "number" of martyrs, a certain limit to such persecution, that must be met before the day of the Lord's vengeance and retribution. In Genesis 15: 16 we hear the Lord say of the time when the Lord would punish Israel's enemies and persecutors -- "for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Not only is there an ordained amount of iniquity, limited by God, but there is also an ordained amount of suffering for every believer, and when that number has been reached, the believer will be called to his home in glory.