We live in extraordinary times. People are making startling spiritual claims. Just because counterfeit Christians, however, propagate bizarre errors, doesn't mean we throw out the possibility of all genuine spiritual activity completely. Clearly, if Satan wants to deceive most effectively, he will present his deception as something that appears most similar to what is genuine; safe, right and respectable. So how can we distinguish? The Bible makes it obvious. There are signs that we should not trust and there are signs we should trust. We can't trust a strong show of emotions. Yet that doesn't mean that in a true work of the Spirit that there are no strong emotions when appreciating the truth. Nor can we trust a person's ability to speak passionately about what they believe. Yet of course, the truth is accompanied by this passion. Then the Bible also shows that fervent religious activity is no sure evidence of a true work of the Spirit. Look at the Pharisees. Yet a true work of the Spirit drives believers to fervent service. Dreams and visions too are no final acid test. Often, people whose claim to authority over others is based upon their dreams or visions, live ungodly lives by that same authority. Gratefully there are some positive signs of a genuine work of the Spirit. The firs is the content of what the person believes and teaches. They are devoted to Jesus Christ. They are constantly putting personal sin to death. They love the apostles teaching. They have a heart for other people because they love God.
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