Check the Source!

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world." -I John 4:1-3 (NASB)

One of the lessons I try to teach my students is that you can't believe everything you hear or read. It's important to check the source of the information. It is important to compare new information with what is known in order to be sure it is true and correct. The Bible teaches us this same lesson.

In I John (4:1-3) we are reminded that there are distractions that try to lead us astray. To avoid going the wrong way, we are given a simple test to evaluate what we are hearing. The test has one important question: Does the source claim that Jesus came to earth from God? The first thing we are looking for is the source truly claiming, "yes." We should also compare the claims to what we know are the true teachings of the Bible. Once we have tested the source, then we can be reassured about the message.

Don't be easily persuaded. Check and test the source before believing the message.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and Your unchanging message of love and redemption. Help me to always check the source before believing the message. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.