I believe I came across a GOOD READ ( commentary from BibleGateway ) on how to discern the Sprite of the truth from the world. Its well worth the read based on 1 John » Chapter 4 » exegesis View 1 John 4:1-6
Here a little of
"Discerning the Spirits
My husband and I are birdwatchers. No serious "birder" would be without a good field guide or two. A field guide is simply a book with pictures and descriptions of birds and their chief identifying characteristics, including size, coloration, voice, range, habitat and so on. With a field guide and a little practice, one can become adept at identifying literally hundreds of birds.
What this passage gives us is in its own way a "field guide" to iden tifying or discerning "spirits." Specifically, it calls attention to two distinct "field marks" of various spirits: first, what they say or teach; second, who hears or accepts their teaching. That seems straightforward enough. With this knowledge in mind, we ought to be able to venture forth to spot and identify a variety of spirits, simply by checking each species against our guide. Why, then, does it seem that so many people cannot see the spirits for what they are and fall prey to all varieties of heresies, misin terpretations of Scripture, cults and fads? And even when we can discern truth from error and determine that a particular teaching, person or group is wrong, what are we to do? Is it enough not to follow that teaching? Are we, as individuals or as a church, to do something more than resist perversions of the truth, as important as that is? Such questions are not easily answered. After a look at the content of the passage under consideration, we will suggest some guidelines--and call attention to some of the difficulties--in this matter of discerning the spirits."
Much more can be learned by reading the full text. - 1 John 4 Commentary - Discerning the Spirits - BibleGateway.com
Here a little of
"Discerning the Spirits
My husband and I are birdwatchers. No serious "birder" would be without a good field guide or two. A field guide is simply a book with pictures and descriptions of birds and their chief identifying characteristics, including size, coloration, voice, range, habitat and so on. With a field guide and a little practice, one can become adept at identifying literally hundreds of birds.
What this passage gives us is in its own way a "field guide" to iden tifying or discerning "spirits." Specifically, it calls attention to two distinct "field marks" of various spirits: first, what they say or teach; second, who hears or accepts their teaching. That seems straightforward enough. With this knowledge in mind, we ought to be able to venture forth to spot and identify a variety of spirits, simply by checking each species against our guide. Why, then, does it seem that so many people cannot see the spirits for what they are and fall prey to all varieties of heresies, misin terpretations of Scripture, cults and fads? And even when we can discern truth from error and determine that a particular teaching, person or group is wrong, what are we to do? Is it enough not to follow that teaching? Are we, as individuals or as a church, to do something more than resist perversions of the truth, as important as that is? Such questions are not easily answered. After a look at the content of the passage under consideration, we will suggest some guidelines--and call attention to some of the difficulties--in this matter of discerning the spirits."
Much more can be learned by reading the full text. - 1 John 4 Commentary - Discerning the Spirits - BibleGateway.com
Last edited:
is that! PLUS, when you live in retirement apartments, people come out and sing Christmas carols, hand out candy and fruit, and others just uplift you! Now that's been COOL as well!
Sooooooo, it's been good and bad. Regardless, I love my Jesus! His Name is Wonderful, His Name is Wonderful, His Name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord...........................
We have a Chaplain and he is a sweetheart!
