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Pass The Test

March 24th, 2023

1 John 4:1-6

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m just not a good test taker”? The implication is that a person can become paralyzed when it comes to putting knowledge to pencil and paper during tests. 

The same thing can occur when someone is confronted with questions or statements which contradict Scripture. Bible content we’ve known a lifetime can just vaporize. Fear of not being able to defend the faith or refute false doctrine can be immobilizing.

The apostle John gives good advice:  Take a breath (my paraphrase). Then “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1a). Test how? “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:2b-3).

Obviously, we should study to present ourselves “to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV).  Also recognize that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4a). Start there. Start with Jesus!

Author: Tim Kellerman