1 John 4:1-6
As many times as I have read this passage over the years, I never had the thought in regard to it that I had recently. I had always thought of it strictly in the context of presenters of the Gospel (preachers, teachers, writers, singers). But a few days ago I saw something more.
Specifically it says, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God . . .”, and then, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God. Every spirit that acknowledges Jesus has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist . . .”
For some reason this time when I read it, television shows came to mind. Is there not a spirit about them? This passage tells us that we should ‘test the spirits to see whether they are from God’. It’s almost like if there is not a disclaimer before each show, book or song, like, ‘We acknowledge that Jesus is from God’, or ‘We do not acknowledge that Jesus is from God’, then we assume we are clear to watch, read, or listen to it.
My wife and I were in the mood for a no-brainer movie one night and thought Bride Wars might be decent. About half way through the movie, something struck me. As if perfectly normal, the movie casts these two ‘to-be-brides’ in live-in situations with their boyfriends. If you think a little outside the box, can you not see the spirit without the disclaimer?
John’s words, written 2000 years ago are as good for today as they were then. We must ‘test the spirits’. His words and others were written for our benefit; but before they can be of benefit to us, we must first be familiar with them. Before we can recognize the spirit that is anti Christ, we must first become familiar with the Spirit that is Christ.
I used a Garmin for the first time on a trip recently. Never having used one, I could not understand how they could actually be helpful. I could not get over how accurate it was. It is the same way with our Bibles. It is amazingly accurate. I challenge you to give it a try so you can be better equipped to ‘test the spirits’.
Hunger and Thirst 
Mike,
How true. The “spirit” in most movies these days certainly is not from God. We have noticed that even advertisements on T.V. often do not have a good spirit. Instead, they are pushing very ungodly lifestyles and attitudes.
The greater share of today’s music also promotes an ungodly spirit. One could say the same for many areas of life in this world. So, yes. We do need to constantly be aware of what we choose to fill our lives with.
Margaret
Very, very perceptive Mike
I have, for as long as I can remember, believed that most TV was demonically motivated, although I had not previously connected it with your interesting scripture!
Here in the UK there have beeen a number of high profile murders where children have enacted stuff they have been watching on videos. Yet the defenders of this vile stuff always claim that TV and film has no influence on human behaviour.
If that is the case how is it that advertisers claim that TV advertising is the most effective media for changing the public’s habits and behaviour for huge profit.
Reading your post did trigger this thought.-
Matt16v13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others,
Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because FLESH AND BLOOD DID NOT REVEAL THIS TO YOU, BUT MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.
The bit that hits me here is, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you”. What flesh and blood?
There was only one flesh and blood relevant to the question, and that was Jesus himself demonstrating the character of God every day. But rather than Jesus, it was the Father in Heaven which convicted Peter, obviously via the Holy Spirit.
So when I hear the word of truth, via bible, prophetic word, or vision etc, it is the Spirit which works with my spirit to convict and perhaps persuade me to open the door of my heart. Whether I open or remain closed depends on the hardness of my heart. I am not necessarily doing much more within me other than being welcoming and agreeing inwardly with all I am hearing. This is the signal for the spirit to work. I do not actually hear a doorbell or knocker hammering inside me. (ok sometimes I do!)
Now completely reverse all this thought. The words which we might hear are evil and very unholy, coming through TV or in the schoolyard or bar. As this is floating all over and through us, other spirits are at work, a bit like in the Garden of Eden challenging us inwardly to agree with this filth. Our eyes see that this is good, and we easily tumble into agreement. The door blows open a bit and a foot enters, a little more and a demon quietly slips through and settles on the internal sofa to watch and enjoy what is entertaining me.
Ouch, yuk.
I am convinced that TV is one of Satan’s biggest tools to destroy our resistance. My wife and I got so disgusted with what was available in the UK that we disconnected the aerial earlier this year, and since then have only watched videos of our choice rather than drift into watching what floods from the screen every night.
And yes, we often recognise the demonic stuff which is behind some videos. We then fast forward or pull the video out and throw it in the bin, and also throw out the demons at the same time!