Bible Study

Title: Spirits You Must Know
Date: Nov 24, 2008
Topic(s): Other
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 John 2:21-22, Ephesians 4:25, John 16:13, John 14:6, Genesis 3:5, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 John 4:6, John 8:44, John 14:16-17, John 17:17, Matthew 7:13

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When Jesus contrasted the narrow gate that leads to life with the wide gate that leads to destruction, He was warning people that there are only two possible choices open to them when it comes to eternity (see Matthew 7:13). When the Lord talked about men building either on the rock or on sinking sand, He was offering them the same two choices (Matthew 7:24-27).

Today, it is common to talk about one's worldview, which is the way you look at all of reality and how your "view" of reality forms your basis for making decisions about life.

The Bible teaches that you have only two choices for forming your basic worldview--two spheres that are available to you as you travel the brief time in this world until you enter the door into eternity. One of those worldviews is in the sphere of God's truth; the other, in the sphere of Satan's lie. The narrow way is clearly God's only way; the broad way gives the appearance of offering many choices--but all are merely different forms of Satan's deception.

Today, let's look at some of the many scriptures that speak of God's truth and Satan's lie.

What Does God Say?

God's truth rests in the very nature of God Himself. It is revealed in Christ and the written Word. Satan's lie came about because of his rebellion against God. It is disseminated by him through false religion, false teachers, demonic activity and every other form of deceit and ungodliness.

The apostle John spoke of two spirits in 1 John 4:6 (ESV): "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit; the spirit of error is Satan, who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with the lie: "You will be like God" (Genesis 3:5). The devil has been telling that lie to mankind ever since. Truth mixed with error will always be error. As someone has said, "Ninety-eight percent of rat poison consists of good food."

My Thoughts

Following are some Bible statements about the truth and the lie. Look them up and jot down your answers to the questions.

• John 8:44. According to Jesus, what are some of the chief characteristics of the devil?
• John 14:6. What four things does Jesus proclaim about Himself?
• John 14:16-17. What is the world's relationship to the Spirit of Truth? What is the Christian's?
• John 16:13. What does the Spirit of Truth do for the believer?
• John 17:17. In His prayer, what does Jesus say about God's Word?
• Ephesians 4:25. What should a believer put away? What is he or she to do with the truth? Why?
• 1 Timothy 2:4. What is God's desire for all people?

My Part

As a believer, you must dedicate yourself to faithfully learning the difference between the teachings of the Spirit of Truth and the lure of the spirit of error. The devil scatters lies all around us in cults, false religions, atheism, materialism, twisted scriptures and a myriad of other ways. But you will find the truth for the right worldview in only one place: the living Word of God, which has been given to us by the Spirit of Truth.

Put away this verse in your heart:

1 John 2:21-22: "I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son."

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