941 Testing Our Ideas Part 2 - 1 John 4:2-3

Have you ever given someone a bad idea?   "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that 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 already is in the world." 1 John 4:2-3 NASB   Ideas can come to us from anywhere. But we know the world, and our own flesh and our pride, our own desires are fallen (1 John 2:16). Everything in the world or part of the world system, can pull us away from God. The third way we can get pulled away is by our enemy the devil (1 Peter 5:8).   Here, we're being reminded that we can test our ideas, how we spend our time, and what we do by this standard. If it lines up with Jesus, it is from him. And if it doesn't, well, it's not from him. That's how we know that appreciating, serving and loving others is generally a good idea. Jesus said he came to serve (Mark 10:45). Paul tells us that if we don't have love, nothing else matters (1 Corinthians 13).   Today, let's ask God for some ideas of ways to serve the people we're around. If God gives you an idea, test it. See if it lines up with his word and the Holy Spirit. And if it passes the test, do it. Even if you're not sure, try. Screw up in gear. Let's be people who love Jesus and do what he says.   Also, if you find these podcasts helpful to you in your daily walk with Jesus, please consider becoming a monthly donor. We're donor supported. You can make a one-time or recurring donation on our home page, www.FollowerofOne.org.