p. 2 | TRY THE SPIRITS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 18, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 16.

"TRY THE SPIRITS."

By G.

WHY?—Because all are not to be believed. What does the apostle mean by spirits?—He means teachers, and the spirits by which they are actuated. The additional reason for trying them is that "many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4: 1. Was this true only in those early days?—No, it is especially true of the "latter times." Of this the apostle Paul says: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4: 1. When the disciples of Jesus asked Him concerning His coming, and the end of the world, He said: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Matt. 24: 4, 5.

By what standard, then, shall the spirits be tried?—"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8: 20. Any one who is honestly striving to proclaim the truth will always be willing to have his teaching tested by the Word of God. Jesus and His apostles always appealed to the Scriptures. Jesus reported to His Father, "I have given them Thy Word;" "Thy Word is truth." By His Spirit He had before said, "Thy law is the truth." Ps. 119: 142. "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Verse 1.

When He would fully convince His disciples of the truth that He must needs have died and been raised again on the third day, He opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. Luke 24: 44-47. As their final equipment as His representatives in the Gospel work, He sent them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, which was to guide them into all truth. John 16: 7, 13.

The apostle Paul commended the Bereans because they searched the Scriptures to see whether the things he taught them were true. And all the New Testament teachers and writers recognized the fact stated by Paul, that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Then no one need be led astray by the delusions that are everywhere extant; for God has given us a standard of truth, and the Spirit of understanding is for all who will ask for it in faith. Asking in faith means walking in the light of duty as fast as it is made plain by the Scriptures, in answer to earnest, honest prayer and study.