1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God… These words very plainly pointed at the false pretenders to the Spirit, appearing in those early days. I. FROM WHAT SPRINGS OR MOTIVES THE FALSE PRETENCES TO THE SPIRIT GENERALLY PROCEED. Vainglory, or a thirst after fame, is often the most prevailing motive. But to go a little deeper; self-love, of some kind or other, is the general root of all. Who does not wish to be one of the favourites of heaven, and to be extraordinarily illuminated, or conducted by God's Holy Spirit? When the pleasing delusion is once indulged thus far, the man begins presently to fancy himself a kind of saint upon earth, or perhaps an apostle. It is not to be doubted but that persons of this unhappy complexion must have some appearances whereby to deceive their own hearts. II. BY WHAT RULES OR MARKS ANY PRETENCES OF THAT KIND MAY BE TRIED, AND DETECTED TO BE FALSE AND VAIN. 1. Boasting and ostentation are a flat contradiction to the very supposal of the ordinary graces boasted of; because humility and modesty are the very chief graces upon which all the rest hang. 2. Another sure, mark of a false spirit is disobedience to rule and order, contempt of lawful authority, and especially any intruding into what does not belong to them. 3. Another sure mark of a false spirit is the laying down deceitful rules or tokens whereby to judge, whether or when a man has the spirit of God. There have been many who have laid great stress upon I know not what sensible emotions, or violent impulses, coming upon them at times. III. HOW MUCH IT CONCERNS US TO BE UPON OUR GUARD IN SUCH CASES. Religion, like all other weighty concernments, is best carried on in the calm, regular, and sedate way; and there fore great care should be taken to keep up the old and well-tried methods, rather than to change them for new devices, which will never answer. (D. Waterland, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. |
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