How to Judge Spiritual Movements - part four

Under Construction . . . .

In part four, I want to briefly look at another fruit from scripture.  The focus, expressed in each article, is not targeted toward a person or an event but is meant to be a series of contemplations on the scriptural guidelines regarding spiritual movements. After all, there are specific biblical accounts in which God did clearly manifest His presence. Jesus stated, “each tree is known by its own fruit” Luke 6:44. 


Let’s look at another biblical fruit and wisely discern modern day spiritual movements.

4.  True spiritual movements of God will always see God's light dispel spiritual darkness. 

The Spirit of God drives out spiritual darkness of all kinds.  The Apostle John tells us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness.  In the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm, light dispels darkness.

I John 1:5-7  5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

When the Holy Spirit is at work, drawing people to Jesus, He drives spiritual darkness and evil.  Consider the story of Philip in Samaria.  Acts 8:5-6 tells us that Philip “began proclaiming Christ to them” and “The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.”  Going back to Fruit One in this series, the Holy Spirit exalts Christ, not Himself.  As Philip preached Christ, the Holy Spirit drew the crowds to Christ.  The Holy Spirit drove out spiritual darkness.  Verse 7 records, “For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.”

The Holy Spirit worked through the Apostles and then through Peter in Acts 5. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Matthew 8:16-17  16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.”

Mark 1:22-27  22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

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