Test The Spirits | Part 3: The Spirit of Deception

TEST THE SPIRITS

Part 3: The Spirit of Deception

July 20, 2025

 

1 John 4:6 (NLT) But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

 

Matthew 24:24 (NIV) For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

What You See Isn’t All There Is

 

Acts 16:16-18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination

 

Acts 16:16-18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

 

• : to self, to others.
• :  to self, to others.
• :  to self, to others.
• :  to self, to others

The Spirit of Deception in the Church

• False .

Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV) Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

• False .

Matthew 7:21 (LB) Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven.

• The .

Matthew 7:22-23 (LB) At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’

Red Flags: Signs of the Spirit of Deception

1. Distortion of .

1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

2. Resistance to .

Proverbs 12:1 (NIV) Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

John 8:47 (NIV) Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.

3. .

John 3:19-21 (NIV) This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

4. Sows .

Titus 3:9-11 (NIV) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

 

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV) There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

5. and .

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV) For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

3 Responses: Healing, Humility, Honesty

 

1. Some are deceived because they’re : .

You need and to show you what you can’t see.

 

2. Some are hiding out of : and .
You need to let God heal what you’re .

 

3. Some are knowingly hiding to : deliberate .
It’s time for before you what you .