Discernment and the Gift of Discerning of Spirits

AKGW Kanesatake Pentecostal Church April 18^th, 2021

Quote from Chapter 17, I Hear Yahweh, Craig Cooney

Test Every Spirit! Every Voice either visual, oral or written is a Spirit and Must Be Tested without Exception! We must guard our Eye Gate and our Ear Gate!

‘Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 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.’

1 John 4:1-6

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1JN.4.1-6

Some may think that this only applies to things in the church but we must realize that the Spirit Realm is More Real than the Natural Realm. When we worship, God wants us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!

‘Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.’

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1TH.5.19-22

‘But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.’

Hebrews 5:14

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.5.14

‘And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. ‘

Acts of the Apostles 17:11

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.17.11

‘But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”’

John 4:23-24

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.4.23-24

What is Discernment and why is it so critical for us to operate in this spiritual gift? Well let’s begin by what Discernment is not!

Discernment is not the Gift of Suspicion, being a doubtful, or being cynical.

Discernment is not Lack of Trust for Someone.

Discernment is not based in any of our natural senses.

Please also don’t confuse Discernment with Judgement…they are mutually unique and equally important in different ways. Let’s Look at a definition of each.

Each of us needs to learn and operate every day with a level of Good Judgement. This is normally based in logical interpretation of events and circumstances around us in which we take in information and therefore make a judgement based on that information. We can also cross the line and pass judgement on someone based on events we have experienced, this could lead to a host of other problems if not repented of…but that is for another day! The source of most every Judgement is normally our mind, it is normally based in Human Logic.

Discernment and in particular the Gift of Discerning of Spirits Must Always and Only Flow from it’s Source, The Holy Spirit. The Gift of Discerning of Spirits is Seeing Everything through His Eyes! Nothing is Hidden from the Spirit of Jesus. Everything is exposed and laid bare! The Gift of Discernment will allow us to know whether something is of God, is of the devil or even if it is simply of the flesh. The Gift of Discerning of Spirits allows us to See the Attitude of the Heart and to Know the Motive behind it. The Gift of Discerning of Spirits will never operate exclusively, but will ALWAYS be Complimented by the Fruit of The Spirit. They Go Hand in Hand!

Let’s Look at some scriptures;

‘So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice ; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.’

1 Corinthians 12:3-11,31

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.12.3-11,31

‘For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.’

Ephesians 6:12

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/EPH.6.12

‘But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.’

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/2CO.11.14-15

‘When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord ’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”’

1 Samuel 16:6-7

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.16.6-7

‘Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.#1:51 Greek going up and down on the Son of Man; see Gen 28:10-17. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.”’

John 1:45-51

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.1.45-51

‘When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”#16:13 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,#16:17 Greek Simon bar-Jonah; see John 1:42; 21:15-17. because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. ‘

Matthew 16:13-17

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.16.13-17

‘No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”’

Acts of the Apostles 27:21-26

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.27.21-26

CRITERIA FOR DISCERNMENT

The Test of Conviction

We need to remember that, though we all have some natural ability to discern good from evil, ultimately it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. While there is some element of intuition involved, it is much more than that. Those who have this gift don’t just sense something is ‘off’ about a person or situation. They feel it deeply. This could manifest physically and emotionally as nausea, feeling ‘dirty’, unsettledness, lack of peace, agitation, righteous anger, even anxiety. It can’t be shaken or ignored.

(Quoted from I Hear YahWeh, Chapter 17, Craig Cooney)

‘One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. ‘

Acts of the Apostles 16:16-19

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.16.16-19

‘But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. ‘

Acts 5:1-11

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.5.1-11

We must be able to identify when the Holy Spirit is Working and When He is the Author of Something, We must Guard against calling some working of the Holy Spirit a Work of the Devil. We Must become so attuned to The Holy Spirit and the Way He Works so that we can confidently discern what is Truly of God! This Comes from a Heart of Intimacy and Relationship…just as we will be Known by our fruit, So we Should Recognize Everything that He Does by the Fruit of the Spirit!

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.’

Galatians 5:22-26

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/GAL.5.22-26

‘One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”’

Mark 3:20-30

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MRK.3.20-30

We MUST be Able to Discern in This Season!!

‘Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. ‘

1 Chronicles 12:32

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/1CH.12.32

‘ And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ‘

Matthew 16:1-3

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.16.1-3

Practical Exercise: Here is a prayer of activation from Apostle Jane Hamon, asking the Lord to increase within you the gift of discernment. Find a quiet spot at some stage today and pray this over your life:

Lord, I cry out for a deeper level of discernment than ever before. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear in the spirit realm. Sharpen my ability to hear Your voice and to be a watchman on the wall for my family, church, city and nation. Make me as one of the sons of Issachar. Help me to discern the times and strategies, to discern demons and demonic structures. Let me recognize the presence and operation of angels and angel armies and know how to work with them. Help me to be wise as I discern human spirits, and guard my heart from becoming judgmental or critical and from carrying false responsibility. Help me discern Your reformation plans and purposes so I can join the work of Your ekklesia in the earth, bringing Kingdom transformation and life everywhere I go. Anoint me to lead, to build and to war. Give me wisdom as I engage in spiritual battle, recognizing first and foremost that Jesus Christ already defeated every principality and power. Show me my part in the Kingdom so that I can accomplish every spiritual assignment You give me. Your people are on earth to enforce Your victory, extend and expand Your Kingdom and reveal Your glory. Lord, give me a discerning heart so I can stand among those called to “turn the world upside down.” In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!

(Quoted from Chapter 17, I Hear Yahweh, Craig Cooney)

Common Misbeliefs – Paul’s Thorn was sickness…Not True!

‘I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ‘

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.12.1-10

‘And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places. And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. ‘

Numbers 33:50-55

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/NUM.33.50-55

‘So Satan left the Lord ’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.’ Job 2:7 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JOB.2.7

‘And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had an illness caused by a spirit (demon). She was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. ‘ Luke 13:11 https://my.bible.com/bible/1588/LUK.13.11

‘And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.’ Acts of the Apostles 10:38 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.10.38

2. Common Misbeliefs – The Bible Teaches the Earth is Flat???

Nope, Simply scriptures taken out of context!

‘God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.’

Isaiah 40:22

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.40.22

‘Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord ? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. All the wood in Lebanon’s forests and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough to make a burnt offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In his eyes they count for less than nothing— mere emptiness and froth. To whom can you compare God? What image can you find to resemble him? Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains? Or if people are too poor for that, they might at least choose wood that won’t decay and a skilled craftsman to carve an image that won’t fall down! Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God— the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and they wither. The wind carries them off like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.’

Isaiah 40:12-31

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.40.12-3

3. Common Misbeliefs – Earth Day and Mother Nature

No There is Only Father God!

‘In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.’

John 1:1-4

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.1.1-4

‘Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.’

Colossians 1:15-17

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/COL.1.15-17

‘Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord ’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.’

Romans 11:33-36

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ROM.11.33-36

‘“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’#5:43 Lev 19:18. and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies!#5:44 Some manuscripts add Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Compare Luke 6:27-28. Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ‘

Matthew 5:43-45

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.5.43-4

4. Common Misbeliefs – There are Multiple Races

NO! There is Only The Human Race or Adamic Race!

Both Biblically and Scientifically there is No Such Thing as Racism! Now I realize, just making that statement might have agitated some of you and I am OK with that and you will see as you continue to read that your anger/rage will be replaced with Peace as I share the Truth with you in Love. You see in my making that statement I am not in any nullifying any aspect of prejudice, discrimination, unfounded hatred or physical/emotional/mental abuse that anyone would have experienced, those are all real but the term Race is not. Let me explain first and foremost from the Bible since God’s Word is the Only Word that is important!

According to the Truth recorded in the Book of Genesis, God Created Adam and Eve in HIS IMAGE and from them we have every single people group in existence today and even some people groups that are no more due to Noah’s Global Flood! This Clearly Means that We are All Of the Adamic Race, The ONLY Race. We Need to Speak God’s Words of Truth. He says there is Only One Race. We see Confirmation of this in the following Scripture;

‘The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.’ 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.15.45-49

So you see IF we are not all descendants of Adam and Eve, The Adamic Race, The ONLY race, then how can we be Redeemed by the Last Adam, Jesus? This is why I am saying that it is critical that we speak only what we God Says and not what the enemy has concocted to steal, kill and destroy after all, we must always remember…The Devil is a LIAR!

As well, Biblically speaking no people group on earth was ever or has ever been divided by skin color however we have formed people groups based on one thing only Language! Most do not recognize the significance of the event that occurred at the Tower of Babel approximately 4300years ago. Let’s look at the Truth Filled Account in Genesis 11;

‘At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.’ Genesis 11:1-9 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/GEN.11.1-9

Notice that, when the entire ancient world got up that morning, they all spoke the same language, whatever it was, but over the course of the day every single language that has ever been spoken in the last 4300years instantly came into being. Imagine as people, friends, and families that could once fellowship together based on their common language now could no longer even say one word that would be understood by those they previously associated with! That means that as scripture declares, the people groups formed based on who understood who NOT who looked like who! Let me repeat that so that it really sinks in and brings revelation and understanding!

Scripture declares, the people groups formed based on who understood who NOT who looked like who!

That is crucial to comprehend as it allows us to put things into proper perspective. You see my point in all of this is that Our Language is Also one of the Crucial Determining Factors of Whether we are Children of God or children of the Devil! Let’s look at the following scriptures;

‘My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining. If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.’ 1 John 2:1-14 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1JN.2.1-14

‘So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. ‘ 1 John 3:10-19 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1JN.3.10-19

The Point that I am trying to make in all of this is as CHRISTians we have to speak our Kingdom Heavenly Language and no I am not talking about tongues, I am talking about Love. Love is the Language of Heaven and it is The Most Powerful and Effective Weapon regardless of the battle, regardless of any situation or circumstance. And like in the scriptures we just read above, God’s Word is devastatingly clear on How we are to Love One Another. Let’s Look at what the Bible Says about Love;

‘Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ‘ Romans 12:9-10 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ROM.12.9-10

‘If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.’ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.13.1-13

God lays clearly lays out what Love is and how it is to be spoken. As we read through 1 Corinthians 13 in light of the scriptures that we read in 1 John 2 and 3 we come to the realization of how we are to Love our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know myself personally, I have a lot of work to do in this area! I have an older woman neighbor who is a believer and sadly complains about practically everything, I literally cringe when I see here coming. Every encounter I have with her I am continually reminded that if I can’t love her as a sister in Christ then I am the one with the issue, I have not fully submitted every part of my life fully to the Lordship of Jesus. That is why we Need Jesus! Afterall, Scripture Does Say that God is Love! Therefore we need to make Sure that Jesus is Permeating Every aspect of our beings so that regardless of the situation, circumstance we face, Love, Perfect Love, Jesus Himself is who is reflected in our speech and our actions! We must remember that we are CHRISTians First and Foremost! Mike Todd from Transformation Church actually expressed this in a concise way. He stated that Christianity must be the Adjective and not the Noun. What does that mean? It Means that the fact that we are CHRISTians First and Foremost means that since it is the Adjective it determines the outcome of what follows! I am a CHRISTian Man or Woman, I am a CHRISTian Business Owner, I am a CHRISTian Mechanic, I am a CHRISTian Doctor, I am a CHRISTian! Using CHRISTian as the Adjective determines the expression of what follows and sets the standard for how it is to be lived out! As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we must realize that, Jesus Must be First in Every Area of our Lives, He Truly must be Lord and we must bring every area of our Lives and Character into Submission to His Lordship. As we do that, those around us will See Christ In Us and His Love for them through us!

In conclusion, to help us be able to apply truth and defuse and destroy the lies of the enemy, I have created a YouTube playlist called One Race, One Blood with multiple videos from Answers in Genesis, an excellent Christian Ministry that presents the truth from a Biblical perspective and as well the scientific perspective. If you only have time to watch one video, please watch the first one in the playlist as it covers practically everything; https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX9RxWFN4kzWqNtjyS9Y9FT0QICz6syhI

5. Common Misbeliefs – IS GOD IN CONTROL???

Not according to scripture!

‘Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ‘

Genesis 1:26

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.26

‘Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. ‘

Galatians 1:4

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/GAL.1.4

‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.’

2 Corinthians 4:4

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/2CO.4.4

‘We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.’

1 John 5:18-19

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1JN.5.18-19

‘ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. ‘

Proverbs 18:21

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/PRO.18.21

‘“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’

Exodus 20:12

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/EXO.20.12

‘Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ‘

Matthew 18:18

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.18.18

‘And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” ‘

Mark 11:22-25

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.11.22-25

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord . “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”’

Jeremiah 29:11-14

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JER.29.11-14

‘Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. ‘

3 John 1:2

https://my.bible.com/bible/1588/3JN.1.2

‘This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ‘

1 Timothy 2:3-5

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1TI.2.3-5

Yahweh In our DNA;

Colossians 1:15-17

https://my.bible.com/bible/116/COL.1.15-17