Scrutiny
Test every spirit
A question that has come up since time immemorial when it comes to believing in a higher power is, “If there is a God, why does He allow bad things to happen?” Oftentimes, it’s a challenge to address the question in a way that someone who doesn’t believe in a higher power would understand, unless, of course, there’s ample time for such a conversation.
In the book of Judges, specifically Judges 6, the Israelites are crying out to God for help. However, since they had been doing evil yet again, God did what most parents would do when trying to teach their children a lesson the hard way. He stepped back and left them at the mercy of the Midianites.
As outlined in this post, God is love, and anything contrary to the love of God is an enemy to God. Doing evil in this context is to choose unloving activities, which are acts of disobedience. Love is the fulfillment of the law after all.
Also, 1 John 4:7-21 explains what God’s love is and how we are to apply God’s love in our daily lives.
Gideon is encountered by an angel of the Most High God in Judges 6:13 and inquires:
13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
Gideon had not been aware that the angel’s encounter was an answered prayer for the Israelites’ pleas for reprieve (Judges 6:6-10). The Most High God is faithful in his promises, a great example of this is Malachi 3:7 where God makes it simple, return to Him [love] and He [love] will return:
7 Ever since the time of your ancestors, you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
It’s evident in Judges 6 that Gideon wanted to have faith and return to God; after all, fear and frustration oppose love, but he wanted to confirm it was truly the Most High God that was encountering him, as evidenced in verses 17, 36-38, and 39-40. You might be thinking, why is he questioning God? Shouldn’t he just listen and obey? Well, God actually instructs us through the words of John the Apostle to test every spirit, as found in 1 John 4:1:
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Gideon’s wisdom to test the spirit to ensure he was hearing from God, choosing to follow, and remaining accountable to God’s instructions ensured an uncontested victory against the Midianites in Judges 7.
Although we are instructed to test every spirit, we should understand that once we have tested and know a word or message is from God, we shouldn’t continue to test or question just because we don’t like His instruction or answer. Let’s not dabble in the area of willful ignorance. We are able to know that something is from God because, 1) God has a signature: Love, and 2) we have the Holy Spirit in us to guide us and help us discern as we test.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13
Where can this be applied in your everyday lives? At home with our family or siblings? At work with friends or coworkers? Maybe even at church with pastors or other members?
How can this be applied in modern circumstances? Back then it was the Midianites. What about in today’s world? God may not call you to lead an entire group of people to war for freedom, but He still may want you to reach a few people here and there. Would you be able to know that it’s Him who’s talking to you?
Dear God,
Thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Increase our intimacy so I may know Your ways, Your voice, and Your signature. Lead me in Your will and in Your way. There are many things in this world contrary to You and the ways of Your Kingdom, and I acknowledge I am growing in my awareness. I repent for, come out of agreement with, and cancel every covenant contrary to the Kingdom of God. Realign me with what You have willed for me. Thank You for Your grace and mercy.
In Your Holy Name, Amen.