INFLUENCE...
There are people that claim to have messages or special insight from God. Entire “religions” are often built around such individuals.
So how do we keep from being led down the wrong path? Paul gives us guidance in the opening verses of
1. And now, brothers, I want to write about the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to each of you, for I don’t want any misunderstanding about them. 2. You will remember that before you became Christians you went around from one idol to another, not one of which could speak a single word. 3. But now you are meeting people who claim to speak messages from the Spirit of God. How can you know whether they are really inspired by God or whether they are fakes? Here is the test: no one speaking by the power of the Spirit of God can curse Jesus, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” and really mean it, unless the Holy Spirit is helping him. (The Living Bible, 2nd edition)
When someone says Jesus is Lord and means it, the evidence should be seen in their lives. The Greek word translated Lord here is “kurios” which Strong’s Dictionary defines as supreme authority. If you and I believe that Jesus is the supreme authority then the evidence should be seen in the way that we live, in the way that we talk with people and the way that we treat each other.
On the other hand, if someone does not treat Jesus as the supreme authority, and even goes so far as to curse him, we know that this person is not a believer in Jesus Christ and we are not to follow any of their “teaching.”
They may be very smart according to knowledge and the ways of the world. They may appear to be extremely gifted in certain areas. But, this is not to be confused with Spiritual Gifts from the Holy Spirit. They may be extremely likeable and friendly, but without Christ as the guiding force in their lives we cannot allow them to influence our thinking.
Instead, we should introduce them to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We should tell them what kind of difference that he has made in our life. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to influence them.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
