Test the Spirits? What Does That Mean? How Do We Do This?: Breaking Down 1 John 4:1-6 

Me testing the Spirit: About 15 (or so) years ago, I was driving to work and was having a rough morning. ((My mom had past in late July 2005, this was about 3 months later.)) I don’t normally talk to myself out loud in a car but that morning on the verge of tears and missing my mom, I said, “I feel so alone.” And in what sounded like an audible voice I heard, “but you aren’t alone...” I began to weep. I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking b/c we are told that in Scripture. “...For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV When I got to work, I took out my Bible (I carry one in my vehicle.) I began to pray and asked the Lord to speak to me through His Word and I opened to Bible. My eyes fell on these words: “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV The dam broke and the tears fell. The God of the Universe was speaking directly to me. He knew at that very moment what I needed and it was the Lord’s Spirit within me. Let me give praise to the Lord and His Word. His Words were a balm to my broken heart. 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18 NKJV Glory to God♥️🙏🏼♥️

Thank God I came across you and Doreen channel. I am in the process of coming out of Word of Faith. I always knew something wasn’t right. This is nothing but God because I haven’t been feeling going back to church. Please keep my children and I in your prayer that we found the church for us. God bless you and your ministry. ❤️🙏

Kenneth Copland, Benny Hinn , Jesse Duplantis, Sid Roth, et al, kept me AWAY from anything Christian. I was a New Ager in the upper echelons of Hollywood entertainment industry. Christ saved me in spite of myself. Amen! While driving to Hollywood just after being saved, I listened to the radio 2 1/2 hours each day. My radio stuck on a station that broadcast John MacArthur, R.C. sproul, Jay Vernon McGee (I thought he was still alive :-) and many other solid Bible teachers. . Melissa, YOU ARE FANTASTIC, and give me hope for your generation . Great work dear lady! One author to add to you knowledge base might be the book "When Skeptics Ask" by Norman Geisler. He is not bullet proof, but has addition perspectives you might be able to cherry pick from. Again, from a baby boomer, I am so very proud of you.

I went to a Toronto blessing meeting that came here to Northern NY in the 90s. I'm pretty sure I received a Kundalini spirit. I felt strange about how it msnifested, but tried to reason it with scripture. Satan is very deceptive, even the elect will be deceived. But God revealed the truth!

This sister has done her research and studied! Great job my sister I encourage you to continue spreading the word of GOD.

Thank you for sharing this🙏It is so important to test the spirits and stop when there is a 'check' on the inside and ask God what's wrong. The Spirit of God will lead you into all truth.❤

Thank you for this teaching. I was trying to explain this to my daughter but I don't think I was able to get her to understand. I am now sharing this with her and also others who may be wondering how to test the Spirits. God bless

Great video, lots of scripture, thank you Melissa 😊

Melissa it’s Melissa again! I got so excited I had to pause the video and comment before you were finished!😂 This is sooo good and I wish I could force my sister to listen to it!😉 I loved how you mentioned the concept of bearing good fruit as important but not sufficient for testing truth. My sis along with many Mormons are some of the kindest service oriented people I know. But because of this I’ve observed some Christians making light of their false religion. They truly worship a different Jesus than the biblical one but this statement is highly offensive to many Mormons including my dear sister.

I’m so happy I found your channel ❤️❤️

Amen n Amen!!!❤🎉 Thank You ❤🎉 MuchLove

Thank you so much for sharing this, your conviction and ability to hold fast to the true gospel and teach us is so valuable and well received.

Love this. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this.

This was SO very well taught! Thank you so much for this!!

Thank you !!

Awesome explanation sister gonna share with my wife...AMEN GLORY TO GOD HALLELUJAH THANK YOU JESUS

Please do a video on the Trinity and the Triune God. Thank you! I've already subscribed.

I love ❤️ your channel

Reminds me of paul washer Tim conway and Matt chandler I like it thank you much

This was awesome. Thank you!

This is so good Melissa. Do did a great job. By the way. I LOVE your necklace. Where did you get it? or did you make it? My favorite cross pendents are the little plain ones like the one you have on.:o)

Awesome video * Thank you so much for making this very clear * it is something me & my friend been wondering about * 📖🙏🏼📖

You are awesome

I so hope that you would open up Mark 11:24.

So well put!

Excellent video! This one hits home for me. Our ex "spiritual mother" taught us to test the spirits by asking the spirit 3 questions. 1. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God? 2. Did Jesus die on the cross? 3. Did He rise on the 3rd day? Supposedly a demon will not admit that Jesus was resurrected so that's how you decide what type of spirit it is. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Yes, I actually believes this..and tried it. Funny thing is....I never got any kind of answer....so it was pretty much a guessing game.

Saying you believe In Jesus and KNOWING Him are two different things, another question is Who does it Glorify.

It's interesting. Most people describe their own spirituality by a feeling, but the true condition of the human spirit is not in lock step by how we feel.

Funny how a meditation calming app advertisement appeared before this video started 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️ A bit ironic to me

TY 💗

This was very helpful

This was a good piece. Going to use it in a small group I'm putting together for the Fall on spiritual warfare.

Can you explain every chapter in the bible like to know your perspective please

So some prophesies in Scripture didn't happen for a few hundred years. When would a false prophet be killed or at least be determined to be false?

I guess we are supposed to know His voice like He has claimed

it seems to me so difficult to discern the spirits... heart is deceptive...

Can you do a study on tongues. I was looking many religions with tongues. Kind of confusing.

Just an observation. The JWs NWT of the Bible translates "spirits" as "inspired expressions". That gives a completely different view on what you taught here. It is as if you are to discern writings of the scribes rather than the view of the teachings. Deep subject.

If there is "spiritual truth" and its evil..its not really truth, there is no truth in evil.

Good stuff. I teach the bible in jail. Knowing the scriptures and having a solid discernment is an unbeatable combination. Thanks for teaching this. Blessings.

I once heard someone who claims to be spiritual say, why worship the creator when you can worship creation. I told them that is idolatry. They got angry. Not very spiritual.

Girrrrllll you ain’t said nothing BUT the TRUTH.

I just want to sincerely thank God for your life. I just spent about an hour studying the word and watching this video. You truly inspire me as a believer. Thank you. Glory to God for what you are doing for his kingdom🤍✨

It means don't just trust every spirit that you hear, the Holy Spirit will not contradict His word but a demon always will.

Many people are lonely and lost. When you aren’t equipped with the Biblical knowledge provided in the Bible many are preyed upon by cults and false prophets. Thank you for sharing dear one.

I am absolutely dumbfounded. Her knowledge is DIRECTLY from the Holy Spirit. I’m literally so happy that I found her. It’s time that us (as the Christian community) get on our knees and pray against these spirits. Too many churches welcome these spirits with open arms, we need to pray church. The only one that can help us now is Jesus.

Took me a while to get to the video I don’t know why I kept holding back but I like your video thanks for the message.

Guys, Satan is playing tricks on my mind trying to convince me another spirit is from God himself. Please pray that I won't be deceived. God bless you all, brothers and sisters.

An FYI: If you study 5 chapters per day, it will take you 182 days to get thru the whole bible. I highly recommend it, if you want to seek the will of God. Solid, solid, solid teaching ma'am. Well done.

Look for the fruits of the Holy Spirit 🙌🏻❤️

Thanks for spelling this out so usefully. One thing I think I heard, a slip up....Late 24:40s you called the Holy Spirit “it”. I think you meant “he” would give you ...discernment. Jehovah’s witnesses speak of him as ‘it’, as just a force. That’s not right. The Holy Spirit is a person! Perhaps you were calling discernment ‘it’

Yeah, thanks for clarifying this. I've been a Christian for a long time, and often have wondered the extent of this. Great job and thanks for this. For example, mormons are typical of these things. They have similar Christian lingo and I often ask mormons when im witnessing, did Joseph Smith test the 'angels' that shared new revelation to him? They usually just look at me with a blank stare lol. Bless you!

I really appreciate the content of your videos! I do find the faint music playing in the background to be distracting. I would enjoy listening more without it.

Please keep all demonic spirits away from me Abba Father, binding 1 john 4:1-6, 2 corinthians 6:14, matthew 6:24 in agreement with this whole message while not being unequally yoked with an unbeliever serving satan, loosening all false spirits and every spirit of error upon no return in my life, in the name and blood of Jesus Christ, amen and hallelujah!

You are very good, The truth is the only accurate description against the enemy. I learned the hard way... Keep It Up

The Holy Spirit helps a person to believe in the name of JESUS and have faith that was His name 2000 years ago, that means when He was in the flesh. People of this world can not believe that the name JESUS existed 2000 because they trust in the knowledge of the world rather than Gods ability to do what the world says is impossible. The Holy Spirit will help the believer exalt and glorify the name of JESUS in their heart so that their mouth can truly confess that JESUS is the Lord. But the anti-Christ spirit will deceive the world into exalting another name which is a false christ, but that name will make more sense to that person because they speak from the understanding of the world. And do not know God so they will deny that JESUS is the name and so they will exalt another name above JESUS.

Like Kathy I watched Doreen’s channel a week or so ago and then found you. I really enjoyed this teaching. Great job! It’s like when you come out from under these “experiences” you feel like you’re in a daze! Like just how far back do I have to go to get it right....Just what all that I thought was “right “ is actually wrong?... really mind blowing. Thank you for what you are doing in helping God’s people. ❤️

I love how you explain things in a simple way i can understand.

I so wish i could be as intelligent and articulate as you.I can only remember small amounts of information. I have a very limited ability to decern the spirits. I rely on teachers like you to decern

I stumbled on your law of attraction video 2 weeks ago, then the passion Bible interview. It lead me to AG1 and AG2. I'm soo glad to meet you. I'm not a new believer but I'm increasingly noticing a lot of issues in our churches. My own theology in certain topics has been corrected over the years. The deception is real. But I have found that if you really love the Lord and desire his ways, no matter how uncomfortable that may be to you, he leads you to truth and sound doctrine. Keep up the good work. PS. What's your understanding on praying in tongues?

Which pop star would the ancient Gnostics hate? Madonna. Because she's the Material Girl.

Excellent expository teaching, Melissa, as usual. Thank you.

apostle Paul said Jesus is the son of God. Jesus said he was the son. Jesus was the second Adam Jesus was born of the flesk. God said this is my beloved son.. Jesus sits at the right had of God Jesus was razed in glory the Pharisee accuse Jesus of being equal to God he denied it

I went to this church and the leader (who calls himself a prophet) would say things like Jesus being raised rich, and that was just a big red flag because nowhere in Scripture does it say Jesus was rich while on earth. He also claimed there were people before Adam and Eve, something that is also not scriptural and doesn't make sense. Yet a friend of mine goes to this church and doesn't question any of it.

Wow, I happened to click this on the day I start to figure out that my gift of the spirit is discernment. Nice

I'd say it's mostly important to read scripture in context. It doesn't matter how many chapters or verses you read a day (there's no rush: it's not a race or a competition) as long as you read scripture within context. All false teachers take verses out of context and in this way they are able to manipulate and twist their meaning. They jump back and forth to various isolated verses as if to prove a point. It's not as easy to deceive when you use context and don't rely on this sneaky trick.

This is a great message Melissa! I've been feeling like my eye's are re-opening thanks to some of the videos you've released as well as my decision to start going deeper into scripture in my own time which was something that I had been sadly lacking with. It's amazing how much false teaching is out there but there's lots of hope too. A solid foundation is so important. Bless you and all the good teachers out there sharing the truth of the gospel.

Thank you so much for this straight forward and rational break down! I stumbled upon Doreen's channel a few months ago and found your channel that way...lately the Lord has been leading me to so many awesome channels where believers are speaking the Truth of the Bible.

This a great video! Definitely sharing and rewatching!

Your videos are so helpful, Melissa! Growing up hyper charismatic (even being a part of IHOP for 5 years) it’s straightforward videos like this that help unwind some of the bad theology I’ve learned throughout the years. I appreciate your work.

Another great presentation Melissa! Could you do me a favor? Can you do one for people who think God is giving them dreams and visions to tell them things? It seems there is a lot of this going on, especially in my family, and I don’t know where to begin. Thanks for all you do!

I'm new to your channel, and fairly new converting from new age lies, and I'm learning so much. I really like the topics you cover and how you stay Biblical.

I have been blessed with a strong gift of discernment as I have prayed for it often. I recently found your channel and have watched a number of your videos over the last couple of days. I have not found a SINGLE thing that my discernment has had an issue with, in watching your content. If you are someone simply reading this comment, Melissa has a true gift and speaks the truth.

I have not found where Jesus said he was God. When asked when the end would he said only the father knows. When he was called good teacher he said there is none good but the father. He is the son of God. So I believe Jesus is the son of God. I am open to being shown Jesus is God but it has to come from the Bible. And it must be plain.

Thanks God for sound doctrine

This was on my watch list for like forever Melissa ! I have a large watch list 😀needed this though . God bless ! 😊🙏

Excellent video. I’m looking forward to rewatching it with my bible in front of me :)

AMEN!!! Let's keep READING OUR BIBLES

Amen Amen 🙏 the best way to test what we believe is to read the Holy Bible, the Bible can speak for itself

Thank you Melissa! Your hair looks great😁🌹🙏💞

This is amazing, i never understood .. Thank you Melissa! Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for leading us out of this terrible deception! Thank You for setting us free indeed. All glory to God our heavenly Father 🥰

Let's not forget the very important part of this equation, that the Apostle Paul, after a number of days, ultimately recognized that this spirit was directing adoration and recognition towards Paul... not Jesus.

My four spiritual tests: Is it Encouraging you in your walk with God? Is it Educating you about God? Is it Exegetical (scriptural)? Is it Exalting God?

This is my favorite part of the Bible.

Melissa, I want to begin reading the Bible, but with so many abbreviation versions which one do you recommend? I was looking into the rainbow study Bible, it seems beginner friendly

I thank God for your words (!!!), but the "music" underneath makes me really feel sick. I am happy tha you don't normally do that. Keep up the good work.

Amen Amen 🙏 the Holy Spirit is He, not it or radar. The Holy Spirit is our Guide and Comforter, He will lead us into all truth

Hi Melissa thank you for all your videos. They've really helped me along my journey. Have you heard of Dr Caroline Leaf? She talks about the brain and the mind and it just sounds and feels extremely new age to me. Could you please do some research and let me know your thoughts on her. Thank you x

Thank u Melissa! Wonderful video!

I don’t call God; God. I call him Yahweh; Our I AM. I call Yah by his name. Which Yah wants. Our Abba; Yah has opened my eyes; even when I backslide so many times. I am searching and hungering for more of Yahs real truth. And things that I know for sure Yahushua/Jesus does not and did not celebrate Christmas. That is a pagan holiday and so is Easter. It is also a pagan holiday. When I was younger and read the Bible I was wondering why on Easter ppl would use eggs 🥚 for Easter and also bunnies. In the Old Testament it says what it means using the bunny and eggs. Other religions used this for there gods. (Ester) or something like that. My memory for this is kind of blurry but Yah will open your eyes and let you know what is from him and what is from the world. It is your choice to celebrate it or not.

Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. Why did Jesus come in the flesh? As a sacrifice for sins and to reconcile us back to a HOLY God. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. If the spirit comes through the blood of Christ it’s of God. If it does not come through the blood of Christ it’s not of God. It is anti-Christ.

You should do a video on the Medical Medium. Millions read his book and trust in this. He claims to talk to the Most High which is the living word of God. And, surprise it’s not Jesus but an gray beard man that wears a brown robe. And, basically we should all be drinking celery juice.

I love that spicy sense. I understand, sometimes I feel this uneasiness.

Thanks for all of your easy to understand videos Melissa. I've been out of Mormonism for a year now but still get confused sometimes when I'm reading my bible about the godhead. Can you help me understand the context of verses like 1Peter 3:22. In Mormonism they teach Jesus is separate from God but I'm trying to wrap my head around verses like this that say Jesus is next to God in some way even though he is God. Sometimes I just still get the big picture twisted from conditioned teachings. Thanks so much!

Paul and his followers may have known the slave girl had a spirit of divination simply they had been told by locals what she did for a living. Then there was her behavior (following them around) and although she was speaking the truth it was obvious that the spirit inside her wanted to distract people from Paul's message by associating it with one of divination (rather than the spirit of God). This is a common tactic that Satan uses. The second possibility is that God simply gave Paul supernatural insight.

So good !!!

If you are filled with the holy spirit and pray for the armor of God every day, bad spirits don't have a chance. I had a spiritual experience that I presumed to be evil in nature because it went against what I believed, but through insane synchronicities that only God could perform, I went along with it. And as I tested it, it did in fact line up with the word of God. Long story short, I was harboring hate for people that didn't believe in Christ as a historical figure. But what Christ commands is to love thy neighbor no matter what. It has changed my life for the better. I now am not afraid to love and help non-believers. Christ died for every one of us and I am to love every one of those people with all my heart.

Just after 24:04 you state "spidy sense" or "spity sense" (not sure what that is). But wouldn't it be clearer to say that by faith our conscience, intellect or intuition is informing us via the Holy Spirit?

This is totally like Mary Eddy Bakers Christian Science nowadays