Try the spirits whether they are of God (1 Jn. 4:1) “…and Believe not every spirit”. All people are commanded to examine all spiritual things with our critical faculties to see if the Word of God being presented. There are evil spirits that can produce paranormal phenomena therefore we are exhorted by the Scripture to prove the spirits or test the spirits; prove all things; hold fast only to that which is good.
Proving all things requires the use of our reasoning and understanding but we cannot rely only on our intellect. We cannot be swayed by our inward feelings but we can trust the illumination and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Moreover, the greatest principle concerning the testing of spirits are the Scriptures themselves because the Bible is the Truth. (1 Cor. 12:3), “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit God calleth Jesus accused: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost”. The is the supreme test of discerning spiritual things.
John, said the same thing: “Hereby know ye the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God,” (l Jn. 4:23).
SIGNS OF HIS COMING
(Matthew 24:34), “While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Be careful that no man misleads you.”
This exchange is highly instructive as the disciples asked Jesus for THE sign of His coming and of the accompanying End of the Age and Jesus gave them many signs. When a person gives a complex answer to any question, he is likely to prioritize the answers, beginning with the most important. In this case, the first sign Jesus gave was to warn of the unparalleled deception of the Christian believer the hallmark characteristic of the End of the Age is unparalleled deception.
(Matt. 24:11), “And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.”
We should expect false “Christian” leaders to arise, to give false assurances to Christians and lead them astray. The fact that we are seeing such a huge number of just such false leaders calling themselves “Christian” is proof positive that we are living in the Last Days of Time.
(Matt. 24:24)”For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
This last warning even gives us the clue that such false “Christian” ministries and ministers will be able to perform many of the same “lying signs and wonders” foretold of the Antichrist. Such false ministers will employ great power, but it will be the power of the occult, and will be exercised for the express purpose of leading both believer and unbeliever astray.