7 January 2022

7 January 2022

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. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.

From 1 John 3:22-4:6, NRSV

In today’s first reading, we hear further advice being given to the early Christians about how to discern whether the prophecies and teaching they heard were true and authentic. John had written previously about the need to be aware of false prophets and here tackles directly the issue of Gnosticism which had gained some ground at this time. This held that Jesus was fully Divine but not fully human. John states clearly and unequivocally that it is only those who acknowledge that Jesus Christ was fully human as well as fully Divine who have the Spirit of God.

    • Why did it matter that Jesus was both fully human and fully Divine?
    • How can we discern whether a spiritual experience is or is not of God?

Pray for an openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your life and for the courage to act on these.

Image – Christ Pantocrator – Saint Catherine’s Monastery

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