This lesson contrasts the characteristics of those belonging to God versus those influenced by Satan, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment to distinguish truth from deception. For God’s people – they can testify to fulfilled promises, explain biblical parables/prophecies, their creativity aligns with replicating Scripture, and they face persecution as God is at war against evil forces. Those under Satan’s influence pretend, lie, cannot testify to God’s work as they lack understanding, twist and distort Scripture as they cannot create original truth, and persecute/kill God’s people trying to destroy God’s plan. There are two opposing spiritual forces – discernment by testing words against Scripture is crucial as Satan corrupts truth. Though God has ultimate victory, each person chooses which voice/spirit to feed within themselves. The battlefield involves deception within the church. Staying grounded in God’s Word provides wisdom to resist Satan’s schemes.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
I pray that we all have clarity of vision and discernment at this time. May we be given eyes to truly see and ears that can hear the lessons being taught today. Help us distinguish good from evil, to recognize where you stand versus where the enemy stands, so that we can be confident we are in the right place spiritually.
In Scripture, there are always two forces: that which is of God and that which is of Satan. As we study, this pattern emerges.
What originates with God, Satan copies and corrupts. Things never originate with Satan except pride, greed and sin within himself. Everything else, he takes what is from God and distorts it.
We will notice this pattern today as well.
Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan
OUTLINE
Title: Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan
- Discerning by Testing
- Discerning God’s People: Characteristics of God apply to His people
- He has power to promise and fulfill
- God speaks in visions and parables
- God is the creator
- God is at war
- Discerning Satan’s People: Characteristics of Satan apply to his people
- He pretends.
- Satan cannot testify
- Satan twists and destroy
- Satan persecute and kill
1. Discerning by Testing
3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
What is being said here? The ear tests words just as the tongue tastes food. This sense is most important for a believer – being able to discern the words you hear. Words are spirit, and spirits work through words (John 6:63).
You need to monitor the words coming in, just as you would control the air you breathe, the food you eat, and liquids you drink. The words you hear impact your spirit like food impacts your body.
If you identify harmful words, you should stop listening. If someone said, “Here is a drink with poison” and “Here is one without,” and you know which one contains poison, you should not think “Maybe I misheard, let me try the poisonous one again to make sure.” That is unwise. Once you know it contains poison, avoid it.
To discern, first listen intently. Then confirm with scripture. The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food, and we must able to spiritually discern with God’s word.
This connects to 1 John 4:1 and Acts 17:11 about testing the spirits – why should we test them? Because we need to discern what words and spirits are from God versus those that are not, we must examine messages against Scripture to confirm their accuracy.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
There are two kinds of spirits, so we must discern between them.
If there was only one kind of spirit, there would be no need for discernment – they would all be the same. But because there are two, we must discern. The second group of spirits intentionally makes it difficult to discern, so that they can ensnare or trap as many as possible.
Satan already knows he is defeated, as Revelation 12:9-12 makes clear. But he is a sore loser, so he rages and tries to take as many down with him as he can.
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
Let us be clear: on the cosmic scale, God has already won. But for each individual, the battle still rages over who will win in you.
It is up to you – which spirit will you feed and encourage to win within you?
This depends on the words you allow into your spirit. This is not just about regulating music and movies, although those are important. More importantly, it is about hearing the correct version of God’s word. Do you grasp the life and death importance of this?
To have victory, we must understand who God’s people are, and who Satan’s people are.
Discernment of spirits is essential. God has won the cosmic battle, but we must choose, moment by moment, which voice we will listen to in our lives. The stakes could not be higher.
2. Discerning God’s People
Who are the people that God is using, that God is with? We’re going to look at the characteristics of God and how God’s characteristics apply to His people. Then we will do the same for the characteristics of Satan and how his characteristics apply to his followers.
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
God’s Characteristics:
I. He has the Power to Promise and Fulfil
This is very similar to what he said in Deuteronomy 18:18-22 – I will send someone from among you who will speak my words. You are to listen to the words he speaks, because when he speaks, it will fulfill my promise.
How will you distinguish between my true word and a false word spoken in my name? You can tell by whether or not those words become true.
I’m sure you hear prophecies even in our time, and I often get asked – how do I know which ones are real? I tell them that while many prophecies are given nowadays, I’m most interested in the ones God himself recorded here in Scripture.
God’s characteristic is that he has the ability to speak and fulfill. God has the power to promise or prophesy, and the power to bring it to pass.
So how does this characteristic of God make its way to God’s people? What should God’s people be able to do in relation to God’s ability?
In order for us to know what God has promised, it first needs to be fulfilled and happen. And when it happens, God’s people should be able to testify to what has been fulfilled. God’s people should be able to say – this is what God did according to this Scripture, this is what God did according to that Scripture.
In Acts 13, it is Paul’s testimony to God’s fulfillment – it is powerful. But someone considered God’s person today should also be able to testify to what God is doing now, just as Paul was able to 2,000 years ago. This is a very important ability of God’s people.
God has another ability that will make a lot of sense as we examine the relationship between war and the Bible. God intentionally speaks his prophecies in a specific language or code that is not clear or straightforward. The ambiguous nature of these prophecies seems intentional on God’s part. As we study biblical prophecies about war.
I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”
God spoke to the prophets. And as he spoke to them, how did he speak to them?
II. The ability that God has: God speaks in vision and parables.
They do not speak in plain language intentionally. The reason why God does it this way is because He is at war and we will understand this more clearly as we continue studying later in the course. We’ll come to understand more about the war situation that God is in, but He speaks in parables about His prophecies intentionally.
The language is opaque intentionally. But when the prophecies are fulfilled, then they become clear. It is only when they are fulfilled that they become clear beforehand; they remain unclear intentionally. This is so that Satan cannot stop God’s plan before it is able to take place.
Think about the examples of how Satan found out what God was doing early on. Remember what happened when Moses was born? What did the Pharaoh try to do? Kill all the recently born males. Didn’t that happen again with Jesus? The moment the king found out Jesus was born, all the recently born male children were tried to be killed again.
Satan is always trying to disrupt what God is doing. This is why God speaks in parables intentionally – to protect His plan. This is very important to understand.
God’s people should be able to understand and explain the parables when the time comes. Understanding the parables is very important because it shows that one has correctly understood how the prophecies have been fulfilled.
There are many parables throughout the Old Testament that point to Jesus Christ, who is called by many names. Before Jesus’ time, people did not see these things as connected. In Isaiah, he is called a stone. In Ezekiel, he is called a flame. In Hosea, he is referred to by other terms. But when Jesus came, he was able to connect all of those once seemingly unrelated passages, saying “I am this verse, I am that verse.” People then realized what God had been talking about all along, like pieces of a tapestry being woven together.
So God’s people are supposed to be able to testify to what God has done because the prophecies have been fulfilled. They can now explain the parables that God had originally spoken in intentionally vague language to protect His plan so that it would come to pass without being thwarted by Satan.
III. God is the creator.
God is the Creator. God has the ability to put situations and circumstances in place for His words to be fulfilled.
For example, Genesis 1:1-5 starts with God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It then describes the situation pre-creation – darkness, warmth, emptiness. So what is the first thing God did? He spoke. “Let there be light.” So He created with His Word.
As John 1:1-4 states, God’s Word has the power to create.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. So God’s Word has the power to create.
You may be thinking, if God’s Word has such creative power, then God’s people should be able to create too. But God’s people cannot create according to their own ideas. To truly create, they need to align with the Word.
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
God is speaking to Moses here. As God speaks to Moses, he instructs Moses to construct the tabernacle precisely according to the pattern God showed him. This pattern represents God’s design and specifications.
Someone who belongs to God should also have creative abilities, but these should align with God’s word and instructions, not merely their own ideas.
Their creativity is expressed through accurately replicating what God has shown them according to scripture, not according to their own interpretations or specifications.
The key point is that for someone belonging to God, everything they do should align with God’s word. Their creative output should follow the divine pattern God establishes, ensuring it ultimately reflects God’s creation through them, not merely their own.
IV. God is at War
When God works through a people, things are often difficult for them. Every time God selects a specific group, they face many challenges. We may pray, “God, let me be your instrument.” However, we are often unprepared for the hardships that accompany such a calling.
These troubles arrive suddenly, taking us by surprise. This pattern occurs because there is an adversary, the Devil, who opposes God’s work. Since God is engaged in a spiritual battle, God’s people inevitably become entangled in that conflict as well.
The core message is that standing for God involves struggles, since His purposes clash with the agenda of demonic forces. We should count the cost before aspiring to be used by God, while also trusting that He will empower us to fulfill any calling He issues.
Because God is at war. God’s people will also be at war.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus told his disciples, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Throughout history, righteous people have faced persecution. From Abel to the present day, God’s true followers have endured hardship for living out their faith.
When Jesus and the disciples preached the gospel, they faced regular opposition. The Pharisees and Sadducees, seeking to undermine Jesus’ teaching, confronted him with tricky questions and brought false accusations. They drove Jesus and his followers out of towns, unwilling to tolerate his message. But persecution comes with the territory for God’s people.
Importantly, Jesus doesn’t call us to run from persecution but to expect it.“Blessed are those who are persecuted,” he says. This reaction is counterintuitive – the world tells us to avoid pain and seek comfort at all costs. But Jesus calls us to obediently follow God regardless of the consequences.
This is not an easy calling. Following Jesus amidst persecution is challenging, tiring work. But we trust that God equips us with the strength and courage needed to persevere. We continue shining light into the darkness, blessing those who persecute us, and praying that their hearts may be changed. Though the road is narrow, Jesus walks with us.
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
God in the spiritual world wants to work in the physical world, but he needs to be able to work through people who belong to him. The first step is through a leader.
There will be a people who are listening, growing, and becoming mature believers. In this place, only the truth is taught—the truth that gives life, light, and God the Word. These people are able to operate in God, knowing what God wants them to do.
It is a wonderful place to be. I hope we are already in a place like this. But if you are unsure, you need to start discerning. Listen intently at this time.
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[d] do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.
Unfortunately, we now have to start talking about discerning Satan’s people. Because this will be a surprise.
Reminder:
In order for God’s promises to be fulfilled, they first need to come to pass and happen. When God’s promises are fulfilled, God’s people should be able to testify.
Someone who is considered God’s person in our time should be able to testify to what God is doing today.
3. Discerning Satan’s People
We’ll talk about Satan’s characteristics and how they apply to his people in the same way.
Satan’s Characteristics:
I. Pretend
Satan takes what is God’s and he twists it or corrupts it. The reason why he does that is because he is not the originator or the creator.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
When Satan lies, he speaks his native language. For he is a liar and the father of lies. God, on the other hand, speaks the truth. He makes promises and fulfills them.
Satan cannot speak truthfully. He has no truthful word. Instead, he lies and corrupts what is of God. Satan especially tries to establish himself in churches – this is his main battleground. We often think the battle is between believers versus non-believers. But that’s not exactly right. Non-believers aren’t even part of this equation.
Many of Jesus’ teachings were aimed at saving his own people first – inside Israel. The initial battlefield was among believers. It was only after Jesus defeated death and ascended to heaven that the gospel started spreading outside Israel. But the battlefield today is still inside the church. This is where Satan wants to be victorious.
As 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says, Satan masquerades as an angel of light. And so do those who follow him. Satan pretends and disguises himself intentionally to be more effective. We need to become mature believers to detect where he is operating. Unfortunately, Satan’s followers often don’t realize they’re being deceptive like he is.
Do they know that Satan is working through them? They do not know. That is the problem. They are not able to discern from themselves.
They do not testify to what God is doing because they cannot.
So they do not know and they do not testify. The exact opposite of God’s people. And they do not testify, because the spirit that is working through them cannot testify.
II. Satan cannot Testify
Satan cannot testify because he too doesn’t know.
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The apostle Paul speaks a different wisdom than what was previously established. The rulers of this world at that time did not recognize it. For if they had recognized it, they would not have crucified Jesus. They would have realized who Jesus truly was. Unfortunately, Satan was working through them in their lack of understanding.
Satan does not understand the parables or prophecies. If he did, he may have successfully intercepted God’s plan. But Satan could not understand and therefore the people under his influence also could not understand.
Otherwise, they would have known crucifying the Lord of glory was wrong. But it still fulfilled God’s plan, though they were being used negatively.
Let us instead be used positively to fulfill God’s will. Satan could not intercept God’s plan because God the Creator is above all – God always has been and always will be.
III. Satan Twists and Destroy
Satan has no power to create, so those he works with will not create according to the word. They will make it according to their own image. This is because Satan twists and distorts the word.
Matthew 4:5-7 and let us read the temptation of Jesus.
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.]”
Satan is very familiar with Scripture – arguably more so than most people. He knows what the Word says.
However, what he tends to do is twist God’s Word, corrupting its true meaning. This is precisely what he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden, questioning God’s command and implying different intentions behind it. Someone less learned in Scripture can unintentionally accept Satan’s false interpretations.
But Satan’s deception did not work on Jesus, who knew the Word thoroughly. We must strive to be like Jesus in our scriptural literacy, as it is easy to be misled by distortions of God’s Word that superficially seem valid. Satan takes verses out of context, adjusting their meaning to align with his corruption.
Because Satan cannot create anything original, he can only corrupt what God has created.
He twists biblical truths ever so slightly to pass them off as legitimate. It is like false gold – to the undiscerning, it may initially appear pure like real gold. But its falseness will eventually be revealed, as it gets washed away while real gold remains unchanged.
Individuals/people who are unwittingly manipulated by Satan. These individuals also have a tendency to distort Scripture because they lack the ability to create. Their words can be enticing, smoothly and effortlessly appealing to the ear.
You might hear something and think, “What a comforting message that is.” However, upon closer examination, these messages often unravel. Unfortunately, often people don’t interrogate. They go with what feels good or sounds good. We can’t be like this anymore, everybody.
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
IV. Satan Persecute and Kill
We must adopt a different approach. It is imperative that we no longer use comfort or agreeability as our standard. We ought to strive for what is genuinely good, not merely what feels good in the moment. To conclude, it’s crucial to recognize the clear distinction between the followers of God and those of Satan. The latter continue to perpetuate the actions that have always been characteristic of Satan.
47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Was Jesus a Samaritan? No. Was Jesus demon possessed? No, of course not. So the accusations against Jesus were lies that had been spreading. That’s why his accusers asked “Aren’t we right in saying this about you?” They were referring to rumors they had heard.
When Jesus was working, lies about him spread among the people, because they were persecuting him. Jesus often had to work in secret since he knew the people wanted him dead. Satan has always tried to kill God’s people.
Starting with Adam and Eve, who were spiritually compromised by Satan before he orchestrated the physical demise of Abel, making Abel the second casualty.
Satan has killed the spirits and bodies of every group God has worked with. The prophets, disciples and apostles were killed. And of course, Jesus was also killed – that is Satan’s goal: to destroy God’s plan, prevent it from happening and stop it from spreading at whatever cost. And whatever means necessary.
Unfortunately, Satan’s people will do the same – persecuting and even killing too. There are many examples in Scripture of this. Those who think they belong to God but carry out persecution are really showing who they actually belong to. This is profoundly sad.
“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,
What did Jesus say? He warned that some may even kill you, thinking they are doing a service to God. However, are they truly doing a service to God? No, they are doing the opposite – slowing down God’s work.
I raise this point so that we can become aware. We must be aware that if people like this existed 2,000 years ago, similar mindsets likely exist today too. We should not view the Bible merely as an old scripture with good life lessons, but one that contains wisdom still very relevant for issues faced in the present day.
God desires to restore while Satan seeks to destroy whatever he can. This spiritual war has been raging for a very long time, so it may seem that God’s promises are taking a long time to be fulfilled.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The Bible is a living and active text even today. Its messages and prophecies continue to unfold and be fulfilled in the present day. We must be attuned to this – all people should be aware of how the Bible speaks into current times.
The presence of Satan and evil forces are still at work in positions of power and influence in our world. Even some religious leaders unfortunately promote misinformation and false doctrines. This leaves many congregations unaware and misguided.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Ephessians 2:2
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
However, God has forewarned us that a time will come when discernment will be within our grasp, when we will be capable of testing the spirits. This era heralds God’s renewed effort to fulfill His promises. We can recognize the arrival of this prophesied time because Scripture becomes newly coherent and relevant.
By God’s grace, we live in an age where we can separate truth from deception through spiritual discernment and enlightened understanding.
Let’s discern like
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
James: 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Reminder: 1. Let’s not be those that go with what feels good but what is actually good. A distinction between God’s people and Satan’s people. Satan’s people do as Satan has always done.
2. We are the reflections of what we follow, either God or Satan unintentionally, because we share the same characteristics and traits.
3. We need to question everything we hear, we cannot rely on what feel or sound good, we need to interrogate if it aligns to the word as the Standard.
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Understanding Spiritual Warfare
I. Introduction: The Need for Discernment
This section establishes the importance of spiritual discernment in a world where two opposing forces, God and Satan, are at work. It emphasizes the need to carefully analyze messages and teachings to identify their true source.
II. Discerning by Testing (Job 34:3-4, 1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11)
This section focuses on the critical role of testing spiritual messages against the standard of scripture. Just as the tongue tastes food, the ear must test words to distinguish truth from falsehood. It underscores the urgency of discerning between God’s voice and the deceptive whispers of Satan.
III. Discerning God’s People: Identifying God’s Characteristics in His Followers
This section delves into the attributes of God and how they manifest in those who genuinely belong to Him.
- A. God’s Power to Promise and Fulfill (Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 18:18-22)
- This subsection highlights God’s unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His ability to bring them to pass. True followers of God can testify to His fulfilled promises in their lives and in the world.
- B. God Speaks in Visions and Parables (Hosea 12:10)
- This subsection explores God’s intentional use of symbolic language in prophecies and parables to protect His plan from Satan’s interference. It emphasizes the ability of God’s people to understand and explain these parables once they are fulfilled.
- C. God is the Creator (Genesis 1:1-5, John 1:1-4)
- This subsection affirms God’s unique creative power through His Word. While God’s people cannot create independently, they can align their creativity with God’s instructions and Word, reflecting His design in their actions (Exodus 25:8-9).
- D. God is at War (Matthew 5:10-12)
- This subsection acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare and the inevitability of persecution for those who follow God. It encourages believers to expect and endure trials, knowing that God equips and strengthens them to overcome adversity.
IV. Discerning Satan’s People: Recognizing Satan’s Influence in His Followers
This section examines the characteristics of Satan and how they manifest in individuals under his influence.
- A. Satan Pretends (John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
- This subsection exposes Satan’s deceptive nature and his strategy of masquerading as an angel of light to infiltrate the church. It highlights the danger of being misled by appearances and the importance of spiritual maturity in detecting his subtle influence.
- B. Satan Cannot Testify (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)
- This subsection emphasizes Satan’s inability to comprehend God’s plan and prophecies. Consequently, those under his sway lack genuine understanding and cannot testify to God’s work.
- C. Satan Twists and Destroys (Matthew 4:5-7, 2 Timothy 4:3-4)
- This subsection reveals Satan’s destructive nature and his tactic of distorting God’s Word to deceive people. It warns against accepting teachings that feel good but lack scriptural integrity and encourages careful examination of all messages.
- D. Satan Persecutes and Kills (John 8:47-48, John 16:1-4)
- This subsection exposes Satan’s relentless persecution of God’s people throughout history. It reveals the tragic reality of those who, unknowingly serving Satan, persecute and even kill those who follow God.
V. The Importance of Biblical Literacy and Spiritual Training
This section emphasizes the crucial role of knowing and understanding Scripture as a weapon against Satan’s deceptions. It encourages active engagement with the Bible, comparing teachings against its truths and seeking God’s guidance in discerning truth from falsehood.
VI. Conclusion: Embracing Truth and Resisting Deception
This section summarizes the key differences between those who belong to God and those influenced by Satan. It urges readers to actively practice discernment, choosing to follow truth over what feels good, and resisting the enemy’s attempts to undermine their faith.
VII. Study Guide: Key Points and Reflection Questions
This section provides a concise overview of the main points discussed in the source material and offers reflection questions to promote deeper understanding and application of the teachings. It encourages continued study and reflection on the nature of spiritual warfare.
VIII. The Call to Unity and Humility
This section emphasizes the importance of seeking unity within the body of Christ while upholding biblical truth. It encourages respectful dialogue and a commitment to peace, recognizing that quarreling and division are tools of the enemy.
IX. The Power of the Holy Spirit
This section highlights the vital role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into all truth. It encourages reliance on the Spirit’s wisdom and understanding to discern the true meaning of Scripture and resist the enemy’s deceptions.
A Study Guide
Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan: A Study Guide
Key Concepts:
- Discernment: The ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, particularly in spiritual matters. This involves testing words and spirits against the standard of Scripture.
- Testimony: The act of bearing witness to God’s work and the fulfillment of His promises. God’s people can testify because they have experienced His power and faithfulness firsthand.
- Spiritual Warfare: The ongoing battle between God and Satan, which also manifests in the lives of individuals. God’s people will face persecution and opposition because of their allegiance to Him.
Characteristics of God’s People:
- Power to Promise and Fulfill: They understand and proclaim God’s promises, recognizing His ability to bring them to pass.
- Understanding of Parables and Prophecy: They can interpret God’s coded language, recognizing its fulfillment in events and in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Creative Alignment with God’s Word: Their creative endeavors are guided by Scripture, reflecting God’s design and not merely their own ideas.
- Preparedness for Spiritual Warfare: They expect and endure persecution, recognizing it as a mark of their faithfulness to God.
Characteristics of Satan’s People:
- Pretense and Deception: They present a false front, masquerading as righteous while spreading lies and corrupting God’s word.
- Inability to Testify: They cannot genuinely witness to God’s work because they are not connected to His Spirit.
- Distortion of Scripture: They twist and manipulate biblical truth to suit their own purposes, leading people astray.
- Persecution of God’s People: They oppose and attack those who follow God, seeking to hinder His plan and silence His truth.
Quiz:
- Why is it crucial to test the spirits we encounter?
- What distinguishes God’s word from a false word spoken in His name?
- Why does God speak in parables and visions, especially concerning prophecies?
- How should God’s people respond to persecution and opposition?
- What is the primary battlefield in the spiritual war between God and Satan?
- Why is it said that Satan cannot testify to God’s work?
- How does Satan corrupt and distort God’s creation?
- What is Satan’s ultimate goal in his attacks against God’s people?
- How can we avoid being deceived by false teachings that sound appealing?
- Why is it important to view the Bible as relevant to current events and not just an ancient text?
Answer Key:
- We must test the spirits because there are two kinds – those from God and those from Satan. Testing helps us discern truth from falsehood.
- The key difference is fulfillment. God’s word will always come to pass, while false words will fail to materialize.
- God uses this coded language to protect His plan from Satan’s interference, making it clear only when it is fulfilled.
- They should expect it and endure it with joy, knowing it is a sign of their righteousness and faithfulness to God.
- The primary battlefield is within the Church itself, as Satan seeks to corrupt believers and hinder God’s work from within.
- Satan cannot testify because he does not know or understand God’s truth and therefore cannot bear witness to its power.
- He cannot create anything original, so he twists and distorts what God has already made, presenting a counterfeit version.
- His goal is to destroy God’s plan and prevent the spread of His truth, ultimately aiming to separate humanity from God.
- We must test everything against the standard of Scripture, discerning whether it aligns with God’s truth and not just what feels good.
- The Bible offers timeless wisdom and insight that directly applies to the challenges and deceptions we face in the present day.
Glossary of Key Terms:
- Discernment: The ability to judge well, especially in spiritual matters; the ability to distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong.
- Testimony: A public declaration of what one has seen, heard, or experienced; evidence given in support of a fact or statement.
- Parable: A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
- Prophecy: A message that is claimed to be inspired by God or a god, often predicting future events.
- Spiritual Warfare: The ongoing struggle between good and evil, often depicted as a battle between God and Satan or between angels and demons.
- Deception: The act of misleading or tricking someone.
- Distortion: The act of twisting or altering something from its true form or meaning.
- Persecution: Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, political or religious beliefs.
- Church: The community of Christian believers; a building used for public Christian worship.
Breakdown
Overview
Overview: Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan
Source: Excerpts from “Copy of Class 06 – Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan”
Main Theme: The lesson outlines key characteristics for discerning between individuals who belong to God versus those who belong to Satan. This discernment hinges on understanding the inherent nature of God and Satan, and how these attributes manifest in their respective followers.
Key Ideas/Facts:
1. The Importance of Discernment:
- Testing the Spirits: The lesson stresses the vital importance of testing the spirits, as there are two opposing forces at work in the world. This is based on the scriptural mandate to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
- Words as Spirit: The lesson emphasizes that “words are spirit, and spirits work through words” (John 6:63). Therefore, careful examination of teachings and messages is necessary to determine their source and alignment with scripture.
2. Characteristics of God’s People:
- Power to Testify: God’s people can testify to the fulfillment of His promises based on their own experiences and understanding of scripture (Deuteronomy 18:18-22).
- Understanding Parables: They can understand and explain God’s parables, which were intentionally veiled to protect His plan from Satanic interference (Hosea 12:10).
- Creative Alignment: Their creative abilities are guided by God’s word and instructions, resulting in works that reflect His divine pattern (Exodus 25:8-9).
- Prepared for Warfare: God’s people are prepared for spiritual warfare and persecution, understanding it is an inevitable consequence of standing for righteousness (Matthew 5:10-12).
3. Characteristics of Satan’s People:
- Deception and Pretense: Satan’s followers often operate under the guise of righteousness, masking their true nature to infiltrate and corrupt the church (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
- Inability to Testify: They cannot genuinely testify to God’s work as they are disconnected from His truth and power.
- Distortion of Scripture: Lacking the ability to create, they twist and distort God’s Word to fit their own agendas (Matthew 4:5-7).
- Persecution and Destruction: Driven by Satanic influence, they persecute and seek to destroy God’s people and His plan (John 16:1-4).
4. The Battlefield:
- The primary battlefield in this spiritual war is the Church, where Satan seeks to deceive and corrupt believers.
- This battle is not merely between believers and non-believers, but a struggle within the hearts of individuals to choose whom they will serve.
5. The Call to Action:
- The lesson calls believers to be vigilant in their discernment, actively testing teachings and messages against the standard of God’s Word.
- It encourages replacing the pursuit of comfort and agreeability with the pursuit of genuine good, even if it requires confronting difficult truths.
- Ultimately, believers are urged to submit to God and resist the devil, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth.
Important Quotes:
- “The ear tests words just as the tongue tastes food, and we must able to spiritually discern with God’s word.”
- “God has won the cosmic battle, but we must choose, moment by moment, which voice we will listen to in our lives. The stakes could not be higher.”
- “Satan pretends and disguises himself intentionally to be more effective.”
- “Because Satan cannot create anything original, he can only corrupt what God has created.”
- “We must be aware that if people like this existed 2,000 years ago, similar mindsets likely exist today too.”
Additional Notes:
- The lesson heavily emphasizes the importance of correctly understanding and interpreting scripture.
- It presents a clear dichotomy between the characteristics and actions of those belonging to God versus those influenced by Satan.
- The lesson serves as a warning against deception within the church and a call to equip oneself for spiritual warfare.
Q&A
Q&A: Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to Satan
1. Why is it necessary to test the spirits?
Testing the spirits is essential because there are two kinds: the spirit of God and the spirit of Satan. Discernment is crucial to distinguish between these spirits as they work through words. Satan often twists God’s words and corrupts their meaning to deceive. By testing the spirits against the truth of Scripture, we can determine which words align with God’s will and which ones are deceptive.
2. If God has already defeated Satan, why does the struggle between good and evil persist within us?
While God has ultimately triumphed over Satan, the battle continues in the hearts and minds of individuals. We have the free will to choose which spirit we will follow and nourish. This inner struggle persists because we must constantly decide whether to listen to God’s voice or succumb to Satan’s temptations. Each choice shapes our spiritual alignment and determines our eternal destiny.
3. What distinguishes God’s people from Satan’s people?
God’s people exhibit certain characteristics that reflect God’s nature. They can testify to the fulfillment of God’s promises, understand and explain His parables, and align their creative abilities with His Word. They also endure persecution for righteousness’ sake, recognizing that it is a mark of true discipleship.
Conversely, Satan’s people mirror his deceitful nature. They lie, distort Scripture, and lack the ability to genuinely create. They also persecute and try to destroy God’s people and His work.
4. How does Satan corrupt God’s Word?
Satan is a master of deception and uses Scripture to mislead. He twists verses out of context, manipulates their meaning, and presents distorted interpretations that appear plausible but ultimately lead astray. He aims to create confusion and doubt, drawing people away from the truth.
5. Why does Satan disguise himself as an angel of light?
Satan’s masquerade as an angel of light is a tactic to deceive people more effectively. By appearing good and righteous, he gains trust and influence, making it harder to detect his true nature. This deception allows him to spread his lies and corrupt God’s work from within.
6. What is Satan’s primary battleground?
Satan’s main battleground is the Church. He targets believers, seeking to sow discord, plant false teachings, and undermine the spread of the Gospel. He understands that a divided and compromised Church is less effective in carrying out God’s mission.
7. How can we protect ourselves from Satan’s deceptions?
We can protect ourselves by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, developing a deep understanding of its truths, and testing everything we hear against it. We should also pray for discernment, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, and fellowship with other believers who can help us stay grounded in the faith.
8. What should our response be when encountering distorted teachings?
We should respond with grace and truth. Respectfully challenge false teachings by referencing Scripture and pointing to its accurate interpretation. We must stand firm in our convictions, knowing that God’s truth will ultimately prevail. While engaging in these discussions, it is important to do so with humility, gentleness, and respect, as outlined in Scripture.