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. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

The world assaults me continuously with alternate belief systems, cleverly packaged and served with fancy garnishes. I remember the hucksters at the state fair, promoting their wares with cleverly turned phrases and promises. If I bought one of these whiz-bangs, my mother would never need another utensil in her kitchen. Her laughter was the confirmation that I had been taken.

However, the LORD, God the Almighty provides a simpler and far less embarrassing test. Does the prophet acknowledge that the LORD sent His Son, born of a virgin, to live as a man among us, to suffer and die for my sins and to prove the efficacy of that sacrifice by His resurrection and accession to the right hand of the LORD, God, the Almighty?

Pass the test—open arms. Fail the test—run for the door.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 2

Mid-day: 119:17-24

Evening: Psalm 77

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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.  A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/item/7251-2016-voices-together-weekly-format. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.