How To Identify The Spirit Of Anti-Christ

According to Christians, the Anti-Christ is one man who will be an evil, powerful world leader, and the greatest opposition to Christianity ever seen. Much preparation and imagination has gone into the production of films and books depicting what can only be hypothesized regarding future events. However, very few, if any, have biblically dealt with the identification of the spirit of anti-Christ, the precursor to the terrible and diabolical ruler's appearance. Scriptures that plainly teach how to identify and avoid the spirit of anti-Christ, are hardly ever mentioned. The harm in such an oversight is devastating because the spirit of anti-Christ is a precursor to the real man that will be appear to be Satan in the flesh.

One of the numerous teachings of Jesus is so important that when it is denied or contradicted in any way, the Bible says that it amounts to partaking in the spirit of anti-Christ. What is this teaching and what are the Bible's instructions to identify an anti-Christian spirit? The serious Bible student must first understand the real impact of the title of 'Son of God'. Although such title, with a lower case 's', is used to refer to holy angels and also to God's saints, the Jews understood the unique context in which Jesus used it. They knew that angels and men are beings created by God. However, when Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of God, He did so in a way that placed Him in a category that only He could fill. His description of who He was eliminated any thought that He was like the rest of mankind whose creation is accomplished 'indirectly' by God through an earthly Father. In St. John 8.42, He taught, "I proceeded forth and came from God." No other prophet of God ever spoke in such a manner. Consequently, Jesus' statements that He is the Son of God amount to His affirmation of equality with God. This was blasphemy to many Jews of that day. When there is only one parent, the offspring is identical to the parent. In essence, He taught that He was God wrapped in flesh. The scripture of St. John 5.18 says, "therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."

In I John 4.1-3, the Bible tells the Christian, "believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby (in this way), 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. And this is that spirit of anti-Christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world."

The 'spirit' to which the above scripture refers, includes all beings, whether they are angels or men. The phrase 'come in the flesh', refers to God in flesh. There's no reason to dispute the birth of a mere mortal who knew no other existence except one in the flesh. Denial of the Lord's coming in flesh to save mankind is denial of the foundation of the faith. There can be no building with God without first laying the foundation He gave.

How does one put the scriptural test into real life practice? Its very simple. Often people will engage in conversation about the church they attend and their faith. The wise Christian is one who first assures that the individual with whom he is talking is standing on the same foundation. Its not rude to simply ask someone if they believe in the divinity of Jesus. If that person is a believer himself, he should take no offense at the question, realizing that his brother or sister in Christ is being obedient to scripture.

Its also important to familiarize oneself with the scriptures that identify the voice of the spirit of anti-Christ as it presents itself in different forms. Another tactic of the spirit of anit-Christ to deceive is to teach that Jesus was not the only Christ of God, but one of many. Again, its vital to understand that Jesus is the same Lord in Isaiah 46:9 that said, "I am God, and there is none else. I am God, and there is none like me." Others will simply deny altogether that Jesus was the Christ of God. Others will deny that He is God's son. Such denial of the Son leaves one with denial of the Father as well, and consequently, with denial of the existence of the world's only Savior. This also is the spirit of anti-Christ. 1 John 2.22-23 says, "who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. But he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."

Hannah Henderson is a web developer, ordained missionary, and author of the biblical study entitled: Jesus Or His Impostor? located on the home page of Heavenly Manna