At the end of what are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes, Matthew 7:28 tells us: “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (NASB).” The people could tell that this was the Son of God; that the Spirit of God was at work within Jesus. Just because the scribes had the title and the authority to teach scripture, did not mean that the Spirit of God was at work in them.
One of the many remarks Jesus made about the scribes and Pharisees is recorded in Mark 7:6-7 where Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught (NIV).”
We must have discernment to know that those who teach us, who mentor us in the Word of God, have the Spirit of God at work in them. Jesus warned, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles (Matthew 7:15-16)?” Peter also cautioned, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).”
How do we discern that the Spirit of God is at work? As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Paul wrote to the Galatians, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22).” One can exhibit power and authority, but what is their fruit? Remember that, “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).”
We should prayerfully ask God for wisdom and discernment in examining others. As Jesus cautioned, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Luke 6:41-42).”
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 2:14
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, – 1 John 4:2
140 Character Christian 