God's Holy Fire: 'We Are Not Fooled!'

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Here's how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ — the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person — comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!
— 1 John 4:2-3 MSG

Key Thought

Over the years, many people have speculated on the human identity of the antichrist. However, we must realize that many live under the influence of the evil one. They are influenced by the spirit of the antichrist, just as many were in New Testament times (1 John 2:18). All who do not confess that Jesus is the Son of God, the actual flesh-and-blood person who lived and walked among us as God with us (Matthew 1:23), have the spirit of the antichrist at work within them (Ephesians 2:1-5). The Holy Spirit, our anointing from God, teaches us the truth about Jesus (1 John 2:18-27). We are not fooled by those who deny the truth about Jesus. The Spirit of God helps us safeguard the truth entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:14).

Today's Prayer

Father, I know there are many who are sincere, but who have given up the truth about Jesus. I confess that I cannot really comprehend how anyone can be fully divine and also fully human. But what I cannot comprehend, I trust as true because of the testimony of Scripture and the influence of the Holy Spirit on my heart and my mind. Please renew my mind, deepen my reverence, and strengthen my faith that Jesus became human for me so that I can know the grace you have for me. I humbly thank you for this grace in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:2-3 MSG — Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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