Identifying the Spirit of Antichrist: Christ in Your Flesh

Yes, any belief or spirit that denies that Jesus Christ is currently and personally present in the believer's own flesh through the Holy Spirit is identified as the spirit of antichristGCB/GCDB 1895, page 132.6+2. This is because the true Spirit of God is characterized by the confession that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh," which signifies Christ abiding within the individual as their hope of glory 1 John 4:2-3GCB/GCDB 1895, page 132.6+1.

🕊️ The True Spirit of God vs. The Spirit of Antichrist

The distinction between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error rests upon whether one acknowledges the living presence of Christ within the human heart todayBEST January 14, 1895, page 10.8+1.

• The Spirit of God: This spirit confesses that Jesus Christ is presently come in the flesh—specifically, in your own flesh—to reign within you and subdue the lusts of the human natureGCB/GCDB 1895, page 132.6+2.

• The Spirit of Antichrist: This is not merely a denial of a historical event, but a denial of the current work of Christ in the individualGCB/GCDB 1895, page 132.6+1. Even if a person or a spirit confesses with their lips that Jesus lived in the past, they manifest the spirit of antichrist if they are opposed in heart and life to the objects for which He was manifestedCHMP 5.2+1.

• Replacing the Spirit: There are only two powers that control the minds of men: the power of God and the power of SatanTe 276.3+1. When one denies the power of Christ to dwell within and sanctify the soul, they are essentially yielding to the control of the enemy, who seeks to distract the senses and debase the soulTe 276.3+1.

🛡️ Discerning Spiritual Deceptions

The spirit of antichrist is often insidious and works through various forms of error to blind the mindSITI November 24, 1887, page 712.17+1.

• Counterfeit Systems: Some religious systems, such as modern Spiritualism, are described as the "direct mouth-piece of Satan" because they deny the divinity of Christ and His essential mission in the fleshSITI November 24, 1887, page 712.17+2.

• Exaltation of Self: The essence of the papacy and the spirit of antichrist is self-exaltation, which stands in direct opposition to the self-renunciation and humility of Christ 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4ECE 603.1+1.

• The Test of Truth: God has provided a rule to test every spirit: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" Isaiah 8:20ST September 3, 1894, par. 6+1. Any teaching that suggests man can have life or righteousness apart from the indwelling of Christ is a manifestation of the spirit of antichristSITI November 24, 1887, page 713.3+1.

⚓ Our Safeguard

The only way to overcome the spirit of antichrist is to have Christ Himself living within youBEST January 14, 1895, page 10.8+1. By surrendering the soul, body, and spirit to God, you open the door for Christ's imputed righteousness to defend you against the wiles of the devil 1 Thessalonians 5:238LtMs, Lt 101, 1893, par. 2. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4BEST January 14, 1895, page 10.8+1.