The answer I've been looking for is;
spiritual discernment.
Fruits are spiritual so of course they have to be discerned spiritually. The testing of the fruits through spiritual discernment can be found in Matt. 7:15-20.
Paul's and James' tests are important yet Jesus' was not worth mentioning?
Since you've been arguing the false dichotomy of 1 John 4:2 and 1 Cor 12:3 as being the only tests to know the spirits, your argument is invalid.
The danger here is, being ignorant to this particular scripture and also personally lacking in this gift results in a Christian having to place their trust in a leader's judgment and consequently also their interpretation of scripture.
It also puts you in the place of being naive toward other sects that can and do confess Jesus as Lord and also believe he came in the flesh yet are wolves in sheep's clothing ready to take advantage of your lack of discernment.
Scripture says if anyone comes to you but brings not the whole of his teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. That included the Yogi's from my previous example which preach a perverted gospel.
Quote:
|
Tests of fruit or behavior are no where near as reliable
|
It's not your place to tell anyone that a gift from God is not reliable.