127. Every Spirit Prove, O Prove Ye

1. Every spirit prove, O prove ye,”
Thus commands He who doth love ye;
“If they all by God are taught,
Or in worldly error caught.”

2. By their fruits ye all shall prove them,
By the teachings that do move them;
Ye shall prove them by their mind,
By the earthly gain they find.

3. Soon all those will be revealed,
Who their true selves here concealed,
They will show their wolfish state,
How they all God’s children hate.

4. To him who in Christ confideth,
And in His commands abideth,
All those spirits will be known, -
Those whom Satan calls his own.

5. Drive away the wolves, O Savior!
Come and aid Thy people ever,
Lest from Thee away they go
Whom they here by faith now know!

6. The confused, with truth, O girt Thou,
And the erring ones convert Thou,
That Thy flock may e’er increase,
To Thy glory and our peace!