We can discern who is of the Kingdom of God and who is of the wicked one by looking for these four characteristics.

The sons of the Kingdom:

Wait continually on the Lord for His counsel concerning every thought, word, and deed. They love to listen for His voice. As they mature in the Lord they grow increasingly dependent on their relationship to Him to govern all that they are, do, and say.

Do not trust in human reasoning. They know that the natural mind is the enemy of God. They are blind and deaf to the world. They seek the fellowship and counsel of the Lord in every matter, great and small. They have learned that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Walk in open confession of sin before God. They can learn from fellow believers and from unbelievers as well what their own sins and shortcomings are. They are quick to confess these and, by the Lord's help, to turn away from them.

Are slow to accuse others. They do not gossip. They do not slander other people. They rejoice at the success of a fellow member of the church and are grieved over his or her shortcomings.

Have a good understanding from the Lord. They do not strain out gnats and swallow camels. They emphasize justice, mercy, and faith rather than grace, religious ordinances, or any of the other devices that people use to evade the righteous ways of the Lord.

Many of the Israelites grieved the Lord because they did not understand God or His ways.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: (Psalms 95:10)

Are humble of heart, meek in spirit, ready to be instructed. They do not strive with others in order to force their own will but are gentle toward all men, apt to teach, patient. They are not filled with personal ambition and envy, attempting to supplant the position of others.

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (Isaiah 14:13)

It is in the heart of Satan to want to lord it over his fellows. People who desire to be preeminent, to be exalted over their fellow saints, are reflecting the seed of Satan.

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. (Luke 22:24)

What a terrible tare to be found among those closest to the Lord—the desire to be accounted the greatest! Personal ambition, envy, supplanting, competition, the lust to be chief, may be the worst sin of all. What horrible deeds have been performed throughout history both in the Church and in the world because someone desired to be exalted above his or her fellows! Not one trace of this satanic seed will be left in the Kingdom of God. All aspects of stubborn, unteachable arrogance will be hurled into the fire by the messengers of God.

To be continued.