Test the Spirits

Introduction

So far in this epistle, John has discussed what our relationship should be (or not be) in regards to:

God- His light dispels darkness 1Jn 1:5-6

Jesus - We are to love Him and keep his commandments 1Jn 2:3-4

The things in the world - We are not to love the World. 1Jn 2:15

Sin - We don’t keep practicing it 1Jn 3:4-5

Our brethren - We should love them. 1Jn 3:11

From there John goes into detail on how we should love our brothers, and basically he says in a nutshell, that we are supposed to love our brothers by serving them - in other words active love or as I’ve preached on several occasions - Love in Action. I won’t really go into a whole lot more detail than that because I think it’s something that we as a body do really well.

So instead let’s get into Chapter Four. As chapter four begins, we find John exhorting us concerning a very real danger. A danger which is particularly applicable to us in this day and age: false prophets!

1 John 4:1–6 TLV

Loved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. You know the Ruach Elohim by this—every spirit that acknowledges that Messiah Yeshua has come in human flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Yeshua is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti-messiah, which you have heard is coming and now is already in the world. You are from God, children, and you have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world, so they speak from the world and the world listens to them. We are from God; whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

What initially strikes me is John’s heart here. How many have been to a church where the leadership or even the pastors “warn you” about the church down the street or the other para church ministries in town, and immediately you know that they must be “the competition” because “why we’ve got the truth here”. You get a sense that they are warning their people out of jealousy rather than sincere concern. Here there’s something about John calling them out with the words he uses. “Loved ones,” It’s like a father with genuine concern for his children, warning them about the dangers of life. He asks them to test the Spirits. Notice he doesn’t issue a blanket statement and say “don’t go to the seventh church of the next to the last bapticostal” He instead gives them criteria for judging the soundness of what they accept as truth.

What is John’s admonition?

1. Do not believe every spirit.

In other words, don't believe everything you hear, or everyone who claims to be from God. This may be so obvious that it would seem foolish to randomly believe everyone, but I can tell you that so many people believe every single “prophetic word” that they hear uttered by anyone. There is a proliferation of “Tik Tok prophets” that always seem to fall on my For You Page, and I would say that about 99% of them are doing nothing more than regurgitating their morning devotional or their own personal take on the latest news even and slapping a thus sayeth the Lord on it. It’s very much what the kids call “cringe”. If we were to accept every one of these so-called prophets’ words, we would be in a constant state of confusion (believing one thing one moment, and another thing the next). Worse than that, we would be easily misled by those teaching error.

So the first part of the test is: be discerning because not every spirit is from God.

2. Test the Spirits to see if they are from God.

The word “test” means to examine, prove scrutinize. To see whether a thing is genuine or not. John is saying don't just accept what some teacher or preacher is saying; examine what is being taught. Those who have this attitude are highly commended in the Scriptures:

The Bereans -

Acts 17:11 TLV

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, because they received the message with goodwill, searching the Scriptures each day to see whether these things were true.

The Ephesians

Revelation 2:2 TLV

I know all about your deeds and your toil and your patient endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. You have tested those who call themselves emissaries and are not, and have found them to be liars.

3. Why test them? For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Avoiding false prophets is the primary reason we must “test the spirits”. John wasn’t the only one who warned us about this.

Matthew 7:15 TLV

“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

In case you were wondering, those are the words of Jesus.

2 Peter 2:1–3 TLV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result the way of the truth will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

So Peter, but also Paul

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 TLV

For such men are false emissaries, deceitful workers masquerading as Messiah’s emissaries. And no wonder, for even satan masquerades as an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds.

Paul is pretty brutal he flat out says they are servants of the adversary masquerading as servants of righteousness.

So we must examine, prove, and scrutinize those who would teach us! Even if some teachers consider it insubordinate, or complain that you are causing controversy. The bottom line is that we are commanded by Messiah to test the spirits, and if one teaches in our classes, pulpits, radio, newspapers, etc., they must acknowledge that we are commanded by scripture to “test the spirits!”

But HOW shall we test the spirits? Good question In our text, John shares with us several tests.

The Tests

1 John 4:2–3 TLV

You know the Ruach Elohim by this—every spirit that acknowledges that Messiah Yeshua has come in human flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Yeshua is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti-messiah, which you have heard is coming and now is already in the world.

1 John 4:6 TLV

We are from God; whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Do they confess that Yeshua has come in the flesh?

Verses 2-3 are best understood in light of the Gnostic-like errors that were prevalent at that time, in which some denied that Messiah actually came in the flesh.

2 John 7 TLV

For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah coming in human flesh. This one is a deceiver and the anti-messiah.

This gnostic doctrine was leading many astray, possibly because the false teachers claimed inspiration by the Spirit but those who would teach such falsehood are not led by the Spirit of God, but possess the spirit of the Antichrist!

Listen to the emissaries (apostles)

1 John 4:6 TLV

We are from God; whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Those who truly know God listen to the apostles, those who are not of God will reject them. Why? What makes them so special? Well, if you’d had the opportunity to spend almost every waking minute being personally taught by Jesus for three years, do you think you’d know a thing or two?

So our application would be, are the “words” being given consistent with the apostles’ teaching.

Jesus taught that to receive his emmisaries was to receive Him and God -

John 13:20 TLV

Amen, amen I tell you, he who receives the one I send, receives Me; and he who receives Me, receives the One who sent Me.”

That’s why the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine.

Acts 2:42 TLV

They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers.

Because they recognized their words as the commands of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:37 TLV

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

Even the apostles recognized their fellow-apostles' writings as equivalent to inspired scriptures.

2 Peter 3:15–16 TLV

Bear in mind that the patience of our Lord means salvation—just as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom given to him. He speaks about these matters in all of his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist (as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures)—to their own destruction.

Therefore, those who are of God will heed the apostles, and agree with their teaching!

This is a test that we can easily apply today on virtually every issue, but it implies knowledge and understanding of the apostles' doctrine on our part. But that should not be a problem if we follow the example of the first church in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:42 TLV

They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers.

Two bonus tests (from the Tanakh)

The Presumptuous Prophet Test

Deuteronomy 18:21–22 TLV

“Now should you say in your heart, ‘How would we recognize the word that Adonai has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in Adonai’s Name and the word does not happen or come true, that is a word that Adonai has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously—do not be afraid of him.

The Pied Piper Prophet Test

Deuteronomy 13:1–4 TLV

“Whatever I command you, you must take care to do—you are not to add to it or take away from it. “Suppose a prophet or a dreamer of dreams rises up among you and gives you a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder he spoke to you comes true, while saying, ‘Let’s follow other gods’—that you have not known, and—‘Let’s serve them!’ You must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams—for Adonai your God is testing you, to find out whether you love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Putting it All Together

In the midst of these warnings to "test the spirits", John provides some comforting words in verses 4-5

1 John 4:4–5 TLV

You are from God, children, and you have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world, so they speak from the world and the world listens to them.

By being from God (because they have heeded the words of His apostles). They can overcome the false prophets, for the One in them is greater than he (Satan?) who is in the world.

Don't be surprised when you see the world following after the false prophets because false prophets will always speak in a way that appeals to the world.

I encourage you not to be deterred by the “apparent success” of the false teachers (just because Joel Olsteen has a mega church does not mean that he preaches the truth!)

In fact, considering the crazy number of religions and various doctrines bombarding us today, all in the name of Christ and the Spirit of God, the exhortation of John is very relevant and important for us:

“Loved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.”

Are you continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine so you can properly apply the test? It is so much more important as we are coming into the last days. After all Yeshua said of these days.

Mark 13:22–23 TLV

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and show signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the chosen. So be careful! See, I have told you everything beforehand.”

Let’s pray.