Believe Not Every Spirit!!!

1 John 4:1-6

Let me say this more plain,

don’t believe everyone who pretends to the Spirit,

who walk in supposed gifts,

who preach some sort of “new revelation”!

Ephesians 4:14 “Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.”

Specifically he gave the Apostle, the Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers (Eph. 4:11), for what?

These preach or proclaim the very words of God.

Why, to edify the body unto maturity, so that they are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (teaching).

You see the Apostles delivered to them what was once taught or delivered to them, (1 Cor. 15:3, 2 Peter 1:16-21, 1John 1:1-3).

The early church in Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”

We are meant to test the Spirits!

How is it that we test them?

Doctrine - Specifically in this instance what they say about Jesus.

- Also there speech is worldly and the content of their teaching is worldly.

Conduct - (1 John 2:9, 2:15, 3:9, 3:15).

The gift of Spiritual Discernment (1 Cor. 12:10, 14:29).

Here is the why!

Because “many” false prophets have gone out into the world.

There are many who teach error

Many like those he has described that are worldly, who love the world and the things of the world.

Many who fundamentally deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!

They preach some “other” Jesus rather than the one taught to them!

Verses 2-6

This is another litmus test to determine the genuine from the counterfeit.

Everyone who affirms that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

Everyone who does not affirm that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God.

The beginnings of Gnosticism could have been taking root at this time and many it’s seems believed that Jesus only “appeared to be human.

This comes from the false idea that the earthly is bad and the spiritual is good. Therefore the physical body is evil so Christ only appeared to be physical.

A later group held this heresy as well, the Docetists.

Not from God, but the spirit of the antichrist.

Who is coming

And already in the world.

Here should be your confidence, “greater is he that is in you, than he who is in the world”!

This verse is talking about ...

discerning false teaching and false teachers

overcoming this spirit of antichrist and his lies

They speak like the world and the world loves them.

they speak to gain a crowd

they speak to please the masses

they speak of worldly things

John Says, we are of God

for we speak the word of God

all who know God hear us

This is how to tell the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Application

Test Every Teaching Against Scripture Just as 1 John 4:1 instructs believers to test the spirits, we must evaluate every teaching against the Word of God. This means studying Scripture diligently, comparing new doctrines to biblical truth, and seeking wisdom from faithful pastors and teachers. If a teaching contradicts the gospel, it must be rejected.

Watch the Character and Conduct of Teachers Jesus taught that you will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). A teacher's life should reflect humility, righteousness, and love for Christ, not worldly ambition or self-promotion. 1 John 2:15 warns against loving the world, so believers should be cautious of teachers who prioritize fame, wealth, or social approval over faithfulness to God.

Rely on the Holy Spirit for Discernment Spiritual discernment is a gift (1 Corinthians 12:10), and believers must actively seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to recognize truth and reject deception. Walking in prayer, communion with God, and fellowship with other believers strengthens discernment and keeps the church from being tossed by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).