Character Witness: Test the Spirits

Introduction

In this portion of the Scripture, we will look at John's teaching on testing the spirits. The Apostle identifies two spirits at work in the world: The Spirit of God (truth) and the spirit of the antichrist (error). He also gives guidance on how to distinguish between the two when they are at work. So I ask you this: Do you know how to distinguish between those who are empowered by the Spirit of God and those empowered by the spirit of the antichrist?

1 John 4:1–6 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Test the Spirit

1 John 4:1 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

John instructs the children of God to not believe every spirit but to test the spirits. The reason for testing is to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world. Remember John’s statement in 1 John 2:19 “19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” There were people who fellowshipped with them for a time but did not continue with them. Instead, they went out from among them and started to teach heresy. John called them antichrists and children of the devil. John’s mentioning of false prophets having gone out into the world is more of a reflection of what has happened before than what is happening now. It is essentially a warning. He is saying, this is what happened in the past, therefore you must be on the look out because will continue to happen. However, I want you to notice John’s focus in not necessarily on the person but the spirit working within that person. Remember, we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. . .

The key for them is to not believe every spirit. Instead, one must test the spirits. To test means to examine or approve something is truly what it says it is. Testing requires one to be active and attentive in their listening. Testing requires one to be willing to ask questions when clarity is need. Testing requires an individual to look past credentials and charisma. Testing requires a desire for the truth of God, not truth that suits one’s own well being. Unfortunately, this is where many who call themselves Christians fail.

Instead of testing, feelings have become the determinate on whether what is being professed across the pulpit is true. It ain’t true if I am not entertained. It ain’t true if I do not feel goose bumps. It ain’t the spirit of God if my emotions are not moved. It ain’t true if I don’t see everyone else hooping and hollering. All wrong! If what you feel is your determinant for what is true, then you are not testing. Instead, you are determining truth on your terms.

By this we know. . .

1 John 4:2–3 ESV

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

John highlights how we know the Spirit of God and the spirit of the antichrist. Those who have the Spirit of God confess Jesus has come in the flesh from God. Again, we have to remember the heresy in their time was to deny the humanity of Jesus. Simply, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh has the spirit of the antichrist which they heard was coming and is in the world now.

Unfortunately, we still have sects who consider themselves Christian but have wild teachings regarding Jesus and His origins. Mormonism (Latter Days Saint), Jehovah witness, Islam, and many others have a distorted view of Jesus. Even worse, there are many who look just like sheep but are wolves and present a distorted view of Jesus even though they confess both His divinity and humanity (John speaks on that in the proceeding verses). They are all antichrist. Matter of fact, to deny anything regarding Christ, meaning His divinity/humanity and/or teachings is to deny Jesus and that person has the spirit of the antichrist working within them.

One final thing I want to say about this section is this: Many are looking for the big bad evil to come into the world but miss out on all the work he is doing in the world now. If people were to stop and take heed regarding the spirit of antichrist being in the world already maybe they would take the time to test the spirits and not believe everything they hear or heard.

This is how we know between the spirits

1 John 4:4–6 ESV

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

John ends this section with great encouragement. The children of God are overcomers because of the Spirit of God who is in them. Nothing less and nothing more. We are considered overcomers because of the person and work of Jesus, alone. The Spirit of God, who is in us, is greater than the spirit of antichrist who is in them.

Earlier I mentioned those who call themselves Christian but are wolves in sheep clothing. Although they confess the divinity and humanity of Christ they present a distorted view of Christ and therefore against him. Well, verse 5 helps when discerning who they truly are. Remember, wolves in sheep clothing are not easily discerned. They will present themselves as children of the light but testing will prove they are children of the devil. You test them by their doctrine and their actions because as we know, 1 John 2:5–6 “5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

In verse 5, John says they are from the world (those with the spirit of the antichrist); therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. You are able to discern the spirit by what they speak. Earlier in his letter John said, 1 John 2:15–17 “15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Those led by the spirit of the antichrist will steer your desires towards worldly things instead of doing the will of God. Anything that is spoken in the name of Jesus that makes you desire things of the flesh, covet, and desire possession worldly materials is not of God.

John states, “We are from God.” However, to know that they are from God one must know God. And, the one that knows God is listen to them because they have proper discernment between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Conclusion

How are you to distinguish between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the antichrist? Well first, you have to have received the Holy Spirit yourself. That comes by faith in Jesus Christ our LORD. Second, you must not believe every spirit but test the spirits. Remember, the Holy Spirits purpose is to teach you and guide you into all truth regarding salvation. Thus, when one tests, you must be testing with the truth revealed. We have that truth in Scripture. Listen to what is said and test it against the word of God. Not only examine your heart but examine the life of those who speak as well because it must line up with the teachings of Jesus. If anything teaching spoken in the name of Jesus make you desire the worldly things, its not of God. Lastly, and again, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see if it is from God.