In a world saturated with information and spiritual claims, how can we discern truth from error? How do we know if a movement or teaching is genuinely from God? The Apostle John, in his first letter, provides crucial guidance. This article delves into 1 John 4:1-8, exploring the vital importance of testing the spirits and equipping you with the tools to navigate the spiritual landscape with discernment.
The Mandate: “Test the Spirits”
1 John 4:1 commands us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a mandate. We are called to be discerning, not gullible.
- “Spirits” refers to persons, whether human or angelic.
- “Test” (dokimazĹŤ in Greek) is a term used in metallurgy, signifying the process of assessing the purity of metal. It implies a rigorous examination to determine authenticity.
This command is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, urging us to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to what is good.” Why is this so critical? Because Satan exists, and he operates a kingdom of lies that dominates the world. He and his agents often disguise themselves as angels of light, making discernment all the more crucial.
The Battlefield: A War for the Mind
People often misunderstand spiritual warfare. It’s not about chasing Satan around or trying to bind him. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 explains, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
- Our weapons are divinely powerful, not human ingenuity.
- The “fortresses” we are dismantling are speculations, ideas, ideologies, theories, viewpoints, belief systems, psychologies, and religions.
Spiritual war is a battle for the mind. The world is imprisoned in belief systems, fortified by lies crafted by Satan, the father of lies and the arch-deceiver. Our responsibility is to smash these ideologies and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
The Tests: Discerning the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error
1 John 4:2-3 provides a crucial test: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist.”
Test 1: The Christological Test – Does it Exalt Jesus Christ?
This test focuses on the person of Jesus Christ. Any spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. Conversely, any spirit that denies this truth is not from God and embodies the spirit of the antichrist.
- This test emphasizes the incarnation: Jesus, God in human flesh.
- A true understanding of Christology is foundational.
False religions and heretical Christian cults invariably have an aberrant Christology. The Holy Spirit, however, always presents the glory of the Son truthfully. A Holy Spirit-filled preacher will be Christ-dominated, presenting Him in an accurate, exalting, and truthful way.
If there’s any deficiency in the nature of Christ, the prominence of Christ, or the gospel, it’s not the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to point to Jesus and lead us into all truth concerning Him.
Test 2: Is it Worldly or Does it Overcome the World?
Verses 4 and 5 contrast those who are “from God” with those who are “from the world.” Those from the world speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. This movement grows because it offers people in the world what they already want: health, wealth, and prosperity.
- It appeals to the unregenerate heart.
- It’s about worldly things, not the Kingdom of God.
True believers, however, have overcome the world. They are not interested in worldly things. They heed the warning: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15).
Test 3: Does it Point People to the Bible?
Verse 6 states, “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” The Spirit of truth runs to Scripture.
Test 4: Does it Manifest the Love of God?
Verses 7 and 8 declare, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” The true work of the Holy Spirit manifests the love of God – love toward God and love toward God’s people.
- It elevates biblical love.
- It shows up toward God in pure, true, holy worship.
- It shows up toward others in a humble, sacrificial desire to serve and edify.
Conclusion: Vigilance and Discernment in a World of Deception
The call to test the spirits is as relevant today as it was in the first century. By applying these biblical tests, we can discern truth from error, protect ourselves from deception, and remain faithful to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t blindly accept everything you hear. Be like the noble Bereans, examining everything to see what is true (Acts 17:11).
Call to Action: Take time to study 1 John 4:1-8 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Reflect on these principles and apply them to the teachings and movements you encounter. Share this article with others to equip them with the tools for discernment. Let us earnestly contend for the truth and stand firm in the faith.
Why should we test the spirits according to 1 John 4?
[00:51] According to 1 John 4:1, we are commanded to ‘test the spirits’ to discern whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This testing is crucial due to the reality of spiritual warfare, where deceitful spirits, including those disguised as angels of light, seek to lead believers away from the truth. Awareness of this deception necessitates vigilance and discernment to recognize true teachings and claims about God.
What are the principles of spiritual warfare discussed in the sermon below?
[05:31] The principles of spiritual warfare involve understanding that our warfare is not fought with human means but requires divinely powerful tools. As stated in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, our battle is against strongholds and ideologies that oppose the knowledge of God. True spiritual warfare is about capturing thoughts and beliefs that do not align with Christ, focusing on the mind rather than directly confronting spiritual forces like Satan in a tangible way.
What defines the true work of the Holy Spirit?
[23:39] The true work of the Holy Spirit is characterized by the exaltation of Jesus Christ. As per 1 John 4:2, any spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, while those that do not acknowledge Him are not. This indicates that genuine spiritual movements rooted in the Holy Spirit will uphold Christ’s divinity and humanity, clarifying the truth of the gospel in every teaching.
How can one identify false teachings in the church?
[29:45] To identify false teachings, one must look for any discrepancies in the presentation of Jesus Christ and the gospel. False teachings often diminish Christ, misrepresent His nature, or alter the gospel’s message, as seen in various heresies. An example presented is the ‘prosperity gospel’ which caters to worldly desires rather than biblical truth, presenting a distorted view of what faith means and leading to harmful practices within the church.
What role does Scripture play in discerning spirits?
[56:01] In discerning true and false teachings, Scripture plays an essential role as the standard of truth. In 1 John 4:6, it states that those who are from God listen to the apostles and their teachings. The Holy Spirit will always guide believers back to the Word of God as the source of truth, making Scripture the ultimate authority for evaluating spiritual claims and movements.
Listen to Pastor John MacArthur explain in all seriousness how to discern the false from the true Gospel.
We are all called to test the every spirit. Yet how often are we testing? Learn how from Pastor John as he skilfully teaches us how to test.