Discerning The Spirits

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: In an unethical selling technique called the bait-and-switch method, a retailer lures customers into his store by advertising a well-known product at a very low price. When the buyer asks to purchase it, however, he is told that it is out of stock. The salesperson then tries to sell him an inferior line of merchandise, hoping to pocket a bigger profit. The brand name was used just to get potential customers to step inside.

In a similar way, a false teacher uses biblical words to capture interest and gain a hearing. He may talk about Christ, redemption, the cross, and the resurrection, but these “trusted terms” amount to nothing more than a come-on. The “seller” uses them to advertise truths that, as far as he is concerned, are “out of stock.” When an interested person responds, he is confronted by beliefs that are completely contrary to God’s Word. Let us turn to 1 John 4 and see how we can discern the different spirits surround us …

INTRODUCTION: It amazes me, frankly, even though the Bible is clear on this, how inept the church has been through its history at protecting biblical truth. Every generation seems to fall into error. This is why Paul instructed Timothy in his letter (1 Timothy 6:20) "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you." And what had been entrusted to him was the treasure of divine revelation. Guard that.

In order to guard that, he says, you have to avoid worldly and empty chatter. You have to avoid arguments that oppose the Scripture, even though they might be called knowledge. They are falsely called knowledge. In 1 John 4:1 the command is to ‘Test the Spirits.’

John begins this passage with an admonition: "Do not believe every spirit." This is a reminder that the spiritual realm is real and active, but not all spirits or influences are from God.

(i) WHY TEST THE SPIRITS?

• John warns that many false prophets and deceptive influences have gone out into the world. These false leaders are agents of distortion, mixing elements of truth with lies to mislead others and causing confusion in the body of Christ.

• Spiritual deception is often disguised in seemingly harmless or alluring forms, making discernment vital for the believer’s walk with Christ.

(ii) RELEVANCE TODAY:

• With the rise of ideologies, philosophies, entertainment, and even false teachers within the Church, we're barraged with ideas competing for our hearts and minds. This command reminds us that not every spiritual claim is trustworthy.

iii) TESTING REQUIRES SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE:

• God calls us to mature in understanding through His Word, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is not passive—it requires active engagement with God's truth.

HOW TO TEST THE SPIRITS?

1. THE CONFESSION TEST (vs. 1-3)

Arguing from the particular to the more general, one can draw the conclusion from this that any time a spirit is conveying false doctrine (i.e. something that is unscriptural), he cannot be of God. Thus, in principle, a spirit who conveys false information is not the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will never lead anyone contrary to the Bible. The discerning of spirits was given as a sign gift and (along with the other sign gifts). By contrast, the New Testament Scriptures have been given to believers for their guidance or direction until the Lord's return at the rapture. If someone teaches things that are contrary to the Scripture, he is a false teacher; and the source of his teaching is not God the Holy Spirit.

So, what about the evil spirits that we see in the NT professing and claiming Jesus to be the Son of God and the Lord of all lords? This was never professed, claimed or articulated by the religious breed (Pharisees and Sadducees) of their time! People even started to accuse Jesus of possessing and being empowered by the evil spirits to do healings and miracles. The demonic spirits also believe in God but do they obey God? No, they don't … “But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:18-20) Apparently, we would articulate with fervent joy contrary to the demonic spirits who are fearful of God when they utter the name of Jesus Christ.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

The test centers on the truth of Jesus Christ: His divinity, humanity, and saving work. Any teaching or influence that denies Christ’s identity or diminishes His work is not from God.

(i) ACKNOWLEDGING JESUS CHRIST IN THE FLESH: