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:
• Genuine spiritual truths affirm the incarnation—that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
• True teachings recognize Christ’s death, resurrection, and His unique role as Savior of the world.
(ii) THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST:
• This refers to opposition to Christ, and it operates subtly in false teachings, ideologies, and spiritual influences that reject or distort Jesus.
• Examples include teachings that marginalize Christ or place human effort, other "enlightenments," or philosophies above Him.
(iii) PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
• When encountering new spiritual teachings, movements, or philosophies:
o Ask: Does this exalt Jesus Christ as Lord?
o Does it align with Scripture?
o Does it bear fruit consistent with God’s character?
2. THE OVERCOMING TEST (v. 4)
It is easy to be frightened by the wickedness we see all around us and overwhelmed by the problems we face. Evil is obviously stronger than we are. John assures us; however, that God is even stronger. He will conquer all evil – and His Spirit and His Word lives in our hearts!
As a result of being saved, they have the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in them rather than Satan, who is behind the scenes working through his spirits or demons, conveying messages to these false prophets; and God the Holy Spirit is greater than Satan and his demons in every way.
HOW TO OVERCOME?
• Romans 12:21 (overcoming evil with good)
• 1 John 2:13-14 (knowing God intimately);
• 1 John 5:4 (born of God, and our faith in Jesus Christ)
• Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth (John 16:13).
• Spend time in prayer and in God’s Word so that you can stand firm when confronted with spiritual challenges.
3. THE SPEAKING TEST (v. 5a)
Since there are many cultic and heretical teachers claiming to be spokespersons for God, we must test the spirits possessing them to determine their origin. Paul gives similar instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5.
The apostle John says that false teachers are preoccupied by the trappings of this world (v. 5). Furthermore, they have great followings because people of the world are attracted to them. If they promote carnality — be it control, sex or materialism — they are false prophets. And they will seduce many churchgoers into believing them because of Satan’s subtle ways. ‘Want a better family? Do this. Want more money? Do this. Want a better marital bed? Do this.’ Does it tie in with the New Testament? No, although a few verses are slipped in and pressed upon their followers convincing them that they have the only way. They do not dwell on the gospel but their own concocted Theo-Philosophy. If we live a life of faith and know our Scripture, God will give us what we need and the Holy Spirit will direct us.
Paul instructs and warns Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
4. THE LISTENING TEST (vs. 5b-6)
Some people believe everything they read or hear. Unfortunately, many ideas printed and taught are untrue. Christians must have faith but not be gullible. Verify every message you hear, even if the person who brings it says it is from God. If the message is truly from God, it will be consistent with Christ’s teachings. Many believers are always reading articles, watching videos and trying to gather as much information as possible at the expense of having a real tangible relationship with Christ and growing in intimacy with Him. Having information and knowledge aren’t equated with a relationship with Jesus. Your time in His presence and a daily encounter is what counts.
The author’s message in v. 5-6 (They are of the world; we are of God) gives the readers the impression of Christianity that pits “Christ against culture.” This form of witness, while powerful, is neither the most appropriate nor the most effective for the church in the modern world (Richard Niebuhr). Throughout history and across the globe, Christians have so often identified themselves with our culture that the church has lost its voice. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Instead of transformation, we have conformed to the pattern of this world. I remember my Sunday school teacher used to continually reminds us - “Are we in the world or of the world?” (cf. John 17:11, 16) Have we been conforming too much to the world? Instead of renewing our minds, and changing the world, we allow the world to transform us. That is exactly what has happened and continues to happen profoundly to the American church.
(i) SPIRIT OF TRUTH vs. SPIRIT OF ERROR (v. 6)
For believers there is only one absolute truth – Jesus is the only way, truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. No one in history has ever professed or made such a powerful claim. There is no other truth that can vouch for this authenticity. People can contend, discard, refute and be hateful toward this absolute truth but this statement with all hope has stood the test of all times and never failed. In v. 6, John reiterates that he and his faithful belong to God. Others whom they encounter will know they are Christians if there is mutual understanding. In contrast, anyone who berates them or doesn’t understand what John and his people speak of or how they live (lifestyle; fruit of their ministry) is not ‘of God’. They are not Christians, even if they claim so to be.
False teachers are popular with the world because, like the false prophets of the OT, they tell people what they want to hear. Here John warns the Christians who faithfully teach God’s Word will not win any popularity contest in the world. People don’t want to hear their sins denounced; they don’t want to listen to a spiritual transformation of their lives. A false teacher will be well received by non-Christians. Therefore, the foundation of discernment is the Bible. Through God’s Word, we can confidently recognize error and ground ourselves in truth. Error often wears the disguise of truth.
ILLUSTRATION: I quote a pastor’s story here – “When I was a little boy, I grew up in a church where for the first three years of my life the minister was a liberal; he did not believe the truth of the Bible. But the officers, the elders, were Bible-believing men; and one of them, the patriarch of the Session, was Uncle Eddie Means. And the elders were concerned, and they were concerned to shepherd the flock until they could get a man in who could preach the word of God. And Uncle Eddie Means watched that guy like a hawk Sunday after Sunday, so that he could be ready in his Sunday school class the next day to teach them the truth from the Bible. When Gordon Reid, my boyhood pastor, came to the congregation following this man, Uncle Eddie Means watched him like a hawk for sixth months. And then one Sunday morning - he’d cross his arms just like this on the back row and look at him and listen to him, every word - one Sunday morning about six months later, Mr. Reid looked out and Uncle Eddie Means was asleep on the back row. And so, after the service he said, “Well, Uncle Eddie, I noticed that you really enjoyed my sermon today.” And Uncle Eddie said, “Gordon, I’ve been listening to you for six months. You know the Lord; you love the Bible; you’re preaching the truth. I can go back to sleeping again.” Now that’s not John’s point to you. But that elder was concerned to discern between truth and error because he knew that it would impact the lives of his people. And when we hear those who teach against what the Bible says about Jesus, John says, v. 3, “We know they’re not from God.”
APPLICATION: Don’t be discouraged if biblical truth seems unpopular. The world’s approval is not the measure of God’s truth. Instead, focus on faithfully living and sharing the gospel, trusting that God’s Word will bear fruit in His time.
Here are a few actionable ways we can apply what John teaches in 1 John 4:1-6:
• KNOW THE WORD OF GOD: The Bible is our ultimate standard for truth. Regularly study Scripture to develop a solid foundation for discerning truth and error.
• PRAY FOR GODLY DISCERNMENT: Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and insight when evaluating teachings, ideas, and decisions.
• EXAMINE THE SOURCE: Who is behind the message? Is it rooted in God’s character and will, or is it influenced by worldly desires and agendas?
• FOCUS ON JESUS CHRIST: The central question is always: Does this teaching or spirit align with the gospel and exalt Jesus?
A CALL FOR ACTION:
Discerning spirits is not optional for believers; it is vital for spiritual survival and growth. In a world filled with competing voices, we are called to listen carefully, examine each teaching, and cling to the truth found in Jesus Christ.
Let’s commit ourselves to spiritual discernment, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us as we shine the light of Christ in today’s dark and confusing world.
