Christians aren't to accept everything they hear as truth, even if it's from a supposedly Christian source. He draws a contrast by saying that the Spirit of truth is of God; and the spirit of error is of the devil. God's chief desire is to confront mankind with truth in order to set us free.
"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32 (HCSB)
Satan's chief desire is to confuse people with error and keep them in bondage. Because of this, John says we aren't to believe every spirit, but "test the spirits to see whether they are from God."
1. Let's Recognize False Prophets - vs. 1-3; 5
John says many false prophets have gone into the world. How much more is this true today? How do we recognize a false prophet?
A. By what they deny - verses 2-3
When John wrote this letter, there was a popular heresy known as the Cerinthian heresy, which denied the deity of Christ. It taught that Jesus was the physical son of Joseph, and at his baptism, he was overtaken by an aeonian, or divine being, whose name was Christ. Christ abode in the human Jesus until his death on the cross, at which time Christ forsook Jesus, and he became merely human, once again. Some today have resurrected this old heresy.
There is a universal principle here, however, that applies to testing the spirits. Any message that denies the uniqueness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; any message that denies He was God in the flesh, through out His earthly life and on into eternity, is false teaching!
What do they say about Jesus? False teachers deny His eternal deity, His unique birth, His perfect life, His infallible teaching, His necessary sacrifice, His glorious resurrection, and His certain return!
B. By what they declare - v. 5
Is what they declare consistent with the viewpoint of the world? What are the characteristics of a preacher who has a worldly viewpoint?
Three thoughts:
1) They manipulate rather than motivate.
A false teacher focuses on manipulating hearers.
A good example of this relates to how they speak about money. A false teacher will focus on how he can manipulate people to enrich himself.
"In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money." - 2 Peter 2:3a (NLT)
I want to point out this doesn't mean a preacher shouldn't teach money or giving. In the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6 & 7, Jesus
referred to stewardship of possessions 27 different times. Just because a preacher mentions money, doesn't make him a false prophet. The difference is in why and how he deals with these subjects.
A true prophet is a motivator, who leads others to do things that will benefit them or others. A false prophet is a manipulator, who leads others to do things that will benefit him.
2) They are a closed cover rather than an open book.
"For some men . . . are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord."
- Jude 4 (HCSB)
The word "test" was used in ancient times with reference to testing metals to see if they were genuine. It's from this idea we get the saying, "Test his metal," meaning to test someone's character.
I heard of a leader of a modern cult group who was convicted of adultery. He remained in leadership, however, saying, "My private life is my own business. My public life is dedicated to the Lord."
But a preacher of truth doesn't divorce his public life from his public life. His commitment to Christ is the same in private as it is in public.
"Character is what you are in the dark." - Anonymous
3) They chase people from Jesus rather than draw people to Him.
"Whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30 (NIV)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will
recognize them." - Matthew 7:15-16a (NIV)
What happens to people under his teaching? Are they moved to believe God's Word or doubt it? To live for Christ or self? To change the world or conform to it? Are people coming to Christ as Savior? A true prophet preaches God's Word and therefore, lives change for the better.
2. Let's Rejoice In Faithful Preachers - v. 6
John says that he and those with him, were faithful preachers. Just as the church needs to recognize false prophets, it needs to reward faithful preachers. What preacher deserves to be rewarded?
The perfect pastor preaches exactly 20 minutes, then sits down. He condemns sin but never hurts anyone's feelings. He works from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every type of work, from preaching to custodial service. He makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books regularly, has a nice family, drives a good car and gives $30 a week to the church. He also stands ready to contribute to every good work that comes along. He is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years. He is tall and short, thin and heavy set, and handsome. He has one brown eye and one blue; hair parted in the middle, with the left side, dark and straight, and the right side blonde and wavy. He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with older folks. He spends all his time with a straight face because his sense of humor keeps him seriously dedicated to his work. He makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is never out of the office.
What does the Bible say?
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." - 1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV)
Two things will characterize the faithful preacher's teaching:
A. It will be consistent with the Word - v.2
"Acknowledge," (homologeo) means "to say the same." A true preacher says the same thing the Bible says. He doesn't cause hearers to question the reliability of the Word of God; but upholds the reliability of Scripture. He knows that his words can't change anything, but God's Word can change everything. Therefore, the Bible says Christians should evaluate every message we hear by God's Word.
"Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out
everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil." - 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (The Message)
"(The people of Berea) searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth." - Acts 17:11 (NLT)
Put me to the test. If what I say isn't what the Bible says, disregard it. If, however, it's consistent with the Word, take it to heart and live by it.
B. It will be in conflict with the world - v. 6
Political correctness says I can't preach on Lot: he's homophobic. I can't preach on Moses: he's a legalist. I can't preach on Samson: he was unwelcoming toward those illegally entering his country. I can't preach on Hosea: his views on his wife's promiscuity were too narrow. I can't preach on Paul: he's a misogynist (prejudiced toward women). The fact is, anything I preach on from God's Word will be contrary to the views of this world.
A pastor was overly conscious about the sermon he had preached the previous Sunday, in an effort to encourage his congregation the following Sunday announced as he began his sermon, "To make up for last week's 20 point sermon, today's sermon will be pointless."
If a preacher's worried his preaching may be too "pointed," it will end up being "pointless!" The faithful preacher will preach powerfully and pointedly, because he'll seek to preach the Word of God. He won't seek to appease the world, he will seek to please the Lord!
Pastor G. Campbell Morgan was once told a preacher must "catch the spirit of the age." He replied, "God forgive the preacher who does that! The preacher's business is to correct the spirit of the age."
Conclusion: Let's Resolve To Be A Fearless People - v. 4
Since false teachers how can God's people remain faithful and fearless? John reminds us of three truths that should encourage us all.
A. The relationship we enjoy - v. 4a
The Father's love for His children assures us He will direct us from error toward truth. Let's rest in His love.
B. The results we anticipate - v. 4b
The Son's victory for us on Calvary assures us victory is ours over false teaching. Let's rely on His victory.
C. The resource we possess - v. 4c
The Spirit's presence within us assures us that discernment will be ours. Let's respond to His leadership.
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." - John 16:13 (NLT)
