Articles
Test The Spirits - 1 John 4:1-6
Warnings about false teachers are found throughout the New Testament. Jesus said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Paul warned the Ephesian elders to “be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock...I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). Peter wrote, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Pt. 2:1).
The apostle John, too, was aware of false prophets, and he instructed believers to act decisively against them. He wrote, “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” (1 Jn. 4:1). John instructed believers to test those who spoke to them. They were to evaluate the significance or worth of what they heard. Did it compare with what they had received? What were some confessing about Jesus? Every believer should be discerning and develop the ability to detect the genuine from the counterfeit.
John was not an alarmist. He provided several reasons why believers should be ready to test the spirits. First, he acknowledged that “many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). False teaching is not limited to a specific time period or geographic location—they are in the world, and they are numerous. Second, the message of false teachers is the spirit of the antichrist (1 Jn. 4:3). One lexicon defines antichrist as “one who is opposed to the Messiah.” Third, the teachings of false prophets are described as “the spirit of error” (1 Jn. 4:6). Fourth, these teachers “speak as from the world” (1 Jn. 4:5), and they have the world on their side. Nothing positive is stated about these teachers and their message. One way believers can protect themselves from the negative impact of false teaching is by being ready to test the spirits.
Believers may feel overwhelmed by false teachers. There are many of them, and the world listens to their destructive messages. John reminded believers of something that should provide encouragement to believers. He wrote, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). Believers are on the right side!
False teaching is as prevalent in the 21st century as it was in the 1st century. Let’s not be discouraged or overwhelmed. Rather, let’s pay close attention to the message we have received and test the spirits.
