TEST THE SPIRITS

1 JOHN 4:1-6

      In each generation the people of God must contend for the faith (Jude 3). Believers must examine the plethora of philosophies that would lead people away from the truth (Eph. 4:14).

Prov. 16:2 [ESV]. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

  I. Theological test (4:1-3)

      A. False teachers in the world (1; Mt. 7:15, 24:11-24)

          1. Distrust (Acts 9:26; do not accept everything)

          2. Discern (1 Cor. 11:28, 12:10; 2 Cor. 13:5; apply the tests)

Lk. 12:56 [GW]. You hypocrites! You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of earth and sky. But for some reason you don't know how to judge the time in which you're living.

1 Th. 5:21 [CEV]. Put everything to the test. Accept what is good.

      B. Antichrists in the world (2-3; 1 Jn. 2:18-22)

2 Jn. 7 [GNB]. Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ.

          1. Spirit of God (Jn. 15:26)

Mt. 22:42a. What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?

              a. Honor to Christ (confess–1 Jn. 4:15)

1 Cor. 12:3 [NIV]. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

1 Jn. 2:23 [GNB]. For those who reject the Son reject also the Father; those who accept the Son have the Father also.

              b. Humanity of Christ (Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:6-7)

                  (1) Form of God

                  (2) Fashion of man

          2. Spirit of error (Rev. 16:14)

1 Tim. 4:1 [NIV]. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

              a. Refuse Christ (2 Pet. 2:1)

              b. Replace Christ (instead of Christ–2 Th. 2:4)

 II. Experiential test (4:4-5)

      In addition to the doctrinal test, believers must examine the daily Christian experience to discern those born of God (of God–1 Jn. 4:1-2-3-4-6-7, 5:1-4-18-19). Test the character.

      A. Overpower the world (4; 1 Jn. 2:13-14, 4:4, 5:4-5; Rev. 12:11)

1 Jn. 5:4 [NIV]. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

          1. Person within (Rom. 8:9; Phil. 2:13; Col. 1:27; 1 Jn. 2:27)

Col. 1:27b. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

          2. Prince without (Jn. 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; Eph. 2:2)

      B. One with the world (5)

Rom. 12:2 [CEV]. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

          1. Language

          2. Listen

Jn. 8:47 [ESV]. Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.

      David Smith wrote, “The world listens to those who speak its own language. Conversely, those who are getting to know God, understand the language of His messengers and listen to it.”

III. Biblical test (4:6)

      A. Apostolic

1 Cor. 14:32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

          1. Know God

          2. Know gospel

Jn. 10:27 [GW]. My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me,

      B. Astray (2 Tim. 4:10)

          1. Truth (Jn. 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 4:6, 5:6)

Jn. 16:13 [HCSB]. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

          2. Error

Eph. 4:14 [NIV]. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.