Test The Spirits

¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.⁴Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
-First John 4:1-4 (KJV)

John offers advice that we really need to take to heart today. He teaches us, in verse 1, to try the spirits. He teaches us to not believe every spirit, because there are many false teachers in the world. Too often, our knowledge of scripture is not strong enough for us to determine who is a false teacher and a true teacher. To try the spirits means to test the spirits. When you are listening to a teacher or preacher, listen to their words. Do they line up with the Word of God?

Verses 2-3 teach us how to spot the difference between true and false teachers. Does the teacher confess that Jesus is the Messiah, or does he teach you must adhere to Old Testament teachings on salvation? Verse 4 offers one of the greatest verses in Scripture. We have overcome the false teachers because God is in us, and He is greater than the world. AMEN. Are you testing the spirits to be certain that the teacher is a true teacher of the Word? Think About It.