1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And 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. (1 John 4:1-3 KJV)
Test the Spirits
The apostle, having said that God’s presence with us may be known by the Spirit he has given us, points out that this Spirit can be discerned and distinguished from other spirits in the world.
He calls the disciples to be cautious and discerning about the spirits and spiritual leaders that had emerged: “Dear friends, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Not every person claiming inspiration from God is to be trusted. There had been real communication from the Holy Spirit, and so others falsely claimed the same. God, in his wisdom and goodness, has allowed inspired teachers and supernatural revelation, though false teachers may exploit it. Every claim to divine inspiration must be tested.
God has given his Spirit in these later times, but not to all who claim it. Believers are given the right to make discerning judgments about those who teach in matters of faith. “Because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Around the time of Jesus’ appearance, there was a widespread expectation of a coming Redeemer among the Jews. But because Jesus came in humility, spiritual reform, and suffering, many rejected him and others claimed to be messiahs, as Jesus had warned (Matthew 24:23–24). It should not surprise us when false teachers arise in the church—it happened even in the apostles’ time.
He provides a test by which believers can examine these spiritual claims. These supposed prophets and teachers must be tested by their doctrine. The relevant test at that time and place was this: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). Jesus is to be acknowledged as the Son of God, the eternal Word, who was with the Father from the beginning and who came into human form, suffered, and died. Whoever preaches this truth by a mind enlightened by God speaks by the Holy Spirit.
On the other hand, “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:3). God has given abundant testimony to Jesus Christ, who lived in the flesh and is now in heaven. Any impulse or so-called inspiration that denies this is not from God.
The core of revealed faith is the truth about Christ—his person and his mission. That is why opposition to him is so serious. This is the spirit of the antichrist. It was foretold that many antichrists would come, and that one great antichrist would rise to oppose Christ, his gospel, and his kingdom. His rise would be made easier by lesser antichrists and the spreading of error, which would prepare people’s hearts to resist the truth. This antichristian spirit had already begun in the apostles’ time.
It is a fearful judgment that people should be given over to such spiritual darkness and opposition to the Son of God. Yet we were warned these things would happen. Therefore, we should not be surprised. Instead, the more we see Jesus’ words coming true, the more confident we should be in their truth.