Main Point
John is teaching us to test the spiritual influence behind teachers and prophets, not merely whether they can answer a doctrinal question correctly. False prophets can preach messages that cause people to follow a spirit, but not the Holy Spirit.
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Verse 1 - "Test the spirits whether they are of God."
- The question is: What fruit does this spirit produce? Does it lead people into obedience to Christ?
- The Context of 1 John = 1 John 2:18-19
- John identifies antichrists by their actions: "They went out from us..."
- They denied Christ by abandoning the fellowship and apostolic teaching.
- 1 John 3:7-10 - John says God's children are revealed by practicing righteousness.
- The context leading into chapter 4 is obedience, not merely correct words.
- The First Test - What Does It Mean to "Acknowledge Christ Has Come in the Flesh"?
- Many treat this as a simple question: "Do you believe Jesus came in the flesh?" But Scripture teaches that acknowledgment is demonstrated by life.
- Titus 1:16 - "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him."
- A person can verbally affirm Christ while practically denying Him.
- True acknowledgment is an ongoing pattern of obedience.
- Why "Come in the Flesh" Matters
- Jesus came as a real man and lived out righteousness in the flesh. Therefore, those who truly acknowledge Him will also pursue righteousness in their own lives.
- This connects directly to: 1 John 3:7 - "He who practices righteousness is righteous."
- A spirit that excuses sinful living does not truly acknowledge Christ's coming in the flesh.
- The Second Test
- 1 John 4:6 - "He who knows God hears us."
- Those who belong to God receive apostolic teaching (they listen to the New Testament doctrine.
- Those influenced by the spirit of error reject or distort it.
- Summary - We test spirits by asking:
- Do they produce obedience or disobedience? Or: Do they practice righteousness or sin?
- Do they receive teaching from the Word without distorting it?
- The spirit of truth produces obedient believers. The spirit of error produces people who profess Christ but deny Him by their lives.
- Verse 4. Whereas, we know that we are of God because we follow the Word, and because we are of God for following the Word, we have overcome the enemy. So, do not fear the enemy!