Test the Spirits
It is harder to spot errors when you’re unfamiliar with the truth.
READ: 1 John 4:1-6
This text is a beautiful example of the timelessness of scripture. This message of
“discernment” is as relevant today as it was when it was written. As we walk through this text,
my hope is that we can better understand
• What we discern
• Why we discern
• And how we discern
What are we discerning?
• (V1)”Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from
God…”
• (V2) “By this you know the Spirit of God…”
• (V3) “this is the spirit of the antichrist”
• (v6) “by this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error”
We have 2 clear distinctions between spirits.
• The Spirit of God = Spirit of Truth
• The spirit of the antichrist (anti-Jesus Christ) = the spirit of error
Spirit of “error” - not simply spirit of mistakes. But John says “error,” he means “πλανη Planē” “deceit”
Why should we discern “the spirit of truth” and the spirit of error?
John’s direct audience was under threat of false prophets (not future tellers). These prophets, as stated in 1 John 2:19, “went out from us, but they were not of us.”
The prophets confessed a distorted Jesus. 1 John 4:2
An incomplete gospel is not the Gospel, and has no power to save.
This warning is as relevant today as it was then.
When you think of something that is anti Gospel, maybe you think of a foreign ideology, faith, or military power.
But the real threat of of the spirit of error (deceit), is that it can influence people who appear
just as “culturally” Christian as you or me.
J.C. RYLE QUOTE:
“We are too apt to forget that temptation to sin will rarely present itself to us in its true colors,
saying, “I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell.” Oh, no! sin comes to
us, like Judas, with a kiss; and like Joab, with an outstretched hand and flattering words. The
forbidden fruit seemed good and desirable to Eve; yet it cast her out of Eden.”
Social Media is bombarded by theology that sounds good, and feels good, and if we are not
careful we or our children will be drawn in like moths to the flame, so blinded by our attraction
that we don’t realize our infatuation is what is burning us alive.“(V5) They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to
them.”
How do we discern the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error?
1. Familiarize yourself with the Truth.
“31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly
my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jn 8:31–32.”
Don’t take for granted the miracle of scripture. Through it we have access to the whole life
giving and life saving Gospel.
2. Repetition: testing EVERY SPIRIT
American Christian philosopher J. Budziszewski refers to discernment as “a mental sense of
smell that helps you notice when “something smells fishy…” “you need to practice smelling.
Smell everything. Your power of discernment is like a muscle. Use it or lose it.”
3. Be in ACCOUNTABLE Fellowship
(V6) We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not
listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Find spiritually healthy, Gospel loving, people to help guide you. People that can help you spot
the spirit of error in the world.
And find people who will call you out when they see the spirit of error working in you.
As you go this week, I challenge you to look at everything you take in through the lens of
discernment. It can be overwhelming, but remember
(V4)Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world
You are not the ultimate judge and arbiter of what’s right and wrong, what is good and evil, but
the one who is, loves you and His Sprit is in you.