June 21 - 1 John 4:1-3. Test.

June 21 - 1 John 4:1-3. Test.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but 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.

False prophets. False Teachers. Antichrists.

This is pretty clear, isn’t it!  Anyone who proclaims that Jesus is not from God is false.  John really doesn’t pull any punches.

These words give me a lot of comfort.  In seminary we are exposed to a great many different types of teachers.  I’m fortunate enough to have encountered predominantly Christ-followers, but there have been a few whose theology is questionable, especially when they question the divinity of Jesus.

No one has pushed me hard enough that I begin to question whether or not they are correct, but these words of John’s are a lighthouse amidst a stormy sea.

Jesus said, “he who is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23).

This is the spirit of the antichrist – the one who is opposed to Christ – let loose in the world.

John is not telling us to battle against them. That would be foolish. He simply wants us to recognize the truth and be aware so that we aren’t drawn into their lies.