Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1–6)
Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1–6): Meaning and Reflection
In 1 John 4:1–6, the apostle John addresses the vital issue of discerning true spirits from false ones. With the early Christian community facing various teachings and doctrines that diverged from the gospel, John urges believers to be vigilant and discerning. His teaching in this passage centers on the importance of testing the spirits to determine whether they are from God, providing a safeguard against deception and guiding Christians in their walk with Christ.
John begins by warning believers not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits to see if they are from God. This instruction is especially important because many false prophets have gone out into the world. John reminds the Christians that not every voice claiming to speak on behalf of God is trustworthy. Therefore, discernment is essential in the life of faith.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of 1 John 4:1–6 and Commentary
1 John 4:1: Test the spirits
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John opens this passage with a stern warning: not every spirit should be trusted. The presence of false prophets was a serious concern in the early church, and John urges the believers to be discerning about the messages they receive. Testing the spirits means evaluating teachings and claims through the lens of God’s truth, as revealed in Scripture. This is an ongoing task for the Christian community, one that requires spiritual maturity and vigilance.
Karen H. Jobes, in 1, 2, and 3 John, emphasizes that testing the spirits is not a one-time event but an ongoing process in the life of the believer. False teachings often appear subtle and can lead people astray, so continual discernment is needed to ensure that the faith remains rooted in the truth of the gospel (Jobes, 2014, p. 212).
1 John 4:2: Jesus has come in the flesh
“By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”
John provides a clear test for identifying the true Spirit of God. Any spirit that acknowledges the reality of Jesus Christ coming in the flesh is from God. This confession is central to the Christian faith, affirming the incarnation—the belief that Jesus, both fully divine and fully human, entered the world to bring salvation. John highlights the importance of this doctrine, as any teaching that denies the reality of the incarnation is considered false.
I. Howard Marshall, in The Epistles of John, points out that this test directly addresses some of the early heretical teachings, such as Gnosticism, which denied the physical reality of Christ’s incarnation. For John, the truth of the incarnation is non-negotiable and foundational to the gospel message (Marshall, 1978, p. 186).
1 John 4:3: What is the spirit of the antichrist?
“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world.”
John further clarifies that any spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh is not from God. This spirit is identified as the spirit of the antichrist. John’s use of the term “antichrist” likely refers not only to a future figure but to the prevailing influence of false teachings that deny Christ’s true nature. These heresies are seen as already at work in the world, and John warns that they must be resisted.
Raymond E. Brown, in The Epistles of John, notes that the term “antichrist” refers to those who actively oppose the gospel and the true nature of Jesus. In John’s time, the term could be applied to a wide range of teachings that undermined the truth about Christ (Brown, 1982, p. 488).
1 John 4:4: Greater is he who is in you that he who is in the world
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
John offers an encouraging reminder that, as believers, they have already overcome the false spirits of the world because of their relationship with God. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in believers, is greater than any opposing spirit. This assurance gives confidence to Christians in their ability to discern and resist false teachings. The Spirit within them empowers them to stand firm in the truth.
Stephen S. Smalley, in 1, 2, and 3 John, highlights the contrast between the believer’s victory and the world’s opposition. The greater one who is in believers—God’s Spirit—ensures their ability to stand against the deceptive forces at work in the world (Smalley, 2008, p. 163). Amen!
1 John 4:5: False Prophets
“They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.”
John identifies the false prophets as being from the world. Their messages resonate with the values and principles of the world, and as a result, the world listens to them. This is a stark contrast to the message of the gospel, which is often rejected by the world. John draws a clear distinction between the followers of Christ and the followers of the world, urging Christians to remain loyal to the truth of the gospel.
I. Howard Marshall notes that John’s critique of false teachers highlights their alignment with worldly values, which often include self-interest, pride, and the denial of Christ’s lordship. For John, any message that contradicts the gospel of Christ should be rejected, regardless of its popularity in the world (Marshall, 1978, p. 187).
1 John 4:6: The Spirit of Truth
“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Finally, John affirms the authority of those who speak the truth of God. Those who are truly from God will listen to the apostolic message, which has been passed down through faithful witnesses. This is how the spirit of truth can be discerned from the spirit of error. For John, adherence to the apostolic teachings is the ultimate test of whether someone is truly in tune with the Spirit of God.
Raymond E. Brown explains that John’s claim to apostolic authority here serves as a final test for the believers: if they align themselves with the teachings of the apostles, they are aligned with the truth. The spirit of error, on the other hand, is characterized by a rejection of apostolic authority and the gospel message (Brown, 1982, p. 489).
Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1–6): Meaning for Today
For Christians today, the command to test the spirits remains highly relevant. In a world where countless voices claim to speak for God, the need for discernment is critical. John provides believers with a clear and reliable standard: true teachings will confess the reality of Jesus Christ coming in the flesh and will align with the gospel message handed down by the apostles. False teachings, on the other hand, will deny these truths and appeal to worldly values that are at odds with the gospel.
The passage also offers encouragement for those who may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of discerning truth from error. Believers can have confidence because the Spirit within them is greater than the deceptive forces at work in the world. As we listen to the voice of the Spirit, we can be assured that we will be led into all truth (John 16:13). This assurance enables Christians to resist the temptation to follow popular but false teachings and to stand firm in the truth of the gospel.
Ultimately, John calls believers to remain grounded in the truth of Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them in all matters of faith and practice.
