2. The First Epistle of John Test the Spirits! 1 John 4: 1-6

3. Review John has discussed our relationships with: –God- 1:5-6 –Jesus- 2:3-4 –The world- 2:15 –Sin- 3:4-5 –Our brethren- 3:11 Now false teachers/prophets

4. Test the Spirits! (4:1) “Do not believe every spirit” –Don’t believe everything you hear –Don’t believe everyone who claims to be from God We would be constantly confused We would be easily misled

5. Test the Spirits! (4:1) “Test the spirits, whether they are of God” –“Test” means To examine, prove, scrutinize To see whether a thing is genuine or not –Don’t just accept what some teacher or preacher is saying Examine what is being taught Examples commended –The Bereans- Acts 17:11 –The Ephesians- Revelation 2:2

6. Test the Spirits! (4:1) “because many false prophets have gone out into the world” –This is why we must “test the spirits” –Others taught the same Jesus- Matthew 7:15 Peter- 2 Peter 2:1-3 Paul- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 –We must test all who would teach us Preachers, writers, speakers, teachers, etc.

7. The Tests (4:2-3, 6) Do they confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? –A guard against Gnosticism –2 John 7 –Such teaching is antichrist

8. The Tests (4:2-3, 6) Do they listen to the apostles of Christ? –Those not of God reject the apostles –John 13:20 –Acts 2:42- “the apostles’ doctrine” –1 Corinthians 14:37- “the Lord’s commandment” –2 Peter 3:15-16- writings are Scriptures –Those who are of God will accept the apostles and their teachings

9. More Tests There are other tests not mentioned by John –Deuteronomy 18:20-22 When one claims to be a prophet If prophecy fails, they are false prophets –Deuteronomy 13:1-4 When wonders are performed, and prophecies seem to be fulfilled If the teaching contradicts what has already been revealed, they are to be rejected –Similar to testing the spirits

10. Conclusion 1 John 4:4-5 –Comfort in the midst of warnings –By being of God: They can overcome false prophets For Christ is greater than the world –The world will follow false prophets False prophets are of the world and speak in a way to appeal to the world Apparent success (size and numbers) may often reveal false prophets Therefore, we must test of the spirits to see if they are from God