In 1 John chapter 4, verse 1 there is an important admonition for all Christians. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Now in the context here, when John admonishes us to try the spirits, meaning test the spirits, who is he talking about? Who are we to test the spirits? Truck drivers? Housewives? Nurses? Food service workers?
Well, we could test their spirits, if the need arises. But in this context set forth by the apostle John, it is preachers. In this context, John is explicitly warning us to test the spirits of those who are in the religious arena. Preachers, teachers, and those who claim to be prophets and apostles.
Why? Because John says there are false prophets out there. By the way, that word prophet does not mean only those who foretell the future. It has a much wider application, meaning those who forth-tell the gospel, the good news, the Bible, the Scriptures.
A prophet can be anyone who tells forth, or preaches, or who teaches God’s Word in whatever manner they do, be it as ordained ministers, or as someone leading a Bible study, or as Bible college and university scholars and professors—and sincere men and women who share their experience with God.
So let us first of all apply a little common sense as we test the spirits. And that word spirit, by the way, can mean the motive, or the motivation, or the driving force, the energizing motivation behind a person’s actions. So what are the motives of preachers of organized religion? Is the motive to preach the Kingdom of God and expand on the requirements to enter the Kingdom, or is their motive to expand their Church membership?
- The Incarnation Test: Evaluate if the spirit or teaching genuinely confesses that Jesus Christ came in the human form, preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, died in our place to cover our guilt, rose on the third day and ascended to heaven as Kings of kings and Lord of lords.
- The Fruit Test: Look at the resulting actions, attitudes, and character. Does it promote love, truth, and spiritual growth, or does it lead to deception and confusion? Does the messenger become wealthy from preaching?
- The Word Test: Do the teachings align exactly with the Scriptures and the foundational truths of the gospel rather than twisting or denying them? Does the preacher use the correct definition of words translated from Hebrew and Greek into English or other languages?
