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"Test the spirits..."

Text: 1 John 4:1

BECOMING MORE DISCERNING

The Apostle John emphasised much about being filled with “love”. Again and again he reminded his disciples that they must seek to walk in love. However, John did not want his readers to be characterised by only one trait. Every believer must become more and more discerning or be in danger of being deceived.

“But test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1

1. “But test the spirits”

a) The word “test” includes the following: –

i) To examine

ii) To prove

iii) To discern after testing

b) “The spirits”

i) To look beyond the external.

ii) To look beyond the veneer.

iii) To check beneath the external features.

2. “Whether they are of God”

a) What is from God would be very clear and obvious.

b) Who is from God is just as clear.

c) “Of God…”

i) No darkness in God (1 John 1:5)

ii) No walking in darkness (1 John 1:6)

iii) But walking in the light (1 John 1:7)

iv) Keeping of God’s commandments (1 John 2:3-4)

v) Walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6)

vi) Abiding in the Son and the Father (1 John 2:24)

vii) Practises righteousness (1 John 3:7)

viii) Love for the brethren (1 John 3:11)

ix) Practical expressions of love (1 John 3:18)

x) Doing the things that are pleasing to God (1 John 3:22)