THE LETTERS OF JOHN: STAND ON THE TRUTH

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

1 John 4:1-6 (CSB) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world. Therefore, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

1. Knowing truth makes all the difference 

Verse 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

• John encouraged the church to “test” the messages being delivered to ensure they were of God
• John’s use of “spirits” is not simply speaking of the Holy Spirit but also of demonic spirits that are at work as well
• In Deuteronomy, Moses indicated that prophets were to be tested based on whether the statements come true or if they are pointing to another God. John is using this same language here.
• The responsibility of finding truth cannot be delegated to someone else 

2. Jesus is the source of truth 

Vss 2-3 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. 

• Finding truth requires finding Christ
• Anything that leads you away from Him and His Word is not truth

3. The truth gives us power 

Verse 4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

• Demonic power is real in this present age
• But we need not fear their attacks if we are leaning on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within 

Eph. 6:10-12 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.  

4. The truth reveals truth 

Vss 5-6 They are from the world. Therefore, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. 

• The more time we spend soaking in truth, we will find more truth
• This is not a test where are only looking for a “passing grade”