1 John 4:1-6 | The Way of Scripture

1 John 4:1-6

How does the letter tell believers to test spiritual claims?

Berean Standard Bible

1 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. 2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time. 4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

What is the context?

The Spirit’s presence has just been named as assurance, but not every claim to spiritual authority should be believed. The test concerns Jesus Christ come in the flesh and whether the message listens to the truth the witnesses proclaim.

The readers are assured that God’s presence is greater than the opposing power. This confidence supports discernment rather than replacing it. Popular approval alone cannot establish that a message comes from God.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley understands the spirits in relation to the teachers they move and connects genuine confession with both heart and voice. The USCCB notes likewise place the test within the letter’s dispute about Christ. It is not a verbal password that makes everything else a teacher says trustworthy. The confession must remain consistent with the gospel the letter is defending.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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