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The Apostle John gives an urgent warning to the Christians he has pastored and to us. Many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world but we must not gullibly believe them but we must test them. The purpose of the test is to determine if they are from God or the spirit of antichrist. He gives two major theological test and some related social test.
In this episode of Bible Insights, Wayne Conrad teaches on “Testing the Spirits” from 1 John 4:1–6. He explains that Christians live in an age of many persuasive voices—religious, cultural, and spiritual—and therefore must not be gullible nor cynical, but discerning. John’s command is clear: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
The reason for testing is that many false prophets have gone out into the world. False teaching is not rare, and it often sounds spiritual and convincing. Discernment, however, is not suspicion; it is love guarding the truth.
Conrad highlights several key tests drawn from the text:
1. The Christological Test
The primary test concerns the identity of Jesus Christ. True teaching confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—fully God and fully man. Any teaching that denies or distorts Christ’s incarnation, deity, humanity, or saving work reflects the spirit of the Antichrist. Redefining Jesus while using religious language is a mark of error.
2. The Apostolic Test
True doctrine aligns with the apostolic witness preserved in Scripture. Those who know God listen to the apostles’ teaching; those shaped by the world reject it. Scripture—Old and New Testaments together—is the authoritative standard for testing all spiritual claims.
3. The Reception Test
The world often embraces false teaching and resists biblical truth. Popularity is not evidence of divine approval. Fidelity to apostolic truth, not success or charisma, is the true measure.
4. The Goal and Fruit Test
The Spirit of truth exalts Christ, produces worship of God, nurtures godliness, and brings assurance through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The spirit of error promotes self-centered independence, false ideas, and deception—even if it appears impressive or spectacular.
The episode concludes by urging believers to:
- Examine doctrine carefully.
- Compare all teaching with Scripture.
- Evaluate whether a message reflects worldly thinking or biblical truth.
The ultimate focus must remain on Jesus Christ—the incarnate Son of God and Savior. By grounding themselves in Scripture and holding firmly to the true confession of Christ, believers can walk in truth and avoid deception.
Bible Insights with Wayne Conrad
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Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.