Portions of 1 John 4:1-6 are often cited in discussions of spiritual warfare. John’s admonition to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 Jn 4:1) is cited as evidence that we need to exercise spiritual discernment to distinguish between angelic and demonic spirits, or even good and bad human spirits. And then there is 1 John 4:4b: “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.” This Scripture is typically quoted in the context of overcoming the Devil. But are these passages being interpreted correctly? Are they referring to spiritual warfare? To find out, let’s look at the context:
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 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 heard was coming and now is in the world already. [4] Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. [5] They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, 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. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 Jn 4:1-6, ESV)
A key word in this passage is “spirit.” Many presume that when John talks about “test[ing] the spirits,” he is referring to angelic and demonic beings. It’s clear, however, that John uses “spirit” in several ways in this passage. And in verse one he uses “spirit” to refer to human teachers, not angels and demons. This is evidenced by his juxtaposition of “spirits” with “false prophets” who “have gone out into the world.”
How do we test these teachers? Is it through the gift of the discerning of spirits? Is it by some supernatural sense, or by feeling the heebie-jeebies? No. We test the spirits by an examination of their doctrine (vs. 2-3). If a teacher claims that Jesus has come in the flesh, he is of the Spirit of God (John’s second use of “spirit”). If a teacher denies that Jesus has come in the flesh, he is not of the Spirit of God, but of the spirit of the antichrist (John’s third use of “spirit”). Who or what is the “the spirit of the antichrist”? It’s not clear. This could be a reference to the spirit being who will empower the antichrist. If so, then it is a reference to the Devil himself. But the context seems to point in another direction. John said “this is the spirit of the antichrist.” This what? In context: “Every spirit [human teacher] that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist….” (v. 3). John appears to be identifying the denial of Christ’s true humanity as the spirit of the antichrist. If so, then he is not referring to a spirit being, but any doctrine that opposes the true Christ and sets up a rival, false Christ. His use of “spirit” would be similar to Paul’s reference to the “spirit of the world” (1 Cor 2:12).
In verse four John affirms that we are of God and have overcome “them?” Who is he referring to? It can’t be referring to the spirit of the antichrist, because this is singular rather than plural. The antecedent must be “every spirit that does not confess Jesus,” who are identified as “false prophets” in verse one. We have overcome the false prophets who claim to be Christians, but preach a false Christ. How so? Because “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
“He who is in [us]” is surely a reference to the Spirit of God (v. 2), but who is “he who is in the world?” Notice the shift in pronouns. In 4:4a John spoke of the plural “them,” whereas in 4:4b he spoke of a singular “he.” If “them” refers to the false teachers, then “he” must be a reference to the “spirit of the antichrist” in verse three. In confirmation of this interpretation, notice that both “the spirit of the antichrist” and the “he” of 4:4b are described as being “in the world.” The reason we have overcome the false prophets is because the Spirit of God that inspires our message is greater than the anti-Christian message of the false teachers.[1]
In verse five John switches pronouns again, speaking once again of “they.” This signals a return in focus to the false teachers. They are from the world and speak according to the world, so the world listens to them. In contrast, those who believe in the true Christ speak according to the Spirit of God (v. 6). We can determine what kind of spirit one is energized by through their response to the true message of the gospel. Those who are of God will heed the message being preached by us, while those who are not of God will not.
In summary, “test the spirits” is not referring to spiritual discernment, spiritual warfare, or spiritual beings. It is an admonition to test the doctrine of Christian teachers. As such, it is an intellectual discernment rather than a spiritual discernment. “He who is in the world” refers to “the spirit of the antichrist,” which is John’s way of speaking about any doctrine that denies the true nature of Christ and sets up a rival, false Christ in His place. We have overcome such teachers by the Spirit of God, who is greater than their false Christs.
[1]If one takes “the spirit of the antichrist” in verse three to be a reference to a spiritual being, then the point of verse 4:4b would be that the Spirit that energizes us and our message is greater than the spirit that energizes the false teachers and their message (which is akin to the traditional interpretation).
Thinking to Believe 
October 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Greetings in Jesus name …. Thank you.
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November 1, 2012 at 1:32 pm
jason It is rare I disagree. In context Chapter 4:24 it speaks of keeping the commandments abides in God. This would have thrown the early church into confusion because the Jews keep the commandments.
You said,
I do not think the test here is what they teach but a demonstration of the end results of their lack of confession. It says every spirit that confesses. This is a spiritual and personal thing and if they confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh then they are of God. In context it isn’t about a lesson or doctrine but about the spiritual condition of the person who is false. If the test is a doctrinal test it wouldn’t take much to know who was false and who wasn’t, but they could profess the truth and still be dead on the inside. I’ve met some really great preachers that could preach the truth with the best of them but their life was lacking the fruit and the love. Jesus said in John 13:35 that all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another. We can have our words right but still be a false prophet.
For instance, Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets” and that you will know them by their fruit. In Galatians 5 it gives the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh, sort of a measuring stick. The broad way and narrow way surrounds the command that all of the law and the prophets hang on, “Do unto other as you’d have them do unto you.” Another measuring stick. This fits in with what John taught in verse 7-8 about loving one another. I do think that doctrine will tell off on a false prophet but there are some that have the gifts and look and preach right but does not posses the proper inner transformation that making Jesus Christ Lord will bring. They will look like a sheep but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15-20). This is something that we have to test.
The above texts does not say that they deny but that they do not confess that he has come in the flesh. For a sheep if we hear a person deny the deity of Jesus Christ we will know that they are not a sheep – test failed. Or if they do not confess that Christ has come, like many Jews and Muslims refrain from doing, then we can see that their lives are still empty – hence they are not a sheep of the fold of Christ. Even though they have the proper morals they are lacking the impact of the gospel of Jesus Christ upon their lives. A confession can only be what is true. If one declares that Christ has come but does not follow him has not confessed anything only professed a truth. Jesus said that, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” They will retort with, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” (Matthew 7:21-22)
Basically the Golden Rule and the Fruit of the Spirit are marks of true disciple ship and of the abiding presence of the Spirit of God in the life of the person.
I agree and well said!
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November 1, 2012 at 10:18 pm
One thing to consider in all this is the original intent of the passage. It is commonly believed (and for good reason) that John was addressing and refuting a gnostic Christological confession.
If this is so (and I think it is) then it would make perfect sense, as Jason pointed out, that the issue was with false teachers and false doctrines, not with spiritual entities, or etc.
Secondly, the passage clearly refers to Jesus Christ in the flesh, i.e. His humanity, which, as a Biblical doctrine, in too many circles, is often neglected and/or ignored in favor of only speaking, teaching, and preaching the deity of Christ, which when done so, even perhaps in ignorance, lends itself to the very gnostic Christological confession John addressed and refuted.
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November 2, 2012 at 8:57 am
Just to be simple-minded for a second, but I was always of the opinion that this passage meant we should discern the spiritual truths of all things, whether they be from angels/teachers. And that the easiest way is to test these things (now) is by scripture. Presumeably when this was written, they would have to discern using rationality, spiritual discernment, and by the fruit of the teacher…
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November 2, 2012 at 11:24 am
Contextually, where does it say teacher, false teachers, or false doctrine? In context of the book it is talking about keeping the commandments and loving your brothers,1 John 3:8 gives a focus and key verse. 1 John 3:24 This is how we know the false prophets among us according to what Jesus taught in Matthew 7. Also, John said vs 2 “By this we know the Spirit of God”, if they confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, confession is not just a proclamation. Confession is when you follow the truth. Again, it doesn’t appear to be showing how to test someones teaching but to know those and their confession, if they have obeyed the gospel and if they are living the gospel.
As already stated, the Jews did not confess that Jesus was the Messiah that has come. Even though they keep the commandments they are empty of the Spirit of God. Also, John picks the subject of loving one another back up in 4:7. Since the book was not written in verses or chapters we would read the full context… 🙂
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November 16, 2012 at 11:27 am
cs,
How dare you disagree with me! 🙂
I agree that doctrinal confessions do not guarantee a good spiritual life, but it’s also true that a good spiritual life does not guarantee good doctrinal confessions. Surely you know of godly men who are used mightily of God and clearly love the Lord, but have some strange and damaging doctrines. I think in particular of those who espouse to the “heavenly flesh” doctrine.
You wrote, “Jesus said in John 13:35 that all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another. We can have our words right but still be a false prophet.” But likewise, you can be a person of great love and still be a false prophet because you have the wrong beliefs.
I just don’t see any way to get around the fact that John has a person’s beliefs in mind here. He speaks of false prophets, which always refers to the veracity of a person’s message, not his lifestyle. He speaks of “believing” the spirits and addresses what is “confessed” by these spirits. He even speaks of “truth” and “error.” No such words are used in verses 7-21 when he switches back to the topic of love. I don’t know how else John could make the point clearer that he has beliefs about the identity of Jesus in mind.
Jason
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