"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."(vs1)

In the TV commercial, the lady's chewing gum has "gone flat," and while she is searching another piece, she misses the wales that came up and spouted, as somebody in the group is heard to say, "Wow, it was so SPIRITUAL!" On PBS a multinational trio is combined, performing pagan music that is billed as "SPIRITUAL." Practically everything about the recent winter Olympics was labelled "SPIRITUAL." ...from opening ceremonies, to specials about sumo wrestlers, drumming, and the mental "SPIRITUAL" preparations of the athletes prior to their events.

Western cultures have been experiencing a resurgence of things "spiritual" which had been abandoned, but are just recently being embraced again as what was once called a "Christian" nation reverts to paganism, as "they are filled with eastern ways..." the ways of "soothsayers." (Is2:6) And just as Israel did, the "church" has been seeking after "spirit-filled" experiences as they have forsaken "walk[ing] in the light of the Lord."(vs5)

John says "do not believe every spirit.." From this it is obvious that there are spirits that CAN BE believed, and some that CANNOT. A lot of people say, "don't knock it if you haven't EXPERIENCED it! I experienced it! It happened to me. I know what I'm talking about!!" To be sure, the "experience" of many is a REAL EXPERIENCE. It is a "spiritual" experience. It does involved the realm of spirits. Christian, let us not misunderstand this! The spirits the unregenerate fellowship with are REAL spirits. They DO exist. The people so engaged are not merely "imagining" what they report and testify to. It is VERY REAL! They are "spirit-filled" and do make utterances with their mouths, and do become stiff on the floor as they are "slain." Not all of it is "pretend."

But we are not to believe them. They claim to be of God, but are not. They are lying spirits. They are very clever and practiced in the art of appearing like God. (2Cor11:14-15) After all, Lucifer (Satan) himself had the goal, to be "like the Most High."(Is14:14) Satan is a "liar and the father of [lies]."(Jn8:44) His desire is to deceive, if possible, even Believers.(Mt24:24) We know that God allows the lie to fester for a time, as the false spirits and prophets are part of His purpose; as with the incident with Ahab, Micaiah, and the 400 lying spirits/prophets.(1Kgs22:22-23) He allows false prophets to exist.

Thus, John says, don't believe everything that is presented to you. But test the spirits. Purveyors of false doctrine encourage you to simply "have faith." "Blind faith." Just "trust." If you question them, they retort back that you are LACKING "faith." Just believe what they are telling you; after all, don't they have the "signs and wonders" to prove it? Well, Satan's workers also have "power, signs, and lying wonders."(2Ths2:9) Don't forget, when Moses started performing signs before Pharaoh, Pharaoh's sorcerers also duplicated many of the signs.(Ex7:11)

God wants us to test Him, so that we are sure we are hearing His voice. Gideon wanted to be sure he was hearing God's command, and not some false spirit, and thus, the famous incident of the "fleece."(Jdg6) If we are truly seeking His face, He will reveal Himself to us. "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer33:3)

So...what criteria can be used to ferret out a false prophet? One test is the given spirit's acknowledgment of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God will testify that Jesus was truly, FULLY HUMAN. That "Jesus Christ has come in the flesh."(vs2) (Specifics on this were covered in 5:6-13 and Mat4:1-11)

Many today do not acknowledge that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Lk1:35) in a virgin.(Is7:14) They do not believe that He is "THE" [only] Christ.(1Jn2:22) They believe that Jesus was part of a "christ principle" and that all "God's children" are "part of" that christ principle. Still others, believe they are "little christs" with all His "power." That they are one and equal with Jesus Christ. Still others believe that Jesus was "Deity;" but deny that He was FULLY human, with all the inherent frailties of humanity.

But Jesus partook of "flesh and blood."(Heb2:14) He is the "last Adam." (1Cor15:45) While we believe He is the "Son of God" we must also believe that the "Word became flesh"(Jn1:14)

To what extent is the deception? The deceiver has even removed this proof text in vs3 from the per-Versions which modern scholars prefer. As I prepare this study, I notice in the margin for vs3 it says, "NU-Text omits "that" and "Christ has come in the flesh." (NU having its origins in the Alexandrian apostasy; upon which most of the modern perversions are based) The NASB says, "every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" and NIV says, "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." And thus, you will notice the "antichrist" websites will parade their "statement of faith" with the concept that they "acknowledge Jesus Christ." But when you start delving into what they are all about, they promote "self" and all the various "little christ" principles, denying Biblical doctrine. They name the name of Christ, but do not recognize, truly, Who He is. Full Deity, and full humanity.

As the deceiver has removed the very proof text from what he has persuaded people to embrace as "the Scriptures" he wants us to believe the lie, and he also wants to remove our means of knowing what the truth might be, even for those who are interested in knowing. (i.e. if you don't find it in what you consider to be "God's Word" you won't know how to recognize a "false prophet" vs1) As Jesus said, "Woe to you lawyers! (or educated ones..those who compile the translations) For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered." (Lk11:52) (This is why your choice of Scripture translation is so important. In some cases, like this, the differences are not so subtle.)

But you notice John emphasizes this matter. It cannot be overemphasized. Not only is the "Spirit of God" characterized by a "confession" of Jesus as Christ, and His humanity.(vs2) But to make sure we clearly see who is "not of God" he repeats it back the other way, just so it is not misunderstood. The one who "does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh IS NOT OF GOD."(vs3)