I believe it’s appropriate for our inaugural post in the “Teaching Hints” series to delve into the Apostle John’s writing, guided by the Holy Spirit. In this passage, John urges believers to meticulously examine every spirit, doctrine, and impression, as not all that pretends to emanate from God is indeed so. In our increasingly perplexed and deceptive world, the importance of spiritual discernment has never been more paramount. In 1 John 4, we discover seven distinct and rigorous tests that we should employ to discern the true nature of spirits.

First, we must ask: Does it confess the true humanity of Jesus Christ?

“Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” (1 John 4:2–3, BSB).

Any teaching or influence that denies the full humanity of Jesus—His real birth, His genuine suffering, His true bodily resurrection—is not of God. Christ came in the flesh to redeem those in the flesh.

Second, we inquire: Does it confess the true Divinity of Jesus Christ?

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9, BSB).

“If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15, BSB).

The Spirit of truth will always exalt Christ as the eternal Son, one with the Father, fully God, and worthy of worship.

Third, we must test: Does it confess the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ?

“In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10, BSB).

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14, BSB).

The cross is central. Any teaching that diminishes, denies, or distorts the substitutionary death of Christ is not from the Spirit of God.

Fourth, we discern: Does it tend to worldliness and a love of outward things?

“They are of the world. Therefore they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.” (1 John 4:5, BSB).

The Spirit of God never leads into worldly compromise. Messages that pander to pride, promote materialism, or exalt human wisdom reveal their origin by their fruit.

Fifth, we ask: Do the deeply spiritually-minded agree with it?

“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:6, BSB).

The Spirit of truth brings a sweet resonance among those who walk closely with God. True spiritual discernment is given to those who are seasoned by Scripture, prayer, and obedience.

Sixth, we examine: Does it witness to the spirit of Divine love?

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7–8, BSB).

The Spirit of God always fosters love—true, holy, Christlike love—not selfishness, pride, or harshness. Where divine love is absent, the Spirit of Christ is absent.

Seventh, we conclude: Does it accord with the teaching of God’s Holy Spirit?

“By this we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.” (1 John 4:13, BSB).

The Spirit’s voice will always harmonize with the Scriptures He inspired. Not a single verse taken in isolation, but the full, rich, balanced teaching of God’s Word.

The first aspect of this seventh test is inner witness among the spiritually-minded (test five), but the second is outward—the agreement with the Holy Scriptures. We do not trust private impressions or human popularity, but we test all things by the full counsel of the Word of God.

---

Dear friend, are you trying the spirits carefully in your life, your church, and your influences? Are you measuring all things against Christ, His Gospel, His love, and His Word? In these last days, spiritual discernment is no luxury—it is a necessity for survival and victory.

For further meditation, consider:

Acts 17:11 – “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 – “But test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”