1 John 4:1-6

Test the Spirits ~

First we need to identify who or what John refers to when he uses the word "spirits". This word in Greek is "pneuma" - "to breathe" If you remember in Genesis, God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (2:7b) That breath is what links us to God, what makes us His. It differentiates us from the animals by giving us a spirit. We can accept the spirit of God, or we can deny it and take up the spirit of the devil. It's your choice, but know that you not just a body and a mind, you are a body, mind, and spirit. Your spirit will either belong to God or to the devil. In this passage, pneuma refers to "a person or teacher who acts or professes to act under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by divine inspiration." Once again, if you have given your spirit over to the devil, your inspiration will come from him. And he is the greatest deceiver - he will lead you astray & inspire you to lead many more astray.

So, this passage is telling us to test what others say, especially when they state that their words come directly from the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important for you to know your Scriptures. If someone says they are speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but their words don't line up with Scripture - they are false prophets. Anyone who denies Jesus as our living Lord and Savior, anyone who states that He did not live as a human, die on the cross, and rise three days later is a false prophet. Do not listen to them. Anyone who tells the world what they want to hear, but does not listen to the Word of God is a false prophet. Do not listen to them.

Test the teachings you are receiving. Get yourself a good study Bible & look it up for yourself. I use the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible NIV version published by AMG Publishers. It provides commentary, notes, Scripture references and most importantly - exact definitions of words & meanings. It helps keep things in context.

In conclusion: Read, read, read the Word of God! Know what it says! Do not blindly follow the words of man, but Know the Words of God! They will change your life.