Test the Spirits
- Dr. Michael Stallings
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
1 John 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (HCSB)
We live in a world filled with voices—spiritual voices, persuasive personalities, and religious-sounding ideas. But not every voice we hear is from God. The apostle John warns believers to "test the spirits" because deception is real. There are many who claim to speak for God, but their message does not align with the truth of God’s Word.
Emotional appeal, large crowds or followings, charisma, or even
apparent ministry success can mislead us if we are not grounded in Scripture.
To test the spirits, we must be students of the Word. It’s not enough to have a general sense of Christian teaching; we are called to rightly divide the Word of truth, like a skilled worker presenting ourselves to God with integrity (2 Timothy 2:15). When we know the Gospel deeply, we can more easily identify a counterfeit. If we fail to learn God's voice through His written Word, we are vulnerable to manipulation, compromise, or spiritual partnerships that harm us or even draw us away from Christ.
Testing the spirits means examining not just the message but also the motives and fruit of those who teach or influence us. We must ask: Does this teaching exalt Jesus Christ as Lord? Does it match the full counsel of God revealed in Scripture? Does it produce obedience, humility, and love for Christ and his righteousness? When we partner with someone in ministry or lend our ear to a spiritual teacher, we are opening ourselves up to influence—possibly even eternal consequences. Diligence is not judgmentalism; it is wisdom.
God has not left us without guidance. His Spirit speaks through His Word, and when we learn it, we are guarded from deception and less likely to be toss about by every new doctrine. But discernment doesn’t come passively—it comes through devotion, study, and a heart tuned to God’s truth. If we are careless with doctrine or lazy with Scripture, we become easy prey. But when we test the spirits with the Word of God in hand and the Spirit of God in our hearts, we can walk securely, honoring Christ with every step.
Reflect:
Have I allowed myself to be spiritually influenced by someone without truly testing their message against Scripture?
What practical steps can I take to become more diligent in studying and rightly dividing the Word of God?
Pray
Father, give me discernment in this age of confusion. Help me not to believe every spirit or trust every voice that claims to be from You. Instead, make me diligent to test the spirits through the truth of Your Word. Keep me from entering into partnerships or embracing teachings that would lead me away from You. Shape me into a workman who is unashamed, who rightly handles the Word of truth, and who walks in wisdom and spiritual alertness. Let my heart be tuned to Your voice, my mind renewed by Your Word, and my life anchored in Your truth. In your holy name, amen.
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