The apostle John wrote, “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” (1 John 4:1). So, according to John it is important to vet every spirit to see whether they are of God. How is this to be done?
The answer is simple and follows of necessity. The only way to test the spirits is through an examination of their teaching, comparing it to God’s revelation! Any other method is by its nature limited and subject to error or deceit. As Paul wrote concerning the devil and those who do his bidding, “…Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
It has always seemed peculiar to me that some desire to identify a false teacher by their motivations rather than their teaching. A man teaches error, leading others astray, and yet some are unwilling to consider him “false.” Contentions that a man is good when his doctrine leads people away from truth do not accord with the consistent teaching of scripture.
In our text John reveals the common problem of mankind. “Many false prophets have gone out into the world.” How do you test them? The Bereans had it right, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
This has always been the case. Consider these words from Ezekiel, “They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.” Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 13:6-8).
Anyone who speaks as a representative of God without speaking words from God is false! That is how they are identified! Their message is damaging, and God is against them. Many of them have gone out into the world. The problem exists in every generation. We know that Jehovah is God because He does not put up with such error (cf. Ezekiel 13:9). Should it not be then that neither should we? It is a logical progression if you think about it. So think about it!
