Testing the Spirits: Discerning Truth in an Age of Deception

“In late September 1864 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was leading his troops north from Decatur, Alabama, toward Nashville. But to make it to Nashville, Forrest would have to defeat the Union army at Athens, Alabama. When the Union commander, Colonel Wallace Campbell, refused to surrender, Forrest asked for a personal meeting, and took Campbell on an inspection of his troops. But each time they left a detachment, the Confederate soldiers simply packed up and moved to another position, artillery and all. Forrest and Campbell would then arrive at the new encampment and continue to tally up the impressive number of Confederate soldiers and weaponry. By the time they returned to the fort, Campbell was convinced he couldn’t win and surrendered unconditionally!”  Today in the Word, June 27, 1993.

Text: 1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11, Matthew 7:15

In 1 John 4:1 the apostle John begins his warning with a word of affection: “Beloved.” Discernment is not rooted in suspicion or fear, but in love for God and truth. John does not say some spirits should be tested but he says every spirit. Every teaching, every prophetic claim, every spiritual movement, every viral message wrapped in religious language must be examined. God calls us to have discernment, not gullibility believing everything that sounds biblical. Every voice is not from Him. Testing the spirits means examining words and experiences comparing it to God’s truth and character. Always stay rooted in Scripture and prayer, so all of the lies and deception gets exposed. That way faith grows steady, wise, and always anchored in Christ through the Spirit’s guidance daily.

Currently we live in a time where information spreads faster than wisdom. So many influencers, social media, podcasts, live streams, and self-proclaimed spiritual authorities have created an overwhelming environment where confidence is mistaken for credibility and emotion is mistaken for truth. We have to always compare everything that is said and suggested to what the Bible says. When we read the bible we can see that Scripture reminds us that not every voice speaking “in the name of God” actually comes from Him.

John told us why comparing and testing is necessary: “for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” False teaching is not a future threat, it is a present reality. Jesus Himself even warned that the closer we get to His return deception would increase, not decrease, and will continue to get worse until He is finally here. You’ll never hear false prophets announce themselves as being false; they do however appear Biblical, convincing, compassionate, and sometimes even successful.

Testing the spirits does not mean rejecting everything unfamiliar. It means evaluating everything carefully. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 provide a model for us: “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” The Bereans listened eagerly, soaked up everything they could, but they always verified everything diligently. They did not reject Paul’s teaching outright, but they did not just sit back and accept it blindly. They searched and compared it to the Scriptures daily to confirm whether what they heard aligned with God’s revealed truth.

This raises an important question: What does it mean to test the spirits? Biblically, it means evaluating the source, the message, and the fruit.

• First, test the source. John will later say in 1 John 4:2 that every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. At the core of Christian discernment is Christology, “a branch of Christian theology that studies the nature and work of Jesus Christ, focusing on his humanity, divinity, and role in salvation.” Any teaching that diminishes Jesus; His deity, His humanity, His authority, or His sufficiency fails the test. If we allow Christ to be reduced to a moral teacher, a political symbol, or a means to personal gain, we then know that the source is not from the Spirit of God.
• Second, test the message. Does what the “prophets” are saying align with Scripture as a whole? God does not contradict Himself. Feelings, visions, dreams, and personal revelations must always support and match the written Word of God. We do not validate Scripture by our feelings and experience, every experience is validated by Scripture. If a prophetic message requires twisting verses, ignoring context, or adding to God’s Word, it should raise immediate concern.
• Third, test the fruit. Jesus told us that we would recognize false prophets by their fruit. Does their teaching produce humility, repentance, holiness, and love for others? Or on the other side of things; does it produce fear, pride, division, obsession, and control? The Spirit of God leads people toward truth and transformation, not confusion and bondage. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Being able to Test the spirits requires spiritual maturity. Being able to have discernment grows through prayer, immersion in Scripture, and obedience. A believer that is unfamiliar with God’s Word will struggle to recognize error. This is why deception becomes the most effective among those who consume spiritual content but neglect personal study. “An astonishing and horrible thing has happened in the land.The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?” Jeremiah 5:30-31

It is important to understand that discernment is not about superiority. It does not give us a license to have harshness or arrogance. Our goal is not to win arguments, but to guard hearts. Paul shows us in Ephesians 4:11-16 that immature believers are easily tossed by every wind of doctrine. Having good and proper judgement protects the church from instability and protects believers from spiritual harm.

Finally, we need to understand that testing the spirits is not optional,  it is a responsibility. God has given His people the Holy Spirit, His Word, and the community of the church so that we may walk in truth together. In confusing times, discernment is an act of faithfulness: For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Therefore, brothers,be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 1 Peter 1:8-10

Thoughts to Ponder:

1. What voices most influence your spiritual thinking right now?
   
2. Are you more likely to accept teaching because it feels good or because it is biblical?
   
3. How consistent is your personal study of Scripture?
   
4. Have you ever shared or supported something spiritually without testing it first?
   
5. What steps can you take this week to grow in biblical discernment?
   

Today, God is calling us to move from just a little bit of passive consumption to having active discernment. If you have relied on emotion, popularity, an influencer or culture more than Scripture, it is time to focus and return to the Word. Ask God to sharpen your spiritual awareness, to help you see the light, and align your heart with His truth. Choose to be a believer who tests, examines, and stands firm in God’s truth.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You that You are a God of truth and not confusion. A God of order and not chaos. I live in a world filled with so many voices, help me to recognize Your voice above every other voice. Give me discernment through the Holy Spirit and a deep love for Your Word. Protect me from deception, strengthen my faith, and help me to walk in Your wisdom, humility, and obedience. May I honor You by holding fast to what is true and rejecting what is false. In Jesus Name Amen

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