Discerning the false spirits: (Chap.4)
Locate the Spirit: (4:1-6):
Some people believe everything they read or hear. Unfortunately many ideas and thoughts are not true. Every believer has to very the message and test the Spirit whether it is from God or from Satan. There are 2-tests:
- Scriptural claim: (4:1-2, 4,6) In the earlier days when NT was not printed, people were listening and believing whatever the teacher or prophet says. But now we have the entire inspired Scripture. All the messages which acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are of God.
In the days of Apostle John, there were two heretical theories viz. Docetism which says Jesus was actually a spirit who only appeared to have a body. They further say that Jesus was God but not man. Another heretical teaching appeared in those days was Gnosticm which says that the physical matter was evil, the spirit was good and only the intellectually enlightened could enjoy the benefits of religion. Both the groups found it hard to believe that Jesus Christ was both man and God. So believers must be cautious that any theory or teaching which speaks in these lines i.e. opposing either divinity or humanity of the Christ must be firmly opposed and they should be put out of the Church.
Ex: The world has the spirit of Satan, but a believer has the Spirit of God. Since the world has the spirit of Satan, people would listen to the worldly people more than us. But John encourages the believers not to be disheartened because the Spirit within us much more greater than the spirit of this world. (4:4)
2. Satan’s Claim: (4:3,5): Satan is an imitator. Apostle John states that the false spirits will not confess that Jesus is the Christ (1 Cor.12:3). The false cults today deny the deity of Christ and make Him a mere man or an inspired teacher. But the Christian has the Spirit within, the new nature, and this gives overcoming power.
God’s love and our love for others: (4:7-21);
The proof of the Love: (4:7-11, 14, 19-21): God is the source of our love. He loved us and sacrificed Himself for us. Since God is love, intimate acquaintance with Him will produce love. Everyone who loves others is born of God. Love is intrinsic to the character and nature of God, and one who is intimately acquainted with God walks in His light. The second commandment is this “Love your neighbour as yourself.” We must love even our enemy also. Jesus loved His enemies. The love of God compels us to go and preach good news to world. “From now on we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and was raised again” (2 Cor.5:14-15). In this way, we live in Him and He lives in us. The Holy Spirit testifies us and gives us the power to love others no matter how ugly they look. Such God’s nature of love has been displayed by western Missionaries who came to under privileged people of Asia, Africa and South America. As a human being it is difficult to love them and sacrifice their entire life for uplifting them through the Gospel. But God’s love has reflected through their lives (2 Cor.5:14a).