I. Refuse to believe everything people
say or teach (v.1)
(A) This assumes two things:
(1) We have a tendency
to believe whatever people say
(2) There are bad
spirits
(B) The nature of our responsibility (What?):
(1) As Christians
we are able to test spirits however, it does imply a
process of careful evaluation
The Holy Spirit desires
for us to test all things. Therefore, when we do not,
we quench Him and as a result, we begin to look down
on the content of the Bible and get as close to evil
as possible. (2 Thessalonians 5:19,21)
(2) The need for cautious
response (Why?):
(a) There are many
false prophets
(Matthew 24:11,24;
2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 7)
II. Recognize what is important when testing
what somebody says or teaches (vs. 2,3)
(A) Their confession that:
(1) Jesus Christ is
God - He is not just a prophet or a great teacher
(Romans 10:9,10; 1
John 2:22; 4:14)
(2) Jesus Christ existed
before He was a baby in a manger
(John 4:2,3)
NOTE: We should question what anyone says
who doesn’t believe these two things
(Psalm 1:1)
III. Remember the victory we already have
as Christians (v.4 cf. 5: 4,5)
(A) We are victorious overcomers and winners
because of:
(1) Who we believe
in - Jesus Christ (1 John 4:15; 5:1,4)
(2) What we believe
- The essentials of our faith (1 John 5:4)
IV. Realize why people that are not Christians
respond as they do (v.5)
(A) They are of the
world (1 John 4:5)
(B) The world loves
its own (John 15:19; John 17:14,16)
V. Rely upon the Bibles opinion for telling
us what is true and false
(v.6; John 14:17;
16:13)
It sounds arrogant!;
as if Christians are the only people that have the truth.
However, that is what the Bible teaches.
(Galatians 1:6-8)
