Discernment: Testing Spirits in a Confusing World

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment: Knowing the Difference Between Right and Almost Right

Discernment is not simply about distinguishing obvious good from obvious evil, but about recognizing the subtle differences between what is right and what is almost right. The world is filled with voices and ideas that sound spiritual, loving, or wise, yet can lead us away from the truth of Christ. As a church family, we are called to help one another spot these deceptions, to stand together in truth, and to reject falsehood even when it is disguised as something good. True spiritual maturity means not being swept away by every new teaching or cultural trend, but holding fast to what is truly from God. [01:18]

1 John 4:1 (ESV)
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: What is one idea or message you’ve recently encountered that sounded “almost right”? How can you test it today in light of God’s truth?

Day 2: The Test: Acknowledging and Confessing Jesus Christ Come in the Flesh

The foundational test for discerning truth is both doctrinal and practical: Does a teaching or spirit acknowledge Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man, and does it lead to a life that confesses and aligns with Him? It is not enough to simply admit that Jesus existed; true confession means trusting Him, declaring Him as Lord, and living in obedience to His commands. The difference between mere acknowledgment and genuine confession is seen in a life transformed by Christ, not just in words but in action and devotion. [19:14]

1 John 4:2-3 (ESV)
"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."

Reflection: In what specific way can you publicly confess and align your life with Jesus today, beyond just words?

Day 3: True Love Is Defined by God, Not Culture

Not all love is the same, and not every expression of love is from God. While the world may define love in many ways—often centering on human longing or romantic attraction—Scripture teaches that God alone is love, and genuine love is defined by Christ and the cross. True love is sacrificial, holy, and self-giving, rooted in the character of God rather than in cultural trends or personal desires. Only by looking to Jesus do we find the ultimate meaning of love, which is far greater than any human definition. [23:30]

1 John 4:8 (ESV)
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to accept a cultural definition of love over God’s definition? How can you reorient your understanding of love to be centered on Christ today?

Day 4: The Power to Discern Comes from Abiding in Christ

The ability to discern truth from error does not come from our own strength, intellect, or cleverness, but from the Spirit of Christ who lives within us. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead empowers us to abide in Him, giving us clarity, courage, and the ability to live in obedience. Abiding in Christ is like adopting a new operating system for life—one that reorients everything and makes the voice of God stronger than all the noise of the world. Our confidence and victory come not from ourselves, but from the One who is greater within us. [29:02]

1 John 4:4 (ESV)
"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally abide in Christ today, allowing His Spirit to guide your thoughts and decisions?

Day 5: The Church’s Call: Test the Spirits Together and Abide in Christ

Discernment is not just for leaders or the spiritually elite, but for the whole body of Christ. Together, we are called to test the spirits in what we teach, sing, and model to the world, reflecting the truth of Christ in all we do. The strength to live victoriously in a world of lies and deception comes not from trying harder, but from abiding in Jesus as our way, our truth, and our life. As we declare our dependence on Him and abide together, we become a people who stand firm in truth and love, shining the light of Christ in a culture of confusion. [34:52]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you encourage someone else in your church family to abide in Christ this week, so that together you grow in discernment and truth?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with voices that sound spiritual, loving, and wise, it is crucial to recognize that not every spirit is from God. The call is for the church, as a family, to stand together in discernment, helping one another distinguish between what is right and what is almost right—because the greatest dangers often lie in the subtle shades of gray, not in the obvious contrasts of black and white. The oldest trick of the enemy is to offer something that appears good, even loving, but ultimately leads away from the truth of Christ. This is why discernment is not just an individual pursuit but a communal responsibility, as falsehood can infiltrate entire communities and sway even the well-intentioned.

The apostle John, writing to the church, urges believers to “test the spirits.” This is not a call to suspicion, but to spiritual maturity and vigilance. The test has two parts: doctrinal and practical. Doctrinally, it is essential to affirm that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—fully God and fully man. This truth is foundational, for only the incarnate Christ can save, having both the power of God and the solidarity of humanity. Practically, the test is about confession: not just acknowledging Jesus intellectually, but aligning one’s life with Him, declaring Him as Lord, and living in obedience to His commands. Mere intellectual assent is not enough; even demons acknowledged Jesus’ divinity but did not confess or follow Him.

Examples abound of teachings that fail this test. The cultural mantra “love is love” may sound compassionate, but it bypasses the cross and redefines love apart from the character of God. Similarly, the prosperity gospel promises material blessing as a sign of God’s favor, but it misses the true riches found in knowing Christ, even in suffering. True discernment is rooted in the gospel and the person of Jesus, not in popular opinion or persuasive rhetoric.

Yet, the power to discern and to stand firm does not come from human strength or cleverness. It comes from abiding in Christ and relying on the Spirit of God within us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in every believer, providing clarity, courage, and the ability to love as Christ commands. The call is to abide—to make Christ our operating system—so that His voice becomes louder than the noise of the world. In doing so, the church becomes a people who not only spot lies but also confess Christ crucified and risen, reflecting His truth and love to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment is a communal calling, not just an individual task. The church is called to help one another distinguish between what is right and what is almost right, recognizing that deception often comes cloaked in the language of love and goodness. True spiritual maturity involves both welcoming new members with hospitality and guarding the body against subtle falsehoods. [01:18]
2. The test of truth is both doctrinal and practical. It is not enough to intellectually acknowledge Jesus; the heart of the test is whether we confess Him as Lord and align our lives with His teaching. This confession is lived out in public witness, obedience, and a shared life together as the body of Christ. [19:14]
3. Not all that sounds loving or spiritual is from God. Cultural slogans like “love is love” and teachings like the prosperity gospel may appear compassionate or promising, but if they bypass the cross or redefine love apart from Christ, they fail the test. True love and blessing are always rooted in the character and work of Jesus. [23:30]
4. The power to discern and to stand firm comes from abiding in Christ, not from our own cleverness or strength. The Spirit of Christ within us is greater than any spirit in the world, providing clarity, courage, and the ability to live in obedience. Abiding is not about suspicion or performance, but about deep relational dependence on Jesus. [30:05]
5. Real-life examples of courageous faith, like the believers in Russia and Belarus who stood against propaganda at great personal cost, show that discernment leads to bold confession and sacrificial love. Their strength did not come from themselves, but from the victory of Christ and the indwelling Spirit. This same Spirit empowers us to reflect Christ’s truth and love in our own context. [32:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - The Danger of “Almost Right”
[04:20] - The Call to Discernment
[06:26] - Believing Truth Requires Rejecting Lies
[07:56] - The Many Faces of “Love”
[11:29] - The Reality of Spiritual Deception
[13:18] - Testing the Spirits: The Biblical Standard
[15:01] - The Doctrinal Test: Jesus, God in the Flesh
[18:15] - The Practical Test: Confession and Obedience
[21:42] - “Love is Love” and the True Definition of Love
[24:30] - The Prosperity Gospel Examined
[26:44] - The Power to Discern: The Spirit Within
[29:02] - Abiding in Christ: The Source of Strength
[32:00] - Courageous Faith: Real-World Example
[34:15] - Discernment as a Church Family
[35:35] - Declaring Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
[36:17] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 4:1-6 (ESV) — > 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
> 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
> 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
> 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
> 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.
> 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 4:1, what are believers commanded to do with the “spirits” or voices they hear? What reason does John give for this command?
In verses 2-3, what is the specific doctrinal test John gives for recognizing the Spirit of God?
How does John describe the difference between those who are “from God” and those who are “from the world” in verses 4-6?
The sermon mentioned that even demons acknowledged Jesus’ divinity but did not confess or follow Him. What is the difference between acknowledging and confessing Jesus? [19:14]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think John emphasizes that discernment is a communal responsibility, not just an individual one? How might this shape the way a church family interacts? [01:18]
The sermon says that the greatest dangers often lie in the “shades of gray” rather than obvious evil. What are some examples of teachings or ideas today that might seem “almost right” but actually lead away from Christ? [04:20]
The doctrinal test is to affirm that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—fully God and fully man. Why is this truth so foundational to the Christian faith? [15:01]
The practical test is about confession and obedience, not just intellectual agreement. What does it look like for someone to “confess” Jesus as Lord in their daily life? [19:14]

Application Questions

The sermon warns that not everything that sounds loving or spiritual is from God. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was drawn to a teaching or idea that sounded good but didn’t line up with the gospel? How did you respond? [23:30]
“Discernment is a communal calling.” How can our small group or church family help each other spot subtle falsehoods or “almost right” ideas? What practical steps could we take to encourage this kind of accountability? [01:18]
The sermon gave examples like “love is love” and the prosperity gospel as teachings that bypass the cross or redefine love apart from Christ. Are there cultural slogans or church teachings you’ve encountered that you now see differently in light of this message? [23:30]
John says the power to discern comes from abiding in Christ and relying on the Spirit, not our own cleverness. What does “abiding in Christ” look like for you personally? Are there habits or practices you want to grow in to help you hear His voice more clearly? [30:05]
The story of believers in Russia and Belarus showed courageous faith in the face of propaganda. Is there a situation in your life where standing for Christ’s truth might cost you something? What would it look like to confess Christ boldly in that context? [32:00]
The sermon challenged us to make Christ our “operating system.” What are some “voices” (media, relationships, inner thoughts, etc.) that compete with Christ’s voice in your life? How can you turn down the volume on those and turn up the volume on Jesus? [29:02]
The call is not to suspicion or performance, but to deep dependence on Jesus. Are there ways you’ve slipped into suspicion or self-reliance instead of trusting the Spirit? How can you shift toward relational dependence this week? [30:05]

Sermon Clips

``The question, what is love, doesn’t get to the heart of the matter. The far better question is this. Who is love? Who is love? If you look at 1 John 4, 8, just after where we’re looking today, it’s very plainly stated that this, that the question, who is love, the answer is profound. It’s God alone. It’s God alone. That God alone is love. He is love, period. Love isn’t abstract. It isn’t grounded anywhere else but in the character of God. [00:22:27] (32 seconds) #GodIsLoveAlone

Genuine love must be defined by Christ and the cross, who he is. Sacrificial, holy, self-giving, living a life that’s surrendered to him. Then and only in, does love find its ultimate meaning. And that’s rooted in the character of God who is love. [00:23:38] (27 seconds) #ChristCenteredLove

Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. The Spirit that God has given us is not some vague feeling. It’s not just, you know, goose bumps. It’s the Spirit of Christ in us. The same Spirit who conquered death. I mean, think about it. This is astounding. The same spirit by which Jesus rose from the grave. That spirit lives in you, his spirit. And again, it makes all the difference. [00:28:12] (32 seconds) #SpiritOfChristWithin

Abiding is the power of the Spirit of Christ. And here’s what it does. It’ll give you clarity. It’ll give you courage. Courage. It’ll give you the ability to live a life of obedience. Oh, I want that, Lord, don’t you want that? The ability to love as Jesus has commanded us to love. You know, it gives us the ability to be shielded from dangerous ideas and to witness to the truth and all of it flows from a life that’s rooted in the gospel. [00:30:16] (29 seconds) #SpiritGivesClarityAndCourage

They were confessing that true love was not shown on a battlefield but on the cross where Jesus bore the world’s violence in his own body and he rose again to bring peace and life. And these people, thou shalt not kill, they have faced surveillance, threats, loss, some have been detained, and yet they stand firm. Oh, I love it. They refuse to compromise with the propaganda that denies the gospel. What gives them such clarity? What gives them such courage? Not their own strength, it’s not them, but the victory of Christ over the world, his spirit within them. And here, listen, that same spirit lives in you. It’s in you, it’s in us, and the spirit that is within you is greater, stronger than all the lies in the world around you. [00:32:58] (61 seconds) #LoveShownOnTheCross

The strength to live the life we’re talking about—in the kind of culture, the kind of world that we know exists—the strength to be victorious does not come from just trying harder. Please don’t let that be the point. The strength comes from abiding in Christ. That’s where the real power is. [00:34:48] (25 seconds) #StrengthThroughAbiding

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