I John 4:1-3

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“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

What is the meaning of “try the spirits”?

The historic context holds the key. In the first century, a group known as the Gnostics held to a certain philosophy. They believed that Christ did not come as a physical, fleshly person, but rather only as a spirit—an apparition—a phantom! Over time, gnostic thinking took hold and began to flourish in the Church.

Of course, this idea is patently false. But John was forced to combat it, as the first-century Church was going into apostasy and giving way to influence from the bigger, more visible and popular, universal church centered at Rome. A helpful inference comes with a better translation. Starting with the middle of the verse, it should say, “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is coming in flesh is not of God…”

When the issue here is fully understood, it is seen to be part of the doctrine of antichrist. The following vital understanding emerges from this error: If Christ did not come in the flesh, then He could not have been tempted by, and thus could not have overcome, the flesh that he did not have. Besides negating Christ’s role as High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), Christians are left believing they do not have to follow Christ’s example of overcoming because this is not possible to do. He did not need to overcome anything. Perhaps more than any other single point, it is this idea that has given birth to the idea that Christians need not strive to keep the Law of God—the Ten Commandments. After all, why should one try to observe a law that only Christ was able to observe, and this because He was not composed of flesh. In the end, God’s plan of building the very character of Christ and God is overthrown!

Understand. Christ came in the flesh! And, since His resurrection, Christ is sending his Spirit into Christians, to relive His righteous life through them. Properly understanding this point is vital to explaining any spirit not of God!