The Lodestar

False teachers, pretenders, and peddlers of the gospel (2 Cor 2:17) had entered the church even in the first century. Most of the epistles that Paul wrote were to warn against them and teach the pure gospel. Apostle John's case was also not different; he had to warn his readers against false teachers and prophets.

Two spirits animate the systems of our world. One is the Holy Spirit, and the other belongs to darkness under the control of the Devil. So, John warns the readers to be careful: “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” (1 John 4:1). The problem is not only that they are right inside the churches, but they blend well, making spotting them difficult.

Modern churches experience the same crisis, deceived by people who belong to the spirit of darkness. Some are caught early in their ministry, some later, but most never get detected, receive superb funerals, and enter the gallery of fame.

Having said that, “Do not believe every spirit," John puts forth two simple criteria. The first test is that those from God will live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, while the false lot live according to their standard. “And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:3). It is evident from the attire, attitudes, and priorities if the Lord is over one’s life or not. A preacher who wants to be in the limelight at all times and is unwilling to hide behind the cross certainly does not belong to the Holy Spirit.

The second concerns their fan club. Do people gather around them for the truth they speak or for enjoyment? The truth may not always comfort, but it may hurt to build up. Some people avoid surgeons altogether because they do not want the pain, though the pain will heal them. However, some people trust themselves to the surgeons, believing they are in the process of healing. The false teachers are the favourites of those who do not belong to the Kingdom of God. “They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).

However, John argues believers should not be dispirited because they are a minority. He has words of encouragement for them. The false teachers are an already defeated lot. The true believers who belong to God have overcome them. There are two realities: the proliferation of false teaching and the need for believers to discern the false from the true. Second, the believers who are in the minority should know that they are the winners.

It is unpopular to be faithful to God and hold on to “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3), but Christ-followers must know they are the winning minority.

Take a moment today to examine the voices shaping your faith. Are they drawing you closer to Christ or to the world? Pray for discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.

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