Validated: Our Faith Authenticated – Discernment is Our Duty!
The Power of Discernment
In 1999, the NFL introduced the challenge system—a game-changing adaptation that allowed coaches to challenge plays they believed had been called incorrectly. If they were right, the call was overturned. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we must exercise discernment. Not everything that appears spiritual is truly of God. Just because someone sounds religious or does things in the name of God doesn’t mean they speak the truth.
The book of 1 John teaches us that discernment is not optional—it’s our duty. We are called to test the spirits and ensure that what we believe and follow aligns with God’s truth.
1. Don’t Trust Every Spirit (1 John 4:1)
John warns us: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
False teachers and misleading spiritual messages have been around since biblical times. Just as Pharaoh’s magicians imitated Moses’ miracles, deception can look impressive. But signs and wonders are not what validate truth—Jesus is the standard.
Many people today follow teachings that sound good but lack biblical truth. This is why we must scrutinize what we hear, ensuring that it aligns with Scripture. Satan is also a spirit, and his goal is to deceive. If we’re not testing what we hear, we risk following a lie.
Application:
Are you accepting teachings just because they sound spiritual?
Are you examining messages against the Word of God before believing them?
2. Jesus is the Metric (1 John 4:2-3)
John provides a clear way to test whether a message is from God: “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”
Many belief systems acknowledge Jesus, but not all affirm His divinity and humanity.
False religions distort the truth about Christ:
Jehovah’s Witnesses deny Jesus as fully God.
Mormons claim Jesus was a created being.
The New Age movement sees Him as just a spiritual teacher.
Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet but not as God in the flesh.
True faith in Jesus goes beyond words—it requires action. It’s not enough to say, “I believe in Jesus.” True belief is demonstrated through a life that aligns with His teachings.
Application:
Do you believe in the biblical Jesus, or a version shaped by personal preference or culture?
Is your life reflecting what you say you believe?
3. The Truth Lives in Every Believer (1 John 4:4-6)
Pastor John encourages believers: “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The Holy Spirit dwells within every true believer, giving us the power to resist deception. False teachers are popular with the world because they preach messages that appeal to human desires rather than God's truth.
John reminds us that we are victorious—not by our own strength, but because God is greater than the deception of the world. If we belong to Christ, we must stay rooted in His truth and resist the influence of those who lead people away from Him.
Application:
Are you tuned into God’s Word, or are you more influenced by worldly messages?
How are you actively allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your discernment?
Conclusion: Discernment is Our Responsibility
John makes it clear:
Discernment is our duty – We must test everything we hear and see.
Jesus is the metric – Truth is measured by Him, not by personal feelings or impressive words.
The Holy Spirit gives victory – If we remain in Christ, we will not be deceived.
We live in a world full of mixed messages, but God has equipped us with His Word, His Spirit, and the ability to discern truth from deception. Let’s take this responsibility seriously and commit to testing every spirit against the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ.
Challenge:
Are you testing what you see and hear, or do you blindly accept spiritual messages?
Are you actively believing in the real Jesus, or a false version?
Are you listening to God's Word, or being shaped by a world that opposes Him?
Let’s be people who don’t just accept things at face value, but who walk in truth and discernment, standing firm in our faith!
